Eat seasonal, eat local

‘Tis the season for eat’n! After a belly bulging Thanksgiving, most of us will be enjoying the holidays by the spoonful. While we often think about eating local when it’s time for a spring harvest, this time of year, you can still find local produce in and around the Outer Banks!

Right now, farm stands along 158 are stocked full of sweet potatoes and collards grown nearby. Some stands also are carrying apples grown in the mountains of North Carolina. And local peanuts are always available, so no need to ever buy those in the grocery store!

Why buy local?
In general, local food is more sustainable. But there are many good reasons you should check out the farm stands.

Local food is closer, which saves energy and resources. On average, most produce grown in the States that we buy in supermarkets is shipped 1,500 miles. Of course, much of the produce we buy is imported from Mexico and other places around the world. By buying local, we conserve the energy and resources required to transport our food. This is especially important to help our nation break its addiction to oil.

Local food is fresher (and that means tastier!).  According to LocalHarvest, most produce in the U.S. is picked 4 to 7 days before being placed on supermarket shelves. Buying direct from the farmers cuts out this lag time.

Local food is often cheaper. An added benefit to buying from local farmers is that you can find great deals on seasonal food at most farm stands.

Buying local supports the local economy. Your purchase supports local farmers and their families rather than large agribusiness corporations.

To learn more about local food and what’s in season, check out this handy local food availability chart.

So now that you’re pumped about buying local, I thought I’d share some ideas of what to do with the sweet potatoes since you can very easily and inexpensively find them throughout our region all year long. Sweet potatoes are a favorite holiday dish on their own, but they are so versatile they can be used in all kinds of recipes. They  also are very nutritious! You can use sweet potatoes to make make hearty biscuits, soups and chili and of course, pie. One of my favorite dishes using sweet potatoes is Caribbean Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup. Here’s the recipe, enjoy!

Outer Banks Rip Current Study Report

Greg Dusek, a graduate student in the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill will present his study “Rip Current Observation, Study and Prediction at Kill Devil Hills, NC” on February 9 at 6 p.m. in the Kill Devil Hills Town Hall.  This study was performed in partnership with Kill Devil Hills Ocean Rescue under the guidance of David Elder in an effort to improve our understanding of rip current formation and to address the need for an improved forecast system.

An observational study of rip currents, beach morphology, waves and the near shore ocean bottom was conducted from 2001-2009 in the town of Kill Devil Hills with the support of KDH Ocean Rescue, US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility and the UNC Coastal Studies Institute.  This project was undertaken in an effort to fill a gap in rip current research regarding how rip currents vary over time and space, and what physical factors have the greatest influence on this variability.  An improved forecast system can be generated using these variables, potentially reducing the number of rip current- related rescues and drowning.

Dusek will focus his presentation on the field work that was completed in KDH in 2008-2009 with an overview of some results from those observations.  David Elder from KDH Ocean Rescue will present the importance of this project from a lifeguard’s perspective, and their involvement in the project.

Sand Dune History (1972)

In the early 1930’s the barrier islands of North Carolina were in what might be called a natural or equilibrium state. Changes were rapid, but the system was well adapted to accommodate powerful natural forces. The first steps to stabilize the islands were taken by the Works Progress Administration- Civilian Conservation Corps (WPACCC)
in the 1930’s by encouraging sand accumulations with brush fences.
This was followed by extensive dune stabilization by the National Park Seris leading to severe adjustments in bothivice in the 1950’s. In building the high coastal dunes along the Outer Banks (Fig. 1), man has created a new state in the beach system that may be detrimental
to the long-range stability of the barriers and may become more difficult and costly to manage than the original
natural system. In an article in Science, Houston (1),
a National Park Service biologist, said,Criteria for management of a park ecosystem must, of necessity, differ from criteria for other uses of land, since park management involves preventing or compensating
for the influence of man. The objectives for natural areas appear to be
ecologically feasible if it is recognized that these areas have a finite capacity for absorbing man’s consumptive and disruptive influences. In the case of the barrier dunes, man’s disruptive influence is linked, most directly,  with geological processes; however, Godfrey (2), also a biologist with the National Park Service, has established
an important coupling of the geological and ecological implications
of barrier dune stabilization. The “natural condition” for the mid-
Atlantic barriers is simply a wide range of sand deposit responses to various wave conditions.

 

Read the 1972 Article Published Science 21 April 1972

New Book on Altered Environments: OBX

Altered Environments The Outer Banks of North Carolina  Text by Jeffrey Pompe Photographs by Kathleen Pompe

An illustrated history of how natural and human forces have shaped the development of a coastal community  The constant assault of natural forces make fragile barrier islands some of the most rapidly changing locations in the world, but human activities have had enormous impact on these islands as well. In Altered Environments, Jeffrey and Kathleen Pompe explore the complex interactions between nature and human habitation on the resilient Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Pompes employ modern and historical photographs and maps to illustrate the geographic and ecologic changes that have taken place on the Outer Banks, evaluating efforts to preserve these lands and also meet the evolving needs of a growing population. The Pompes examine the various forces that have created an environment so very different from the Outer Banks of only a few decades ago. The defining event in the reshaping of the islands for expanded development was the dune-construction project of the 1930s, when the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed a wall of self-sustaining dunes along 125 miles of Outer Banks shoreline in an effort to stave off beach erosion. This event created a historical demarcation in conservation efforts and heralded the beginning of a period of rapid economic development for the Outer Banks. The construction project reshaped the islands’ geography to accomplish perceived economic advantages and prepared the Outer Banks for the last half of the twentieth century, when tourists increasingly visited this shore, bringing corresponding developments in their wake. The dune-restoration project is just one of the Pompes’ examples of how human actions have altered the islands to meet the demands of a growing number of visitors and residents. While Altered Environments focuses on the Outer Banks, the narrative also considers social, environmental, and economic issues that are relevant to much of the seashore. Most coastal communities face similar problems, such as natural disasters and shoreline erosion, and in recent decades rapid population growth has exacerbated many conservation problems. Real-estate developments, the fisheries industry, tourism, climate change, and oil exploration all come under scrutiny in this investigation. Using the Outer Banks as a case study to frame a host of environmental challenges faced along the Atlantic seaboard today, the Pompes provide a valuable commentary on the historical context of these concerns and offer some insightful solutions that allow for sustainable communities. Jeffrey Pompe is a professor of economics at Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina, where he is the Nellie Cooke Sparrow Professor of Business and University Trustee Research Scholar. He is coauthor of Environmental Conflict: In Search of Common Ground. Kathleen Pompe is a professor of art at Francis Marion University. Her photography has been exhibited extensively in one-person, invitational, and juried art shows throughout the United States, and her photographs have appeared in many books and journals. “Altered Environments is a fascinating and cautionary tale about living on shifting sands. In well-chosen words and images, Jeffrey and Kathleen Pompe chronicle the complex relationship between humans and the ever-changing Outer Banks, a story with implications beyond this audacious protrusion into the Atlantic. As we confront the daunting challenge of climate change, Altered Environments conveys an important message about humility, stewardship, adaptability, and hope.”—Dana Beach, Coastal Conservation League A short but interesting article on the nature of sand

4th Annual Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival

The Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival, a six-day celebration of the wild side of the Outer Banks region of North Carolina, is set for Nov. 9 through 14, 2010.

The festival includes a wide variety of programs designed for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, paddlers — and this year — an increased number of photography programs to be taught by professionals. Classes have been designed for both the skilled and not-so-practiced, as well as some programs for children and/or families.
The regions offers some of the country’s best paddling for canoe and kayak enthusiasts. From tannin-fed cypress swamps to endless marsh mazes, it is possible to paddle the region for a lifetime yet still study charts at night, discovering unexplored areas.

Registration currently is open for an assortment of water trips escorted by leaders who are familiar with the various areas. Physical demands range from open water with wind exposure, to short distances with excellent wind protection.

Several different paddling trips are planned and include the Kitty Hawk Bay Sunset Kayak Tour that will allow participants to enjoy a classic Carolina sunset over the bay while navigating through tall cord grass fields and listening for the mysterious sounds of the night marsh.

The Backcountry Expedition combines “off-road” four-wheel-drive and kayaking into an eco-tour that explores 30 miles of beach and backcountry lanes by SUV to paddle the northern Currituck waterways from inside the Spanish Mustang Reserve. Trained naturalists discuss local ecology, history and shore life.

Alligator River Night Canoe Tour allows canoeists to explore the narrow, winding creek through the heart of Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Explore the world of the American Alligator while paddling out from Buffalo City into Milltail Creek. Bring a flashlight!

This year’s keynote dinner will be at the Aquarium on Roanoake Island. Catered by Kelly’s Restaurant, the keynote address will be presented by author, naturalist and muscian Bill Thompson. The cost of the keynote dinner is $35 and registration is required. Dinner includes beer, wine and non-alcohol beverages.

This festival is traditionally set during the shoulder season when rates are lower for accommodations, traffic is light and the weather is mild.

Click here to register now!

For information Email WOW@CoastalWildlifeRefuge.com
or call 252-216-WING(9464)