National Seashore Updates for the Week of May 15
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) announced several recent updates and news items related to recreational activities and seashore conditions on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.
News items and events related to the National Seashore for the week of May 14 include the following:
Seashore Updates
- A new beach access and parking area in Buxton will open on Friday, May 24. The Buxton Beach Access, located at the end of Old Lighthouse Road, provides improved public access to oceanside recreational activities.
- Seashore staff found the first sea turtle nest (loggerhead) of the 2019 season on May 11, south of ORV Ramp 38. The second nest of the season, another loggerhead, was found on the beach at the north end of Avon Village yesterday.
- A protection buffer remains at Cape Point to protect nesting colonial waterbirds (least terns and black skimmers). There are four piping plover nests (16 eggs), seven least tern nests (12 eggs), and two American oystercatcher nests (6 eggs) in the Cape Point area.
- ORVs and pedestrians can currently travel 0.61 miles south of ORV Ramp 44.
- There are over 25 miles of oceanside beach routes open for ORV access across the Seashore.
- Staff continue to monitor the Cape Point area and will modify or remove the protection buffer as soon as it is possible.
- For current beach access information and the weekly mileage summary, go to: http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess. The Seashore’s weekly field summary is now located at: http://go.nps.gov/fieldsummary.
Upcoming Events
Endangered Species Day – Special Program
- Dates: May 17 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Location: near Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- Description: Our threatened and endangered species at the Seashore will be highlighted at a special program. Photos and examples of resources that are protected will be on display.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move – Interpretive Program
- Dates: May 18-24, 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (daily program)
- Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center pavilion
- Description: Learn about the monumental move event that happened in 1999 when the entire light station was moved 2,900 feet away from the threat of a changing shoreline.
Hatteras Island: Shaping the Barrier Islands – Interpretive Program
- Dates: May 18-24, 3:30-4:00 p.m. (daily program)
- Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center pavilion
- Description: Wars, wind, hurricanes, 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 the island.
Visit the Ocracoke Lighthouse
- Dates: May 17-18 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.. May 21-23 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m..
- Description: The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.
Beach Cleanup Volunteer Events
- Dates: June 22 and September 21 (details to follow)
20th Anniversary of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move – Special Event
- Date: May 3, 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (daily through October 14)
- Location: Event tent near Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- Description: The public is invited to a free event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move. The event will include speeches, a question and answer session, expanded interpretive programming, activities for children, and free lighthouse climbing! See press release for more details.
1st Annual Surf Fishing Heritage Celebration
- Date: November 2
- Location: Fessenden Center, Buxton
- Description: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, along with partner organizations, will celebrate the area’s strong surf fishing history at the 1st annual Cape Hatteras Surf Fishing Heritage Celebration. More details about this event will be posted on a special event page and Facebook page.
