Coast

Conserving North Carolina's Coasts

Photo: Lindsay Addison

The Audubon North Carolina Coast Islands and Sanctuaries Program manages and protects 40% of North Carolina's nesting coastal waterbirds and contributes to science that protects both breeding and non-breeding birds in the state year-round. This long-term commitment to these sites, and the partnerships with agencies and other organizations that are created and sustained by that work, are the foundation of our leadership role in coastal bird conservation in North Carolina.

The sanctuary program’s ongoing mission is to manage, monitor, and protect our sites using best practices and support partners in doing the same; provide meaningful data to agencies and policymakers; and lead and support research that generates new knowledge about coastal birds and the habitats they depend on. This work connects all of our other coast-related work: policy, planning, and advocacy for the sites and resources coastal birds need to face an uncertain climate future, and education and outreach that engages Audubon’s network and inspires individuals to support coastal conservation.

Sharing Our Ocean & Shores
Coast

Sharing Our Ocean & Shores

Protecting coastal habitats for generations to come.

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Coast Islands and Sanctuary Program
Coast

Coast Islands and Sanctuary Program

For more than 25 years, Audubon’s Coastal Island Sanctuary Program has been a model for conservation along the Atlantic Flyway.

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Coastal Birds: Your Top Questions, Answered
Coast

Coastal Birds: Your Top Questions, Answered

We hope these FAQs on coastal birds will help you find the birds you most wish to see, better support birds during nesting and migration season, and more!

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Birds You Can Help Right Now

American Oystercatcher

Latin:  Haematopus palliatus

Illustration for American Oystercatcher

Least Tern

Latin:  Sternula antillarum

Illustration for Least Tern

Brown Pelican

Latin:  Pelecanus occidentalis

Illustration for Brown Pelican

Piping Plover

Latin:  Charadrius melodus

Illustration for Piping Plover

Great Egret

Latin:  Ardea alba

Illustration for Great Egret

Laughing Gull

Latin:  Leucophaeus atricilla

Illustration for Laughing Gull

Snowy Egret

Latin:  Egretta thula

Illustration for Snowy Egret

Black Skimmer

Latin:  Rynchops niger

Illustration for Black Skimmer

Latest Coast Posts

A Look Back at Nesting Season on the South End of Wrightsville Beach
Coast

A Look Back at Nesting Season at the South End of Wrightsville Beach

Junior Bird Steward Jackson Travis will always remember his summer as a bird savior, and other reflections.

Seeking a Better Approach to Erosion on Ocean Isle Beach
Conservation

Seeking a Better Approach to Erosion on Ocean Isle Beach

Ocean Isle Beach's proposed terminal groin project would be devastating to an area that has long been a haven for boaters, families, and wildlife. Today, Audubon North Carolina challenged this project in federal court.

Vegetation Management on the Cape Fear River Pays Off
Eco-Friendly Habitat Management

Vegetation Management on the Cape Fear River Pays Off

Through tilling and herbicide treatment, Audubon NC was able to transform these jungle-like islands into ideal open sand nesting grounds for oystercatchers and terns.

Wainwright Island Gets New Sand... and Birds!
Coast

Wainwright Island Gets New Sand... and Birds!

Manmade dredged-material islands are vital for the state’s populations of Royal and Sandwich terns.

2017 Summer Biological Technicians
Coast

2017 Summer Biological Technicians

These biological technicians are instrumental in preserving the delicate, waning habitat on the beaches, marshes, and sanctuary islands on the North Carolina coast.

Posting Sites for the 2017 Coastal Nesting Season
Coast

Posting Sites for the 2017 Coastal Nesting Season

Working to protect nesting birds at coastal posting sites from human disturbance

Keep Our Rivers a Haven for Birds and People
Coast

Keep Our Rivers a Haven for Birds and People

Learn how you can help keep our rivers a haven for important bird species like pelicans, ibis, wading birds, and terns; especially during nesting season!

What Is a Census?
Coast

What Is a Census?

Since the first North Carolina Colonial Waterbird census was taken in 1977, technology has drastically improved, but its basic mission of bird conservation has stayed true.

Habitat Management for the Cape Fear River Dredge Islands
Coast

Habitat Management for the Cape Fear River Dredge Islands

Coastal habitat management aims to protect Cape Fear River terns

Upward Trends for NC's American Oystercatcher and Wilson’s Plover
Coast

Upward Trends for NC's American Oystercatcher and Wilson’s Plover

Counting birds - it's not as easy as it looks! Audubon Researchers collected and analyzed census data about the American Oystercatcher and Wilson's Plover to get a better sense of the big picture when it comes to protecting these beautiful birds.

How you can help, right now