By Christine R. Gonzalez
Preserving Natur e A long The
NORTH CAROLINA COAST
North Carolina has 44,000 acres of coastal and estuarian reserves preserved in 10 sites ranging from
south of Bald Head Island to the Outer Banks, habitat for flora and fauna of ecological and historical
importance to the state.
The sites are managed by the N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve, a
program of the N.C. Division of Coastal Management. The Reserve is tasked with stewardship and
preservation of the sites, with research, and to provide education opportunities.
The goal is to maintain the natural character of a reserve — to keep it wild. Human guests are
encouraged to enjoy the natural world without causing harm to plants, animals and the environment.
The best thing visitors can do while visiting is to be sure to leave no trace of themselves behind, includ-ing
apple cores, trash or pieces of food.
Visiting a nature preserve takes a bit of thought and planning. The N.C. Department of Environmental
Quality has excellent trail guides with lists of dos and don’ts for the 10 reserves. The online brochures are
full of rules, regulations and suggestions.
Some allow hunting, some are only accessible by boat. Some allow camping, some have dangerous
animals and are best observed from afar. One of the biggest nature reserves is right in our own back-yard,
Masonboro Island, but unless you have access to a watercraft, you likely have never set foot on it.
Following is a brief look at the 10 coastal and estuarian reserves in North Carolina from north to
south, which might inspire a new coastal adventure.
More detailed visiting instructions are available at each reserve’s website. Learn more from DEQ.NC.GOV.
Currituck Banks Reserve
Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve
Emily and Richardson
Preyer Buckridge
Reserve
Buxton Woods Reserve
Rachel Carson Reserve
Permuda Island Reserve
Masonboro Island Reserve
Zeke’s Island Reserve
Bird Island Bald Head Woods Reserve
Reserve
Leave nothing behind except your footprints
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