Living Shorelines Field Trip

Description: The purpose of this field trip is to inform participants about “living shorelines”, as they protect our shores from erosion by using natural materials (sometimes combined with man-made), as opposed to environmentally destructive bulkheads. Shoreline erosion is intensified by stronger storms and sea level rise due to anthropogenic climate change. In addition to erosion protection, living shorelines provide wildlife habitat and mitigate climate change by absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide.The living shorelines which we will visit are: Morris Landing in Holly Ridge, Pender County, and Soundside Park in Surf City. While on-site, we will observe and discuss the related climate change causes, effects, and solutions. There is educational signage at these sites.Logistics: We will meet at 11 AM at the NHCDP office parking lot at 5041 New Center Drive, about 2 blocks off College St. The trip is limited to 12 persons and we will then carpool in 4 vehicles and travel about 60 miles round trip. At each site, walking is no more than a couple hundred yards, and the terrain is not difficult. Sturdy closed walking shoes are recommended; some may wish to wade into shallow waterto get close to the Morris Landing shoreline.