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Many parks require you to stay a minimum distance of 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from predators like bears and wolves, according to the National Park Service. (Joe A. Chansak/Adobe Stock)

Wildlife advocates: Keep your distance from wild animals

As summer travel peaks, wildlife experts are urging people to maintain their distance from wild animals they may encounter. North Carolina, home to …

The North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services has determined the real estate value of salt marshes in the state is more than $123 billion, based on their overall contributions to the environment and economy. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina launches five-year plan to restore salt marshes

North Carolina's 220,000 acres of salt marshes face multiple threats to their major roles in climate protection and ecosystem health, from rising …

Bats are the only mammals capable of self-powered flight, and account for about one in five of all mammals on earth. There are around 1,300 bat species worldwide. (Anastasiia/ Adobe Stock)

Wildlife advocates: Bats provide $50 billion worth of natural pest control

As Halloween approaches and thoughts may turn to spooky bat costumes, advocates for endangered species are reminding everyone bats are not creatures …

About 5.7 million acres of North Carolina or 17% of the state is made up of wetlands, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. (Adobe Stock)

Sportsmen's Group Voices Concern Over SCOTUS Wetlands Ruling

Conservation and sportsmen's groups are voicing concerns that wetlands areas are now in jeopardy of being drained and developed or otherwise eliminate…

According to the East Coast Greenway Alliance, 50 million bike rides, runs and walks occur every year along the project's existing route. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina Greenways: A Path to Health, Happiness, and Economic Growth

By Ashira Morris for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalis…

Flooding is North Carolina's second-most common natural hazard, occurring on average every 7.5 days, according to data from North Carolina Flood Insurance. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Groups Focus on Climate, Flood Resilience in Western NC

More than 100 people will gather this week in Asheville to brainstorm ways to improve flood resilience in Western North Carolina. Historically…

After Generations of Exclusion, Black Americans Embrace the Outdoors

By Jazmin Murphy for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News Service …

Old-growth forests hold far more carbon than younger forests, helping to protect people from fossil-fuel emissions, according to research published in National Geographic. (Adobe Stock)

NC Groups Hope White House Works to Protect Old-Growth Forests

By Bryce Oates for The Daily Yonder. Broadcast version by Chance Dorland for North Carolina News Service, reporting for The Daily Yonder-Public News …

Although some hellbender populations remain healthy, it is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN and is close to qualifying for Vulnerable status. The Ozark Hellbender, a subspecies, was listed as endangered federally in 2011, according to the Nature Conservatory. (Paula Worden/Resource Institute)

NC Habitat Increased for Endangered North American Salamander

Protecting North Carolina's rivers and streams is good for residents, wildlife and even salamanders. Recent work along Hog Lot Creek and Bates …

Research shows that while low-severity fires restore natural resilience in forests, more severe fires change the makeup of the forests. according to The Nature Conservancy. (Adobe Stock)

NC Forests Need Prescribed Fire for Regrowth, Restoration

A new year is a time for restoration, and two free downloadable publications from The Nature Conservancy shed light on the role that controlled fire …

The latest North Carolina state budget includes $40 million for water and sewer projects in the state park system. (Adobe Stock)

Historic Dollars for Conservation, Outdoor Recreation in NC State Budget

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina communities will soon receive funding to preserve green spaces, maintain parks and boost resiliency against the …

The planet lost an area of forest larger than the United Kingdom in 2020, according to research by the University of Maryland. (Adobe Stock)

New Scorecard Helps Consumers Find Responsibly Sourced Wood Furniture

HIGH POINT, N.C. - The National Wildlife Federation and Sustainable Furnishings Council have released the latest list of furniture retailers who rely …

The least tern is among nearly 500 species under threat of decline in North Carolina. (Don Henise/Flickr)

NC Senators Sponsor Bipartisan Wildlife Protection Bill

RALEIGH, N.C. - A bipartisan bill to protect wildlife species before they're imperiled has gained the support of North Carolina's senators. It's the …

Resource Institute and partners recently restored a portion of Big Elkin Creek in Surry County to improve habitat and downstream water quality.(Resource Institute)

NC Community Tackles Erosion, Sediment Issues in Water Supply

ELKIN, N.C. -- Surry and Wilkes County residents will have cleaner water with less pollution and less sediment, thanks to a recently completed stream …

North Carolina's registered voters overwhelmingly support land and water conservation, according to a 2017 statewide poll by the group Land for Tomorrow. (Adobe Stock)

Conservation Groups Give Thumbs Up on NC Senate Budget

RALEIGH, N.C. - Conservation groups are praising Senate lawmakers' recent budget proposal, which provides more than $100 million toward the state's …

In a 2016 poll by the group Defenders of Wildlife, 73% of North Carolinians said they support red wolf recovery. (Wildlands Network)

Research Shows Red Wolves Coexist with Deer, Other Game Species

EAST LAKE, N.C. - There are plenty of deer, wild turkey and other game species in eastern North Carolina's red wolf recovery area, according to new …

Salt marshes have disappeared over the past two decades along the Eastern Seaboard and other coastlines because of development, polluted runoff and rising seas. (Adobe Stock)

Military, Government Groups Endorse NC Salt-Marsh Protection Plan

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- A group of military and government leaders has endorsed an initiative to protect the one million acres of salt marsh that …

Since its creation 1990s, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund has conserved more than 1.5 million acres of land and thousands of miles of streams and rivers. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Drives Demand to Expand NC State Parks, Natural Areas

RALEIGH, N.C. - The state has received more than 100 applications for conservation projects this year, an increase environmental groups say was …

In cities like Wilmington, N.C., Black residents are more likely to live in areas with higher levels of air particles known as

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Biden Executive Orders Prioritize Climate, Environmental Justice

RALEIGH, N.C. -- President Joe Biden will release a slew of executive orders aimed at curbing pollution, conserving natural lands, and addressing …

The superintendent of Pilot Mountain State Park in Pinnacle, North Carolina, reached out to Resource Institute for a solution to stop erosion for one of its streams. (Paula Worden)

Stream Restoration Gives New Life to Pilot Mountain State Park

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- One of the most frequently visited parks in North Carolina has improved a prized natural resource. Grassy Creek, which flows …

The Southern Blue Ridge Mountains are among the most climate-resilient landscapes in the U.S., according to new research by a team of scientists at The Nature Conservancy. (Adobe Stock)

Map Reveals Biodiverse “Hotspots” to Help Species Survive Climate Change

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Animals are on the move to escape rising temperatures and increased floods and drought, but some could find refuge in North …

The Roan Highlands in North Carolina is a conservation focus area of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. (Travis Bordley)

Great American Outdoors Act Could Help NC Expand State Parks

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- The U.S. Senate recently passed legislation aimed at ensuring the nation's land and water resources, particularly its national …

Nationwide, time spent in such outdoor spaces as parks, beaches and community gardens has shrunk as people continue to stay indoors to avoid spread of COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Challenge Aims to Get NC Kids Outside Every Day

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - With schools out and many camps canceled this summer due to COVID-19, families are looking for ways to get their kids outdoors…

The Civilian Conservation Corps helped build the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Young North Carolinians Could Benefit from Reviving Depression-Era Program

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The nationwide youth unemployment rate is the highest it's been since the Great Depression, and some are calling for creating a new …

Rainwater from Hurricane Florence washes out a bridge in Waxhaw, North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Shouldn’t Abandon Flood Resiliency Projects in Pandemic

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Atlantic hurricane season starts Monday, and weather watchers warn it could be an active one. So, experts say funding for …

View of Satulah Mountain from the Brushy Face Trail in Highlands, N.C. (Highlands Cashiers Land Trust)

NC Land Trust Creates New Hiking Trail at Brushy Face

HIGHLANDS, N.C. -- Volunteers have completed a roughly two-mile trail through a dense web of old-growth forests on land that was once slated to …

Wetlands prevent flooding by sponging up excess water after storms and heavy rains. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Filed Against EPA’s Stripping of Clean-Water Protections

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Southern Environmental Law Center and other groups have sued the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of …

Fisher River Park in Surry County is a popular spot for kayaking. (Adobe Stock)

Stream Restoration Project Improves Surry Co. Recreational Hub

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. -- Conservationists have restored more than 3,000 feet of eroded streambank along the Fisher river in Surry County. The river runs …

Muskie are apex predator fish native to the French Broad River that runs through western North Carolina. (Conserving Carolina)

Bring Back Muskie – Goal of Western NC River Restoration Project

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- This spring, a project to restore more than 100 acres of low-lying ground surrounding the French Broad river in western North …

Wetlands are critical to North Carolina's coastal ecosystems. (Adobe Stock)

As Biodiversity Shrinks, Conservationists Shift Focus to Protecting Land

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina's mountains and coasts are teeming with biodiversity that conservationists say is under threat from global warming…

Western North Carolina is among the most ecologically rich regions in the world. (Adobe Stock)

30,000 Acres in Western NC Protected from Development

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - In 2019, more than 30,000 acres in Western North Carolina became protected from development, according to Blue Ridge Forever…

William B. Umstead State Park spans nearly 6,000 acres across the cities of Raleigh, Cary and Durham. (Wikimedia Commons)

Opponents of Proposed Quarry in Wake County Appeal Court Ruling

RALEIGH, N.C. - A local group opposed to the construction of a rock quarry adjacent to Umstead State Park in Wake County is appealing a Superior …

Cathey's Creek in Brevard is the city's main source of drinking water. (Resource Institute)

NC City Addresses Sediment Issues to Keep Water Treatment Costs Low

BREVARD, N.C. – The city of Brevard has received $1 million from the state to undertake a stream restoration project aimed at preventing the …

More than 170,000 acres in North Carolina are protected under the Roadless Rule, a federal law that blocks most commercial road-building and development in national forests. (Adobe Stock)

Forest Service Mulls Weakening National Land Protections

RALEIGH, N.C. – A 2001 federal rule banning tree harvesting and road construction in national forests is under threat. Developers and the U.S…

Many species of birds, amphibians, freshwater fish, reptiles and other wildlife have been determined to be priorities for conservation action in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Bipartisan Bill Could Help Protect Hundreds of NC Wildlife Species

RALEIGH, N.C. — Congress is considering a bill that would direct nearly $1.4 billion to state fish and wildlife agencies. Introduced by Rep…

One group in North Carolina is focused on inclusion and diversity in hiking, camping and other outdoor activities. (Nina Rodriguez/Issa Vibe Adventures)

NC Nature Group Provides Outdoor Opportunities for People of Color

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A nature group in North Carolina is leading hikes and other outdoor activities this summer for people of color. Ali Steele…

The Jacob Fork River in Catawba County flows along a 188-acre property acquired by Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. (Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina) <br />

Land in Catawba County Could Become Next NC State Park

MORGANTON, N.C. — North Carolina may soon be adding a new state park to its roster. Land conservationists have announced the purchase of 188 …

A 600-pound bear died from a car collision east of Plymouth, N.C., this week. Law enforcement officials say the driver was unharmed. (Tom Harrison/NCBearFest.com)

Collisions With Bears Rise on North Carolina Highways

PLYMOUTH, N.C. — As the breeding season begins for North Carolina's black bears, so does the risk of collisions with the animals on highways in …

North Carolina's Albemarle Peninsula is home to the world's only wild population of red wolves. (Matthew Zalewski/Wikimedia Commons)

North Carolina’s Red Wolf a Unique Species, Study Finds

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Red wolves roam the Albemarle Peninsula of eastern North Carolina, and a new study confirms that the wild population is a …

The North Carolina Coastal Federation has joined several other groups in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction to block seismic surveys from beginning in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. (daveynin/Flickr)

Offshore Drilling Plan on Atlantic Coast Expected Soon

WANCHESE, N.C. – A proposed federal plan from President Donald Trump to allow offshore drilling off the Atlantic coast is expected to be …

The EPA's proposed rule changes would exempt isolated wetlands, groundwater, mining water, waste treatment ponds and interstate waters from its jurisdiction. (Yadkin Riverkeeper)

Federal Proposal Could Impact NC's Clean Water

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – North Carolina groups are pushing back against a federal proposal they say would sink the Clean Water Act - and cost …

The Virginia big-eared bat consumes insects, with small moths making up a significant portion of its diet. (Larisa Bishop-Boros/Wikipedia)

Documentary Highlights Fight to Save Endangered Bats

LINVILLE, N.C. — Bats are among the most misunderstood mammals, and a documentary showing at The Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum next month …

Since 1965, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has tapped revenues from offshore oil and gas development to preserve public lands, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (National Park Service)

Land and Water Conservation Fund Could See New Life

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - In a rare display of bipartisanship, the U.S. Senate last week passed a measure by a vote of 92-8 to reauthorize the Land and Water …

The National Park Service has furloughed nearly 16,000 workers and suspended most maintenance and visitor services, but parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and trails remain open to the public. (Friends of the Smokies)

Shutdown: Nat'l. Parks Rely on Donations for Maintenance

CHEROKEE, N.C. — Visitors at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and others across the country have seen trash, overflowing toilets and damaged …

Spending time outdoors is one way to combat the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and hypertension, all of which are higher for African Americans. (Pathways to Parks)

NC Group Promotes Diversity Among Nature Lovers

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Western North Carolina's rich public lands are open to all, and a new group has decided to go the extra mile to encourage …

Groups say blocking public access to government agencies' websites violates the core principles of public participation outlined in the National Environmental Policy Act. (criene/Twenty20)

Groups Ask to Extend Public-Comment Periods Due to Shutdown

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Conservation groups are keeping a watchful eye on federal agency websites during the government shutdown and say some pages …

The red patches on either side of the head of male red-cockaded woodpeckers are rarely seen - the birds usually conceal them unless they're excited or agitated. (Chuck Hess/U.S. Forest Service)

Healthy Homes Needed for Endangered NC Birds

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Fourth National Climate Assessment released by the federal government outlined the impacts of severe weather on the …

The swamp sparrow is among the birds traveling through North Carolina this month, on its way south for the winter. (Kenneth Cole Schneider)

Native Plants Provide Pit Stops for Bird Migration through NC

CLEMMONS, N.C. – Chances are more than a few North Carolinians turned on their heat this weekend and dug out winter clothes as temperatures …

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NC: Public Lands/Wilderness