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Our Watershed

The Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system includes over 3,000 square miles of estuarine waters and 28,000 square miles of land area across North Carolina and Virginia, making it the second-largest estuarine system in the United States. Six river basins flow into the sounds; the Pasquotank, Chowan, and Roanoke basins ultimately flow into Albemarle Sound, while the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse empty directly into Pamlico Sound. Rivers of the White Oak basin flow to the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary's southern sounds, including Core, Back, and Bogue.  
 

Learn More About the Region

 

APES watershed with county, river, and APNEP boundaries
Map of the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System. View Maps here.

Who We Are

APNEP small logo transparent background

The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership, or APNEP, works to understand, protect, and restore the significant resources of the Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system. Initiatives that APNEP leads or supports include research studies, measures to protect or restore ecosystems, environmental monitoring programs, and education and outreach efforts. This comprehensive approach is designed to preserve the integrity of the entire estuarine ecosystem, with a special emphasis on improving water quality in the region's rivers and sounds.

Our 2025 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan provides a roadmap to protecting and restoring the Albemarle-Pamlico region.  

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Grant Opportunities

APNEP routinely offers grants which may be of interest to coastal non-profits, educators, local governments, community organizations, regional planners, agricultural communities, and other watershed partners. Click here for more information.

Quick Links

Click the icons below to view APNEP's various social media platforms, which highlight the crucial work carried out by APNEP and partners in the Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system. 

 If you have any questions that the website cannot answer, then visit Contact Us to reach out to staff.