Advisory committees for the Zeke’s Island and Rachel Carson elements of the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Permuda Island, Bald Head Woods and Bird Island coastal reserves meet this month.

The committees comprised of local residents, partners and leaders provide the Division of Coastal Management’s Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve staff with guidance and feedback regarding management of the reserves.

The meetings are open to the public and on the following schedule:

• The Rachel Carson Local Advisory Committee meets at 3 p.m. Thursday in the NCNERR classroom at the NOAA Administration Building, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort.

The Bald Head Woods Local Advisory Committee meets at 10 a.m. April 9 at the Bald Head Island Conservancy, 700 Federal Road, Bald Head Island.

• The Zeke’s Island Local Advisory Committee meets at 3 p.m. April 9 in the classroom of the Fort Fisher Recreation Area, 1000 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach.

• The Bird Island Local Advisory Committee meets at 1 p.m. April 10 at the UNCW Center for Marine Science, 5600 Marvin Moss Lane, Wilmington.

• The Permuda Island Local Advisory Committee meets at 10 a.m. April 24 in the Town of North Topsail Beach meeting room, 2008 Loggerhead Court, North Topsail Beach.

The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve Program protects natural areas for education, research and compatible recreation. Since its creation in 1989, the program has preserved more than 42,000 acres of unique coastal environments at 10 sites along the coast.

The program provides a variety of educational opportunities to the public, special-interest groups, teachers, school groups and people who make decisions regarding coastal areas. The opportunities include field trips for the public and school groups, outreach presentations, summer camps, training programs for teachers and exhibits. The program also produces curricular, technical and informational materials.