National Park Service Outer Banks Group news and events from the latest edition of the Cape Chronicle online newsletter:
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore plans to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Ocracoke Light Station at a special event on Thursday, May 18, 2023. In addition to the special event, a series of weekly educational programs are being planned for this spring and summer. [News Release]
- The North Carolina Beach Buggy Association (NCBBA) is coordinating a volunteer beach cleanup event from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1. Anyone interested in participating in the cleanup can pick up garbage bags at Cape Hatteras National Seashore oceanside off-road vehicle ramps 2 through 55, and ramp 70. For more information, contact Tom Brueckner at tom.brueckner@ncbba.org. NCBBA also plans to hold beach cleanup events on June 17 and Sept. 16.
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Cape Point and Frisco campgrounds open for the season on Friday, April 7. Reservations and payments for campsites must be made online at www.recreation.gov.
- For current Cape Hatteras National Seashore beach access information, go to go.nps.gov/beachaccess.
- Sign up to receive general information about all three parks by texting NPSOBX to 333111. Text CAHAORV to 333111 for Cape Hatteras National Seashore beach access alerts.
Upcoming Events:
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Park Day Volunteer Beach Cleanup
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Date: Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
- Location: Etheridge Point Beach Access (Pear Pad Road)
- Details: Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, in partnership with American Battlefield Trust and Outer Banks Forever, will host a beach cleanup at Etheridge Point, the park’s soundside beach access. Meet at 10 a.m. to participate in a short presentation about the Civil War Battle of Roanoke Island and the nearby location of a former Civil War camp. All volunteers are encouraged to wear thick-soled footwear, gloves and comfortable work clothing. For more information, contact Tom Avery at thomas_avery@nps.gov.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Ocracoke Light Station 200th Anniversary Event
- Date: Thursday, May 18 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Light Station
- Details: The public is invited to the Ocracoke Light Station for a special 200th anniversary event. The event will feature several speeches, activities, a birthday cake and more. Outer Banks Forever, the Seashore’s official philanthropic partner, plans to livestream the event for those who cannot attend.
Dare County Library Adult Speaker Series
Modernist Tides: NPS and Mission 66 development on the Outer Banks
- Date: Friday, March 31 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Location: Kill Devil Hills Library Meeting Room or Online [Registration]
- Park Ranger: George Jaramillo, historical architect
- Details: The National Park Service’s Mission 66 program attempted to modernize the service by introducing new visitor facilities, recreational structures, trails and fixtures that we come to expect from the NPS today. This talk will explore the history and impact of this program across the Outer Banks including the visitor centers at the Wright Brothers Memorial and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.
