Saving Sugarloaf Island; Impact of sea level rise; New book explores Andy Griffith's life

Due South

New $6.6 mil initiative to restore Sugarloaf Island is underway
If you summer on the coasts of North Carolina, you may be familiar with Morehead City, a popular port town in Carteret County. But slightly less well-known is the barrier island adjoining the town: Sugarloaf Island. The man-made stretch of land is just off the waterfront and for years has been a draw for tourism. It’s also a layer of protection for the coastline. However, a substantial portion of Sugarloaf Island has eroded over the last few decades. The city hopes that a new restoration initiative will reverse the damage.
Celeste Gracia, WUNC environmental reporter

Impact of sea level rise and beach erosion on coastal communities
We head to the coast, where sea levels are rising, buildings falling, as development continues. Coastal geologist Rob Young joins us to discuss rising seas and beach erosion and what, if anything, can be done to lessen the impact in coastal communities.
Robert S. Young, director, Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines and professor of Coastal Geology, Western Carolina University

In his new book, Evan Dalton Smith explores Andy Griffith's life and his own
When writer Evan Dalton Smith began to research his book on the life of Andy Griffith, he did not realize that he was related to the famous actor. It was one of many new discoveries about the Mount Airy, NC native's life — as well as his own. In his new book, Looking for Andy Griffith: A Father's Journey, Smith explores grief, Southernness and fatherhood.
Evan Dalton Smith, author of Looking for Andy Griffith: A Father's Journey and 2024 Southeastern Library Association awardee for Outstanding Southeast Author