Your OBX National Parks Welcome You Back!

We all know this summer will be different. In a time where things seem to change day to day, there is one thing you can count on: your OBX national parks are here for you! Even if you're not planning to head here when our community welcomes visitors back to the islands this weekend, your park rangers have been working hard to bring the parks to you. We're excited to highlight a few new digital experiences for you this month from Fort Raleigh - which I can guess most of you haven't been to in quite a while. ;) As your parks prepare to welcome you back, we also want to share a few ways you can give back to your parks today. Your support - however you're able to give - allows your parks to be more resilient and responsive as we all navigate these challenges together. Here's how you can help: Spread the word: Forward this email to 3 friends or family who love OBX and want to stay up to date on your parks. They can join our email list here. Sign up to volunteer: We will need volunteers this summer to help with a variety of projects, including helping the sea turtles! Give $10 a month: If you're able, consider setting up a $10 monthly gift automatically to help your parks all year long. With your help we can fund new projects aimed at increasing access to your parks - in-person and digitally. If you have questions, or just want to connect, you can also click here to schedule a virtual coffee chat with me . I've had a great time "meeting" many of you already! See you in your parks (from a safe distance!),

Jessica Green Director, Outer Banks Forever Community Updates: Your OBX national parks' grounds are open, but facilities are still limited. Click here to read the full release announcing the current status of operations. Have questions about returning to OBX? Click here to see the full FAQ on re-entry from Dare County, along with information on staying safe while you're here. Yes - Ocracoke is opening too! Our friends at the Ocracoke Observer have all you need to know about updates to the ferry schedule.

Small But Mighty: The History of the Ocracoke Ponies

Since we re-launched the Adopt A Pony program last year, we've seen an outpouring of love for these unique island residents. One question always comes up: how did they get here? Well...it's complicated! Or rather, it depends on which theory you want to believe. From pirates to Boy Scouts, we're taking a deeper dive into the history of our ponies, including a look at the relationship between the Ocracoke ponies and the wild horses in Corolla. (With a special shout out to our friends at the Corolla Wild Horse Fund !)

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Your OBX Virtual Tour: Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

When was the last time you ventured over to Roanoke Island to visit your "other" OBX national park? Fort Raleigh is a hidden gem in the Outer Banks. Tucked away in maritime forest but not far from the quaint downtown Manteo, your park is much more than just the site of the Lost Colony. Park rangers have been working hard to bring you new digital ways to experience Fort Raleigh from wherever you are. If it's been a while, we highly recommend you check out their app and new video series!

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Be Safe, Be Smart: Outer Banks Safety Tips, Summer 2020

As the Outer Banks community prepares to re-open to visitors on Saturday, May 16th ( See entry FAQs here ), we want to share a few important safety tips and reminders with you. This includes not only how to be safe when spending time near the ocean, but also guidelines for ensuring your summer trip is still safe during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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Photo Credits: National Park Service, Jason Cole Photography

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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