UNCW Hosts Coastal Reserve Tour, Highlights Research Partnership
State and local collaboration supports student learning, environmental monitoring and workforce development.
Courtesy: Brodi Madison/North Carolina Department of Environment Quality
UNCW welcomed state and local leaders to the Center for Marine Science on May 16 as part of the “Discover the N.C. Coastal Reserve” tour, spotlighting the Masonboro Island Reserve and the university’s role in coastal research and education.
The tour is part of a multi-year effort by the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve, a program of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management, to raise awareness of the state’s 10 Coastal Reserve sites. The next stop is planned for fall 2025.
The day featured remarks at CMS from NCDEQ Secretary Reid Wilson, CMS Executive Director Ken Halanych and other coastal leaders, followed by a boat tour and nature walk on the island. Speakers emphasized the importance of preserving coastal ecosystems and the value of partnerships.
“CMS and the Reserve have a long-standing, mutually beneficial partnership that supports both programs’ missions of research and education. The Masonboro Island Reserve is located directly across the Intracoastal Waterway from CMS, and co-location of office and lab space and joint staffing have facilitated these collaborations,” said Halanych.
The Masonboro Island Reserve, a 5,653-acre barrier island, is a vital site for biodiversity, scientific research and public access. It supports threatened species and provides natural protection against coastal storms. The Reserve is also a Dedicated State Nature Preserve, underscoring its ecological importance.
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