01.26.2016 Chapel Hill, N.C. – Audubon North Carolina’s Sharing our Seas & Shores program has received a $12,000 grant from The Orton Foundation, the North Carolina affiliate of Louis Bacon’s Moore Charitable Foundation. The funds will support work to preserve, protect and engage citizens in bird conservation for the coastal island sanctuaries along the Cape Fear River.

Audubon sought funding to continue and expand work on the Brunswick County sanctuaries, which support significant populations of birds with high conservation concern. The local islands are critical sites for nesting and wintering birds. The grant will improve foraging habitat for nesting American Oystercatchers and allow researchers to survey the existence and numbers of wintering seaside sparrows and saltmarsh sparrows.

“The Seas & Shores program is a critical piece to protecting birds in North Carolina,” said Heather Hahn, Audubon North Carolina’s Executive Director. “Nearly two-thirds of the state’s White Ibis nest here, as well the largest concentration of wintering oystercatchers found in North Carolina.”

Hahn added, “Brunswick County is a crucial location for the survival of these species and we’re thrilled to have the support of The Orton Foundation.”

“After years of supporting Audubon North Carolina’s efforts fighting unregulated beach driving at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina, we welcomed the opportunity to support another important project in the area,” said Ann Colley, Executive Director and Vice President, The Moore Charitable Foundation. “We appreciate the importance of protecting the habitat of Brunswick County as a primary nesting sites for over a dozen species of the state’s most precious birds and are proud to support Audubon North Carolina’s work to protect and restore these vital areas.”

Sharing Our Seas & Shores, a strategic initiative of the National Audubon Society, takes a full life-cycle approach to the conservation of coastal birds by focusing on the protection of key sites and habitats that shore-dependent birds require. For more information on Audubon North Carolina’s Seas & Shores program, visit our website at nc.audubon.org/seas-shores.

About Audubon North Carolina

With a century of conservation history in North Carolina, Audubon strives to conserve and restore the habitats we share with all wildlife, focusing on the needs of birds. Audubon North Carolina achieves its mission through a blend of science-based research and conservation, education and outreach, and advocacy. Audubon North Carolina has offices in Corolla, Boone, Wilmington and Chapel Hill. Learn more at nc.audubon.org and @audubonnc.

About The Orton Foundation

The Orton Foundation, the North Carolina affiliate of Louis Bacon’s Moore Charitable Foundation, supports conservation nonprofits that focus on protecting threatened landscapes, habitats and water bodies. The Orton Foundation also supports educational and community programs in the region. Learn more at:http://www.www.moorecharitable.org