Topics Related to North Carolina State Parks

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources sites have some great events planned throughout April.

First held on April 22, 1970, Earth Day was established to demonstrate support for environmental protection and to encourage people to learn more about pollution, climate change, endangered species, and other environmental issues. Earth Day now includes a wide range of globally coordinated events, including many in North Carolina.

The N.C. Division of State Parks and Recreation will hold a March 10 ribbon-cutting event at Lake James State Park to celebrate the park’s new state-of-the-art visitor center.

     Date: Friday, March 10

     Time: 1 p.m.

     Location: Lake James State Park, Nebo, N.C., Visitor Center at Paddy’s Creek Access

The North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF) awarded $15 million in grants this week for 17 projects that will help protect North Carolina’s communities and natural resources from flooding, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

“Reducing flood risk is critical for the health of our families and our economy,” Cooper said. “These grants will benefit local communities by enhancing water quality, providing open space for North Carolinians, protecting our natural resources, and keeping our communities safe.”

The far-reaching and impactful accomplishments and contributions of women often have been often overlooked in North Carolina and the nation. During Women’s History Month in March agencies within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources will highlight some of the significant achievements of North Carolina Women through programs and exhibits.East

The N.C. Division of State Parks and Recreation will hold a Jan. 27 groundbreaking event at Hammocks Beach State Park to celebrate the start of renovations to the park’s Teachers’ Building.

Date: Friday, Jan. 27
Time: 1 p.m.
Location:  Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro, N.C.—Teacher’s Building, Mainland

The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority, which oversees the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), recently approved $13.7 million to fund 11 capital improvement projects for North Carolina state parks, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. The Authority approved the investments at its first quarterly meeting in 2023, held virtually on Jan. 9.

Sam Koch has been named superintendent at Mayo River State Park in Rockingham County, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Koch has served as interim superintendent at the park since September.

A state park superintendent manages the operations and administration of a park and has wide-ranging responsibilities including staffing, planning, environmental education, natural resources management, law enforcement and visitor services.

North Carolina’s state parks director Dwayne Patterson is retiring from the state agency he has led for the last five years. Patterson will depart early next year. He is the first African American to serve as director of the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation.

During his tenure, Patterson helped secure historic funding levels to support both state and local parks. He also served the state as the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ chief financial officer and as chief deputy secretary for the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Allen Williford has been named superintendent of Medoc Mountain State Park in Halifax County, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

A state park superintendent manages the operations and administration of a park and has wide-ranging responsibilities including staffing, planning, environmental education, natural resources management, law enforcement and visitor services. Williford succeeds Kelley King, who retired last spring.

Bill Stanley has been promoted to lead superintendent at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area in Vance and Warren counties, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

A state park superintendent manages the operations and administration of a park and has wide-ranging responsibilities including staffing, planning, environmental education, natural resources management, law enforcement and visitor services.