Conservation

Crystal Skipper

The crystal skipper is a unique butterfly found only along a 30-mile stretch of North Carolina’s barrier islands, from Bear Island to Fort Macon. Crystal skippers rely on a common dune grass, seaside little bluestem. This host plant provides the only place for female skippers to lay eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the caterpillars exclusively feed on the grass. The Aquariums and other conservation leaders have been planting small patches of bluestem to support crystal skippers and help maintain connectivity between protected areas.

Crystal Skipper Article

Diamondback Terrapin Study

Unfortunately, there is not much data about the current status of the diamondback terrapin population in the state. To help gather more information, the North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve is working with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to help estimate the number of terrapins in our area through a paddling survey. The Aquariums have participated int the paddling surveys.

2018 Project Field Notes | 2011 Project Field Notes

Living Shorelines

“Living shorelines” is a term used to define a number of shoreline protection alternatives that allow for natural coastal processes to remain through the strategic placement of plants, stone, sand fill, and other structural and organic materials. The Aquariums have partnered with several conservation leaders to build living shorelines at the Aquarium sites as well as planting living shorelines at sites across the coast. 

NOAA: What is a Living Shoreline | Living Shorelines Academy | NC. Coastal Federation Living Shorelines

Marine Mammal Stranding Network

The Marine Mammal Stranding Network of the Central Coast of North Carolina is supported with funding from the John H. Prescott Foundation,  the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, and the North Carolina State University Center for Marine Sciences and Technology. A team of dedicated staff and volunteers from local, state and federal conservation leaders, including the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, respond to all marine mammal strandings that occur along central coastal North Carolina.

The Outer Banks Marine Mammal Stranding Network is also made up of local, state and federal conservation leaders, including Jennette's Pier, and is dedicated to responding to stranded, entangled or injured marine mammals from the Virginia North Carolina state line to Ocracoke, covering more than 130 miles of coastline and receiving 60 percent of North Carolina's strandings annually.  

The University of North Carolina Wilmington Marine Mammal Stranding Program responds to strandings along the southeastern coast of North Carolina. The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher assists the team of dedicated staff, faculty and students on an as-needed basis. 

Marine Mammal Stranding Network of the North Carolina Central Coast  |   Outer Banks Marine Mammal Stranding Network  |  UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program