Making an Impact in the Carolinas

rick.savage • June 3, 2024

Message from the Executive Director

Greetings Wetland Supporters: 


I want to talk about a few things that the Carolina Wetlands Association is involved with that highlights the important work your organization. 


1. NC Resilience Exchange.  This site is designed to help local and state leaders understand their community’s climate resilience needs, identify appropriate mitigation actions and find the resources to implement solutions.  We were part of the design team that put together the Exchange, so check it out.  It includes a funding portal, a database of experts ready to help communities (yes, the Carolina Wetlands Association is there), a climate vulnerability map, and climate projections for your community. To learn more, attend  an upcoming webinar., pre-registration is required: 

 

2.  NC Salt Marsh Action Plan. I was asked to serve on the Steering Committee for the NC Salt Marsh Action Plan being developed by the North Carolina Coastal Federation under the guidance of the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative (SAMSI).  The role of this steering committee is to find pathways and funding for the implementation of the plan. 

 

3. NC Natural and Working Lands Initiative. You may remember this initiative from a couple years ago that developed the Natural and Working Lands Action Plan. This plan laid the groundwork for Executive Order 305 (EO305) by NC Governor Cooper to restore a million acres of wetlands and conserve one million acres of wetlands.  So the Natural and Working Lands Steering Committee will start meeting again to find pathways for EO 305 to be implemented. 

 

4. Wetland Educational and Outreach Summit. I want to briefly mention this event sponsored by Carolina Wetlands Association, NC State University and RTI, International as a part of our Volunteer Wetlands Monitoring Program. Nearly 60 people from all over North and South Carolina including three tribes participated in this event.  We are really excited about this summit to bring people together to brainstorm on how to protect wetlands through education and outreach.  Check back next month for a summary of this event.

 

I hope you can see that your organization does a lot of very important work to help wetlands. In order to carry out this work, we rely on you financial support as grants do not fund most of these initiatives.  So please consider a donation to Carolina Wetlands Association so we can make our best efforts to protect our valuable wetlands in the Carolinas. 


Don't forget to go out and explore a wetland. 

Rick 

 


You might also like

By kim.matthews October 25, 2025
Join Our 10-Year Anniversary Celebration! We are incredibly proud of all we’ve accomplished together over the last decade, and we can’t wait to celebrate this anniversary with the entire Carolina wetlands community. From advocating for critical policies to advancing wetland science and engaging thousands of volunteers and supporters, our work is only possible because of your dedication. 10 Years of Impact: Our Guiding Mission Since the beginning, Carolina Wetlands Association has been driven by a set of core principles that guide our work across four key program areas: Outreach: Promoting widespread understanding of and engagement in wetlands. Advocacy: Encouraging policies and programs that promote wetland conservation and protection. Science: Encouraging the advancement of wetland science and practices. Sustainability: Ensuring a viable organization for the long term to protect, promote, and restore wetlands. Whether it’s protecting our saltmarshes as nature’s climate protectors (a topic we explore in depth in our recent white paper ) or coordinating hundreds of volunteers to monitor wetlands, our commitment remains the same: protecting and preserving the vital wetlands of the Carolinas. Mark Your Calendar: Sunday November 16th Join us for a relaxed and festive evening to toast a decade of wetland conservation, education, and advocacy! Enjoy local brews, connect with fellow supporters, and celebrate the incredible impact we’ve made together. Whether you've been with us from the start or are just getting involved, we'd love to see you there! Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025 Location: Hi Wire Brewing Company, Address: 800 Taylor St #9-150, Durham, NC 27701 [ Directions ] Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM We look forward to celebrating this incredible milestone with you and kicking off the next decade of protecting the Carolina Wetlands!
Volunteer Appreciation day is October 12, 2025
By aaron.ellis September 12, 2025
Please join us as we celebrate volunteers of our wetland monitoring program on October 12, 2025. Our event will take place in Roxboro, NC and start with a paddle tour of living shoreline and mixer at Black Creek Brewery. All are welcome but please RSVP.
By rick.savage August 10, 2025
At Carolina Wetlands Association, we work every day to educate, advocate, and restore these critical ecosystems across the Carolinas — but we can't do it without your support.