It's been another busy month in your OBX national parks - not only have your parks continued to see record visitation, we've been busy working with your parks on exciting projects, celebrations, and virtual experiences. Here are the highlights you can look forward to: It's National Aviation Day! If you're in OBX today, Wright Brothers National Memorial is staying open late to bring you exciting after hours programs. Details below. Oregon Inlet Kayak Launch: Next week we will unveil the first designated kayak launch in Cape Hatteras National Seashore! This project was made possible by generous donors like you, and our local sponsors TowneBank and Ocean Atlantic Rentals. Travel the Wright Route: The aviation celebration continues later this month with the launch of the Wright Route - a new way to experience the story and legacy of the Wright Brothers from their home in Dayton, OH to the Outer Banks. Stay tuned for more details! Creating these new ways for you to experience your OBX national parks is the core of our mission, and we want to see the many ways you and your family are already making memories in your parks. This month we've partnered with The Coastland Times for the Outer Banks National Parks Photo Contest - submit your photo here by August 23rd for a chance to win an Outer Banks Forever prize pack that includes our turtle themed tote bag, tumbler, and OBX Forever stickers. In honor of National Aviation Day I want to personally thank you for being part of our OBX Forever community and helping us continue to take our support of your parks to new heights! See you in your parks,

Jessica Barnes Green Director, Outer Banks Forever P.S. If you're planning your trip to visit your OBX national parks, be sure to check out their websites for updates on what's open and how to visit your parks safely: Cape Hatteras National Seashore Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Wright Brothers National Memorial

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Celebrate National Aviation Day 2021 in OBX!

Today we celebrate National Aviation Day (and Orville and Katharine Wright's birthdays!) with several opportunities to learn how two brothers changed the world right here in the Outer Banks. Our friends at the First Flight Society will kick the day off with a special event at the Dare County Regional Airport, and your park staff at Wright Brothers National Memorial will offer extended hours and pop-up programs from 9:00am to 8:00pm today.

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Next Week: Virtual Sea Turtle Nest Excavation

After a sea turtle nest hatches, your park rangers jump into action to learn as much as they can about our favorite island visitors. Join us on our Facebook page next Wednesday, August 25th at 7:00pm for a Virtual Sea Turtle Nest Excavation! Park Rangers Will, Annie, and Megan will give you a look inside a truly amazing conservation experience. You'll see first hand how your parks are protecting the sea turtles who nest here - and you might even get to see a hatchling or two! Our OBX sea turtle nests are beginning to hatch, but there is still time to adopt your sea turtle nest and receive your official 2021 adoption certificate and updates on your nest.

Adopt Your Sea Turtle Nest Today!

Gentle Giants: Conservation of the Green Sea Turtle

Did you know that Green sea turtles get their coloring from the sea grass they eat? They consume so much of it, it dyes their fat and cartilage green! This month, Benjamin Ranelli, seasonal ranger at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, tells us all about Green sea turtles, the largest hard-shelled turtles in the world, and why their conservation is critical.

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Coffee with a Ranger: Exploring the Wright Brothers' Legacy Our monthly Coffee with a Ranger series continues on Facebook and this month we're keeping the aviation celebration going. Join us next Wednesday, August 25, at 9:00am EST when we'll sit down with Aimee Ginnever, Lead Ranger at Wright Brothers National Memorial, to talk about the Wright brothers' legacy of making the impossible, possible, and how their story has impacted her own life.

Photo Credits: National Park Service, Library of Congress, National Aviation Heritage Area

Outer Banks Forever is an official partner of the National Park Service and your OBX national, helping you preserve and enhance these special places. Learn more at www.obxforever.org

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