Celebrating Moments of Change Plus: Your sneak peek at our OBX Forever merchandise!

With each new season I'm reminded just how lucky we are to have three national parks right here in the Outer Banks. In the fall and winter, you’ll mostly find locals enjoying the tranquility of your parks. The summer season brings changes, and not just to the number of people in your parks. The change that’s most evident to me during the summer is the sense of awe you see in each person’s eyes , whether it’s their first visit or their tenth. It's an inspiring reminder of why we're here as your partner to ensure these special places are protected. This month national parks around the country are celebrating moments of change – those moments that have shaped our history and our natural world. Your Outer Banks national parks are gearing up to do the same by celebrating a moment of local engineering that caught national attention, as well as a moment of freedom that gave so many a beacon of hope. I hope to see you in the parks as we celebrate this new season and the impact of these moments of change! Sincerely,

Jessica Green Executive Director Outer Banks Forever P.S. On Saturday, June 22nd grab your gloves and come out to help your park and the NC Beach Buggy Association at their Operation Beach Respect cleanup! Click here for locations and more info.

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Moment of Change: Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since they hoisted the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse up and started the nail-biting task of moving it 2,900 feet to where it currently stands. While it took 23 days to make the move, the moment that the lighthouse separated from the ground beneath it was really a culmination of moments: Moments of uncertainty as the ocean crept closer and closer, threatening to destabilize the beloved lighthouse and forcing the decision to move it. Moments of fear and hesitation that moving it would damage the beautiful, historic structure. And later, moments of pure joy when local business owners realized people from around the country were flocking to see this momentous event and bolstering our local economy in the process. ;) The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society and Outer Banks Forever are helping the park celebrate at the upcoming 20th Anniversary event . Join us on Monday, July 1st as we hear from special guests who played pivotal roles in making the successful move possible.

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Moment of Change: The Light of Freedom

Even though President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865 that slavery was abolished in the state of Texas. This date, now celebrated as Juneteenth, marked a moment of change: the last remaining enslaved people in the United States were free. Slavery had ended, but there were still many challenges ahead. The Outer Banks played an important role for 3,900 freedmen and their families who started their new lives as part of the Freedmen's Colony on Roanoke Island. “Roanoke Island was the setting for a historic experiment during the Civil War. Following the island's occupation by Union forces in 1862, it became a haven for African American families from throughout the region. This prompted the Union army to establish a Freedmen's Colony on the northern end of Roanoke Island.” - National Park Service You can visit Fort Raleigh National Historic Site any Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday this summer at 12:30 for a walk through this unique piece of our local history.

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OBX Forever Merchandise Here is a sneak peek at a few of the OBX Forever items that are coming to the newly renovated Cape Hatteras Lighthouse park store in July! With designs inspired by our beloved local sea turtles, proceeds from the sales of these special edition items will benefit Outer Banks Forever and our mission to protect and enhance your OBX national parks. In addition, we'll be launching our Adopt A Turtle program in the park store along with our merchandise! You can "adopt" a plush turtle and receive a certificate showing your support for Cape Hatteras National Seashore. And yes - OBX Forever merchandise will be available in all 3 parks in the future!

Photo Credits: National Park Service and Hannah Bullard

Outer Banks Forever is an official partner of the National Park Service and the three national parks of the Outer Banks. Learn more at www.obxforever.org

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