Once repairs are completed at the Bodie Island double keepers’ quarters, which was damaged in January 2025 in an electrical fire, new exhibits will be installed on the building’s ground floor.
parks-refuges
Brilliant redhead on the hunt
A male pileated woodpecker, or Dryocopus pileatus, searches for a snack Sunday in the bark of a pine tree in Nags Head Woods Preserve, one of the largest remaining maritime forests on the East Coast, according to The Nature Conservancy. This woodpecker, which feeds on insects in trees and logs, is one of more than 150 bird species visitors may spot at the preserve, and at least a third nests here, according to the conservancy. Photo: Kip Tabb
Elizabeth II unable to leave for overdue maintenance … again
Once again, shoaling in a Roanoke Sound channel is preventing the state attraction Elizabeth II, a vessel representative of Lost Colony-era ships, from leaving its moorings at Roanoke Island Festival Park for maintenance.
Coastal attractions to close ahead of winter storm
Popular attractions including Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial will remain closed through at least Monday morning.
Controlled burn planned for Wilmington park
Between now and early March, the North Carolina Forest Service will conduct a controlled burn of a portion of Halyburton Park in Wilmington as part of an ongoing project to restore longleaf pine habitat.
Pony Patrol applications open through February
Online applications are now being accepted for the Pony Patrol, a volunteer program that helps raise awareness and protect wild horses on the Rachel Carson Reserve and Shackleford Banks.
‘Colonial Topsail’ event to celebrate America’s 250th
Children’s activities, guest speakers, a “tea party” on the Intracoastal Waterway, demonstrations by weavers and spinners, an encampment of reenactors, and Virginia Reel dance lessons are all on the schedule for the Historical Society of Topsail Island’s celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary.
Climate change compounds challenge to stabilize beaches
Stabilizing Outer Banks beaches is becoming more challenging with the quickly evolving and often unpredictable consequences of a changing climate: Sea levels are increasing faster than projected, storms are intensifying, rainfall is heavier.
Wright Brothers’ first flight anniversary celebration Dec. 17
Park fees are waived Dec. 17 at Wright Brothers National Memorial when the National Park Service and supporting organizations celebrate the accomplishments of Wilbur and Orville Wright on the 122nd anniversary of their first heavier-than-air, controlled, powered flight.
Coastal Reserve advisory meetings scheduled for November
Local advisory committee meetings of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Reserve are scheduled to take place between Nov. 5 – 18.
Dare sets final debris collection in Buxton for Wednesday
Dare County asks that the private contractors move the debris they’ve collected to the right-of-way along the east side of Old Lighthouse Road no later than Wednesday morning.
Leland awarded grant for dock, boardwalk in planned park
Construction on Leland’s planned Sturgeon Creek Park, which will provide water access to Sturgeon Creek and the Brunswick River, is scheduled to kick off early next year.
Carolina Beach volunteer planting rescheduled for Thursday
The volunteer planting, which was originally scheduled to take place Monday, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday in a 10-acre wetland that is being restored in Carolina Beach State Park.
$4.6M in grants to go to coastal conservation projects
More than $4.6 million will go to coastal conservation efforts such as property acquisition and living shoreline projects out of $36 million in statewide grants through North Carolina Land and Water Fund, the state announced earlier this week.
Wilmington to celebrate Greenfield Park’s 100th anniversary
Wilmington’s popular Greenfield Park’s 100th anniversary celebration will be hosted at the park Nov. 1.
Monthly nature walks to highlight Bird Island history, wildlife
The Bird Island Stewards will begin hosting monthly guided nature walks on the Bird Island Coastal Reserve at Sunset Beach every third Wednesday morning beginning Oct. 15.
