NC State University • Coastal Dynamics Design Lab (CDDL)

Student Design Visions for Eagles Island

The Coastal Dynamics Design Lab (CDDL) at North Carolina State University’s College of Design explores how communities and landscapes can adapt to coastal and riverine change—flooding, sea level rise, ecological restoration, and resilient public access.

CDDL faculty and students examined Eagles Island and produced concept videos imagining what an “adaptation park” could look like here: a place where conservation, public access, heritage interpretation, and climate resilience work together.

Important: These videos do not represent an adopted plan for Eagles Island Nature Park.
They are student and studio-based concept work, shared here because they are thoughtful, creative, and useful for sparking public discussion.

View more CDDL videos

About CDDL

The Coastal Dynamics Design Lab (CDDL) is an interdisciplinary initiative that brings together design, planning, science, and community engagement to address complex environmental challenges in coastal and riverine places. Their work often combines on-the-ground understanding with mapping, systems thinking, and design visualization—tools that can help communities imagine future options and make better decisions.

Learn more through NC State’s College of Design and CDDL’s project pages.

Why this matters for Eagles Island

Eagles Island sits at the meeting point of extraordinary ecological value and deep cultural history, shaped by tides, rivers, rice agriculture, maritime activity, and ongoing environmental change. Any future public access must be designed with respect for:

  • Sensitive habitats and wetlands
  • Flooding and changing water dynamics
  • Cultural and historic resources
  • Safe, low-impact recreation (trails, paddle access, education)

CDDL’s work is valuable because it treats Eagles Island as a living system—not just a destination—and explores ways people could experience the island while protecting it.

Featured videos

Click any title to open on YouTube, or watch directly on this page.

Note: Eagles Island Nature Park is not affiliated with NC State University. The inclusion of these videos is for educational and discussion purposes and does not imply endorsement by NC State, CDDL, or Eagles Island Nature Park.