Of the 39 grant awards for public park and recreation projects through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, 12 are on the coast.
parks-refuges
Voters select celestial names for Fort Fisher’s otter pups
More than 14,000 supporters voted online and in-person at the aquarium over a two-week period, choosing the names Stella, Mae and Selene.
Ocracoke Lighthouse rehabilitation plan approved
National Park Service officials have signed a finding of no significant impact for the project’s environmental assessment.
Story of flight on Mars has parallels to Wrights’ challenges
A replica of the Ingenuity Mars helicopter recently took flight at the national memorial in recognition of National Aviation Day and the Wright brothers’ ingenuity.
1,226-acre fire in Holly Shelter Game Land 65% contained
The fire was caused by a lightning strike Aug. 2 and was contained Wednesday to just over 1,200 acres.
Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson awarded $500,000 grant
The money for the Brunswick County site is from the federal Semiquincentennial Grant Program, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
Pettigrew State Park campground to close for updates
The campground will be closed in 2023 for renovations and addition of new amenities.
Breeding challenges among concerns for Ocracoke ponies
No foal has been born in years, and the management plan for the small herd that has survived for centuries on Ocracoke Island dates back to 1995.
Portsmouth recognized as Port of Middle Passage Route
The dedication ceremony is free for the public and will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Shell Point, across from the Harkers Island Visitor Center.
Lighthouse restoration needs exceed $8 million available
Officials say the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, completed in 1859, needs extensive work before it can safely be reopened to the public, but the rehabilitation could cost millions more than available funding.
Fire in Holly Shelter Game Land grows to 2,000 acres
The blaze, which officials now call the Juniper Road Two Fire, was caused by a lightning strike Tuesday deep in the interior of the game lands.
Firefighters battle 150-acre Holly Shelter Game Land blaze
Pender County Emergency Management and N.C. Forest Service officials say the fire is under investigation.
Emerald Isle board backs conserving 30-acre park
The more than 1,200 who responded to a town survey wanted no development in any part of the 30-acre McLean-Spell Park in Emerald Isle.
Cape Lookout adds Horse Sense and Survival Tour dates
The last three tours for 2022 are scheduled for Sept. 24, Oct. 8 and Nov. 19.
Cape Lookout’s Astronomy Night to offer starlight cruise
The Aug. 27 Astronomy Night at Cape Lookout National Seashore will feature a stargazing cruise as well as a chance to look at the night sky from the Harkers Island Visitor Center.
Coastal Reserve welcomes estuarine research fellow
Doctoral student Daniel Bowling will work with the North Carolina Coastal Reserve over the next two years as the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellow.
