8 NC Coastal Reserve sites reopen to visitors

RALEIGH -- September 24, 2018 PRESS RELEASE 

Eight of 10 N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve sites reopened to visitors on today after closures due to Hurricane Florence. These include:

Currituck Banks Reserve near Corolla
Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve in Kitty Hawk
Emily and Richardson Preyer Buckridge Reserve near Columbia
Buxton Woods Reserve on Hatteras Island
Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort
Masonboro Island Reserve near Wilmington
Zeke’s Island Reserve near Kure Beach
Bird Island Reserve near Sunset Beach
Visitors should exercise caution when visiting the sites and be aware of the risk of potentially hazardous conditions associated with storm damage. Grounded vessels have been documented on several reserve sites; visitors should refrain from disturbing the vessels to protect personal safety and respect vessel owners’ personal property while removal efforts are underway.

The Permuda Island Reserve near Topsail Island and Bald Head Woods Reserve on Bald Head Island remain closed to visitors to protect public safety until site assessments are completed. Updates will be posted on the Coastal Reserve’s website at www.nccoastalreserve.net and via its Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve Program protects natural areas for education, research and compatible recreation. Since its creation in 1989, the program has preserved more than 42,000 acres of unique coastal environments at 10 sites along the coast.

This press release is related to:

Contact Information
Tricia Smith
tricia.smith@ncdenr.gov
252-808-8025