The Dare Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD) held its inaugural Teachers' Coastal Conservation Workshop on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head. Dare County educators heard from experts about various parts of the barrier islands, including living shorelines, history and management of Jockey's Ridge State Park, soil and water conservation and techniques for the classroom, as well as maritime forests, Nags Head Woods and The Nature Conservancy.

Presenters at the Teachers’ Coastal Conservation Workshop included Mary Margaret McKinney from Native Shorelines, Ranger Scott Coffman of Jockey's Ridge State Park, Jessica Davis of the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Kyle Breslin of the North Carolina Forest Service, and Lora Eddy of The Nature Conservancy. Participating teachers will receive continuing education credits through Dare County Schools and have the option of using it for Environmental Educator credits. 

The DSWCD would like to publicly thank Jockey’s Ridge State Park and their staff—especially Ranger Coffman and Ranger Austin Paul—for their support and help with both planning and presenting. Additionally, the DSWCD thanks Dare County Schools for supporting this program and encouraging their teachers to participate. DSWCD also expresses its appreciation to the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, North Carolina Forest Service, Living Shorelines and The Nature Conservancy for allowing their staff to participate. 

The Teacher’s Coastal Conservation Workshop will be an annual event, moving sites throughout Dare County to showcase and learn about the beautiful natural heritage and ecosystems that define this area. For more information about the DSWCD, visit DareNC.gov. Questions? Contact Community Conservationist Charlie Sanders at Charlie.Sanders@DareNC.gov.