| The beginning of a new year is a time of excitement for what’s ahead and reflection on the challenges and opportunities of the past year. In 2023, you helped us make our parks stronger through projects and partnerships that will impact our local community and visitors for years to come. |
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| While we work on a full recap of the amazing things you helped us accomplish last year, here are just a few examples of the impact you made possible in our parks: In addition to these projects, you also made it possible for our parks to start construction on the new multi-use path at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse through your contributions to our Pathways to Your National Parks campaign! |
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| Our work in 2023 highlighted the importance of partnerships — with you, with our parks, and with other groups in our community who are passionate about the environment, history, and culture of the Outer Banks. These partnerships are the cornerstone of our success, fostering a spirit of collaboration to protect and enhance this special place. As we start this new year together and celebrate our five-year anniversary, I look forward to our continued partnership and hopefully seeing you in our parks soon! |
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OBX National Parks Field Trips |
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| Each year, fourth-grade students across North Carolina learn about the state’s history, including the important stories of American Indian peoples, European exploration, the Freedmen’s Colony on Roanoke Island, and the Wright brothers’ first flight, which our Outer Banks national parks preserve. Thanks to a generous Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation, we’re able to provide reimbursement funds for field trips to our Outer Banks national parks for fourth-grade students in Currituck, Dare, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties! |
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Education Garden at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site provides a new way to learn about Roanoke Island history |
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| While exploring the grounds of Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, you may come across a raised garden bed filled with a variety of vegetables, flowers, and herbs, especially in the summer months. “What is this?” You might ask yourself. “And why is it here?” This is the new Education Garden, a project made possible through the collaboration of Roanoke Island community members, our National Park Service partners, and our generous supporters. The garden provides a new way to learn about the diverse stories of Roanoke Island and how those stories have shaped our community to this day. |
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Meet Your Ranger: Carrie Hardin |
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| Our Meet Your Ranger series introduces you to the many amazing people who support our Outer Banks national parks every day! This month, we’re pleased to introduce you to Carrie Hardin, Chief of the Facility Management Division for our Outer Banks national parks! Carrie’s days are full as she works on maintenance and facilities projects – such as the rehabilitation of historic buildings and structures – from Roanoke Island to Ocracoke Island, data analysis, and much, much more.
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12 Bars of Christmas Results |
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| The results are in: The Outer Banks’ annual The 12 Bars of Christmas event raised a total of $28,000 for 12 nonprofits in our community! Two Roads Tavern (known as McCallister’s Corner for the month of December), who selected us as their nonprofit beneficiary, raised $2,000 from their festivities to help us protect and enhance our Outer Banks national parks, now and forever. We are so grateful for their partnership and to everyone who came out to support this great event! |
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Sneak Peek: 2024 in Our OBX National Parks |
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| Upcoming and Ongoing Park Projects: |
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Fee-Free Days at Wright Brothers National Memorial:- April 20 – First Day of National Park Week
- June 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
- August 4 – Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- August 19 – National Aviation Day
- September 28 – National Public Lands Day
- November 11 – Veterans Day
- December 17 – 121st Anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first flight
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Special Events:- Hatteras Village Waterfowl Festival (Cape Hatteras National Seashore): February 24
- National Park Week (All Parks): April 20 – April 28
- National Aviation Day (Wright Brothers National Memorial): August 19
- First Flight Anniversary Celebration (Wright Brothers National Memorial): December 17
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| Park Programs: Click the links below to learn about the ranger programs currently offered at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial! |
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