[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”10214″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]While Outer Banks Forever formally launched to the public during National Park Week only this past April, our team at Eastern National has been working behind the scenes for more than two years to explore ways to adopt a greater role in fundraising to support park needs.
We are happy to report that Outer Banks Forever has built a strong foundation of support for the national parks of the Outer Banks that includes:
- Recruiting and engaging a founding Board of Directors to provide strategic direction and opportunities for the continuing growth of the organization
- Growing a supporter base of over 110 donors, 550 email subscribers, and 2,600 social media followers who are passionate about their Outer Banks national parks
- Raising over $30,000 in support of our work to protect and enhance our Outer Banks national parks
- Launching Outer Banks Forever merchandise at the America’s National Parks® Store at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, including the popular Adopt A Turtle program
The Adopt A Pony program and the Love the Beach, Respect the Ocean campaign are two projects Outer Banks Forever has taken on this year. The launch of the Adopt A Pony program, which supports the care and maintenance of the beloved Ocracoke ponies, has proven not only to benefit the parks but also to be incredibly popular with visitors. It is the largest source of new donors so far.
In addition to helping the ponies, Outer Banks Forever played a key role in growing the Love the Beach, Respect the Ocean campaign. This campaign is a collaboration between the National Park Service, local municipalities, and local life-saving services. The goal is to educate visitors about the importance of ocean safety and reduce the number of ocean-related fatalities in the park and the community. Outer Banks Forever helped to distribute 100,000 life-ring-shaped cards and engage partners such as Duck Donuts, who encourage locals and visitors to sign up for beach condition text alerts.
Now that we built this foundation of support for the national parks of the Outer Banks, we look forward to making an even bigger impact in the upcoming year. The Outer Banks Forever Board of Directors are currently considering projects that include new ways to access and enjoy the parks, internships to grow the parks’ capacity to engage visitors, and programs to increase volunteer opportunities and partnerships in the community.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]