North Carolina’s Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores and Roanoke aquariums will close to the public for an extended period to allow staff to complete projects and enhance animal care.
News Briefs
Wright Brothers Memorial to host 8 fee-free days this year
The Wright Brothers National Memorial will be open to visitors at no charge on eight selected days this year.
Happy trails
Aquatic vegetation appears to form a pleased expression on the water’s surface as viewed from above the Patsy Pond Nature Trail in the Croatan National Forest near Newport. The trails that are accessed from N.C. Highway 24 include lengths from 0.75 to 1.9 miles and are open from dawn to dusk. The small ponds here are fed by groundwater and often surrounded by carnivorous plants such as bladderwort and sundew. Photo: Dylan Ray
Dare seeks artists for 46th Frank Stick Memorial Art Show
The opening reception will be held at no charge from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 2. The show will be on display from Feb. 3-24 in the downtown Manteo gallery.
Avian flu concerns prompt move for aquarium’s bald eagle
Maverick, N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s popular bald eagle, is being moved from his open-air habitat as a precaution as new cases of avian influenza are reported among eastern North Carolina wild birds.
Free screening of ‘Isabel 20’ returns to Edenton theater
Due to popular demand, “Isabel 20,” a documentary about the impacts of Hurricane Isabel on Edenton and Chowan County, is returning to the big screen at Taylor Theater.
Fisheries advisory committees scheduled to meet in January
North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission committees will meet in January to discuss various fisheries topics including striped mullet and eastern oyster management plans, and seagrass protection.
State asks for EPA grant project ideas for reducing pollution
NCDEQ officials are asking for ideas from low-income, disadvantaged communities and communities experiencing environmental justice concerns to help guide its application for the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant.
Brice’s Creek Nature Preserve to become nature park
The 172-acre Brice’s Creek Nature Preserve in New Bern the Coastal Land Trust transferred to Craven County this week is to become the county’s second public nature park.
Fisheries ask public to report any cold-stunned seatrout
Though no cold-stun events have been reported so far this season, officials say conditions in the coming weeks could affect spotted seatrout in coastal rivers and creeks.
Commission sets hearings on emergency coastal rules
The Coastal Resources Commission is expected to vote in February on the temporary rules approved to replace those deleted after Rules Review Commission objections.
State fisheries staff remove washed-up tires from beaches
North Carolina Division of Marie Fisheries staff on Tuesday began picking up hundreds of tires that washed ashore on two beaches following Sunday’s coastal storm.
State to invest $10M in short-line railroad improvements
The North Carolina Department of Transportation funding includes four rail infrastructure projects on the coast.
$10M contract awarded to mill, resurface 5 miles on I-140
Transportation officials announced the contract award Wednesday.
Division to accept comments on striped mullet fishery
The public has until Jan. 17 to comment on the Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan Draft Amendment 2 that contains a suite of proposed management options pertaining to the commercial and recreational fisheries.
Central Atlantic offshore wind fields to go up for lease
The federal Bureau of Ocean Management has announced plans to hold lease sales for two new offshore wind fields in the central Atlantic.
