The Allure of the Outer Banks
When you picture the Outer Banks, you picture warm sandy beaches, timeless family traditions, and laughter with good friends. A trip to the Outer Banks is a yearly experience for millions of visitors who’ve made generations worth of memories here.
The dynamic heart of the area is a stunning national seashore that stretches for 70 miles of sand, dunes, marsh grass and scrubby woodland. But the Outer Banks is more than just beaches, it is also home to a history of firsts. The first National Seashore, the first English colony, and the first heavier-than-air powered flight are all part of the fabric of this area.
Lucky for us, the Outer Banks are home to three national parks – each set aside to tell the story of our shared natural, historic and cultural legacy. Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial, and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site protect unique environmental features and a rich history that illustrates centuries of determination and innovation.
A Tradition of Philanthropy in our National Parks
For many decades, private donations have helped expand and sustain “America’s Best Idea” – our national parks. Dedicated individuals have helped enrich existing education, wildlife conservation, and trails programs in our national parks while also allowing for growth and engagement through new projects.
Philanthropy allows your parks to thrive. By diversifying a park’s funding sources through philanthropy, you allow them to innovate, respond quickly to visitor and community needs, and achieve a margin of excellence – something we’ve come expect when we think of our nation’s most treasured places.
The Outer Banks national parks have not had the advantage of this type of support and partnership – until now.
Outer Banks Forever – Your Parks, Your Impact
Today you can make an impact on the Outer Banks national parks that have become part of your families’ traditions. Outer Banks Forever is a new, nonprofit organization and the official partner of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.
Guided by the parks’ needs and priorities, Outer Banks Forever will fund projects and programs that protect these natural and cultural resources, enhance your park experience, and engage the next generation in their national parks. Our partnership will give visitors of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to give back to these extraordinary places that belong to all of us.
Your support of Outer Banks Forever will impact four key areas:
- Educating Youth – National parks are living laboratories that inspire through hands-on learning. Your support of Outer Banks Forever will provide funding to increase the number of children who participate in education programs and expand the learning opportunities the parks can offer.
- Creating Experiences – National parks were created for exploration, inspiration, and relaxation. Your support of Outer Banks Forever will allow you, your family, and friends to experience the parks in new ways – from expanding biking and hiking trails, to new wildlife viewing areas and increasing amenities in the parks.
- Advancing Science – Understanding our parks helps us understand our world. Your support of Outer Banks Forever will allow for research in areas like nighttime sea turtle activity, evaluation of beach erosion and changing vegetation, and new archaeological finds.
- Preserving History – Our Outer Banks national parks provide unique historical and cultural insights into aviation, maritime and early colonial life, and African American history. Your support of Outer Banks Forever will continue to strengthen these stories and share them with new audiences.
How You Can Help
Following in the footsteps of the Wright Brothers, you have an opportunity to help this organization take flight. Outer Banks Forever is looking for pioneers willing to invest their time and treasure through donations and volunteer service. Your support will allow us to fund initial projects in each park, as well as to build a strong foundation of sustainable funding for the future of your Outer Banks national parks.
For more information, please contact our Executive Director, Jessica Green at jessicagreen@obxforever.org or 252-423-4545.