Press Releases

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Creates Native Plant Policy

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.

American’s First Kaolin Clay: The Cherokee Wedgwood Connection

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.

Amanda Lasley Named Superintendent at South Mountains State Park

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.

North Carolina Zoo Announces Sand Kitten Names Chosen by the Public

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.

Nirdé Named Director of the N.C. African American Heritage Commission

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.

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher Celebrates Record-Breaking Year

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.

N.C. Trails Program Awards $1.6 Million in Grants for Trail Construction, Safety

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.

Tracy Minton Named Superintendent at New River State Park

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.

NC Science Teachers, if your students like dinosaurs and dirt, this project may be for you.

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?

State of NC to Help Fund Canton Outdoor Trails

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.