The Wildlife Refuges of
North Eastern North Carolina...

 

could use a few more friends.

 

 

 

 

So far, They have the Friends of Mackay Island, a new group committed to the support of the National Wildlife Refuge System in North Eastern North Carolina.

 

Their mission…..
	is to provide outstanding support to help Mackay Island and Currituck National Wildlife Refuge fulfill their duties for the conservation, management, and restoration of  wildlife resources and habitats.
Their vision…..
	is to be recognized and respected as one of the premier associations supporting the National Wildlife Refuge system.
Their goal…..
	is to be the best nonprofit service organization in support of the National Wildlife Refuge system.

 

 

This will be a big job.

 

 Take a look at the refuges in this area.

The Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge

 

·        Located in the north eastern corner of North Carolina in Currituck County and Virginia Beach, Virginia, a mile or two south of the NC/VA border and about three miles west of the Atlantic coast.

·        The refuge covers 8,730 acres of forested land and marshes.

·        Home to many thousands of wintering ducks, geese, and swans, as well as many other animals, land dwelling and aquatic.

·        The refuge hosts 7,500 visitors every year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snowy egrets feed in the maritime forests of the refuge.

The Currituck National Wildlife Refuge

 

·        Located on the northern Outer Banks of  North Carolina, ten miles south of the border with Virginia.

·        The refuge covers 4750 acres of beach, dunes, maritime forest, and marshes.

·        Home to many birds and animals, most notably loggerhead turtles, wild ponies, and the piping plovers.

·        This refuge will see 19,000 visitors each year.

 

 

So, you see, there is a lot of area to cover, but it can be done.

 

One goals of the refuge system is to develop the “Friends” group to help with conservation and restoration efforts.

 

In the short time they’ve been organized, many ideas have been accomplished.

 

These projects have been undertaken in support of the mission:

 

·        Duck Banding Project-  The Friends contribute time and labor to capture and band ducks for the refuge, educating children in the process.

 

 

 

 

·        Wood Duck Nesting Boxes- Nesting boxes are built by Friends volunteers and installed for the wood ducks to breed and prosper.

 

 

 

 

 

·        Fly Tying and Casting Workshops- The Friends host a day-long workshop in fly tying and fly fishing.  Encouraging use of the refuge is one way to gain support from the public.

 

 

 

 

 

·        Clean-up Days- Every year, Knotts Island Ruritan Club holds a clean-up day on which hundreds of pounds of debris are cleaned from the natural areas.  The Friends have been expanding this endeavor into the refuges.

 

 

 

To reach toward the vision,

they expect to begin work in the following projects: 

·        Project Osprey-  Outstanding Scholastic Program for Refuge Education in our Youth is an educational project that was started in the local school.  The goal is to connect these children personally to the refuge, a valuable part of their community.  In a short time, it has been established as a means to educate the young people in the natural sciences and on the need for wildlife preservation.

 

 

·        Monkey Island Restoration Project- This is a small island on the Currituck Sound which is a major rookery for many marsh birds.  The Friends are underway with a restoration project for this valuable refuge resource.

 

 

 

 

 

·        Paddle Craft Promotion-  Kayaks and canoes are a low-impact and economical means of transportation on the refuge water.  Friends will be promoting their use for both work and play.

 

 

 

As you can see, the work is cut out for the Friends of  Mackay Island.

 

With the help of a few more friends, they can continue the job started and continue with projects in the future that will keep the refuge available to everyone, wildlife and people alike.

 

Here’s how you might help:

 

·        Visit the refuge.  Visit any wildlife refuge.  You’ll see why this work is so important.

·        Spread the word about the good work.  Sign up for newsletters and stay informed.

·        Join the Friends.

·        Support the Friends from your home, your office, and your county seat or capital.

 

TO CONTACT THE FRIENDS OF MACKAY ISLAND:

 

Write to them:	Friends of Mackay Island, Inc. PO Box 414 Knotts Island, NC 27950
Phone them:	(252) 429-3078 or (877) 851-0151
On the web:	http://mackayislandfriends.knottsislandonline.com/