Nature Trips
Being a wildlife festival - almost all of our trips are nature trips. The ones listed here are those that did not also fit into other catagories.
Tuesday November 8, 2011 Trips
Refuge At Night (A) (Family Friendly) - Full
The refuge is a magical place at night. Discover what the critters do as the sun sets and the moon appears. This trip is a rare opportunity to visit Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge after it closes at night using spotlights to watch for deer, bear, birds and other wildlife. Hot beverages will be available to keep you warm on the tour. Transportation provided. Creef Cut parking area. Easy. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge.
4:30-7:30 p.m., Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Wednesday November 9, 2011 Trips
Nags Head Woods Preserve
Explore a globally-rare maritime deciduous forest with towering dunes, ponds, swamps and other ecological communities with the Nature Conservancy's northeast regional steward. Learn about conservation efforts in this unique preserve that contains the richest biological diversity on the Outer Banks. Watch for various forms of wildlife and both northern and southern species of native flora. Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve. Moderate. Cost $20.
9-11 a.m., Aaron McCall.
Pea Island Plant Hike (NEW!) (Family Friendly)
Many native species of plants thrive on Hatteras Island. Learn how they are uniquely adapted to the local conditions and the area's wildlife, including important pollinators and migratory birds. Discover why many vines considered a nuisance are actually necessary for wildlife and other plants. From the native plant garden at the visitor center to the beautiful canopy of the maritime forest on North Pond Trail, explore the variety of plants that provide cover and food for wildlife (and humans, too!). Pea Island Refuge Visitor Center. Moderate. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge.
9-11 a.m., Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Red Wolf Howling Safari (A) (Family Friendly)
Come learn about the majestic Red Wolf, one of the world's most endangered canids, at the only place where they exist in the wild. You will not only learn about this critically endangered and elusive species, but hopefully experience the opportunity of a lifetime to hear their harmonious howls when you caravan deep into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge to "howl up" the wolves. Flashlights recommended. Creef Cut parking area. Easy. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany a paying adult for no charge.
5-7 p.m., refuge staff.
Climate Change: It's real and it's here - Part I (NEW!)
It's mentioned everywhere, but is it real? If it is real, is anything being done to understand how it's affecting the habitats in our area? Join staff from The Nature Conservancy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to learn about climate change. Hear about actions that are taking place to try to save the altered ecosystems along the Albemarle Sound at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Find out how you can help make a difference for generations to come. Roanoke Island Festival Park Theater. Easy. Free.
6-8 p.m., Brian Boutin, Ph. D.
Come to The Lost Colony's Waterside Theater, sit back and relax in the amphitheater for a tour of the night sky with an astronomer as your guide. And remember that the stars you see are the same ones that helped guide The Lost Colony to these shores 20 years before Jamestown was settled. Discover the stories in the sky and explore the constellations and bright stars that have fascinated humankind for ages. Before you know it, new knowledge will transform the vast sea of stars overhead into a readable map of the cosmos. Lost Colony ticket booth/parking lot in Fort Raleigh. Easy. Cost $10; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. Dress warm.
6:30-7:30 p.m., Woodrow Grizzle, ECSU Planetarium.
Thursday November 10, 2011 Trips
Climate Change: It's real and it's here - Part II (NEW!)
As an extension of the Wednesday night program, take a field trip to the Point Peter Road research site and see first hand the steps that are being taken there in response to climate change. Outer Banks Welcome Center on Roanoke Island. Easy. Free.
9-10:30 a.m., Brian Boutin, Ph. D.
Marsh Exploration at Roanoke Island Festival Park (NEW!)
Explore the natural beauty of the Outer Banks with an environmental educator from the NC Coastal Federation on a guided tour around the boardwalk at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Observe an ecological blend of marshes and upland forests inhabited by turtles, muskrats, egrets, rabbits, osprey and more and see what it's like to call an island a home. Also take a closer look at some low impact development techniques that have been installed to help improve water quality and stabilize this area of shoreline. Roanoke Island Festival Park. Participants will stay high and dry walking through these habitats along boardwalks and piers. Cost $15.
11 a.m.-Noon, Sara Jean Hallas.
Alligator River Refuge Tram Tour (Family Friendly) - Full
Enjoy the beauty of the refuge from the open-air tram! Sit back and enjoy the ride with your hands free to take fantastic photographs or gaze at wildlife through binoculars. Enjoy a lively narrative about the natural history of the refuge and hear stories of past and present uses of the land. Discover techniques used to manage the mosaic of habitats for native wildlife. This tour will include Twiford Road which is normally closed this time of year. Please be prepared for a variety of temperatures and the possibility of biting insects. Creef Cut parking area. Easy. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge.
12:30-3:30 p.m., Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Moonlight Walk (NEW!)
Enjoy November's full moon with an evening beach walk. Bring binoculars to better observe the moon, planets and constellations. Learn why protecting the night sky is important to conserving coastal wildlife. Old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse parking lot. Participants should be able to walk approximately one mile in soft sand. Cost $15.
5:30-7 p.m., Marcia Lyons.
Friday November 11, 2011 Trips
Tracking Wildlife on Creef Cut Trail (Family Friendly)
Can you figure out what wildlife use this trail? Clues are everywhere but what does the evidence tell us? Discover why tracking is important to scientists as well as others. This leisurely stroll and activity is designed for the young and young at heart! Learn about the latest information scientists have uncovered about wildlife habits along Route 64. Creef Cut parking area. Easy. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge.
10:30 a.m.-Noon, Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Earthcaching at Alligator River (NEW!) (Family Friendly)
Are you looking for a new way to discover and experience nature adventures? Join us for this fun program and learn about earthcaching. Discover a fun activity for the whole family. Learn how to use a Global Positional System Receiver (GPS) to uncover sites that are important scientifically or help us to learn more about the planet. GPS units will be provided. Easy. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge.
1-2:30 p.m., Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Red Wolf Howling Safari (B) (Family Friendly)
Come learn about the majestic Red Wolf, one of the world's most endangered canids, at the only place where they exist in the wild. You will not only learn about this critically endangered and elusive species, but hopefully experience the opportunity of a lifetime to hear their harmonious howls when you caravan deep into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge to "howl up" the wolves. Flashlights recommended. Creef Cut parking area. Easy. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany a paying adult for no charge.
5-7 p.m., refuge Staff.
Lost Colony Astronomy (B) (NEW!) (Family Friendly)
Come to The Lost Colony's Waterside Theater, sit back and relax in the amphitheater for a tour of the night sky with an astronomer as your guide. And remember that the stars you see are the same ones that helped guide The Lost Colony to these shores 20 years before Jamestown was settled. Discover the stories in the sky and explore the constellations and bright stars that have fascinated humankind for ages. Before you know it, new knowledge will transform the vast sea of stars overhead into a readable map of the cosmos. Lost Colony ticket booth/parking lot in Fort Raleigh. Easy. Cost $10; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. Dress warm.
6:30-7:30 p.m., Woodrow Grizzle, ECSU Planetarium.
Saturday November 12, 2011 Trips
Earthcaching at Pea Island (NEW!) (Family Friendly)
Looking for a new way to discover and experience nature adventures? Join us for this fun program and learn about earthcaching. Discover a fun activity for the whole family. Learn how to use a Global Positional System Receiver (GPS) to uncover sites that are important scientifically or help us to learn more about the planet. GPS units will be provided. Pea Island Refuge Visitor Center. Easy. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge.
9-10:30 a.m., Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Explore the Shore
Visit a place where geologic time moves in fast forward. Join a National Park Service ranger to explore the beaches of Cape Hatteras National Seashore and discover ways that plants, animals, and people adapt to this ever-changing environment. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse visitor parking area. Moderate to Strenuous. Free.
10-11:30 a.m., National Park Service ranger.
Wild Times at Cape Hatteras Secondary School (Family Friendly)
Join students and faculty for this free event especially for children. Learn about the programs the students are doing in partnership with the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society and other local organizations. See what's inside an owl pellet, build a bird nesting box, and participate in other fun activities! Cape Hatteras Secondary School. Easy. Free. No registration required.
Noon-5:30 p.m., Linda Austin.
Keynote Reception
There just can't be a better way to end the day than taking a leisurely stroll through the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island while enjoying a relaxing drink and then having dinner right in front of the shark tank. And when dinner is over, enjoy this year's keynote presentation by award-winning photographer, author and biologist Todd Pusser. He has traveled to more than 30 countries and into every ocean basin on earth. His photographs have appeared in hundreds of publications around the world and have been featured in prominent magazines such as BBC Wildlife, National Wildlife, National Geographic Kids, and Ocean Realm. NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Cost $35.
Social 6 p.m., dinner 7 p.m. followed by keynote, Todd Pusser.
