Description: Byron Toothman and Elizabeth Pinnix discuss the NC Coastal Reserve System Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) and challenges in managing our sites along the Lower Cape Fear area. We’ll cover environmental and habitat monitoring as well as species of concern and some of the current issues in land management at our sites.

Speakers: Elizabeth Pinnix, Southern Sites Manager for the NC Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve
In her role, Elizabeth spends most of her time protecting coastal ecosystems and studying them. As a child she always knew she wanted to work in marine science, especially with sea turtles. She attended UNC-Wilmington and received her bachelors in Oceanography, then went on to get her master’s in marine biology from Nova Southeastern University in South Florida. She is passionate about coastal NC and teaching others about our amazing coastal ecosystems.

Byron Toothman, Research Biologist for the NC Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve
After moving to Coastal NC from Washington DC, Byron spent his childhood in Morehead City and on the waters of Bogue Sound. There he grew attached to all the trappings of life on the water in Coastal North Carolina. He attended UNC Wilmington where he earned a B.S. in Marine Biology and Environmental Science. After a time working in aquaculture, he returned to pursue a M.S. in Marine Science and is now finishing a PhD in Marine Biology. Byron has 20+ years of experience with water quality in coastal and estuarine environments. He has been a Research Biologist with the NC Coastal Reserve for 15 years where he manages their environmental monitoring programs. He also has experience in grant writing, teaching, outreach, and student mentoring to further stewardship and understanding of the coastal landscape. Byron also serves on the Board of Directors for Cape Fear River Watch!