Southport Magazine

While driving west on N.C. 211, have you ever wondered what it’s like way back in the Green Swamp Wilderness? Do you know how oyster beds can form the base of a heathy ecosystem? Do you want to show the world just how well we live with wildlife in our communities? The 2023 Southport NatureFest, running from April 25-29, offers all these opportunities and more! We have the schedule below, so find your opportunity to learn more about our local flora, fauna and wildlife. Some events require registration, as noted, and the links will be going live at about our press time, so visit facebook.com/southportnaturefest to sign up!

Tuesday, April 25        

NatureFest Series Lecture at 7 pm

Location: Indian Trail Meeting Hall, 113 W. Moore St.

Oysters are often simply considered as food, but they are also a valuable part of the marine ecosystem. Oysters remove harmful pollutants, sediment, and excess algae from the water while also providing reef habitats for fish.  Learn about the St. James “Living Shoreline” project at Waterway Park from J. Taylor Ryan, the project leader and founder.  This living shoreline of oysters is a multi-generational Citizen Scientist Community Conservation program maintained in conjunction with the UNCW’s Center for Marine Science (Benthic Ecology Lab). The Living Shoreline project has been highly successful using bagged oyster shells and marsh grasses to prevent erosion, reduce boat wake damage, and restore habitat for marine life while enhancing oyster habitat.

Thursday, April 27         

City Nature Challenge Activity at 4 pm

Location:  Indian Trail Meeting Hall, 113 W. Moore St.

Kind of a scavenger hunt, friendly competition, and nature outing all in one.  Learn about the International City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition to document local nature with your cell phone between the dates of April 28 and May 1.  Bald Head Island Conservancy Educator Jennifer Wiggen will explain the City Nature Challenge and how to use an app called iNaturalist.  After instruction, there will be a group walk to demonstrate how to participate in the City Nature Challenge.  Registration required. 

Friday, April 28                

Green Swamp walking tour with Dr. Roger Shew at 8:30 am

Location: Green Swamp Preserve, Green Swamp Road NW 

Learn about a truly unique landscape, the Brunswick County Green Swamp Preserve.  Dr. Roger Shew will lead a group on a walking tour in this longleaf pine ecosystem.  Besides the beautiful longleaf savannah, there will be opportunities to see native carnivorous plants. Registration required. 

City of Southport Arbor Day celebration at 12 pm

Location: Taylor Field Park, 409 E. Nash Street

The Southport Forestry Committee hosts the annual City of Southport Arbor Day celebration at noon.   Dr. Roger Shew will be Arbor Day’s guest speaker.  No Registration required.

Coastal birds lecture by NC Audubon Biologist Dr. Lindsay Addision at 5 pm

Location: Trinity United Methodist Church Murrow Hall, 209 E. Nash St.

Audubon Biologist Lindsay Addision will lecture on the variety of coastal birds in our area. 

No registration required. 

Saturday, April 29         

Environmental non-profits information and exhibit booths at 8:30 am until 12:30 pm

Location: Taylor Field Park, 409 E. Nash St.

Free activities include Lowe-White Park Pollinator Garden tours, the Ft. Fisher Aquarium ambassador animal reptile exhibit, and Co-existing with Wildlife presentations.

Participating nonprofits:  Brunswick County Master Gardeners, Plastic Ocean Project, Bald Head Island Conservancy, NC Coastal Land Trust, Cape Fear Bird Observatory, Ft. Fisher Aquarium, Southport Beautification Comm, Going Green Publications, Southport Garden Club, Southport Forestry Comm, Trinity UMC Creation Care Team, and NC Island Wildlife