Bald Head Island Conservancy

Throughout the fall, the Bald Head Island Conservancy holds its annual Barrier Island Botanists (BIB) program, with field trips in coordination with Brunswick County Public Schools. Just under 1000 sixth graders from 6 schools throughout the county will visit Bald Head Island throughout the month of October, with three schools scheduled to attend in the spring. The Bald Head Island Conservancy ran the program in 2018 and 2019 from a Duke Energy grant, paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. BIB was brought back in 2022 thanks to a donation by Jim, Devon, and Sinclair Brown. With the current donation, BHIC will be able to run the program for two more years with funding covering ferry tickets, supplies for the day, and updating educational supplies.

A typical day of Barrier Island Botanists consists of 60 students traveling to Bald Head Island and joining BHIC education staff in activities around the island. It is focused on botany in order to align with North Carolina’s educational standards for 6th grade. There is plenty to learn about plants on the island, including their role in maintaining dune structures, how marsh grasses survive in brackish water, and the impact of live oak trees in stabilizing the interior of the island.

The program takes place near the marina with three different stations: Access 5, where the students see a complete dune structure, the bridge overlook to Middle Island and the marsh, and Fort Holmes Trail near the Bald Head Association in the maritime forest.

*There will be a lunch break at some point between the 3 study stations, so please bring a packed lunch and/or snacks and water!