Press Releases

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.

Tracy Minton, the longtime superintendent at Elk Knob State Park, has been named superintendent of New River State Park in neighboring Alleghany and Ashe counties, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.Minton succeeds Joe Shimel, who was promoted to east district superintendent last year. Ranger Scott Robinson served as acting superintendent during the interim.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) announced that its N.C. Trails Committee had awarded 17 grants totaling $1.6 million to local governments and nonprofit organizations for trail projects across the state.

Calling all North Carolina 8th-grade science teachers. Would you like your students to do real science with real fossils of animals that lived alongside the dinosaurs? Sign up for Cretaceous Creatures, a new public science project run by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences that offers middle school students across the state a chance to make their own fossil discoveries as they contribute to the field of paleontology.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) announced today that it is partnering with the Town of Canton on Chestnut Mountain Nature Park. The park, which is on nearly 450 acres one mile east of Canton, features both hiking and biking trails at the former logging site. The $145,000 investment from DNCR will help complete the park’s final three trails and children’s bicycle playground.

Carolista Fletcher Baum, a fearless advocate for environmental preservation, will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker for her pivotal role in safeguarding the iconic Jockey's Ridge on the Outer Banks. The dedication ceremony for the marker will take place Friday, July 7, at 10 a.m., at 300 Carolista Drive, Nags Head, N.C.