Carolina Wetlands Association Newsletter
Dear Friends,We’re thrilled to mark our 10-year anniversary in 2025! Join us on Sunday, November 16, from 2:00–5:00 PM at Hi-Wire Brewery (Taylor Street, Durham) to celebrate a decade of protecting and restoring wetlands across the Carolinas.
From our humble beginnings in 2015 — meeting at a Starbucks to form our first Board — we’ve grown into a strong, science-driven nonprofit with statewide impact. Over the years, we’ve:
- Recognized 36 Wetland Treasures across NC and SC,
- Launched a Volunteer Wetlands Monitoring Program, and
- Partnered with communities including Harnett County (NC), Lumbee Tribe (NC) and Bucksport (SC) to reduce flooding and restore vital ecosystems.
Our progress has been possible thanks to your support. As we look ahead, we invite you to celebrate, reconnect, and help us continue this important work with a donation or by volunteering.
Let’s keep our wetlands — and our vision — thriving for the next decade!Rick Savage, Executive DirectorEmail me
Read Rick's full message.
We’re working with the Town of Weldon, NC along with Kris Bass Engineering to address erosion challenges along the scenic Roanoke River at River Falls Park. The park is a cherished community space, but years of erosion have threatened its banks and nearby infrastructure. In October, we met with the Town of Weldon to discuss their vision for River Falls Park, share ideas for using nature-based solutions to stabilize and protect the riverbank, and conduct initial on-site assessments and measurements. It was inspiring to hear town leaders express their love for the park and their dedication to preserving it for generations to come.
We’ve been busy meeting with community groups and organizations to identify the most effective restoration and flood resilience opportunities. Next, we’ll meet with City of Greenville (NC) engineers to determine top project ideas and prepare for the Tar River Science Festival on November 22. There, we’ll share educational materials on flooding and water quality and invite community feedback on priority projects. We’re excited to keep this work community-driven. If you’re in the Greenville area, stop by our table at the festival!
Join Us: Celebration Event
Join us to in celebration of the 10-year anniversary event where we recognize our accomplishments and volunteers that are vital to the success of the organization. This event is open to the public, so bring family and friends.
New Funding to Continue Stony Run Walkable Watershed Project
We’re thrilled to share exciting news: our grant proposal for restoration along the Stony Run corridor has been approved for funding! The North Carolina Land and Water Fund will award $270,500 to help bring this long-term vision to life. Since 2020, we’ve been working with community partners to plan for this restoration, completing the design phase in 2024 with our partners at Wetland Solutions. With work planned to begin in 2026, this new grant marks the next chapter in restoring Stony Run’s vibrant riparian corridor. Stay tuned for more updates!
Volunteer Wetland Monitoring Program
As autumn winds down, our Volunteer Wetland Monitoring teams have finished another successful Fall season across the Carolinas! Mason Farm and Hemlock Bluffs hosted productive vegetation monitoring events, and partners at Riverbanks Zoo, Lewis Ocean Bays, and Kanuga Bog are moving toward independent monitoring — a big milestone.
Thanks to everyone who joined our October 12 celebration at Black Creek Brewery! While weather delayed our Mayo Lake paddle, we’ll be back on the water in spring 2026.
December monitoring dates and winter QA/QC opportunities are coming soon — perfect for volunteers who enjoy behind-the-scenes work.
Thanks to all who make this program thrive! For details or to get involved, contact Aaron.
Coastal Federation partners with tech company to combat wetlands erosionEmily Sawaked of Port City News reports, “A new AI model and satellite technology is in the process of reading 4,000 square miles of wetlands along the entire North Carolina coast, where the rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean. This could mean fast-tracking greenhouse gas emission reduction and further protection of the state’s coastal marshes.”
[Read more]
How wetland loss increases the cost of flood damages in North Carolina
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) conducted a preliminary analysis that looks at the economic value of wetlands in reducing damage from riverine flooding in North Carolina for one to four unit family homes, which occurs when rivers overflow into surrounding areas. Findings show that wetlands loss from 1985-2023 has contributed to more than $43 million dollars in flood damage across the state. This study calculates the per acre value of wetlands in reducing flood losses across the state estimated by comparing changes in wetlands with individual flood insurance claims payments.
How friends in South Carolina are restoring a wetland and bringing their neighborhood togetherJoel Caldwell and two friends have been restoring wetlands that surround Charleston, South Carolina. Their work involves planting pollinator gardens, trash pickups and testing water quality, and comes as federal wetlands protections are being rolled back.
[Read more at CoastalCoastOnline or Watch APNews Video.]
November 16, 2025Carolina Wetlands Association10th Anniversary Celebration 2pm - 5pm
Open to the general public - everyone is welcome!
More information
November 22, 2025Tar River Community Science Festival
11am - 3pm
Wildwood Park (New Location), Greenville N.C.Event Information
December 3, 2025Science Committee Meeting (virtual)
6:30 PM pm (virtual)
The committee responds to needs of landowners with questions about their wetlands, writes white papers about wetland related topics, responds to wetland-related policies, and supports other scientific needs of the organization.
Contact the committee chair at virginia.baker@carolinawetlands.org to join.
December 10, 2025Program Committee Meeting (virtual)
7:00PM pm (virtual)
Would you like to be involved in wetlands education, hands-on stewardship projects, event planning and more? Meet with the program committee!Contact Chase or register below if you'd like to be involved and/or attend the meeting.
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors:
Kris Bass EngineeringJennings EnvironmentalNC Native Plant SocietySouth Carolina Mitigation AssociationWetland Solutions, LLC
