Dare County’s A250 Committee has planned two celebrations for Saturday in Manteo as part of its commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
parks-refuges
Nice alligator; see you later
An American alligator sunning at North River Wetlands Preserve in Carteret County slides in for a dip recently as March temperatures rose. The 6,000-acre preserve is the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s project to return farmland back to its original state and to use the wetlands to naturally treat polluted runoff. The Coastal Federation publishes Coastal Review. Photo: Doug Waters
Rogers to serve as Jockey’s Ridge State Park superintendent
N.C. Parks and Recreation has selected Steve Rogers as the next superintendent for the Dare County destination featuring the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast.
Coming ashore
A snapping turtle climbs from the water for a snack recently at Sandy Run Park in Kitty Hawk. The park at 4343 The Woods Road offers public access to the Kitty Hawk Woods Maritime Forest, a half-mile nature trail with a pair of gazebos, canoe or kayak access, a nature observation tower, a catch and release fishing pier, picnic tables, benches and interpretive signage. While Sandy Run Park is home to friendly turtles, visitors are asked to not feed them. Photo: Kip Tabb
Work to begin on fire-damaged light station quarters
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.
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.
