• Brown Pelican taking off.

    Cape Hatteras

    National Seashore North Carolina

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NPS Launches “Beach Ambassador” Program

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Date: April 23, 2007
Contact: Outer Banks Group, (252) 473-2111

Superintendent Mike Murray announced today the implementation of a new pilot “Beach Ambassador” program for the 2007 summer season.  The program’s goal is to increase preventative lifesaving efforts through educational materials and personal contacts with the visiting public to Cape Hatteras National Seashore and village beaches.  The program will educate and inform the public of potential hazards associated with beach recreation, in particular rip currents, beach and soundside water safety and surf and storm conditions.  

The program began when community leaders, private partners and park staff began discussing ways to prevent drownings in the ocean and sound waters south of Nags Head.  This week, notification was received from the National Park Service Challenge Cost Share Program that grant funds were awarded to implement this pilot program.  Park Service rangers, along with partners from the Eena Project, Dare County community leaders, and Manteo High School staff combined efforts to secure the necessary funding.  

The park is recruiting for a cadre of volunteers from the surrounding communities in Dare County.  Training on beach and water safety conditions will be provided on Saturday, May 12, 2007 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, the location to be determined.  To learn more about this exciting new program and volunteer time to help save lives, the following information meeting schedule has been established:

Wednesday, April 25, 2007,   3:20 pm – 4:00 pm
Manteo High School, Manteo

Wednesday, April 25, 2007,   5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Whalebone Junction Information Center, Nags Head

Friday, April 27, 2007,   11:30 am – 12:00 noon
Hatteras High School, Buxton

Friday, April 27, 2007,   12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Fessenden Center, Buxton

Wednesday, May 9, 2007,   7:00 pm
Ocracoke Community Center, Ocracoke

Beach Ambassador Training
Saturday, May 12, 2007,   9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location TBA


For further information on the Beach Ambassador program contact Chief Ranger Norah Martinez at 252-473-2111 ext.119.

Did You Know?

Seasparkle, a tiny dinoflagellate that can be seen glowing in the surfline at night.

The beaches along Cape Hatteras National Seashore sparkle at night.

When you kick the sand, you disturb tiny dinoflagellates like seasparkle, magnified in the picture to the left.  A chemical reaction causes them to glow with a blue-green light.