When Governor Perdue asked her staff to volunteer in support of President Obama’s United We Serve initiative, the Governor’s Eastern Office was more than happy to oblige by cleaning the beaches that we all enjoy along our coast. The cleanup also worked in harmony with the Governor’s June 19, 2009 “Coastal Reserve Day” Proclamation.
We focused our efforts on the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Reserve, which promotes informed management and stewardship of North Carolina’s estuarine and coastal habitats through research, education, and example. The Rachel Carson Reserve site is made up of four islands, which includes 2,675 acres, located across from the historic town of Beaufort, and is one of ten such sites throughout North Carolina. The Rachel Carson Reserve is home to scores of plant types, including some that are edible, as well as feral horses, river otters, gray foxes, raccoons, and marsh rabbits.
Governor Perdue’s Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Marion Sullivan, also participated in the service project. Along with Marion’s family and other volunteers, we were able to collect much of the debris on the reserve including: paint cans, a mattress, and enough construction material to fill up the front of our boat! It was astonishing that most of what our team collected floated in with the tide.
The Governor’s Office appreciated working alongside a devoted and knowledgeable team at the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management who share the Governor’s dedication to protecting the reserves along the NC coast. We valued this opportunity to volunteer and recommend it to other state employees and citizens who are looking to serve their community. We would particularly like to thank Rebecca Ellin with the Reserve for her tremendous enthusiasm and service to her state and country.
The goal of United We Serve is to bolster civic engagement by empowering people to participate in service opportunities and addressing the unmet needs in their communities. For information about United We Serve, including finding volunteer activities near your home, or registering your individual or group volunteer activities, visit www.serve.gov.
