Press Releases

Brian Strong, a 23-year veteran of the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, has been named director of the division by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.“Our state parks are an unparalleled resource that preserve North Carolina’s natural beauty for future generations while making our communities even better places to visit and call home,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Brian Strong is a proven leader who has shown his commitment to making North Carolina’s state parks even stronger and I’m confident he will serve our state well.”

The sounds of one of the final Civil War battles will echo again on the anniversary of the clash that occurred in North Carolina.Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site will recreate the noise eyewitnesses described as “one continuous peel of heavy thunder,” with cannon and rifle fire demonstrations Saturday, Aug. 19 with the program “Heavy Thunder."Costumed interpreters will show how artillery and infantry units functioned during battles like the one that occurred at Bentonville. Demonstrations will take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.

The life of a pioneering figure among African American Baptists in North Carolina will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker.The marker commemorating the Rev. Thomas Parker will be unveiled during a ceremony on July 29 at 11 a.m., near the First Missionary Baptist Church (336 West Hill St.) in Warsaw, N.C.

Discover the history of early clay and mica mining in Western North Carolina, including a surprise ending, during a free program hosted by the Western Office of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The North Carolina Zoo announces a new addition to the chimpanzee troop. On July 1, a healthy baby girl was born to chimp Genie.The animal care and veterinarian teams report mother and baby are doing well, and the baby appears healthy, active and nursing.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) announced today a new policy directing and encouraging the use of native plants at departmental locations and at local government sites receiving grants from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The policy, effective July 1, will help DNCR meet its mission of protecting the state’s natural heritage.

The North Carolina Zoo is excited to announce the names of the sand kitten triplets born May 11.The public was invited to vote in an online poll from a list of names provided by zookeepers. The public naming poll had more than 15,000 responses.The winning names are Amira (Arabic name meaning “princess”) and Cleo (for Cleopatra, iconic Queen of Egypt) for the two female kittens, and Jabari (Arabic name meaning “brave/fearless”) for the male kitten.

Amanda Lasley, a veteran park ranger, has been named superintendent of South Mountains State Park in Burke County, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Lasley takes the helm after longtime superintendent Jonathan Griffith retired earlier this year.A park superintendent leads operations and administration at a park with wide-ranging responsibilities that include staffing, training, law enforcement, planning, natural resources management, environmental education and visitor services.

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson announces the appointment of Adrienne Nirdé director of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission.“Adrienne Nirdé has been an integral part of the African American Heritage Commission staff for the past three years,” said Secretary Wilson. “She brings a background and expertise in interpreting African American history and culture and a real passion for this work that will serve the commission well.”

Luna, Shelldon and the romp of otters are among the many exciting animals that are drawing visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) in record numbers—500,000 in a year to be exact. For the Aquarium team, more is more. More students, children and families who come for the animals and leave with inspiration. Reaching a broader audience is at the core of the Aquarium mission to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments.