3609 Hwy 24 (Ocean) | Newport, North Carolina 28570

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2004

Frank Tursi, Cape Lookout COASTKEEPER^®
252-393-8185
lookoutkeeper@nccoast.org

Take a Walk, Wet a Line ... With a COASTKEEPER^®

     Ocean, NC - Visitors to the North Carolina coast this summer can explore the natural wonders of the shore and learn about major environmental issues facing the North Carolina coast by taking a walk or even going fishing with one of our COASTKEEPERS^®.
    The NC Coastal Federation and Cape Lookout National Seashore have teamed up to offer a new program this summer and fall, Fishing with the COASTKEEPER^®. Frank Tursi, our Cape Lookout COASTKEEPER^®, will lead the twice-monthly surf-fishing excursions at the seashore, starting on Memorial Day and ending in late October.
    In addition, the Cape Fear COASTKEEPER^® will join the Bird Island Preservation Society (BIPS) to offer beach walks on the beautiful Bird Island Coastal Reserve near Sunset Beach. Bird Island walks begin Wednesday, June 9 and will continue through August 25. Conservation experts, including the Cape Fear COASTKEEPER^®, and others from Audubon-NC and NC Coastal Land Trust, along with local members of BIPS will be leading the walks. A special beach walk at Fort Fisher in Kure Beach will be held on Wednesday August 4 at 10 am.
    The Cape Hatteras COASTKEEPER^® will continue to lead beach walks each Wednesday at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in Dare County. The walks will start on June 9 on Pea Island and continue through September 1.
    Participants on either the walks or surf-fishing excursions will learn about how waves and wind constantly reshape the beach, one of the most dynamic and violent environments on Earth. The COASTKEEPERS^® will use examples seen during the walk to discuss topics including beach and barrier island ecology and how stormwater and ocean outfalls can affect our swimming waters. They will also have some fun, learning about sea turtles and hunting for mole crabs, coquina clams and the other creatures that live at the water's edge.
    To register for one of the walks or for the surf-fishing excursions, call or email the contacts listed in the descriptions below:

Fishing With the COASTKEEPER^®
     Participants on Frank's two-hour surf-fishing excursions will have a chance to catch supper and do a little shelling while learning about the park's geology and ecology and the major environmental issues facing the NC coast. Frank is an avid surf fisherman who has fished the park's beaches for 20 years.
     Dates for the Fishing with the COASTKEEPER^® excursions are: May 31, June 11, June 25, July 3, July, 19, Aug. 7, Aug. 20, Sept. 4, Sept. 17, Oct. 9 and Oct. 22.
     Participants will meet at the Lightkeepers' Quarters near the Cape Lookout Lighthouse on South Core Banks at 10 a.m. A private beach shuttle will take them to The Point or other places along the beach and pick them up at noon. A fee will be charged for the shuttle.
     Participation for the excursions is limited to 12 people and registration is required. To register, call Cape Lookout National Seashore at 252-728-2250.
     Fishing rods, tackle and bait will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their favorite rod or lure. They should also bring sunscreen, insect repellant, water, snacks, shoes or sandals and a wide-brimmed hat.

Beach Walks: Bird Island Coastal Reserve & Fort Fisher
     Bird Island Beach walks will be held every Wednesday at 10 am led by members of BIPS and conservation experts. Ted Wilgis, Cape Fear COASTKEEPER^®, will lead walks on the following Wednesdays at 10 am: June 9 & 30, July 7 & 28, and August 25. A special beach walk will held at Fort Fisher on Wednesday August 4 at 10 am.
    For detailed listing of who will be leading each walk contact Lauren Kolodij at 252-393-8185 or laurenk@nccoast.org.
    Bird Island is truly special. It contains a half mile expanse of pristine sandy white beaches, high natural dunes, and acres of beautiful salt marsh and meandering tidal creeks. The island is home to a wide variety of plants and animals and it provides habitat for nesting sea turtles and waterbirds.    
        On the walk we'll explore the beach and saltmarsh and walk across the now closed Mad Inlet. The August 4th Fort Fisher walk will include exploring the native beach; discussing how and why the rock wall and nearby sand bags are in place; and examining a unique Coquina rock outcrop. To register, call Ted at 910-790-3275 or email him at coastkeeper-cf@nccoast.org.
    Bird Island participants will meet at the 40th Street Beach Walk in Sunset Beach. Fort Fisher participants will meet at the gazebo at the southern end of the parking lot on Battle Acre Drive just behind the rock sea wall at the State Historic Area. Parking is limited and is on a first come basis.
    Directions to Bird Island: From Hwy 17 S/Ocean Hwy. E toward Shallotte/Myrtle Beach, Turn left onto NC-904/Longwood Rd. - NW/Seaside Rd. SW. Continue to follow NC-904/Seaside Rd SW. Turn right onto NC-179/Sunset Blvd. N. Continue to follow Sunset Blvd N. Take a Right on Main Street. Follow beach side road to 40th street parking and walkover.
    Directions to Fort Fisher: Take US 421 south through Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The Fort Fisher State Historic Site is on the right just south of Kure Beach. The Battle Acre Drive parking lot is on the left (ocean side) opposite the visitor center. Parking at the State Recreation Area is located on Loggerhead Rd. Turn left off US 421 just past the State Historic Site onto Loggerhead Rd. Parking and the visitor's center are to the left.

Beach Walks: Pea Island
     Jan DeBlieu, the Cape Hatteras COASTKEEPER^® and a naturalist and author who has written extensively about the NC coast, will lead the walks, which will start each Wednesday at 9 am from the parking lot on the south end of the Oregon Inlet Bridge on Pea Island.
     To register, call Jan at 252-473-1607 or email her at hatteraskeeper@nccoast.org.
     Directions From Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills: Take the US 158 bypass south to the entrance to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Follow NC 12 south to Oregon Inlet and cross the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge. Turn left immediately into the parking lot. Park near the tall grasses on the east side of the lot.
     From Hatteras Island villages and Ocracoke: Take Highway 12 north through the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge to Oregon Inlet. Just before the bridge turn right into the parking lot.
     From Manteo: Take US 64 east to Nags Head and look for signs to Hatteras Island. Turn right onto Highway 12. Continue south to Oregon Inlet, cross the bridge, and turn left immediately into the parking lot.
For beach walks, come prepared to be in the sun for the full hour and a half. Bring hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, snacks, and shoes.