The North Carolina Coastal Reserve Program, within the Division of Coastal Management, was authorized by the NC General Assembly in 1989 to protect unique coastal sites.  The program includes the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve, part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve system, which the Division manages in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the Coastal Zone Management Act.

The Coastal Reserves operate as living laboratories for research, education and management.

Program contact