We are a nonpartisan group of citizens whose goals are to form a town community advisory committee regarding wetland and wildlife habitat improvements for the natural freshwater lake at Carolina Beach and to install native plant species to prevent erosion and resilting, improve water quality, and create a healthy habitat for humans and wildlife. This lovely area is being systematically destroyed by planning that disregards the wishes of many of the citizens of the town and destroys habitats of species of concern.

We believe that the lake and the adjacent wetlands can be a place where there are farmer's markets, social events, and paddle boats, and a place that has habitats for fish, birds, and native plants. Did you know that many people travel specifically to North Carolina for birding? Did you know that Carolina Beach has exceptional areas for birding including Carolina Beach State Park and Fort Fisher and (when we had wetlands in the lake, Carolina Beach Lake and the surrounding areas)?

Did you know that many birding clubs host events that rent out blocks of hotel rooms twice a year for events in North Carolina, and that Birding in the United States in 2011 brought in 40,942,680,033.00 in trip related and equipment expenses? (Yes, you read that correctly: over 40 billion dollars annually.) That's a pretty good reason to invest in protecting and improving our natural areas--visitors want them, and they are good for the town's bottom line!

Economic survey here: https://www.fws.gov/birds/bird-enthusiasts/bird-watching/valuing-birds.php

We believe that a better balance is possible through community conversation and a plan of thoughtful, judicious action. We request that the town remove the boulders currently installed in areas except those around drain pipes due to them impeding widlife such as turtles, halt future destruction of adjacent wetlands, and work together to help make this area a place of beauty and financial bounty. It is possible. It really is. Let's work together to make the lake beautiful again!