Bald Head Island Conservancy

Programs

Seasonal Programs

To enlighten our many island visitors to Bald Head Island’s unique environment, the Conservancy offers educational programs each week during the summer season, as well as a variety all throughout the year.

Summer Camps: 2008

Camp Pollywog

A great summer adventure for 4 year olds - rising 1st graders, offered Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9-11AM from June 2-August 14, 2008. Led by Conservancy staff and interns, activities range from catching bugs to reading books, holding snakes, arts and crafts and lots more! Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center. Note: no camp on July 3rd. Reservations Required.

Cost:
$25 per child per day Conservancy Life, Patron and Sponsor Members
$40 per child per day for Conservancy Partner & Friend Members and Non-Members
Conservancy Camp

To prepare our children for service as stewards of our fragile environment, the Conservancy offers a day camp program for rising 2nd-6th graders from June 2-August 22, 2008. Conducted by the Conservancy's Education Staff and assisted by Conservancy interns, this popular camp combines outdoor activities such as kayaking, nature hikes, crabbing and shell collecting with a fun "hands on" curriculum! Your children will enjoy learning about such things as sea turtles, marsh critters, plant and animal identification & habitats, and other environmental topics. Activities change daily, and take place "in the wild" whenever possible. Note: no camp on July 3 or 4. Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center unless otherwise noted. Reservations Required.
Hours: 9:00AM - Noon, Mondays - Fridays. You may enroll your child by the day or enroll for a full week and receive a free Conservancy Camp t-shirt!

COST:
$35 per day per child for Conservancy Life, Patron and Sponsor Members
$50 per day per child for Conservancy Partner & Friend Members and Non-Members
Environmental Studies 101

Geared towards rising 7th graders through high school students, EVS 101 will give older kids a more in-depth experience with the island's habitats. Activities will range from kayak excursions, floristic surveys, water quality testing and much more! Hours: Mondays from 1-4:30PM, beginning Monday, June 2 through Monday, August 11. Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center unless otherwise noted. Reservations Required.

Cost:
$40 per child per day for Conservancy Life, Patron and Sponsor Members
$50 per child per day for Conservancy Partner & Friend Members and Non-Members

Family Adventure Programs
The following programs* will be offered starting the week of June 2 through the week of September 5:

Beachcombing Biology*
Birding on BHI* (year-round)
Crabbing and Cast Netting*
Salt Marsh Trek*
Island Nature Tour*
Kayak the Salt Marsh Creeks** (year-round)
Bald Head After Dark*
Botony of BHI*

Beachcombing Biology*

Explore the beach and surf to learn about shells and other critters that were left behind by the tide. Dig in the sand in search of the fast-burrowing mole crabs and coquina clams! Nets and buckets provided. Offered Wednesdays from 1-2:30PM. Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center. Reservations Required.

Cost:
$7 per person for Conservancy Patron and Sponsor Members
$10 per person Conservancy Partner & Friend Members and Non-Members
FREE for Conservancy Life Members!

Birding BHI*

Bald Head Island offers fantastic opportunities for birding at all seasons. During the summer months, we are fortunate to have a large nesting population of the beautiful painted bunting. The island is also home to hundreds of egrets, herons and ibis as well as dozens of other species. Walks last about 2 hours and location is dependent on tides, weather and recent sightings. Bug spray is recommended. Bring binoculars if you have them; we will provide some extra to share. Offered Mondays from 8-10AM. Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center. Reservations Required.

Cost: $7 per person for Conservancy Patron and Sponsor Members
$10 per person Conservancy Partner & Friend Members and Non-Members
FREE for Conservancy Life Members!

Crabbing and Cast Netting*

Learn the art of crabbing & cast netting! Learn about the life cycle and economic importance of blue crabs! Crab lines, bait and cast nets are provided. Great for the entire family. Days and times are tide-dependant and will change weekly. Please check in with the Conservancy for dates and times. Meet at the Village Creek Access. Reservations Required.

Cost:
$7 per person for Conservancy Patron and Sponsor Members
$10 per person Conservancy Partner & Friend Members and Non-Members
FREE for Conservancy Life Members!

Salt Marsh Trek*

The salt marsh is a critically important habitat on BHI, supporting hundreds of species of wildlife. Join a Conservancy naturalist to explore first hand the plants (some of which you can eat!) and animals (snails, fiddler crabs, lizards) found in this beautiful habitat. Offered Thursdays from 1-2PM. Meet at the Kent Mitchell Nature Trail off Federal Road, just east of Muscadine Wynd. Reservations Required.

Cost:
$7 per person for Conservancy Patron and Sponsor Members
$10 per person Conservancy Partner & Friend Members and Non-Members
FREE for Conservancy Life Members!

Island Nature Tour*

Join Conservancy naturalists for a tour of the island's wildlife hot spots. Several stops will be made along the way, each with different environmental significance. Learn about the shifting shoals, important bird nesting and roosting spots, the best place to safely view alligators, 200 year old live oak trees and much more. Must have own transportation. Offered Fridays from 1-3PM. Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center. Reservations Required.

Cost:
$7 per person for Conservancy Patron and Sponsor Members
$10 per person Conservancy Partner & Friend Members and Non-Members
FREE for Conservancy Life Members!

Kayak the Creeks*

Explore the unspoiled creeks of Bald Head Island on a guided trip with Conservancy staff and interns and learn about the beauty and importance of this habitat. Each trip offers a unique perspective of BHI and great views of wildlife; this is a must-do experience before you leave the island! Double kayaks are used, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Trips are tide and weather dependant; check with the Conservancy for dates when trips are offered. Private trips are also available depending on tides and staff schedules. Meet at the Village Creek Access. Reservations Required.

Cost:
$40 per person for a 2 hour trip

Bald Head After Dark*

The island takes on a very different feel as the sun goes down and darkness falls. While many of the island's critters wind down for the night, several others are just gearing up. Join us in the classroom for a brief presentation on Bald Head's active nightlife - including bats, frogs, toads, alligators, fireflies and bioluminescent plankton - before heading out and about on the island to find some of it ourselves! Offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00PM. Starting August 18-September 3, the time will change to 7-8:30PM due to earlier sunsets. Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center. Reservations Required.

Cost:
$7 per person for Conservancy Patron and Sponsor Members
$10 per person Conservancy Partner & Friend Members and Non-Members
FREE for Conservancy Life Members

Botany of BHI*

Ever wondered about the amazing plant life that abounds on Bald Head? It's impossible to miss as you drive or bike along the roads of BHI! Join Conservancy biologists as we explore each of Bald Head's habitats - dune, maritime forest and marsh - and learn about the distinct flora each of these habitats support. Offered Wednesdays from 4-6PM. Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center. Must have own transportation. Reservations Required.

Cost:
$7 per person for Conservancy Patron and Sponsor Members
$10 per person Conservancy Partner & Friend Members and Non-Members
FREE for Conservancy Life Members!

Weekly FREE Programs: Summer 2008

The Basics of Fishing on BHI
Sea Turtle Protection Program
Island Alligators
Scales, Feathers and Fur
BHI Streets - More than just a pretty name
Extraordinary Alligators*

Fishing BHI*

If you want to learn more about fishing on BHI or if you're simply a fishing enthusiast, you're sure to enjoy this presentation. This program is taught by island residents who are knowledgeable about the waters, seasons and techniques for the best possible fishing on BHI. Offered Mondays from 5-6PM. Please note the last Fishing BHI class will be Monday, August 25th. Suggested donation $5.00. Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center.

Sea Turtle Protection Program*

The Conservancy sea turtle interns present information on our beloved sea turtles, the threats they face and the work we are doing to help protect them. Offered Wednesdays from 3-3:45PM. Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center. Suggested donation $5.00.

Island Alligators*

Alligators are an extremely important part of our island ecosystem. Join us in the classroom to learn about gators and the role they play here on BHI, followed by a trip to the Wildlife Overlook for a chance to see them in the wild. Must have own transportation. Offered Tuesdays from 1-2PM. Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center. Suggested donation $5.00.

Scales, Feathers and Fur*

Bald Head Island is home to a great variety of unique and special wildlife! Join us for a slide presentation and learn some interesting facts about the animals that we share the island with. Offered Thursdays from 3-3:45PM. Suggested donation $5.00. Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center.

BHI Streets - More Than Just a Pretty Name!*

Ever wondered where some of the street names on Bald Head Island came from? What is a Dowitcher or Indian Blanket or Coquina? This slide show will answer all of those questions and many more, plus arm you with lots of cool facts that you can share with others as you drive around the island. Offered Tuesdays from 3-3:45PM. Suggested donation $5.00. Meet at the Fleming Environmental Center.

Extraordinary Alligators!*

Our wildlife and education interns will be at the Wildlife Overlook, located off Stede Bonnet Wynd, to answer any questions you may have about alligators or other island wildlife.
Offered Saturday/Sunday from 10AM-Noon and Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday from 3-5PM. Free.
*This program ends Thursday, August 14th.*

Turtle Walks

Many who have observed 300 lb. loggerheads coming ashore to nest, or the miracle of tiny hatchlings emerging from their nest, tell us that these are among the most extraordinary events you can experience in the wild. During the summer season, beginning Monday, June 2 through Wedensday, August 13 Conservancy Members may join the Sea Turtle Biologist for a Turtle Walk nightly at 9:00PM in the classroom to learn more about this extraordinary process. After a 45-minute presentation, you are led to the beach to await word from our beach patrol for directions to any nesting or hatching sites. After August 13th, Turtle Walks will change to Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 8PM. During this time, Turtle Walks will focus on potential hatching events, as females are no longer laying nests that late in the season.

Conservancy Members get the following number of passes to attend a Turtle Walk. We ask that you limit the number of passes used on any given night to a maximum of 8, so that other families may enjoy the Turtle Walk as well.

Friend ($50 Membership): 4 Passes
Partner ($100 Membership): 12 Passes
Sponsor ($200 Membership): 16 Passes
Patron ($400 Membership): 24 Passes
Life ($3,500 Membership): 32 Passes

To protect this significant resource, Turtle Walks are restricted to 25 participating members each night. These limited spaces fill very quickly, so call early for reservations.
Reservations Required

Turtle Walk Reservation Procedures:

Please call the information center 910.457.5786 to make your reservation - 9AM to 6PM daily.

Every night from 9pm until midnight
Meet at the Conservancy Classroom
Advised to wear long pants and sleeves and be prepared for bugs!
Need to bring own flashlights, we do not provide any, but we will provide red cellophane to cover them with
Small children may need to take an afternoon nap to prepare
Reservations are limited to 25 people by federal LAW (The Endangered Species Act), we will never take more than 25; never have, never will
Only CURRENT Conservancy members may make reservations and participate in turtle walks. The program is free to our members, and it is a great cause to give to! No exceptions!
All guests must be accompanied by their inviting member
Nest Monitors may attend as many turtle walks as they like with ONE guest (at no charge) but this must be arranged before that evening's walk
Anyone who cannot participate in a turtle walk is encouraged to attend the Sea Turtle Protection Program, offered weekly throughout the summer months
We urge members to call us if they choose to cancel so that we may advise the waiting list

Click here for membership enrollment

Because we are limited by the state to the number of turtle walk participants and because of the demand for these places is so great, turtle walks are limited to Conservancy members and their guests.

The Conservancy is an independent non-profit organization, we are not part of Bald Head Limited or Bald Head Management. We are only able to conduct this and many other programs we offer because of the financial support of our members. It is only fair that we provide space for our members who support our work here.

PLEASE NOTE: To protect this threatened resource, Turtle Walks are limited to 25 Conservancy members. Spaces fill very quickly, so call early for reservations!