Category: Student Information

     This week was a little different than normal, because it was the week before fall break! Usually our weeks are jam packed, but this time we just had two school days before we had time off. However, our week started off as it always does, with us going to our various internships on Monday. My internship this semester is with The Nature Conservancy at Nags Head Woods preserve. My role primarily involves being out on the trails and maintaining them, so there is a lot of variety. I help take care of invasive species, keep up with the trail counters, and do general maintenance tasks like raking. This Monday I worked on setting up a new trail counter to put out in the entrance area. The trail counters are important because they gather population data, which is useful information for funding purposes. Setting up the new trail counter involved hooking it up to the computer and selecting the programming that we wanted. I also helped gather milkweed seeds for the butterfly garden. That task turned out to be even trickier than setting up the trail counter because the seeds were so small! 

     After our internships on Monday we had a Community Advisory Board meeting, where we updated everybody about our capstone progress so far. We just finished making our pivot tables for our data, and creating graphs that gave us variable summaries. We also began work on our research paper, and completed a draft of our intro section. Our project is coming along, but we still have a long way to go! The board members had a lot of good suggestions for how to get our survey more widely distributed. The food at the CAB meeting was delicious as always, and this time it was Indian food. My favorite part of the CAB meetings is that we get to take the leftovers home, and then I don’t have to cook for a few days. 

     This time I had my pick of the leftovers because everybody went home for fall break! I chose to stay at the guest house because my little sister came to visit. It had been a long time since I had last seen her, so it was very exciting. I got to take her to see all of the OBX sights. We went all over the place, with both of our favorite places being Jeannete’s Pier, the Christmas Store, and Proof Bakery (although Duck Donuts also gets an honorary mention). It’s still warm enough to enjoy the beach, and so one day we took our books and went and read at Jeanette’s for a while! I’ve also really enjoyed some of the YMCA classes while I’ve been here, and so I took her to the zumba class with me. My favorite zumba instructor there is Renee, and my sister liked her class as well. It was odd having a quiet house during fall break! Usually there is so much commotion going on. However it was nice to get a chance to relax. Our weeks have been so busy lately, and it was nice to take a pause before the even busier weeks ahead! 

This last week’s events were relatively regular, with the usual weekly Zumba class and spending Monday and Wednesday at my internship with the North Carolina Coastal Federation. However Friday’s trip to Norfolk was a considerably insightful and engaging break from the ordinary for me. I learned a bit about Norfolk’s ecosystem and its coastal management issues from Elise’s internship with Wetland watch, but prior to that had no exposure to the issues the city of Norfolk and its citizens face when it comes to wetland encroachment. Puddles in the streets (see image) and overgrowth of wetland plants onto pavement and through storm drains are a regular sight in Norfolk’s roadways, and seeing it firsthand as well as speaking with Mary Carson, Elise’s mentor at Wetlands Watch, was super interesting.

We learned about steps organizations are taking to adapt to wetland migration from sea level rise, including land use policies such as rolling easements and infrastructure like raised housing foundations (see image).

Norfolk allowed for a more hands-on, comprehensive application of the topics discussed in Mary Carson’s lecture in our Law and Policy class the day prior, and I drew a lot of connections to the themes we’ve focused on throughout the semester in our Coastal Management Class.

On a less academic note, I of course had to mention Tuesday’s Halloween festivities! Some people in our group and I got together to plan a potluck-style Halloween costume party in the Guesthouse, and it was a lot of fun. I set up a spooky playlist, we enjoyed festive snacks (check out my spooky vegan gingerbread cookies!), and ended the night off with a screening of Raja Gosnell’s cinematic masterpiece Scooby-Doo: the Movie (2002). Definitely a night to remember!

Although this week was quite busy, I really enjoyed the adventures we had that broke up our daily routine. While my cookies and our catered lunch enjoyed in a Norfolk park have long been eaten, the fun memories and insightful hands-on learning will stick with me for much longer. I cannot wait to see what new opportunities for discovery and joy in camaraderie arise as we head into the tail end of an amazing semester!

This week in the Outer Banks was absolutely filled with activity! From our tightly packed schedules filled with internships, field trips, and the stress of spring semester class registration, to the upcoming Halloween weekend (dubbed ‘Halloweekend’ for our fellow Tar Heels), our enthusiasm and anticipation knew no bounds. Monday and Wednesday were occupied by my internship with CSI’s Outreach Department. With the help of my mentor, I am gaining so much experience with writing, reporting, and photojournalism. I’ve had the pleasure of documenting the internships that my classmates are engaged in and gaining insights into their experiences. I also have had the chance to further develop my photography skills, which I have not had a chance to do prior to my internship. Still, it has been something that I have been passionate about for a long time, so I am glad that I get to apply these skills through this position. On Tuesday, our typical Coastal Law and Policy course was replaced with a guest lecturer who gave us a lot of useful information on permitting and energy law. From these guest lectures, I learned a lot about the complexities of permitting and the legal requirements and regulations that need to be considered within natural resource management. What made our week especially eventful was a visit from the UNC Institute for the Environment’s Board of Visitors, who joined our class for a kayak trip to Alligator River. It was a great opportunity to learn about the different professionals involved with the Institute for the Environment, as well as build connections with them. I will admit, I was a bit nervous before we began – I am no professional at kayaking and am not too familiar with networking. However, once we were all in our kayaks on the river it was all smooth sailing (no pun intended). That evening, we attended a dinner hosted by the UNC Institute for the Environment at Basnight’s Lond Cedar Cafe. This gave us more of a chance to build connections with professionals in our fields of interest, setting the stage for promising post-graduation prospects. Our week ended with a lunch also hosted by the UNC Institute for the Environment, where we were given the opportunity to hear about sustainable energy initiatives and continue to network with members of the Board of Visitors. All in all, this eventful week has left me with new-found experiences that I am sure will stay with me for a long time, and I can’t wait for what else is in store with the time we have left in the Outer Banks. Happy Halloween!

With two of our three professors out of town this week for an academic conference, the field site had less scheduled activities but lots of work still to be done! We started our week as we normally do, working for our respective internships on Monday as well as Wednesday. This semester, I am interning with the organization Wetlands Watch. Because they are based in Norfolk, Virginia, I spend most of my internship days at the Coastal Studies Institute researching and gathering information to write a memo, my final project for my internship. My project involves researching if Virginia has protections in place for migrating wetlands growing on fill soil, and specifically how Norfolk should protect a research site I am assigned. Because I do not have any previous experience with wetlands, I have learned that they are vital to our planet serving as an ecosystem, and as a natural barrier for weather events. When I need a brain break from researching, I enjoy taking a lunch break outside overlooking the sound, observing any birds that may fly across the marshland. 

On Tuesday and Thursday, we traveled to CSI for fewer classes than normal. Additionally, on Friday we went to CSI to listen to the second lecture for the law portion of our coastal law and policy course. We got a deep dive of the Endangered Species Act and learned about the Act’s specific protections and language. While we had less class times than normal this week, we still studied and completed assignments for the week, whether at the house or a favorite local coffee shop. A few of us also took part in the weekly zumba class at the Y. This was my first time attending the class and I left feeling tired, but hype after dancing my heart out for an hour. I definitely look forward to more zumba classes, especially with disco lights as it gets darker earlier at night.

On Friday and Saturday, I got to spend time with my lovely mother in the OBX. Friday night, we shared a delicious pie from Garden Deli and Pizzeria, located in Manteo, while watching some Netflix. We spent our Saturday morning grabbing breakfast in Kill Devil Hills and then driving to Duck. This was my first time exploring the town, and the fall decor that had been set up in the area was extremely adorable and festive. While we did not get Duck Donuts, we still had a good time checking out the town and walking out to the beach. After our exploration, we headed back to Nags Head for a little shopping at the outlet and may or may not have walked away with a few goodies (the outlet deals are no joke!). I spent the rest of Saturday watching the Tar Heels crush the Orange (rip Syracuse) in football, and ended the night playing some very competitive rounds of Dutch Blitz (ask Kenza to teach you how to play if you haven’t learned yet).

This week, I spent a lot of time appreciating the transition to autumn in the Outer Banks. It’s crazy to think that we’ve nearly hit the halfway mark of the semester, while it feels like we haven’t been here for very long. Yet the weather is getting chillier, pumpkin patches have begun, and fall flavors are abundant in coffee shops and grocery stores. Normally, my family makes a trip to the coast during early October for a time to drive on the beach and fish off the beach, so I am excited to experience the coast during the later fall weeks. While the leaves may not be changing color in Manteo, autumn has certainly arrived and it was a surprise to end the week with a high of 66 degrees!

Amazingly enough, it’s already been two full weeks at the Outer Banks Fields Site! Part of me feels like I’ve been here for a year, and another part feels like I just arrived. Already my peers and I have formed close friendship as we’ve settled into the new environment here in Manteo. In our free time, we’ve attempted to make the most out of each moment on the island, going to the Saturday farmers market, trying new coffee shops, walking around downtown, and, of course, going to the beach. So far, my favorite beach access has been Coquina beach as I love the pretty, undeveloped dunes and still haven’t quite gotten over the fact that vehicles are allowed up on the sand.

Looking at jewelry at the downtown Manteo farmers market

As a part of our two week orientation, OBXFS students had the opportunity to get a surfing lesson from Christin Brown and Aaron McCall, which was one of my favorite activities we’ve done so far. As someone who’s lived in coastal North Carolina almost all my life, I’ve always been able to go to the beach. However, other than one lesson I had when I was 10, and an unsuccessful attempt two summers ago, I’ve never been surfing. Even still, it’s always been a dream of mine to learn so walking into the lesson I was very excited. As I looked out at the waves, I tried to manage my expectations: my optimistic side already imagining how I would jump up on my board and ride a perfect wave to shore even as my more realistic side knew there would be lots of trial and error involved. 

 

Ultimately, surfing was a blast! Although I had my fair share of wipeouts, I was able to ride a few successful waves, and knew I had given it my best effort. Following the lesson, I remain determined to continue working on my surfing abilities throughout the semester, knowing that if I get good enough, I might have a new hobby to bring back to my own beach. 

 

After Monday’s surfing lesson, my friends and I went to the old movie theater in downtown Manteo for a ‘ladies night’ on Tuesday evening. The theater was playing the classic summer romance, Dirty Dancing. Although I’ve seen the movie before, I still had a great time getting dressed up and spending time with the group. I have no doubt watching a movie at the cinema will become a monthly, if not weekly, occurrence for us! 

 

My third and final highlight of the past week was having two of my best friends from Chapel Hill come down for a few nights over the long weekend.

Even though I am still settling in myself, I attempted to play ‘tour guide’ and show them all of my favorite things. We spent much of Saturday on the sound side beach in Manteo, relaxing in the sun and taking pictures together. That night, we ate at Ortega’z Southwestern Grill in downtown Manteo. (I’m still thinking about how good the sweet chili and buffalo chicken street tacos were.) Afterward, we drove to Jockey’s Ridge State Park to watch the sunset, which needless to say, was absolutely stunning. 

Upon committing to this field site, I was a bit apprehensive that not being on campus would affect my relationships with those living at UNC. I feared I would lose touch with those I had gotten to know so well last year. However, after this weekend, this fear has melted away. Making it a priority to have nightly Facetime calls has made the distance manageable and, if anything, I am grateful that this experience has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me make a whole new set of friends. To those thinking about doing this field site, I would encourage you to not focus on what you will be missing on campus, and instead think of all the cool and unique experiences you will be gaining as an OBXFS student. Even though this semester is only just beginning, I know the memories I have made so far will last well past our time here. 

Moving to a new place can be intimidating. Learning the culture of the community you now inhabit and the ins and outs of daily life in a new city presents some challenges but also many opportunities to try new things and soak up information about the new setting. Taking a semester to change location and perspective by studying in Manteo is an adventure that we all welcomed with open arms. This new frontier that we are exploring together as classmates and research partners has prompted us to try new things, make new memories, and develop new friendships that will surely grow throughout the semester.

Manteo is very different than Chapel Hill, but I have seen several similarities in the way that we learn about and experience these places when they are new to us. Hearing advice from locals to watch your speed going down Highway 64 reminds me of the times during my freshman year when upperclassmen would tell me the best places to find parking at UNC. Going out to eat with housemates/suitemates at local Chapel Hill restaurants like Sup Dogs before the first day of classes was mirrored here in Manteo with a trip to the Olde Town Creamery where we enjoyed dinner and a sweet treat. And while in Chapel Hill we might spend our late nights under the stars on the top of Craige Parking Deck, in Manteo we admired the same beautiful night sky from the peaceful Nags Head Woods.

While there are many parallels in the way that we have experienced these new places, there are definitely some things that are exclusive to the Outer Banks that we have been lucky to experience in our first week here. We had the unique opportunity to view Roanoke Island from an aquatic standpoint as we sailed around the island, gaining a new perspective on the quickly eroding shoreline of the island. We were also blessed with the presence of some wonderful dolphin friends in the sound! The wildlife here is truly diverse and reflective of the unique landscapes that characterize this rare type of ecosystem.

Our trip around Roanoke Island was followed by an early morning hike of the beautiful dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. This excursion was my favorite field trip of our introductory week. Jockey’s Ridge is an awesome place with so many little nuggets of knowledge concerning wildlife, land conservation, erosion, weather patterns, and tourism tucked away all over the park. We had the awesome privilege of being escorted around the park by the wonderful Ranger Jennifer! She was so kind to let us in on the history of Jockey’s Ridge and to explain the way that the weather has affected the topography of the land there. I would have never thought that the height of the dunes would vary so greatly with the changing seasonal winds and storm patterns. It sounds like our class may also be allowed to participate in a shoreline protection project at the park in the coming months!

All of these new places and experiences have really given our class great opportunities to learn more about each other and build strong foundations for friendships that will hopefully last beyond our time here at the OBX. We are so excited for all that this semester has to offer and we look forward to all the adventures we will encounter!

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, I’m Anya, and I’m a Junior from Jacksonville, Florida majoring in Environmental Science. This semester, I interned at the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary with Robbie and Pamela Fearn. When I first heard in August about where my internship was going to be, I did not know what to expect. I had not done a lot of work in conservation before this semester, but I was excited to learn. When I showed up at the sanctuary in Corolla on my first day of the internship, I knew my time here would be something to look forward to.

I started off my internship by taking a tour around several acres of the property, both by truck and boat. I learned about the history of the historic hunt club, the types of species and habitats in the sanctuary, and the work that Audubon does both in Pine Island and nationally. As the semester progressed, I delved deeper into the significance of the area, both ecologically and culturally, through research at the Outer Banks History Center.

Friends and family would constantly ask me “what I did” during my internship, and my answer would always be the same- kind of a lot of everything. I have a slightly unconventional interest in the intersection between food systems and conservation, and my Pine Island internship allowed me to dig deeper into that relationship in the Currituck marshes while learning hands-on management skills. Overall, I worked with and met countless people during my days as an intern.

While working directly with Robbie, I learned how much work goes into managing a successful bird sanctuary. We spent hours doing tasks from driving around in the boat to assess marsh conditions to redecorating cottages to meeting with environmental scientists. Along the way, I learned about resilience planning in place for climate change and sea level rise, a prevalent threat to wildlife and plants in the Outer Banks. I was able to be part of the management strategies I learned in my classes and learn the compromises that must be made when working with a place as rich in tradition as the Currituck Sound. And, of course, I saw some amazing birds, sea otters, plants, and so much more wildlife.

During my internship, I also had the opportunity to accompany Frank, a local hunting guide for Pine Island and crabbing company owner. I learned about the pressures on local seafood and his experience of duck hunting on the Currituck, along with his adorable hunting dog, Sassafras. Talking to Frank, it was clear how much the locals love and respect the marsh and have a generational connection to the area.

One of the most rewarding parts of my semester was talking to sanctuary visitors and teaching them about why the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary is such a special place. I had the opportunity to talk to several tourists on the nature trail about the history and ecology of the place. Some were first-time visitors, and many had been visiting the nature trail for years. All of the people I met showed an appreciation for the land that made me grateful to be a part of conservation efforts. Robbie and Pamela, the sanctuary’s outreach coordinator, also hosted several events throughout the fall. I was lucky enough to attend a few and even sleep in the lodge overnight for the final one. I had many conversations with attendees about positive environmental steps being taken both in Pine Island and across the country. In the end, I left each event reassured that impactful steps are being made by many people who are passionate about the planet.

I would also like to share a special thanks to Robbie, Pamela, Frank, and all the others who took the time to work with me throughout this semester. I am incredibly grateful to have experienced all that I did, which would not have been possible without many kind and generous people.

Hi y’all! My name’s Leanna Mahle and I’m a senior majoring in Environmental Studies and Public Policy.

Imagine being surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural sites and you’ll soon find yourself in the Outer Banks. This is where this week’s blog post starts.

One thing I have been loving is the exploration of many of the natural areas around us. We have been lucky enough to be a quick drive over from Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge was established in 1984 to preserve pocosin wetlands and has since then become 152,000 acres of sanctuary for animals ranging from black bears to the critically endangered red wolf.  It has also become a sanctuary and place of adventure for people.

We have made it a habit to visit. In the first few weeks were able to explore places like Twiford and Sawyer Lake Road and saw black bears! It was fun to learn that many of the farmers in the Refuge utilize cooperative farming, meaning wildlife is allowed to eat parts of the crops and the farmers will later be compensated for anything that was lost. This helps balance the need for human and wildlife food while maintaining the Refuge’s main goal of protection.

Later we visited Stumpy Point, a small community near the Refuge. We had gone to see what kind of infrastructure was put in place in an area prone to sea level rise. Many of the houses close to the water had small rock walls to protect them, but keep in mind, this is only allowed on the sound side in NC. Also while there, we saw different tree species, all kinds of butterflies, and… the Dare County Bombing Range. Personally, I thought that was hilarious. Don’t worry, we didn’t get any closer than the sign.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And most recently, we explored the Palmetto-Peartree Preserve. This has to have been one of my favorite places so far. It has access to marsh grass and trails, all of which really showcase some of the most beautiful species. We saw all kinds of mushrooms, some of which I could identify and others I couldn’t. I am by no means a mycologist but an avid fan of exploring and stumping the iNaturalist app. I have truly loved going through and seeing all that the Refuge offers. If you’re ever in the area don’t forget that there is camping nearby and plenty of opportunities to see unique wildlife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wishing y’all the best!

-Leanna Mahle ’22

It’s October, the days are chillier now (50s or 60s – imagine!), and there’s that fall smell in the air. With fall, our cohort has changed too – become a little closer, played a couple more card games, caught a couple more sunsets, and rushed to Front Porch to get a couple more coffees. We’ve switched out our bare feet and sandals for shoes (most of the time!) and our bathing suits for sweaters. Pumpkin bread has finally made its appearance at the Wanchese Farmer’s Market and during weekend thrifting trips, we dredge up warmer clothes to fight off CSI’s vicious winds. With fall have come new lessons and adventures, and I’ll share a couple here.

Lesson #1:   Understanding place

On Friday, we took a field trip that provided a look at the economies and ecotourism in surrounding towns, helping us to understand this coastal place. It was a busy day! First, we visited Duck, a town north of Kitty Hawk, which has a year-round population of just over 700 that skyrockets to 20,000 around July. Our group got the chance to meet with Matthew Price, the local developer of The Waterfront Shops in Duck, to discuss sustainable development along the coast.

Next, we moved further North to Corolla and the northern beach communities, economies based on natural resources. Once filled with hunting lodges and wealthy hunt clubs, today these areas are valued family vacation and recreation destinations. Tours around the Corolla and Carova beaches gave us insight into the difficulty of local decision-making when most stakeholders aren’t local. Our cohort also trekked up the 220 steps leading to the top of Currituck Lighthouse. The view was worth it!

The Pine Island Audubon Society was our last stop of the day, and Anya, who’s interning there this semester, gave us a quick tour of the property and its management as the sun set over the marsh. As we packed into the van to head back, I began to consider the range of perspectives we had experienced and felt puzzle pieces coming together in my mind. The stakes we all hold in the coast are high, and in these dynamic natural spaces, our interests interact in very nuanced ways.

Lesson #2:

Fall on Roanoke Island wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Island Farm’s Pumpkin Patch! Just a mile down the road from the Guest House, the Island Farm is a living history site and working farm that interprets what life for Roanoke Islanders was like in the early 1800s. Through this site, visitors can see how people made Roanoke Island home.  During certain Saturdays in October, the Island Farm hosts a fall celebration, where visitors can pick out pumpkins grown on the farm. We arrived promptly at 11 am on Saturday the 15th, and the farm was already buzzing with vendors and families. At the entrance, a giant Island Farm-grown pumpkin greeted us – it ended up weighing around 1,200 pounds! We soon selected our own unique array of pumpkins with impressive color ranges from mint green to fiery orange.

By 1:00 pm, we had all tried our hands at blacksmithing, crafted beeswax candles, and been defeated by Josh and Leanna in a high-stakes group tug-of-war game. There couldn’t be a better way to understand the historicity of the land we’re making home this semester. As we make this place home, it’s important to understand how people before us made this island home.

A lively pumpkin-carving party soon ensued on Saturday night. We have quite a few artists in the group!

 

Lesson #3:

OBX falls bring sunsets of stronger colors – bright reds, oranges, and pinks.  After pumpkin picking on the island farm, we caught a chilly sunset at Jockey’s Ridge, the massive sand dunes overlooking the Sound sunset. More lessons from fall: Jockey’s ridge gets dark quickly after sunset and quickly turns from familiar rolling hills to an alien landscape. Beautiful – and scary!

Lesson #4: Soft-serve ice cream is always good, no matter the time or season! Last weekend, our cohort took a rather chilly impromptu night trip to our favorite ice cream place, Frosties, in downtown Manteo. They have good ice cream (try the cereal milk flavor, if you have the chance), and the inside walls are covered in ice cream puns!

As the leaves begin to turn red, the navigationally challenged among us (that’s me!) are proud to say that we no longer need Google Maps to find our way home.