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A Message From Our Director:
Lessons From Our Outer Banks National Parks |
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| Every time I visit one of our Outer Banks national parks, I’m reminded just how much history, beauty, and resilience are woven into these landscapes. From the beaches of Cape Hatteras, to the monument at Wright Brothers, to the grounds of Fort Raleigh, these places tell the story of America in a way no textbook ever could. |
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| At Cape Hatteras National Seashore, we are reminded of both the fragility and endurance of nature. No doubt, Hurricane Erin dealt a blow to the Outer Banks, specifically to Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Despite the impacts of Hurricane Erin, wildlife on the Seashore push on as they have for millennia. And the approach of fall has ushered in a lesser-known phenomenon as a diversity of bird species pause here on their fall migration along the Atlantic Flyway. Within the world of birding, the Outer Banks is a true birding destination! |
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| At Wright Brothers National Memorial, we are inspired by human imagination and determination. Standing at the base of the Wright Brothers Monument, you can almost feel the December wind that lifted the brothers’ “flyer” into the air for the first time. I recently visited the flight line at the park, which memorializes the path of the first heavier-than-air, powered flights. If you have not visited the historic flight line, I encourage you to do so. To me, the flight line memorializes one of the most impactful moments in human history. The Wright brothers’ story is a reminder that even the biggest dreams can take flight with persistence and courage. |
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| And at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, we encounter the mysteries and struggles of our nation’s beginnings. The “Lost Colony” remains one of America’s intriguing stories, but Fort Raleigh is also a place of hope, where the Freedmen’s Colony became a beacon of resilience and a community for those seeking freedom during and after the Civil War. |
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| Together, these three parks represent the heart of the Outer Banks and are an essential part of America’s heritage. With your support, we work to ensure that these stories of nature, innovation, and perseverance are protected for generations to come. |
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| As we look ahead, we are excited about the work your generosity makes possible: protecting sea turtle habitat along Cape Hatteras, engaging students and families in the story of first flight at Wright Brothers, and preserving the rich cultural legacies of Fort Raleigh. |
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| Thank you for your support of our Outer Banks national parks. Every time you visit, share your story of why these places are special to you, or give to Outer Banks Forever, you are helping our parks thrive! |
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Meet Our Store Staff: Kelly Hartman |
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| Did you know that when you shop in our park stores, you’re supporting Outer Banks Forever? Our Meet Our Store Staff series introduces you to the incredible people who support our Outer Banks national parks through retail operations! This month, we’re pleased to introduce you to Kelly Hartman, Assistant Store Manager at Wright Brothers National Memorial! Kelly’s days are busy as she receives product into the store, organizes and manages inventory in the warehouse, and interacts with customers from all over the world. |
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| In her free time, Kelly enjoys traveling to other National Park Service sites, walking, hiking, swimming, and meeting new people! |
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Stories From Our Parks: Rev. London R. Ferebee |
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This content is brought to you by our National Park Service partners. |
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| Born into slavery, Rev. London R. Ferebee (as depicted by the silhouette at right) came to the Roanoke Island Freedmen’s Colony as a self-emancipated, fourteen-year-old young man and sought an education. His natural intelligence and strong spirit led him to become an educator, reverend, politician, and leader for his community in post-Civil War eastern North Carolina. |
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| Rev. Ferebee’s story is featured as part of the Freedom Trail at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island. On your next visit to Fort Raleigh, we encourage you to stop and reflect at the First Light of Freedom Memorial, attend a ranger program about the Freedmen’s Colony, and explore the newly enhanced Freedom Trail to learn more about the freedom seekers who risked everything to find a safe haven and rebuild their lives on Roanoke Island during and after the Civil War, and how their stories and legacies continue to shape our community – and our nation – today. |
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| While the summer season is winding down, our parks’ ranger programs are still going strong! Climb the Bodie Island Lighthouse, learn more about the brothers who were determined to fly, and reflect on the resilience of the men, women, and children who bravely sought freedom on Roanoke Island – and much more. Check out our parks’ calendars below to see all the ranger programs offered now through Oct. 13! |
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| The cleanup will last from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, contact Tom Brueckner, Adopt A Beach and Adopt A Highway Director for NCBBA, at Tom.Brueckner@ncbba.org or click here. |
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Pints for Parks – Public Lands Day We invite you to join us and our friends at Swells’a Brewing for a Pints for Parks event to celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 27! The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Feel free to invite your friends, coworkers, family members, and neighbors to join you! We hope to see you there! |
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| PS: Entry to Wright Brothers National Memorial is FREE on National Public Lands Day! |
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| Our Outer Banks national parks continue to face challenges like adapting to a changing coastline, preserving the many historic structures they manage, and budget and staffing cuts at a time when they continue to see high levels of visitors. |
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When you make a gift to our Parks Forever Fund, you support important initiatives like:- Education and preservation through the creation of internships that engage the next generation in protecting our parks and the stories they tell, increasing our parks’ capacity to provide amazing experiences for you and your loved ones.
- Restoration and conservation of our unique barrier islands through much-needed invasive plant species removal.
- Enhancing the visitor experience by funding projects that address the needs of visitors of all ages and abilities, so everyone can learn about and enjoy the rich history and beauty of these places.
- Helping us sustain our operations so we can support our parks for years to come!
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We’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to these generous donors who have supported our Parks Forever Fund! |
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Zara Anderson
Sally & Charles Ayers
Susan & Jim Bacon
Alexandra Bauer
Betty Beamon
Barbara Benwell
Dr. Deborah Best
Malcolm & Patty Brown
Tony Bruno
Thomas & Debra Cafferty
Sarah Campbell
Martha Caswell
Jim & Sue Clark
Brenda Cummins
Harold Daub
Carolyn Driggs
Jeff Eggleston
Robert Elkins
Nicole & Levi Erickson
Stacy Ferreira
Richard Ghione
Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy
Christie & Mike Graf
Nick Graham
John & Lynn Hasteadt
Mary Hickling
Carol & Nev Jackson
David Johnson
Dennis Jones
Stephen Jones & Rebecca Burcher Jones
Lisa Joyner
Friends of Kitty Hawk Rotary
Holly Kimbrell
Ronald Knur |
Marianne Krzywicki
Cat & Charlie Lineberry
Stephanie Madalena
Paul & Robin Mann
Jim & Betty Mast
Eddie Masterka
Donna McCaslin
Greg & Sally McDaniel
Jack & Paul Mertens
Shelley & David Olsen
Dr. Paul & Mrs. Amy Orser
Helen Pierce
Rodney Poole
Michael Porter
Sandra & Ed Potocki
Aimee Purcell
Michael Reddy-Miller
William Pendleton Sandridge, Jr.
Jean Scott
Cathy & Thomas Shirley
Leslie Skowronek
Hope Smith
Nikki Stevens
Rebecca Stiles
Marie Sullivan
Sun Realty
David Tannahill
Joseph Temming
Monica Thibodeau
Peggy & Bruce Wackelin
Anne & John Walker
Shannon Winakur
Kathy Wisiackas
Elaine Wood |
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