Topics Related to North Carolina Aquariums / Jennette's Pier

All eyes will be on the skies Friday, Feb. 14, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) hosts the Great Backyard Bird Count. NCAFF environmental educators will inspire the community to join the count and launch newly minted bird counters on an exciting journey to earn an NC Bird Count badge. Special activities throughout the day offer an exciting time for anyone and everyone to help scientists gather information on birds in the state to support their conservation.

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island has rehabilitated and released 399 sea turtles with the aid of several long-standing community partnerships on the Outer Banks. The turtles were initially brought to the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center at the Aquarium because of cold-stunning, a hypothermia-like condition that occurs when the water temperature drops quickly before the sea turtles can migrate to warmer water.

Underwater shenanigans with pumpkins, eerie frozen treats and sunken secrets await at Spooky Seas Saturday, Oct. 19 – Friday, Nov. 1 at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The ghoulish fun is included with an Aquarium admission during regular hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Online tickets are required to visit the Aquarium. 

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites have postponed the public opening of Fort Fisher State Historic Site’s new visitor center, earthworks, and underwater archaeology lab due to damage and flooding associated with Tropical Cyclone 13.Originally set for Sept. 27, the public opening of the site has been postponed. The event will be rescheduled for a future date to be announced.

Making waves that have a ripple effect is at the heart of a new initiative to make the North Carolina Ferry System more sustainable, beginning with the Southport and Fort Fisher visitor centers. Riders will find only aluminum cans for water, soda and other drinks in the vending machines. Last year, the ferry system also added water refill stations—another measure to reduce single-use plastic.

In an attempt designed to protect wildlife, 200 new exterior light fixtures, bollards and lampposts have been installed at Jennette’s Pier this summer. The wildlife friendly lighting emits shielded, amber light.All along North Carolina’s coast, beach towns, parks and residential areas are also taking measures to reduce artificial lighting that negatively impacts wildlife.The North Carolina Aquariums are proud to be joining an ever-growing movement of migration to Wildlife Friendly Lighting, Jennette’s Pier Director Mike Remige said.

This summer, splash into an underwater world of art during Paint Nights Under the Sea at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring yourself to make fin-tastic memories during this relaxing night of creating artwork. Instructors from Wine and Design on Wheels from Morehead City will provide all the painting supplies and guide participants every step of the way.

Out-of-this-world and all for the planet, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) invites the community to the May the 4th! Beach Cleanup on Saturday, May 4, 8 -10 a.m. at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Reaching out to the community as leaders in conservation is a vital part of the NCAFF mission to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments.

Unique and beautiful, the North Carolina Aquariums at Fort Fisher and on Roanoke Island and Jennette’s Pier are showcasing children’s artwork curated from “Este es mi México 2023” or “This is My Mexico 2023” through April 28. NCA Fort Fisher (NCAFF) is showcasing 20 pieces of the ocean-inspired art, NCA Roanoke Island (NCARI) will exhibit 16 and the Pier, eight.