BIRDS
Creative New Signs Protect Nesting Areas by Karen Clark, Community Science Specialist and Carmen Johnson, Waterbird Biologist
T his year Wildlife Diversity staff and the North Carolina Waterbird Stewards at Emerald Isle, a volunteer group coordinated by NCWRC, joined forces with the Town of Emerald Isle and nearby Sand Ridge Elementary to promote sharing the shore with nesting waterbirds through new signage placed along paths leading to the beach. The west end of Emerald Isle, known locally as The Point, hosts a large number of nesting Least Terns, Wilson’s Plovers, and Willets each spring and summer. For nearly 20 years, NCWRC and the town have partnered to protect the nesting birds. The volunteer stewards group has grown in numbers and support of on-the-beach monitoring of nesting birds and mainte- nance of a posted area that protects nesting habitat. In January 2024, stewards, Carrie Lang, Kim Henry, and Adrienne Doughty visited Sand Ridge Elementary School in Onslow County to tell students about the birds and the work being done to protect them. Emily Rivers, Sand Ridge’s art teacher, asked her fourth grade students to draw pictures to illustrate ways that beachgo- ers can help the birds: remain outside posted areas, give space, don’t litter, keep dogs on a leash, and don’t feed gulls. The top
ten drawings were selected to be featured on the signs that would appear along walking paths in 2024. Signs were placed on the beach and a ribbon “busting” ceremony was held where students were able to visit The Point, meet town officials, and officially launch the new signage. The creative signs have proved popular, with locals and visitors alike stopping to admire the artwork and read the messages. We hope to continue the project next year with a new group of students.
Top: Sand Ridge Elementary students bust rather than cut the ribbon at the sign dedication in April. Below: Least Tern sitting on a nest.
14 2024 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
CARMEN JOHNSON /NCWRC
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