Humpback Whale Spotted Playing Near Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head

What looked like a young humpback whale was captured frolicking in the ocean just off of the end of Jennette’s Fishing Pier in Nags Head at around noon today (Tuesday). Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are a species of baleen whales. You can see a photo below of the whale taken earlier today near Jennette’s Pier! _______________________________ […]

National Park Service Announces Seasonal Hatteras, Ocracoke ORV Closures

National Park Service Outer Banks Group Superintendent David Hallac announced this week the temporary closing of seasonal ORV (off road vehicle) routes in front of village beaches will take place on April 1, 2015. In accordance with the ORV Management Plan for Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the following seasonal ORV routes close temporarily to vehicles […]

Outer Banks Nature Conservancy Hosting Coastal Resilience Open House

The Outer Banks office of The Nature Conservancy, North Carolina Chapter, is bringing together stakeholders from Roanoke Island to engage in discussions about coastal hazards in their communities. Information will be collected and used to inform the Coastal Resilience mapping tool, developed by The Nature Conservancy, which will display key economic, social and natural assets, […]

National Park Service Offers Free Nature Programs For Preschoolers

Participants in the National Park Service Outer Banks Group’s Preschool Young Naturalist Program recently designed their own walking sticks (pictured below) before heading out on the nature trail behind the National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center on Roanoke Island.  The program meets year-round every Friday from 10 to 11am and is free. For information on the program, you […]

University of Vermont Students Assist with NPS Outer Banks Projects

For the second season, a group of young University of Vermont students have traveled to the Outer Banks Group national parks to assist with many park “springtime sprucing-up” projects.  These energetic young students recently performed valuable work at all three national park locations providing much needed assistance to park staff.  Outside work conditions have been […]

NPS Know Your Park Series Continues With Sharks Of NC

The National Park Service Outer Banks Group Know Your Park citizen science program series continues this winter with upcoming scheduled presentations. Charles Bangley, a PhD candidate in the Coastal Resources Management Program at East Carolina University, will share his knowledge of the status and significance of shark populations along the Outer Banks.  The program will […]

National Park Service Announces 2015 Outer Banks Campground Schedule

National Park Service Outer Banks Group Superintendent David Hallac announced today that Oregon Inlet, Frisco, and Ocracoke Campgrounds will open to the public starting on Friday, April 17.  Oregon Inlet and Frisco Campgrounds will remain open until noon on October 12, while Ocracoke Island Campground will close at noon on October 26. Cape Point Campground […]

Nature Conservancy Hosting Coastal Resilience Open House

The Outer Banks office of The Nature Conservancy, North Carolina Chapter, is bringing together stakeholders from Roanoke Island to engage in discussions about coastal hazards in their communities. Information will be collected and used to inform the Coastal Resilience mapping tool, developed by The Nature Conservancy, which will display key economic, social, and natural assets, […]

National Park Service ‘Know Your Park’ Series To Feature Phragmites

UPDATE 2/23/15: The “Know Your Park” programs scheduled for Feb. 23 and Feb. 24 have been CANCELLED. The National Park Service Outer Banks Group Know Your Park citizen science program series continues this winter with upcoming scheduled presentations. Rob Emens, Environmental Specialist for the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources will present a […]

Spring Wildlife And Wildlands Art Expo Opens

The National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center on Roanoke Island hosts a series of Wildlife and Wildlands of Eastern North Carolina Art Expos throughout the year. The Refuge invites local artists to exhibit their work for several months on a rotational basis.   Through an arrangement with the Refuge Friends group – Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society, […]

Ocracoke Pony Herd Welcomes New Member

Hazelnut was born on February 4, 2015 at approximately 10:00 a.m. and becomes the 17th member of the current Ocracoke Pony herd!  Her mother is Sacajawea, a mare from Shackleford Banks who joined the Ocracoke herd in 2010, and her father is Rayo, a direct descendant of the original Ocracoke ponies. Hazelnut was named by […]

National Park Service Begins Cape Hatteras Seashore Changes

Superintendent David Hallac announced today that Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) staff began the process in early January of reviewing and complying with recently passed legislation in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act related to the Seashore.  The legislation provides 180 days for the Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the State of North […]

National Park Service Announces Late Winter Prescribed Burn on Bodie Island

National Park Service Superintendent David Hallac announced today that between February 1 and March 30, weather and conditions permitting, National Park Service fire management staff, as part of the Outer Banks Group Fire Management Plan, will conduct prescribed burning on sections of Bodie Island within Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  The planned burn(s) will consist of […]