Meet Your OBX Forever Team: Jessica Green

To kick off the new year, we're taking you behind the scenes of Outer Banks Forever to introduce you to the people - staff and volunteers - who are working to make big things happen in your OBX national parks in 2020. You hear from her each month in this newsletter, but in case you haven't been formally introduced - meet Jessica Green, Director of Outer Banks Forever! A lifelong OBX visitor, Jessica (or Jess as most of us call her) is originally from Mechanicsville, VA, just outside of Richmond. We sat down for a fun Q&A with her this month to learn more about what brought her to OBX Forever and why she's passionate about philanthropy and our national parks. " What I love most about working at a nonprofit is the people. Whether they are volunteers, donors or the people who receive services – I get to interact with interesting, passionate people every day. It still amazes me how generous people will be with their time and money when they are truly passionate about something."

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How You & Your Parks Can Help Turtles This Winter

You may have seen in the news recently that a large number of cold-stunned sea turtles have been found here in the Outer Banks. How does cold stunning happen and what should you do if you find a cold-stunned sea turtle? Paul Doshkov, a Biological Science Technician on Bodie Island, took the time to share a little more with us about cold-stunning: “OBX weather patterns are consistently warm into the fall months, October to December, when sea turtles, mostly one to two-year-old juveniles, inhabit the waters of Pamlico/Albemarle sound. The issue arises when a sudden cold front descends on the area and cools sound water very quickly, which essentially surprises the turtles and they don’t have time to exit the sound before the onset of cold-stunning." Read more here to learn more about cold stunning and how to report a cold-stunned or injured turtle at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

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Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service with Your OBX National Parks

On January 20, your OBX national parks will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by celebrating the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service! Nicole Loiseau, the Volunteer and Youth Program Manager for your OBX national parks, shared with us why the Day of Service is such an important day in your parks and in our local community: "Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is more than a day off from school or work; it’s an opportunity to honor Dr. King’s life by making a difference in our communities, whether it’s by volunteering, donating to a worthy cause or simply being kind to others." In addition to celebrating volunteerism, January 20th will be a fee free day at Wright Brothers National Memorial!

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Meet Your Ocracoke Ponies: Lindeza Why, hello! My name is Lindeza, and I am a Paint mare. I am the oldest member (or should I say, most mature and best-looking member?) of the Ocracoke Island herd. I was born in 1985, which makes me about 35 in human years and 105 in pony years! My name is Spanish for “prettiness.” My granddaughter, Luna (who has one brown eye and one blue eye, like me) and seven others of my progeny live in the herd with me, and we enjoy spending time together - although they think I can be a little bossy sometimes! Adopt A Pony Today

Photo Credits: National Park Service

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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