Atlantic White Cedar Restoration at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

This project, implemented by the NC Division of Water Quality and NC Division of Forest Resources, aimed to reduce nitrogen and mercury loading of downstream waters in the Albemarle/Palmico estuary system by restoring wetland hydrology and native bog vegetation to a 640-acre research area. Activities included installation of water-control structures and replanting 100,000 trees (white cedar, pond pine, bald cypress). Monitoring suggested an average survival of 63% and improved downstream water quality (i.e., reduced erosion and lower concentrations of total nitrogen and mercury). The project also served as a demonstration for future restoration efforts over the entire 18,000-acre Pocosin Lakes Atlantic white cedar bog.