N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve

COVID-19 Visitor Guidance

To ensure health and safety, visitors are strongly advised to take the following steps to reduce transmission while visiting a reserve site:
  1. Postpone your visit if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
  2. If you are not vaccinated, wear a mask and maintain at least six feet social distancing from other individuals outside your household.
  3. Wash or sanitize your hands before, during, and after your visit.
  4. Touch as few surfaces as possible.
  5. Do not share personal items, including phones, cameras, water bottles, and recreational equipment.
The Reserve will continue to monitor state and local COVID-19 guidelines and directives and encourage visitors to follow guidance to protect themselves and their communities. (Updated May 18, 2021).

Public comment period and hearing for Coastal Reserve rules

The Department of Environmental Quality is proposing rule amendments for the North Carolina Coastal Reserve to satisfy the Legislative Periodic Review and Expiration of Existing Rules process and address priority updates.

Learn more
1 of 8

NOAA Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship

Graduate students are encouraged to submit research proposals to address reserve management needs that help understand coastal challenges that may influence future policy and coastal management strategies.

Applications due December 10th
2 of 8
A man on a stand up paddle board, paddles through the marsh with a maritime forest in the background.

Visit responsibly!

Learn about how to prepare and be a responsible user for your next visit.

Learn more
3 of 8

New Coastal Research Fellow studies invasive wetland grass

Mollie Yacano, the recipient of the 2021 NC Sea Grant - NC Coastal Reserve Coastal Research Fellowship, will investigate the environmental impact of removing Phragmites, a common reed grass that invades coastal wetlands.

Learn more from NC Sea Grant
4 of 8

Self-guided Access Grant Virtual Workshop Series for Local Governments

Recordings of the workshop, held virtually in January, can be viewed on the Tidal Flat blog. Learn about grant opportunities to acquire land and make improvements to beach and waterfront access, parks, and boating facilities.

View guide
5 of 8

Coastal research grant writing tips for graduate students

Are you a NC-based graduate student applying fa coastal research fellowship? Our Coastal Training Program intern and UNC IMS PhD student Zofia Knorek will walk you through preparing a proposal on our Tidal Flat blog.

Read the blog post
6 of 8

Welcome Marae Lindquist - 2020 Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship

Marae Lindquist, a PhD student at UNCW, will study two wintering sparrow populations as a NOAA Davidson Fellow. She will focus her research on the impacts of sea level rise on wintering populations of the saltmarsh and seaside sparrow.

Learn more
7 of 8

Find a reserve site near you!

The N.C. Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve is a network of ten protected sites spanning the North Carolina coast.

Learn more about our reserve sites
8 of 8

The N.C. Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve is a program of the N.C. Division of Coastal Management, a division of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. The N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve is managed through a federal-state partnership between NOAA and the N.C. Division of Coastal Management. The Reserve is a network of 10 protected sites established for long-term research, education and stewardship. This program protects more than 44,000 acres of estuarine land and water, which provides essential habitat for wildlife; offers educational opportunities for students, teachers and the public; and serves as living laboratories for scientists.

Learn more about the Reserve program

Reserve sites

Protecting more than 44,000 acres of estuarine habitat for research, education, and stewardship.

Learn more about the 10 Reserve sites

N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve • 101 Pivers Island Road • Beaufort, NC 28516 • 252-838-0883

 

The N.C. Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve is a program of the N.C. Division of Coastal Management, a division of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. The N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve is managed through a federal-state partnership between NOAA and the N.C. Division of Coastal Management.
 



Back to top