f om white-capped ocean waves to 

 Whitewater mountain rapids, there are millions of 

 reasons to love North Carolina for its nature-blessed 

 beauty. 



But North Carolina has much more going for 

 it than any scenic postcard could capture. Beyond 

 the aesthetics are hard-working, natural systems 

 — land, water and air — that sustain life and 

 livelihoods. 



Fishing, farming and forestry fueled the state's 

 economy for the earliest settlers. Today's more 

 diverse economy still is tied to natural resources 

 for commerce and for the quality of life of its 

 workforce. 



North Carolina's environmental assets are no 

 secret to tourists who pumped $12 billion into the 

 state's economy in 2004. And, its natural beauty 

 continues to attract a new wave of "settlers" into 

 burgeoning communities from the mountains to 

 the coast. By 2030, state officials expect some 12 

 million people to call North Carolina home. 



Growth has its economic benefits. But many 

 North Carolinians recognize that the boom could 

 be costly in terms of degraded land, water and air 

 quality that often accompany dramatic changes in 

 land use and loss of open spaces. 



Now, leaders from across the state are rallying 

 around the "One North Carolina Naturally" banner 

 to help balance the integrity of natural systems 

 with pressures of inevitable growth. Among the 

 flag-bearers are supporters from local governments, 

 state agencies, industry, land trusts and conservation 

 organizations, military reservations, academia and 

 citizen groups. 



Coastwatch I Spring 2006 



www.ncseagr 



