Native Life
The Oceans Gallery at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher houses many intriguing animals from ethereal floating jellyfish to a green moray eel. Yet one inhabitant, the common octopus, tends to en...
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Native Community
The NC Coastal Federation relies on volunteers to protect and restore our coast. Thousands of people have helped to restore coastal habitat, push for stronger environmental rules and promote s...
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Upcoming Events
May 29
Birding by Ear
- Who:
- Halyburton Park
- When:
- Wednesday, May 29
- Where:
- Halyburton Park
- What:
- Join educator Mike Campbell of the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission and park naturalist Andy Fairbanks to learn the songs and calls of resident and migratory birds. Useful tips, tricks and mnemonics will be provided to help with identification. We'll begin early in the morning and visit the Green Swamp and various locations in Brunswick County.7 AM - 3 PM, $10.To register please call 910.341.0075 or email andy.fairbanks@wilmingtonnc.gov.
June 3
Extended Behind the Scenes Tour ... at the NC Aquarium
- When:
- Monday - June 3
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
-
Visit the top of our largest exhibit, Cape Fear Shoals, to get a birds-eye view of this 235,000 gallon tank as Aquarists feed the sharks, stingrays, moray eels, and other fish swimming below you. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes. Children between 8 and 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fee: $20.00 for ages 13 and up, $18.00 for ages 8-12; Aquarium admission included. 2 PM. Preregister here.
June 4
Surf Fishing Workshop
- When:
- Tuesday, June 4
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
- Learn the art and practice of saltwater fishing from the beach. Includes a one hour workshop learning knot-tying, rod and reel maintenance, bait tips, and general knowledge about North Carolina fishing. Then, take your skills out to the beach! Rain or shine, with other activities added in case of bad weather. Ages 10 and up. 8 - 11 AM, $15. Preregister here.
June 6
Behind the Scenes Tour ... at the NC Aquarium
- When:
- Thursday, June 6
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
-
Accompany aquarium staff on a guided tour of animal quarantine, life support, food preparation, and access areas. Participants should wear closed toe shoes. 11:15 AM and 3:15 PM. Children between 8 and 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fee: $15.00 for ages 13 and up, $13.00 for ages 8-12; Aquarium admission included. Pre-register online here.
June 8
Canoeing the Salt Marsh
- When:
- Saturday, June 8
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
- A three-hour exploration of the Zeke’s Island Estuarine Research Reserve by canoe, starting at 2 PM. Activities may include crabbing, seining or birding. Participants should be able to swim, be capable of sustained physical exertion and wear closed-toed shoes. Ages 8 and up. Children ages 8 to 12 must be accompanied by 2 (two) paying adults. $25. Preregister here.
June 9
Shaken Creek Walk
- When:
- Sunday, June 9
- Where:
- What:
- Sara Babin and Robert Thornhill will lead our June field trip to Shaken Creek. Sara Babin is Conservation Coordinator with NC Nature Conservancy. Robert did his NCSU master’s thesis on the ecology of Shaken Creek complete with a key to the plants found there. Located between Holly Shelter and Angola Bay Game Lands, this pristine preserve has carnivorous plants and orchids in varied habitats of grassy meadows, pine woods, narrow blackwater creeks and lakes. Details here.
June 13
Behind the Scenes Tour ... at the NC Aquarium
- When:
- Thursday, June 13
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
-
Accompany aquarium staff on a guided tour of animal quarantine, life support, food preparation, and access areas. Participants should wear closed toe shoes. 11:15 AM and 3:15 PM. Children between 8 and 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fee: $15.00 for ages 13 and up, $13.00 for ages 8-12; Aquarium admission included. Pre-register online here.
June 15
Canoeing the Salt Marsh
- When:
- Saturday, June 15
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
- A three-hour exploration of the Zeke’s Island Estuarine Research Reserve by canoe, starting at 2 PM. Activities may include crabbing, seining or birding. Participants should be able to swim, be capable of sustained physical exertion and wear closed-toed shoes. Ages 8 and up. Children ages 8 to 12 must be accompanied by 2 (two) paying adults. $25. Preregister here.
June 17
Extended Behind the Scenes Tour ... at the NC Aquarium
- When:
- Monday - June 17
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
-
Visit the top of our largest exhibit, Cape Fear Shoals, to get a birds-eye view of this 235,000 gallon tank as Aquarists feed the sharks, stingrays, moray eels, and other fish swimming below you. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes. Children between 8 and 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fee: $20.00 for ages 13 and up, $18.00 for ages 8-12; Aquarium admission included. 2 PM. Preregister here.
June 20
Behind the Scenes Tour ... at the NC Aquarium
- When:
- Thursday, June 20
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
-
Accompany aquarium staff on a guided tour of animal quarantine, life support, food preparation, and access areas. Participants should wear closed toe shoes. 11:15 AM and 3:15 PM. Children between 8 and 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fee: $15.00 for ages 13 and up, $13.00 for ages 8-12; Aquarium admission included. Pre-register online here.
June 22
Canoeing the Salt Marsh
- When:
- Saturday, June 22
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
- A three-hour exploration of the Zeke’s Island Estuarine Research Reserve by canoe, starting at 2 PM. Activities may include crabbing, seining or birding. Participants should be able to swim, be capable of sustained physical exertion and wear closed-toed shoes. Ages 8 and up. Children ages 8 to 12 must be accompanied by 2 (two) paying adults. $25. Preregister here.
Week of June 16
Moving Forward and Preserving the Past
- When:
- June 16 - June 22
- Where:
-
303 W. Salisbury Street, Wrightsville Beach
- What:
- The North Carolina Coastal Federation will soon have a new Regional Office and Coastal Education Center in Wrightsville Beach! During the week of June 16-22, 2013, they are moving the historic 1946 Palmgren-O’Quinn house by barge around Harbor Island to the Historic Square on W. Salisbury Street. Sign up here for updates on this exciting event!
June 24
Extended Behind the Scenes Tour ... at the NC Aquarium
- When:
- Monday - June 24
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
-
Visit the top of our largest exhibit, Cape Fear Shoals, to get a birds-eye view of this 235,000 gallon tank as Aquarists feed the sharks, stingrays, moray eels, and other fish swimming below you. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes. Children between 8 and 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fee: $20.00 for ages 13 and up, $18.00 for ages 8-12; Aquarium admission included. 2 PM. Preregister here.
June 25
Surf Fishing Workshop
- When:
- Tuesday, June 25
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
- Learn the art and practice of saltwater fishing from the beach. Includes a one hour workshop learning knot-tying, rod and reel maintenance, bait tips, and general knowledge about North Carolina fishing. Then, take your skills out to the beach! Rain or shine, with other activities added in case of bad weather. Ages 10 and up. 8 - 11 AM, $15. Preregister here.
June 27
Behind the Scenes Tour ... at the NC Aquarium
- When:
- Thursday, June 27
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
-
Accompany aquarium staff on a guided tour of animal quarantine, life support, food preparation, and access areas. Participants should wear closed toe shoes. 11:15 AM and 3:15 PM. Children between 8 and 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fee: $15.00 for ages 13 and up, $13.00 for ages 8-12; Aquarium admission included. Pre-register online here.
June 28
Salt Marsh and Crabbing
- When:
- Friday, June 28
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
-
Learn about blue crabs - their biology and how to catch them. This fun outdoors expedition will provide all bait and equipment for the catch and release of crabs. Ages 7 and up; ages 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult. $16 for ages 13 and up $14 for ages 7-12. Aquarium admission included. Preregister here.
June 29
Canoeing the Salt Marsh
- When:
- Saturday, June 29
- Where:
-
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
- What:
- A three-hour exploration of the Zeke’s Island Estuarine Research Reserve by canoe, starting at 2 PM. Activities may include crabbing, seining or birding. Participants should be able to swim, be capable of sustained physical exertion and wear closed-toed shoes. Ages 8 and up. Children ages 8 to 12 must be accompanied by 2 (two) paying adults. $25. Preregister here.
