So... What is an Estuary?
An estuary is where a river meets the sea — freshwater mixing with saltwater in a constantly shifting, brackish zone. It sounds unstable, but that's exactly what makes it special.
North Carolina is home to the largest estuary system on the East Coast: the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System, covering over 3,000 square miles. It's a nursery for blue crabs, shrimp, oysters, and flounder. It's a natural water filter. It's a storm buffer protecting inland communities. And right now, it's under serious stress.