As a leading education and research center for the marine sciences, CMS strives to lead by example in progressive approaches to environmental coexistence. Although nationally we have lost more than 50 percent of the historic wetlands, protection of wetlands has increased considerably over the past 15 years due to recognition that wetlands provide many vital benefits, including:

• habitat for commercially valuable fish and shellfish
• groundwater recharge
• recreational opportunities
• aesthetics
• improved water quality

The Natural Area Teaching Laboratory will provide a venue for researchers, students and the public to increase their understanding of the intricacies of wetlands ecosystems, the impact of human activity on these ecosystems and value of healthy wetlands.

The Wetlands Interpretative Trail and Boardwalk Demonstration Project will allow us to develop a tangible example, or full-scale prototype, of the planned Wetlands Interpretative Trail and Boardwalk that will provide controlled public educational access to the UNCW Center for Marine Science (CMS) Natural Area Teaching Laboratory (NATL). Applying a relatively small investment, we will modify an existing boardwalk (connecting the parking lot to the main building entrance) by adding an observation spur and interpretive plaques. The observation spur will include a platform area that can be used for teaching, with interpretative plaques and perimeter bench seating. This boardwalk segment will be an integrated component of the completed project. It will allow potential contributors to visualize the larger scale project and planners to test and improve the design prior to construction of the primary boardwalk. It will also allow us to develop and test informational components such as plaques, signs and web-cams.

This highly visible boardwalk crosses a small wet area and links the primary parking lot with the main entrance of the building. The numerous faculty, staff, students and visitors to the Center for Marine Science will see it on a daily basis. It will be a permanent component of the completed project. Contributors will be appropriately recognized with signs and on the interpretive plaques that will be an integral part of the demonstration boardwalk.

Our strategy for establishing the Wetland Interpretative Trail And Boardwalk within NATL is based upon a combination of volunteer staffing and labor, external funding, and in kind contribution of design services and materials. UNCW faculty members and students willingly support the effort with time and volunteer assistance. We are collaborating with other UNCW departments such as Parks and Recreation (for planning and management considerations) and Environmental Studies (interns to assist with construction and development of informational signs and plaques).

No direct State funding will be used. A volunteer project coordinator (a community retiree and MarineQuest volunteer) is in place and actively involved with the planning and coordination of the project.

The Demonstration project will initiate our Wetlands Interpretative Trail and Boardwalk project. By modifying an existing boardwalk, we will leverage available donations, grants and private funds to develop a full-scale prototype of the larger scale project. This highly visible boardwalk crosses a small wet area and links the primary parking lot with the main entrance of the building. The numerous faculty, staff, students and visitors to the Center for Marine Science will see it on a daily basis. It will be a permanent component of the completed project. Contributors will be appropriately recognized with signs and on the interpretive plaques that will be an integral part of the demonstration boardwalk.

The management of funds for this project will be subject to the UNCW internal controls and procedures for similar sponsored program initiatives.

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The UNCW Center for Marine Science provides a collegial, interdisciplinary environment for students and researchers to collaborate in basic and applied marine research, education and public service in the fields of oceanography, coastal and estuarine studies, marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, marine biotechnology and aquaculture. This is accomplished in part by:

• Supporting publication of research findings and to aiding information dissemination to the public.

• Providing administrative, operational and technical support and other services that create an environment conducive to research and education.

• Supporting the University's instructional programs by providing opportunities for undergraduate and graduate training in marine-related research.

Faculty members in the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Physics and Physical Oceanography conduct marine science research at the Center. These faculty members also serve on regional, national and international research policy advisory groups and thereby contribute to the development of agendas on marine research in the United States and the World. By integrating advisory functions with research programs of the highest quality, the Center for Marine Science enhances the educational experience provided by UNCW for both undergraduate and graduate students in marine science.

• Initiating research efforts in the application of basic knowledge as a response to local, state, national, and international needs and to provide information to local, state, and federal agencies that can contribute to marine science policy decisions.

Current programs include oceans and human health, harmful algal bloom labs, coastal ocean monitoring, National Undersea Research Center, marine mammal stranding network, mariculture and K-12 continuing education. The mission of the Center for Marine Science is essentially to research, educate and serve.

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