Overview

The North Carolina Coastal Reserve (NCCR) and National Estuarine Research Reserve (NCNERR) is a network of ten protected sites established for long-term research, education, and stewardship. This program protects more than 41,000 acres of estuarine land and water, which provides essential habitat for wildlife; offers educational opportunities for students, teaches, and the public; and serves as living laboratories for scientists. The state-supported NCCR sites are Kitty Hawk Woods, Emily and Richardson Preyer Buckridge, Buxton Woods, Permuda Island, Bald Head Woods, and Bird Island. The other four components are NCNERR sites – Currituck Banks, Rachel Carson, Masonboro Island, and Zeke’s Island – and are part of the larger National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS).