Press Releases

Trailblazing North Carolina African American Pastor to be Featured on Highway Historical Marker

The life of a pioneering figure among African American Baptists in North Carolina will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker.

Chimpanzee Makes Her Debut at the North Carolina Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo announces a new addition to the chimpanzee troop. On July 1, a healthy baby girl was born to chimp Genie.

The animal care and veterinarian teams report mother and baby are doing well, and the baby appears healthy, active and nursing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.