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May 22, 2023 | Issue 107 

Photos of the Week

Lifeguards are on duty at four Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

An expanded schedule of ranger-led educational programs begin Memorial Day weekend at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial. Ranger Osekre leads a "Wind and Sand" program in this 2021 photo taken at Wright Brothers National Memorial.

News

• Lifeguards return to Cape Hatteras National Seashore's four lifeguarded beaches this Saturday, May 27. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, lifeguards are on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Coquina Beach Access, Old Lighthouse Beach Access, Frisco Beach Access and Ocracoke Beach Access.
• Bodie Island Lighthouse opens for daily climbing beginning Wednesday, May 24. Climbing opportunities at the 150 year old lighthouse were previously available four days a week. Climbing tickets can only be purchased online at www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143.
• An expanded schedule of ranger-led educational programs begin this weekend at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial. See the updated schedule in the events section of this newsletter.
• The National Park Service recently approved a plan to build a multi-use pathway in Buxton. Cape Hatteras National Seashore anticipates being able to open the first segment of the pathway next summer.
• The 2023 season of The Lost Colony opens Friday, June 2, at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site's Waterside Theatre.
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore provides the following tips to help visitors stay safe this year:
  • Swim at lifeguard beaches between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
  • Text OBXBeachConditions to 77295 to sign up for beach-related weather and ocean condition alerts. Visitors can also view the daily rip current forecast at www.weather.gov/beach/mhx.
  • Avoid digging deep holes in the beach due to the danger they present to beachgoers, emergency response staff and wildlife.
  • Stay indoors during a thunder or lightning storm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
  • Learn more about beach and ocean safety at www.lovethebeachrespecttheocean.com.

Events & Programs

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Bodie Island

Educational Programs

Lighting the Way for 150 Years - Bodie Island Lighthouse

• Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
• Location: Meet on the back porch of the Keeper's Quarters
• Details: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel.

Shaping These Barrier Islands

• Dates: Daily from 2:30-3 p.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
• Location: Meeting on the back porch of the Keeper's Quarters
• Details: Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to these islands.

Crabbing with a Ranger

• Dates: Tuesdays and Fridays from 9-10:30 a.m. (beginning June 6)
• Details: Ever wanted to try your hand at catching blue crabs? Rangers bring the gear, you bring the bait. Call 252-966-1761 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program. There is a six-minute walk to get from meeting location to the program location.

Bodie Island Visitor Center

• The Bodie Island Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing

• Dates: Daily beginning May 24. First climb at 9 a.m. and final climb at 5:40 p.m.
• Details: Climbing tickets are available only on the day of intended climb. Buy tickets at www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143 (tickets are available to purchase online beginning at 7 a.m. daily; tickets cannot be purchased in person).

Hatteras Island

Educational Programs

Lighting the Way for Over 150 years

• Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
• Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Details: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and learn about restoration efforts.

Shaping These Barrier Islands

• Dates: Daily from 2:30-3 p.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
• Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Details: Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to these islands.

Totally Turtles

• Dates: Monday-Friday from 12-12:30 p.m. (May 29-Sept. 1)
• Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion.
• Details: Learn about sea turtles through interactive games and activities for all ages.

Kayak with a Ranger

• Dates: Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30-10:30 a.m. (beginning June 8)
• Details: Join a ranger to explore salt marshes and surrounding waters of the Pamlico Sound on this easy kayak program. Minimum age is 7. All equipment is provided. To register, you must call 252-513-2457 beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Hatteras Light at Night

• Dates: Tuesdays from 9-9:45 p.m. (beginning June 13)
• Location: Park in the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse parking lot.
• Details: Bring blankets and chairs for the evening of stars and stories on the grounds of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

Surf Fish with a Ranger

• Dates: Wednesdays from 8:30-10 a.m. (May 31-Aug. 30)
• Details: Ever wanted to try your hand at surf fishing? Rangers bring the rods, you bring the bait. Call 252-513-2457 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Old Days at the Weather Station

• Dates: Every other Wednesday from 2:30-3 p.m. (beginning July 12)
• Location: Meet at the U.S. Weather Bureau Station in Hatteras Village.
• Details: Come explore the historic U.S. Weather Bureau Station and hear amazing stories that intertwine with our own lives and major historic events.

Soundside Explorers

• Dates: Fridays from 9:30-11 a.m. (June 2-Sept. 1)
• Details: Join a ranger for this activity-based exploration of the Pamlico Sound. Registration is required. Call 252-513-2457 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Museum of the Sea

• The Museum of the Sea, located across from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

• The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is not open; however, the grounds outside the lighthouse are open 24/7.

Ocracoke Island

Educational Programs

Celebrating 200 Years of Service - Ocracoke Lighthouse

• Dates: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11-11:30 a.m. (May 29-Aug. 30)
• Location: Meet on the grounds of the Ocracoke Light Station
• Details: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and the keepers that kept the light burning.

Shaping These Barrier Islands

• Dates: Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30-3 p.m. (May 23-Aug. 29)
• Location: Meet outside the Ocracoke Island Discovery Center
• Details: Wars, hurricanes, winds and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to these islands.

Bird Walk

• Dates: Tuesdays from 8:30-9:30 a.m. (beginning June 6)
• Location: Meet at the beach access parking lot adjacent to the Ocracoke Campground.
• Details: An introduction to the birds of Ocracoke. Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Binoculars are available.

Banker Ponies

• Dates: Wednesdays (start date and time to be determined-check website for updates)
• Location: Meet outside the Pony Pasture.
• Details: Come meet the ponies who once roamed as a wild herd and learn about their living history on Ocracoke Island.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

• The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse is open for viewing daily from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Ocracoke Island Discovery Center

• The Ocracoke Island Discovery Center is open daily from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Educational Programs

Lost Colony Walking Tour

• Dates: Daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
• Location: Meet outside the Lindsay Warren Visitor Center
• Details: Delve into the history and mystery surrounding England's first attempt to establish a colony in the new world.

Forgotten Colony

• Dates: Daily at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
• Location: Meet in front of the Visitor Center.
• Details: During the American Civil War, Roanoke Island became a haven for formerly enslaved people. Discover the successes and failures of the Freedmen's Colony and the Civil War battle that shaped it.

Visitor Center

• Fort Raleigh National Historic Site's Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Educational Programs

Wind and Sand

• Dates: Daily at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
• Location: Meet outside the back doors of the visitor center
• Details: Step back in history during this short walk to the actual site of the first powered flights. Discover why the Wright brothers chose Kitty Hawk for their flight experiments and what life was like on the Outer Banks.

Wright Legacy

• Dates: Daily at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (May 27-Sept. 4)
• Location: Meet at the tent across the parking lot from the Visitor Center.
• Details: Twelve seconds was all the Wright brothers needed on Dec. 17, 1903, to show the world humans can fly. Those twelve seconds were just the start of aviation history and the Wright legacy. Explore the rest of the Wright story as you discover the impact that Wilbur and Orville had on history, the legacy they left behind and how they are remembered in the world today.

Visitor Center

• The Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Questions or comments? Email michael_barber@nps.gov.