The 2025 Spring NCWRA workshop will focus on plans, strategies, and approaches for restoring coastal water resources. Shellfish growing area closures are the most common reason for impaired waters listings in North Carolina.  In addition to economic losses due to shellfish harvesting impairments there are also increasing risk to aquatic recreational uses.  There are also multiple coastal waters with nutrient related impairments.  Restoring water quality in coastal North Carolina faces many challenges including many aging stormwater systems, increasing frequency of storms and storm intensity and climate related changes.

Presentations will include an overview of coastal water resource conditions, overall strategies that need to be embraced to advance sound water resource management and specific examples of restoration implementation and sustainability projects from coastal communities.

There will be field trips in the afternoon and lunch will be provided.  Attendees will provide their own transportation to the nearby field visit sites.

The Arboretum  New Hanover County

May 16, 2025  Time:8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location:

Arboretum Education Center

Address:

6206 Oleander Dr

Wilmington, NC 28403

Tentative Agenda:

9:00-10:15 - Morning Session 1

9:00-9:15 - NCWRA Welcome, Cam McNutt introductions and facility logistics

9:15-10:00 - NCCF Strategies and Approaches to restoring coastal water quality and resiliency – Q&A at the end 

10:00-10:15 - Break 

10:15-11:45 - Morning Session 2

10:30-11:00 - City of Wilmington Bradley and Hewletts Creek Restoration Plan – Q&A at the end

11:00-11:30 - UNCW Sustainability – Q&A at the end

11:30-11:45 - Project implementation/panel and preview of field trips 

11:45-12:30 - Lunch

15-minute overview presentations on projects with handouts to carry in the field to facilitate field tour discussions 

12:30-4:00 - Field Tours

Wade Park Wetlands

UNCW campus projects

4:30- until Optional social hour at Mad Mole Brewing

Continuing Education Credits:  This entire workshop will provide 5 PDH (professional development hour) credits upon completion of registration and evaluations that will be sent with the final event information. Each professional must determine if the content is relevant to his/her individual practice and suitable for his/her continuing education. Webinar attendance for the morning session alone will provide 2.5 PDH credits. 

Tickets- registration limited to 75 in person

$30.00 Webinar of Morning Session - Member Registration 

$40.00 Webinar of Morning Session - Non-member Registration

$100.00 In-person with lunch and field trips- Member Registration 

$120.00 In-person with lunch and field trips- Non-member Registration