The Buxton Woods Reserve, part of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve, will be closed to visitors starting August 19 at 8 a.m. The closure is due to the risks posed by Hurricane Erin, including potential damage from downed trees, flooding, and other hazards that could affect public safety.
Officials said the site will remain closed until further notice while conditions are assessed after the storm. Updates on when the reserve will reopen will be provided on the Coastal Reserve’s website at www.deq.nc.gov/coastalreserve as well as through its Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM), which operates under the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, oversees efforts to protect and manage coastal resources in 20 counties across the state. The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve is a program within DCM that aims to preserve natural areas for education, research, and traditional uses. Since its establishment in 1989, this program has conserved over 44,000 acres at ten different sites along North Carolina’s coast.
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