It's 2014 and with your continued support, we're well on our way to another stellar year for Masonboro.Org. We are looking forward to our traditional Masonboro.Org activities, including our spring benefit, the Fourth of July clean-up and our annual volunteer oyster roast. Plus, this year, we're launching a new program: Island Explorers. This newletter edition features a letter from our president, a preview of Island Explorers and a chance for you to get involved!
COASTAL RESERVE EXAMINES USES AT RECENT MEETING [from Lumina News on March 26, 2014]
The Coastal Reserve examine how and when commercial businesses use Masonboro Island at a recent meeting. Hope
Sutton, stewardship coordinator and Southern sites manager for the
North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve,
said her organization started a dialogue with local businesses that
regularly use the island. The
types of businesses participating in the dialogue include kayak and
standup paddleboard companies, photographers and other businesses
primarily focused on ecotourism. CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article.
EXPANDING THE CLASSROOM TO MASONBORO [from Lumina News on January 29, 2014]
For many who live around Wrightsville Beach, Masonboro Island is a common weekend destination during the summer months. But for children attending downtown Wilmington schools, a trip to the uninhabited island could be a life-changing event. That
is the impact nonprofit organization Masonboro.org is hoping to bring
to the hundreds of students attending New Hanover County Schools by
sponsoring field trips to the island at no cost to the students. On Oct. 22, Masonboro.org and Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours conducted a pilot trip to Masonboro Island with Wrightsville Beach School fifth graders. CLICK HERE to read the entire article.
HUNDREDS CELEBRATE FOURTH OF JULY ON MASONBORO [from WWAY NewsChannel 3 in July 4, 2013]
Masonboro Island was packed with hundreds of young people celebrating Thursday. "We're just going to be hanging out having a good time,” Chandler Mills said. Generations of folks have said the exact same thing on the 4th of
July for decades. For many, this is their first time joining in on the
festivities. "This is my first year. I've heard stories and had to come check it out," Dylan Cash said excitedly.
First time visitors are a main reason Masonboro.org volunteers are
also making their presence on the beach a tradition. The organization
says many are unfamiliar with the lay of the land before making the trip
over and do not realize there is not a way to dispose garbage.
"They have no way to get their trash off the island so that's where
Masonboro.org steps in to help,” explained Richard Johnson, co-founder
of Masonboro.org.
CLICK HERE for the whole story and video.
Some Want Changes After Latest Holiday on Masonboro [from WWAY NewsChannel 3 in July, 2012]
Hundreds of people made their way to Masonboro Island to celebrate Independence Day. But, in the holiday's wake, some folks are upset about the condition of the island. CLICK HERE to view the video piece.
Mayor, Town Manager call Masonboro Disaster [from LUMINA NEWS on July 6, 2012]
After Wrightsville Beach Mayor David Cignotti surveyed the
mass of boats and bodies gathered on the north end Masonboro Island on the
Fourth of July, one word he used to describe the scene was “unruly.” Cignotti
was on the island late in the afternoon until 8 p.m., volunteering with
Masonboro.org’s effort to clean up the litter left behind by the revelers.
“I was disappointed in the crowd. There was a lot of
fighting. It was not a good environment,” Cignotti said. “I think the town is
going to need to meet with the county and the National Estuarine Research
Reserve group to rehash how we can make that better because it was a pretty
dangerous situation for some of the kids.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE......
Masonboro.org Sweeps Island of Litter [from LUMINA NEWS on July 11.2011]
"We
don’t need more rules," said Richard Johnson, founder of masonboro.org.
The no new rules mandate is more or less Johnson’s creed. He and other
organization volunteers spent the weekend of July Fourth on Masonboro
Island—a place where rules are a major source of debate among North
Carolina citizens and lawmakers. Through its efforts,
Masonboro.org—Johnson’s volunteer cleanup group founded in 2008—aims to
preserve both the island’s fragile ecosystem and its status as a
recreational destination. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE......
Masonboro kept clean by volunteers [from STARNEWSONLINE on July 5, 2011]
The Fourth of July weekend brings
revelers to the natural, undeveloped
Masonboro Island for parties, camping, cookouts and other gatherings.
It’s a time for celebration, but it’s also a headache for volunteers
with Masonboro.org who try to keep trash off the undisturbed island. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE......
While many folks spent their holiday weekend barbequing in the
backyard or sunbathing on the beach, one group of volunteers gave their
time to clean up after partiers. The group is all about keeping their
beloved island clean.
Masonboro.org
is a group dedicated to preserving public access to Masonboro Island.
They take advantage of the July 4 weekend, when many people are
celebrating on the island, to teach people about keeping it clean. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.......