Know Your Park - Rays and Shipwrecks

Date: January 11, 2013
Contact: Outer Banks Group, 252-475-9000

The National Park Service Outer Banks Group Know Your Park citizen science program series continues this winter with a two upcoming presentations.

In January, Dr. Nathan Richards of East Carolina University will provide a presentation entitled "Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks" on Monday, January 21^st at 7:00 p.m. at the Fessenden Center in Buxton and Tuesday, January 22^nd at 7:00 p.m. at the Ocracoke Community Center. The program is free and will last approximately 1 hour.

Dr. Richards will explore the maritime archaeological work he recently completed during an ECU field school on the remains of gunship USS "Huron" (Nags Head) and steamer "Kyzikes" (Kill Devil Hills). Using underwater images and scientific observation he will discuss these wreaks and numerous others found along the Outer Banks coastline.

In February, Mr. Robert Fisher of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science will provide a presentation entitled "The Cownose Ray" on Monday, February 11^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Fessenden Center in Buxton and on Tuesday, February 12^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Ocracoke Community Center. The program is free and will last approximately 1 hour.

Mr. Fisher will discuss the research he has done on the Cownose Ray. Using display items, underwater video, and other imagery, Mr. Fisher will highlight these unique and dynamic creatures that travel in large schools, often numbering in the thousands, moving in and out of the sounds and bays along the eastern seaboard.

The Know Your Park citizen science program series is designed to further connect the Outer Banks communities and residents with the rich natural world and cultural heritage of their neighboring national park sites; Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial, and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site."These presentations offer park visitors as well as local residents an opportunity to learn more about and enjoy this fascinating coastal environment and their national parks" stated Superintendent Barclay Trimble.

For general park information, visit the park websites at www.nps.gov/caha or www.nps.gov/wrbr or www.nps.gov/fora.

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