Most problems facing the Albemarle-Pamlico (A/P) Estuarine system arise directly or indirectly from human activity. Pressures on the system from these activities will continue to increase as a result of future population growth and economic development. The specific purpose of the study, then, was to evaluate peoples' knowledge and attitudes about natural resources in the A/P Estuarine system and management alternatives designed to protect these resources. A combination of social science research methods was used to analyze a wide range of public attitudes. The information was collected in a scientific telephone survey of 831 people selected at random from across the A/P Study area. The authors also conducted 30 in-depth personal interviews with some of the most knowledgeable scientists and leaders in North Carolina.