From the Appalachian Mountains to the shores of the Outer Banks, the Tar Heel State is home to more than 2,400 ecologically significant areas. The Cape Fear River holds a special spot as not only North Carolina’s most ecologically diverse watershed, but the ecosystem with the largest degree of biodiversity on the East Coast. However, the area has been threatened by the proposed Port of Wilmington expansion project, which would cause significant disruption to local wildlife, proving treacherous for a community so important to North Carolina. That’s where Kemp Burdette comes in. As Cape Fear Riverkeeper and executive director of Cape Fear River Watch, he’s on the front lines fighting to protect the basin from projects like the port expansion, and he shared his perspective on what’s really at risk.

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