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BHI Conservancy
Ground Breaking of Barrier Island Research and Education Center
 
On Friday, October 15, 2010, the Bald Head
Island Conservancy held a groundbreaking ceremony for their Barrier
Island Study Center - the first community-based barrier island research and
education facility in the nation. The ceremony, which was open to the
public, began at 4:00 p.m. on the campus of the BHI Conservancy on Bald
Head Island.
The center will provide scientists, students
and researchers with the labs, library and facilities needed to conduct
high-level research within uniquely intact barrier island
ecosystems. This research will
not only enhance our understanding of barrier islands, the data will be
transformed into real solutions for the general public on a national and
even international scale. Real
solutions for real people - a very significant point of difference
between community-based conservation and university-affiliated research
centers.
“People are living in a world that is
changing before their eyes. They
need answers for living in this dynamic world,” said Suzanne Dorsey,
Executive Director.
More than $2.1 million has been raised by the
community to fund the 5,000 square-foot green research and education
facility. The center is being designed under the US Green Building
Council’s LEED program; and, if it obtains a platinum certification, it
will be the first platinum building in eastern North Carolina.
“The information gained through Barrier
Island Study Center’s research will be accessible to all coastal
communities, who will be able to use the information to generate
solutions for sustainable coastlines,” according to Suzanne Dorsey.
Bald Head Island was recently designated “as
a model system for a sustainable urbanized barrier island of the
southeastern coast, USA” by the Coastal Barrier Island Network
(CBIN). CBIN was awarded five
years of support from the National Science Foundation in 2008 for the
purpose of forming a network of parties interested in all aspects of
barrier island management along the East and Gulf Coasts of the United
States.
The mission of The Bald Head Island
Conservancy (www.bhic.org),
founded in 1983, is barrier island conservation, preservation and
education. The BHI Conservancy is
an independent 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization and they count on the
support of our unique Island community!
Visit
our calendar for details and more
Island events!
Please
click here to update your contact
information.
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