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Nature Conservancy reports increased visitation, stewardship and education at Nags Head Woods
Summary
Aaron McCall, Northeast Regional Steward for the Nature Conservancy, reported volunteer hours, trail repairs, ADA improvements, visitation counts from laser counters (avg. 700–1,000 hikers/month on several trails), education outreach and planned exhibit upgrades for the preserve's visitor center.
Aaron McCall, Northeast Regional Steward for the Nature Conservancy, presented the 2025 annual report on Nags Head Woods. McCall outlined staffing and stewardship activities, funding sources and visitation data collected by laser counters.
Key points: the preserve has about 8 miles of trails, five wooden bridges and an ADA-accessible trail that required boardwalk and concrete repairs after storm damage; laser counters installed since 2020 show averages of 700–1,000 hikers per month on several trails and about 2,800 vehicles per month at the Ocean Acres vehicle counter. McCall said volunteers contributed nearly 800 hours this past year and that education programming reached 190 fifth graders this year and 440 individuals through guided programs and workshops. Funding is primarily private donations and grants from local foundations and partners (McCall named the Outer Banks Community Foundation and Dominion Energy as past funders).
McCall also described ongoing management challenges such as invasive plants (Russian olive, microstegium) and unauthorized bike/ebike use on footpaths. He said the conservancy is updating interpretive signage and developing a new pavilion exhibit with a 3-D topographic model and touchscreen displays planned for spring/early summer next year.
Commissioners thanked McCall; no action was required.
