Nature on the Duck Boardwalk

Enjoy a stroll along the Town of Duck’s soundside boardwalk to check out wildlife and local plants with educator Rhana Paris. We will have two morning and two evening walks this Fall geared toward ages 9 and up. The walks start at the Town Hall and head into the maritime forest and then onto the boardwalk for about a mile walking total. Although free, space is limited to 20 people. Please call 252.255.1234 or email info@townofduck.com with the names of everyone in your party (and ages of any children) to register for a date.

Maritime forests are ecosystems influenced by the ocean and its winds, salt spray, and overwash. There are only four of these forests in the world and the Outer Banks is home to three of them: Buxton Woods, Nags Head Woods and Kitty Hawk Woods which includes Duck. First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, VA is the fourth.

These forests formed during the last ice age behind natural dunes that acted as a barrier from much of the wind, salt exposure, and ocean flooding. The dunes also hold freshwater for plants and animals to us in the form of interdunal ponds. This is why you will see many of the same plants found further inland living in the maritime forest just a mile or two from the ocean.

The maritime forest is also where north and south meet. They have a mix of plant species that include the southern extent of some northern species and the northern range of some southern species. AKA the floristic transition between the Virginian and Carolinian biogeographic region. Here we see bayberry, a northern plant, rubbing shoulders with wax myrtle and live oak which are found father south.

We are also very fortunate that these woods have been preserved through private and public partnerships for us to enjoy!

Spring 2024 dates:

  • Thursday, May 2 9:30-11:00 a.m.
  • Wednesday, May 8 6:30 -8:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 15 9:30-11:00 a.m.
  • Wednesday, May 22 7:00-8:30 p.m.