Ranger Kevin Bleck never tires of the natural beauty of Hammocks Beach State Park. 

 Behind him is a restored wetland that leads to the new visitors' center. 



of park properties. Park staff members add to 

 the "inventory" with newly discovered 

 natural treasures. 



A mini-theater will feature videos of the 

 nesting sea turtles, coastal birds, Bear 

 Island's remarkable dune system — and the 

 night sky that captivates campers. 



"These are things that people come to 

 see and enjoy. The message will be one that 

 advocates conservancy and stewardship on 

 both a local and global scale," Bland says. 



"Visitorship is huge 

 But ours are not your average tourists. 

 Our visitors are environmental 

 advocates who appreciate primitive 

 camping and the rare qualities of an 



undeveloped barrier island." 

 — Sam Bland, park superintendent 



"Visitorship is huge," Bland says, "But 

 ours are not your average tourists. Our 

 visitors are environmental advocates who 

 appreciate primitive camping and the rare 

 qualities of an undeveloped barrier island." 



In contrast, just across Bogue Inlet, lies 

 Emerald Isle — a barrier island with side-by- 



side houses, condos and commercial properties 

 from ocean dunes to the edge of the sound. 



Thanks to the protected status of the 

 complex, that will never be a scenario in 

 Bland's park story. 



CHAPTER TWO: 

 The Partners 



Todd Miller, executive director of the 

 North Carolina Coastal Federation, is likely 

 to begin his story with a bit of history. 



In the 1920s a wealthy New York 

 surgeon owned the island and a 4,600-acre 

 mainland site known as "the hammocks." He 

 intended to will Bear Island to the family of 

 his long-time hunting and fishing guide, John 

 Hurst. But Hurst suggested that he donate it 

 to the North Carolina Teachers Association, 

 an organization of African- American teachers. 



The island was under the association's 

 management for more than a decade. In 1961, 

 the association donated the undeveloped 

 island to still-segregated North Carolina for a 

 park for minorities. It opened as Hammocks 

 Beach State Park for all citizens following the 

 passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 



Miller's story also is flavored by his 

 memories of growing up in Ocean, a nearby 

 community. Here is a setting that lends itself 



to idyllic summer days exploring a maritime 

 forest, spotting blue crabs in a tidal marsh, and 

 jumping waves on a perfect beach. 



Hammocks Beach State Park remains a 

 stellar facility, he says. "Its management is a 

 model of stewardship." 



That's a high compliment from Miller, 

 whose love for coastal North Carolina is both 

 a vocation and an avocation. He founded the 

 Coastal Federation in 1982 as a rallying point 

 for people who feel deeply about the coast and 

 want to help preserve priceless ecosystems. 



"Our role is to prod the political system 

 and keep things moving," Miller says. 



It's also one of action. Not surprisingly, 

 Miller and the federation are staunch park 

 supporters and partners. Along with helping 

 with the Huggins Island purchase, his 

 organization helped to plan the expansion of 

 the mainland areas. The imperative was to 

 maintain or improve water quality. 



Talk about timing. Park officials were 

 ready to remove an old bulkhead at the 

 original mainland ferry dock. Tracy Skrabal, 

 federation senior scientist, was looking for a 

 laboratory for estuarine shoreline erosion 

 control. 



"It was an opportunity to do things 

 differently," says Skrabal. The first phase was 



8 WINTER 2002 



