Sam Burdick

Sam Burdick

Outer Banks, NC

Samantha grew up on the northern Outer Banks and has always been drawn to the beauty of the coast. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Mars Hill University, is a masters student at the Duke University Marine Laboratory, and works as a researcher for the North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve. Samantha is studying Coastal Environmental Management and has studied the topic of marine debris throughout her time at Duke. She actively participates in local beach cleanups and has been a strong advocate for the plastic bag ban on the Outer Banks. She plans to engage with her community to organize cleanups, implement Boomerang Bags and educational outreach programs, and support the Ocean Friendly Establishments, Hope Spot: Hatteras, and Fishing4Plastics POP initiatives.