Rachel Carson Reserve

Rachel Carson Reserve The Rachel Carson Reserve (Carrot Island, Town Marsh, Bird Shoal, Horse Island, and Middle Marshes)

The NC Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve protects representative coastal and estuarine ecosystems for research, education and compatible traditional use. The Reserve includes ten sites along the NC coast: Currituck Banks, Kitty hawk Woods, Buxton Woods, Buckridge, Rachel Carson, Permuda Island, Masonboro Island, Zeke's Island, Bald Head Woods, and Bird Island.

06/20/2026

Today is International Horseshoe Crab Day! These are incredible creatures, known as living fossils, that have remained virtually unchanged for over 445 million years. Did you know that they aren't a true crab🦀?

Watch the video to learn more!


Application period is open for N.C. Coastal Reserve local advisory committees!The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estu...
06/20/2026

Application period is open for N.C. Coastal Reserve local advisory committees!

The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve is accepting applications for several local advisory committees (LACs). Community members are needed for each of the Coastal Reserve’s 10 sites: Bird Island Reserve, Bald Head Woods Reserve, Zeke’s Island Reserve, Masonboro Island Reserve, Permuda Island Reserve, Rachel Carson Reserve, Buxton Woods Reserve, Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, Currituck Banks Reserve and Emily and Preyer Buckridge Reserve.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2026/06/01/application-period-open-coastal-reserve-local-advisory-committees

06/08/2026

Happy World Oceans Day!
🌊 Here at the Reserve, we celebrate Oceans Day every day! Estuaries are the ocean's nursery, and the NC Coastal Reserve protects more than 44,000 acres of these estuarine waters for research, education, and stewardship!
🌊We want to learn what you love about North Carolina’s estuaries!

05/27/2026

Happy birthday to Rachel Carson! 🎉

Do you know why the Rachel Carson Reserve is named after her? Read below ⬇️ to find out!

Rachel Carson explored the waters off Bird Shoal in 1938 while working for the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries at the Biological Station in Beaufort. The tidal marshes, beaches, and animals she found at the shoreline of Town Marsh and Bird Shoal inspired her writing and were featured in her first book, Under the Sea-Wind. Soon she would become famous for calling our collective attention to the environment by documenting the damage wrought by pesticides on fish, birds, and ecosystems, eventually publishing Silent Spring and leaving a lasting legacy.

05/27/2026

It's World Otter Day! Keep an eye out for river otters at any of our TEN reserve sites, like Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, where a whole romp of otters was caught on camera! 📸

Happy World Turtle Day! Did you know North Carolina’s state reptile is the Eastern Box Turtle? Keep an eye out for this ...
05/23/2026

Happy World Turtle Day! Did you know North Carolina’s state reptile is the Eastern Box Turtle? Keep an eye out for this slow-and-steady state mascot next time you visit one of our ten Reserve sites!

If you're visiting the Rachel Carson Reserve this weekend, please remember to maintain a lawful distance of at least 50 ...
05/23/2026

If you're visiting the Rachel Carson Reserve this weekend, please remember to maintain a lawful distance of at least 50 feet away (the size of a large bus). A much larger distance is recommended for viewing the horses’ natural behaviors and when a foal is present.

Similar rules govern the horses found at Shackleford Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore. If a violation is witnessed at the Rachel Carson Reserve or Shackleford Banks and it’s safe, take a photo of the incident including boat registration numbers and call the non-emergency dispatch number at 252-726-1911.

Cape Lookout National Seashore Foundation for Shackleford Horses Town of Beaufort NC

It's World Biodiversity Day! The N.C. Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserves are great examples of biodi...
05/22/2026

It's World Biodiversity Day! The N.C. Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserves are great examples of biodiversity because they support a wide variety of ecosystems and species, both terrestrial and marine. Here are several habitats and species our 10 reserve sites protect:

🏝️ Undisturbed Barrier Island Ecosystems
🐢 Habitat for Rare and Endangered Species
🌊 Nursery Grounds for Marine Life
🦅 Migratory Bird Habitat
🌱 Plant Diversity
🏖️ Minimal Human Development

Get ready for an exciting summer ☀️! Please join us in welcoming our 2026 Summer interns! We're looking forward to a sea...
05/20/2026

Get ready for an exciting summer ☀️! Please join us in welcoming our 2026 Summer interns! We're looking forward to a season filled with stewardship, exploring the sites, and learning more about the research, education, and stewardship activities that take place at each of our ten Reserve sites! Stay tuned for their journey. 🌅

Read more: https://www.deq.nc.gov/blog/2026/05/18/2026-summer-intern-welcome

Address

Off-Site Office Address: 101 Pivers Island Road
Beaufort, NC
28516

Telephone

(252)8380886

Website

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