A nearly 200-acre forest of large, old live oak trees on Bald Head Island has been added to the national Old-Growth Forest Network.
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Not fog of war
Fog blankets the cannons Monday at Fort Macon State Park at the east end of Bogue Banks in Carteret County. Built during the decade after the War of 1812 to defend Beaufort Inlet, the fort was taken by Union forces early during the Civil War and was never again relinquished to the Confederates. Fort Macon is one of the state’s most visited parks, welcoming more than a million visitors annually. Photo: Dylan Ray
Audubon sanctuary gets $3 million for work to save marsh
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded the money to the Donal C. O’Brien Sanctuary and Audubon Center at Pine Island in Currituck County “to fund innovative marsh restoration pilot projects.”
Just trying to blend in
An immature white ibis nearly blends into its surroundings as it forages just off a Bodie Island trail that ends at a series of creeks southwest of the lighthouse. Photo: Kip Tabb
Call for volunteers to help protect Carteret’s wild horses
Volunteers are needed to help the organizations that care for the wild horses on Shackleford Banks and Rachel Carson Reserve raise community awareness.
Historic Bodie Island structure closed indefinitely after fire
The fire on Tuesday in the Bodie Island Double Keepers’ Quarters was extinguished with no reported injuries.
Darrell Collins remembered for giving life to Wrights’ story
“He found a way to blend science and history and art to paint a picture that resonated with everybody that entered this building,” Scott Babinowich with the National Park Service Outer Banks Group said Saturday.
Incoming environmental chief Reid Wilson revisits his roots
Former Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson sees important opportunities and challenges in terms of public health and environmental protection in his new role as Department of Environmental Quality secretary in the Stein administration.
More than $1 million awarded in Dare County tourism grants
The Dare County Tourism Board has awarded a dozen local nonprofits and government entities $1.16 million for tourism enhancement projects.
Wildlife, exercise draw visitors for First Day Hike
Dismal Swamp State Park officials estimated about 150 people took part in the First Day Hike Jan. 1 at the park in Camden County.
Buxton beach section at former military site to stay closed
Dare County health officials, in consultation with Cape Hatteras National Seashore, announced that a section of Buxton’s ocean shore will remain closed due to likely contamination.
Future U.S. 64 wildlife crossings aim to spare red wolves
The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has awarded NCDOT $25 million to construct wildlife crossings that can provide safe passage for the critically endangered species.
Roanoke aquarium cares for 576 cold-stunned sea turtles
Of the nearly 600 cold-stunned sea turtles brought to the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island earlier this month, as of Friday, 399 have been warmed up and released.
Commission OKs sandbag variance for NC 12 on Pea Island
Transportation officials plan to begin building in January a temporary sandbag structure that wouldn’t otherwise meet coastal development rules along Highway 12 by the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge visitor center in Rodanthe.
Lookout to take cabin reservations, sell vehicle passes Jan. 4
Cape Lookout National Seashore is set to begin selling off-road vehicle permits and taking reservations for the 23 rustic, oceanfront cabins on South Core Banks.
Winter Waterfowl Excursion to resume after 4-year pause
The Coastal Culture and Waterfowl Watching Excursion, a two-day adventure through Pamlico, Hyde and Dare counties, is being offered twice next year.
