A Message from the White Oak Waterkeeper
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| “As I enter my final week as White Oak Waterkeeper, I am reflecting on the work Coastal Carolina Riverwatch has done to protect the quality of water and the quality of life in coastal NC.
Below are some of my favorite memories over the last few years.”
– Becca Drohan, White Oak Waterkeeper |
| CCRW serves the White Oak River basin through strong advocacy. We have worked collaboratively with East Coast residents, non-governmental organizations, local governments, and researchers to achieve a moratorium on offshore drilling. We have worked to mobilize our community to impede destructive coastal development, and to protect maritime forests. We have expanded our networks to address state level and federal level policies and actions. |
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| We have reached thousands of White Oak River basin residents through community outreach. This includes environmental programming at The Bridge Down East, field days at East Carteret High, tabling events, sustainable farm visits, and the Ocean Friendly Establishment certification process. |
| CCRW reinvigorated our CAFO monitoring program, identifying targeted sample locations and collecting consistent data on bacterial contamination. We have begun pilot programs to sample for the presence of PFAS and micro-plastics, as well as conducted regular aerial monitoring of CAFOs. We have responded to countless citizen concerns regarding water quality and proceeded with investigations and advocacy. |
| In the last four years, the CCRW crew along with volunteers and community partners, removed over 20,000 pounds of litter and marine debris across our river basin. We installed a Trash Trout to catch debris before it reaches our oceans, and are studying results to better inform local plastic advocacy. |
| Though we are up against formidable challenges, CCRW will continue to tirelessly advocate for our waterways. I extend my deepest gratitude to our community, volunteers, and members.
Without your support, none of this would be possible. Together, we are working towards a more sustainable and equitable future for residents in our watershed, and beyond.
I am so honored to have been part of this endeavor and look forward to the future of CCRW and the White Oak River basin.
-Rebecca Drohan, White Oak Waterkeeper |
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Coastinista 