Sound to Sea Environmental Education Program

Learn about the interconnectedness of man and nature and explore complex ecosystems at this camp and conference center located on North Carolina's Outer Banks.

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• Changing with the tide Students will learn about and act out the functions of the salt marsh habitat
• Taking care of our oceans In this lesson from Xpeditions, students consider why so many people live near the coast and learn about the impacts of this trend on ocean animals. They make posters to educate coastal residents and visitors about human impacts on marine life.
• Large sand volume barrier islands: Environmental processes and development risks This Carolina Environmental Diversity Explorations “virtual field trip” explores the nature and structure of barrier islands with large sand volume — high dunes and sandy ridges that keep the islands' topography relatively stable.
• Evidence of rising sea level: Coastal erosion and plant community changes This Carolina Environmental Diversity Explorations “virtual field trip” examines the causes and effects of changes in sea level, both short-term (as a result of storms) and long-term (as a result of climate change).
• Small sand volume barrier islands: Environmental processes and development risks This Carolina Environmental Diversity Explorations “virtual field trip” explores the nature and structure of barrier islands with small sand volume — only a few small dunes and no sandy ridges between the beach and the salt marsh.

Related pages

• National Estuarine Research Reserve Systems - The Rachel Carson Component: Located in one of North Carolina's fastest growing areas, the Rachel Carson site is a center of marine research and education. The reserve is a diverse and productive estuarine system for birds, mammals, and fish.
• Camp Don Lee: Check out the programs available to classroom students at this beautiful camp located near Arapahoe, North Carolina.
• Fort Macon State Park: This area of undisturbed natural beauty is the perfect place to explore salt marshes and estuaries vital to the coastal ecosystem. Students can also visit the fort to learn about its historical significance to North Carolina.

Related topics

• Learn more about Carteret County, North Carolina, Outer Banks, animal adaptation, biology, environmental education, estuaries, habitats, maritime forests, natural history, and salt marshes.

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Sound to Sea is an educational program which stresses stewardship to plants and animals. Through outdoor education, students can learn about the importance of protecting wildlife habitats and the fragile environment of the Barrier Islands. These programs usually include an overnight stay, however the Center also offers full and half day programs.

The Biology Program “introduces students to the five habitats (beach/ocean, maritime forest, freshwater pond, salt marsh, and sound/estuary), geological history, basic ecological concepts and general habitat study skills that are reinforced throughout the entire program.” These habitat skills include observation, measurement, data collection, and analysis and assessment of habitat conditions.

Sound to Sea also offers a Cultural Program which brings together science and social studies. Students will study how Native Americans, European Immigrants, and African Americans experimented with plants and animals that are native to the Barrier Islands. Students will also see how today’s people are learning to conserve these precious species.

In addition, the Center also offers a Current Events program which “teaches students about the dangers of the loss of biodiversity to human health and gives them a chance to learn about population growth, climate change, air and water quality, waste disposal and energy consumption in fun and engaging ways.”

Teachers can receive CEU credits by attending the programs with their classes.

The Center is located on Bogue Banks which is about 7 miles west of Atlantic Beach. For more information and to schedule a session, contact the center at 252-247-5600 or 1-888-874-6287 or send email to soundtosea@trinityctr.com.

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