With the reopening of Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve in Kitty Hawk and the Buxton Woods Reserve on Hatteras Island this week after closure caused by Hurricane Dorian damage, all but one North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve site is open to visitors.
Bald Head Woods Reserve on Bald Head Island remains closed to protect public safety until immediate hazards are addressed but Currituck Banks Reserve near Corolla, Emily and Richardson Preyer Buckridge Reserve near Columbia, Permuda Island Reserve near Topsail Island, Zeke’s Island Reserve near Kure Beach, Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort, Masonboro Island Reserve near Wilmington and Bird Island Reserve near Sunset Beach are open to visitors now.
Sponsor Spotlight
Visitors should use caution when visiting these sites and be aware of the risk of potentially hazardous conditions associated with storm damage.
Grounded vessels have been documented on several reserve sites and visitors should refrain from disturbing these vessels to protect personal safety and respect vessel owners’ personal property while removal efforts are underway.
Updates will be posted on the Coastal Reserve’s website and via its Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve protects natural areas for education, research and compatible recreation. Since its creation in 1989, the program has preserved more than 44,000 acres of unique coastal environments at 10 sites along the coast.
