Your Parks, Your Impact:
A Message From Our Director |
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| Hello, friends! I’m thrilled and honored to join Outer Banks Forever as its next Director! This organization has been doing great work in our community since 2019, and I’m excited to join with Outer Banks national park supporters like you as we work together to protect and enhance these special places – Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial – now and forever. |
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| My career as an executive spans more than 30 years. My nonprofit experience includes serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Chestnut Foundation in North Carolina and serving on the executive staff for the National Wild Turkey Federation in South Carolina. I’ve also had diverse experience working for state fish and wildlife agencies in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Florida, and as a wildlife instructor and research assistant for The Pennsylvania State University. I hold an Associate Degree in Wildlife Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Science from The Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Frostburg State University. |
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| While we await 2024 data for our Outer Banks national parks, did you know that in 2023, our national parks served nearly 3.5 million visitors and generated approximately $926 million in economic output in the gateway economies surrounding our parks? It’s a privilege to partner with people like you who understand the value (which extends far beyond economic value!) our Outer Banks national parks add to our community and, more broadly, to our nation and our world. |
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| I look forward to getting to know many of you and spending time in our national parks in the days ahead! Please feel free to reach out to me via email at bryanburhans@obxforever.org or by phone at 717-585-9643 (cell) or 252-423-4545 (office) if you’d like to say hello or set up a time to chat. |
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Meet Our Team: Bryan Burhans, Director |
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| We’re thrilled to introduce you to Bryan Burhans, our new Director! Bryan comes to us from Pennsylvania with a background in wildlife and fisheries science and biology, extensive experience working with both nonprofit and state agencies, and a passion for philanthropy. And he’s passionate about our Outer Banks national parks! In his free time, Bryan enjoys turkey hunting, saltwater and fly fishing, hiking, backpacking, flying, and public speaking. |
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Nature in our National Parks:
Evergreen Maritime Forest |
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This content is brought to you to by our National Park Service partners. Did you know that Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is located within a dense evergreen maritime forest on the north end of Roanoke Island?These forests are so named because they are located near the coast and are dominated by tree species that stay green all year. |
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| To learn more about the trees and many other plants that make up Fort Raleigh’s evergreen forests, read on! |
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Celebrating Spring in Our Parks! |
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| We’re celebrating Spring in our Outer Banks national parks! National Park Week kicks off this Saturday, April 19, and runs through Sunday, April 27. Wright Brothers National Memorial will offer a fee-free day on Saturday – yes, you can visit our park for FREE! As a reminder, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site are always free to enter. We encourage you to get out and explore our parks (and parks closest to your home!) this weekend and throughout next week. Please remember to recreate responsibly and thank our park staff and volunteers! |
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| An since Spring has sprung, that means Bodie Island Lighthouse climbing and ranger programs are starting up again! Make sure to check out these exciting opportunities and mark your calendars for these upcoming ranger programs: |
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Cape Hatteras National Seashore |
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Fort Raleigh National Historic Site |
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| Civil War Touch Table (available through April 27): Join volunteer Duane in the Visitor Center at his touch table of Civil War history items. With items ranging from uniforms to silverware to family photos, he will talk about the day-to-day life of a Civil War soldier and the the Battle of Roanoke Island in 1862. Ranger Program (through May 3): The programs will vary between a Lost Colony Walking tour and a Civil War/Freedmen’s Colony Talk each day based on staff availability. Call the park Visitor Center at 252-475-9001 in the morning to learn the program topic each day. |
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| The “Lost” Colony – Walking Tour (beginning May 4): Delve into the history and mystery surrounding England’s first attempt to establish a colony in the new world. This easy walk follows paved sidewalks and is .25 miles in length. The “Forgotten” Colony – The Civil War on Roanoke (beginning May 4): During the American Civil War, Roanoke Island became a haven for formerly enslaved people. Discover the successes and challenges of the Freedmen’s Colony and the Civil War battle that shaped it. This is a 25-minute program beginning in front of the Visitor Center. |
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Wright Brothers National Memorial |
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| Wind and Sand (daily): Step back in history during this short walk to the actual site of the Wright brothers’ first heavier-than-air, powered flights! Discover why the Wrights chose Kitty Hawk for their flight experiments and what life was like in the Outer Banks, learn about the events that led to the first flight on that cold December day, and the lasting impact their first flight continues to have on the world today. |
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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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Our parks need your support now more than ever. When you make a gift to our new Parks Forever Fund, you will be supporting 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.
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We’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to these generous donors who have helped us raise more than $13,000 for our new Parks Forever Fund! |  |
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Zara Anderson
Sally & Charles Ayers
Susan & Jim Bacon
Betty Beamon
Barbara Benwell
Dr. Deborah Best
Malcolm & Patty Brown
Tony Bruno
Thomas & Debra Cafferty
Sarah Campbell
Martha Caswell
Brenda Cummins
Carolyn Driggs
Robert Elkins
Nicole & Levi Erickson
Richard Ghione
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
Ronald Knur
Marianne Krzywicki
Cat & Charlie Lineberry
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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
Sandra & Ed Potocki
Michael Reddy-Miller
William Pendleton Sandridge, Jr.
Jean Scott
Cathy & Thomas Shirley
Leslie Skowronek
Rebecca Stiles
Nikki Stevens
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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| We send a printed newsletter each spring and fall with more in-depth project updates, behind the scenes stories, and special announcements. If you are not currently receiving our printed newsletter, please sign up via the button below to be added to our list! |
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