​Salt marshes lock carbon into their soil — that's "blue carbon."

​New North Carolina research shows they also export carbon into seawater, a benefit that may rival what's stored underground. Jacob Boyd and Dr. Kevin Kroeger break down the experiment firsthand: what's being tested, what they're finding, and how it's shaping plans to protect salt marsh as a climate engine and resilient landscape.

​More carbon value means a stronger case for wetland investment. Hear what that means for NC's coast.

​Speakers

​Jacob Boyd is the Salt Marsh Program Director with the North Carolina Coastal Federation. Jacob coordinates efforts across local, state, and federal levels leading implementation of the North Carolina Salt Marsh Action Plan that establishes strategic goals and benchmarks with key actions to protect and restore North Carolina’s salt marsh. He leads a team of staff that develop and implement coastal restoration projects including living shorelines and salt marsh.

​Dr. Kevin D. Kroeger is a marine biogeochemist formerly with the U.S. Geological Survey's Woods Hole Coastal & Marine Science Center, where he conducted research on coastal carbon cycling, blue carbon, nitrogen fluxes, and sea-level rise impacts in tidal wetlands. He is now senior fellow at Silvestrum Climate Associates, a private consulting firm specializing in nature-based climate solutions, blue carbon, and coastal ecosystems.

​​About NC Climate Week

​This event is part of NC Climate Week 2026, a statewide series of workshops, community events, and conversations designed to accelerate North Carolina forward from climate concern to climate action.

​Hosted by EarthShare North Carolina, the week brings together the people, businesses, and organizations shaping our environmental future. Free virtual Climate Action Workshops and partner-led events offer practical tools and opportunities to learn, connect, volunteer, and take action.

​​Join Us at the NC Climate Week Summit

​NC Climate Week culminates with the NC Climate Week Summit on Friday, October 2, 2026, in Durham.

​This one-day, in-person event features interactive sessions, cross-sector conversations, and leaders from Trane Technologies, NASCAR, ICF, NC Department of Environmental Quality, Clean Energy Fund of the Carolinas, MountainTrue, Xylem, NC Sustainable Energy Association, UNC Humanities, NC Wildlife Federation, NC Coastal Federation, NC League of Conservation Voters Foundation, and more.

​Explore the full program and register at ncclimateweek.org/summit.

​Let’s meet the moment, together. 🌎

​​Sponsor

​The Climate Action Workshops at NC Climate Week are supported by Xylem.