2 minute read
Protecting Our Shared Environment
Extension professionals in the College of Natural Resources and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences worked with landowners, natural resource professionals, businesses and communities to bolster knowledge of the state’s vital natural resources.
How to Fathom Forever Chemicals
Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – a group of nearly 15,000 synthetic chemicals – is a growing concern in North Carolina and beyond.
Used for their resistance to heat, oils and water, PFAS exist in a variety of everyday products – from cosmetics and clothing to furniture and food packaging.
Commonly called “forever chemicals” because they break down so slowly, PFAS have been found around the globe in environments and people, where research suggests they can cause significant harm.
NC State Extension specialist Khara Grieger is addressing a pressing need for public education. Grieger co-authored a comprehensive guide on PFAS to help inform industries, families and governments.
Stemming the Tide of Saltwater Intrusion
The importance of agriculture for Eastern North Carolina is significant, both as an anchor for the state's largest industry and an economic lifeline for local communities. Thus the high anxiety around high tide, as saltwater intrusion impacts our coastal ecosystems and farmers.
To help mitigate the issue, Extension experts launched a study to identify soybean varieties that could grow in the salty environs. As a result, producers' odds of finding a balance between living with nature and generating profits just got a bit better.
Wanted: Anything but Bradford Pears
A popular program to raise awareness about the spread of invasive Bradford pear trees across North Carolina's natural landscapes returned in 2023.
“Bradford Pear Bounty” program participants received a free native tree in exchange for removing a Bradford pear at home.
NC State Extension hosted four new events statewide with the N.C. Wildlife Federation, N.C. Urban Forest Council and N.C. Forest Service.
