Friends of Pleasure Island State Parks

10/30/2026

The October Carolina Beach State Park Run with a Ranger was a huge success!

Join the early morning running group and a Ranger (or two) for a November morning run.........

Wed. 11/4 8-9 am

It will be ~3 miles at an easy pace, with options to do less distance if folks would like. All experience levels are welcome from beginners/walkers to runners. We will meet at the Visitor's Center.

10/01/2026

Carolina Beach State Park is offering a new program this fall: Run with a Ranger.

Wed. 10/7 8-9 am
Wed. 11/4 8-9 am
Wed. 12/2 8-9 am

It will be ~3 miles at an easy pace, with options to do less distance if folks would like. All experience levels are welcome from beginners/walkers to runners. We will meet at the Visitor's Center.

09/30/2026

And that's a wrap on the 2026 sea turtle season at Fort Fisher SRA. 🐢With the excavation of the very last nest, these hatchlings made their way into the big blue

Photo 📸: Superintendent Jeff Owen

09/25/2026

Love this! And we’re happy to report these beauties are thriving at Carolina Beach State Park.

We see Red-shouldered Hawks regularly from the picnic area, across the marsh and into the tree canopies near the marina.

Pretty amazing what happens when local nonprofits come together for conservation

09/20/2026

𝐏𝐨𝐩-𝐔𝐩 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞 & 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 ✌💃🍂

What are you doing Monday night? Up for a little spontaneous adventure?

Grab your favorite people and meet us at the Carolina Beach State Park Marina around 6:15 p.m. tomorrow, September 21.

It’s the International Day of Peace, fall is almost here, and it just happens to be the 21st night of September.

You know what we have to do. 💃

We’re turning on Earth, Wind & Fire, dancing into the sunset and celebrating peace, community, conservation—and our commitment to taking care of each other and this beautiful place we call home.

One dance. One purpose. One magical sunset.

Come around 6:15 so you have time to park and make your way to the marina flagpole. The sky should start turning gold around 6:40, sunset is around 7:09, and if you hang around afterward, twilight is when the sky really gets good.

The waxing gibbous moon will be overhead, the marina store is open until 8 for snacks and water, and the park gate closes at 9.

And yes, the autumnal equinox officially arrives Tuesday evening—so we’re giving fall a proper welcoming party. 🍂

Come as you are. Bring your people. Dance badly. Dance well. We truly do not care.

Just one little reminder: no alcoholic beverages are allowed in the park.

Peace. Community. Conservation. And a little boogie. ✌️🌎🍂

photo: NC Parks and Recreation

09/18/2026

The Island Men have apparently decided no one is leaving Oktoberfest hungry. 😂🍺🥨

Good Hops is one of our Friends business members, and The Island Men have always shown up for us and so many others on the Island. That’s what we love about this community — everybody shows up for everybody.

So go eat a brat, drink a b**r and call it supporting local. We certainly will.

09/08/2026

‼️‼️CONTROLLED BURN TODAY ‼️‼️

08/18/2026

🐢 𝑼𝑷𝑫𝑨𝑻𝑬: 𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑵𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑺 𝑯𝑨𝑽𝑬 𝑩𝑬𝑬𝑵 𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑫!!!!!

🐢 Every available Fort Fisher sea turtle nest has been adopted! 🐢

A huge thank-you to our wonderful Community Conservationists who stepped up to support these nests and the sea turtles of Fort Fisher. Your generosity helps strengthen conservation, education, and protection right here in our park.

Every nest has a name. Every adopter is now part of its story. And every single adoption shows what a caring community can accomplish together.

We are officially ADOPTED OUT—and incredibly grateful! 💚

117 nests later, the turtles have done their part. Now it’s our turn. 🐢🐢

Eleven Fort Fisher sea turtle nests were adopted early in the season, but 18 adoptable nests are still waiting for adoptees.

A $50 donation provides one symbolic nest adoption for one named person and includes:

* The adoptee’s name displayed at the assigned nest
* A custom certificate mailed in December with information about the nest
* The adoptee’s name on the Community Conservationist Plaque at the Fort Fisher Visitor Center

Adopt a nest for yourself or give one to someone special. Each adoption is for one person and one nest.

Adoption does not include nest sitting or monitoring. For the protection of the sea turtles and hatchlings, all nest work is performed by trained Fort Fisher sea turtle volunteers.

🐢🐢18 nests. 18 names. Let’s finish what we started.

Visit friendspisp.org and select Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest.

If Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest is no longer displayed, all available nests have been adopted.

07/31/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲

It’s World Park Ranger Day, and we can’t let it pass without celebrating some pretty special people.

At Carolina Beach State Park: Superintendent Crystal Lloyd and Rangers Jesse Anderson, Chris Watts and Alexis Silva.

At Fort Fisher State Recreation Area: Superintendent Jeff Owen and Rangers Jason Howard, Kip Futch, Emily Abernethy-Sexton and Stephanie Covell.

We know them as professionals, but we also know them as friends and mentors.

They probably would have preferred their dress uniforms—the flat hats and ties—for these pictures. But we wanted you to see them the way we do: boots on the ground and ready to do whatever needs to be done.

They are law enforcement officers, conservationists, naturalists, environmentalists, educators, community advocates and public servants. They also clean bathrooms, pull trash, cut grass, make repairs, maintain trails and jump into ocean rescues when needed.

They can go from the flat hat to working in the trenches without missing a beat. There is no “that’s not my job.” They see what needs to be done and do it.

These parks don’t stay beautiful, safe and thriving on their own. They thrive because these men and women show up every day and give the work everything they have.

The Friends of Pleasure Island State Parks, your families, friends and community see how much you give. We never take it—or you—for granted.

We truly believe we have the best rangers in North Carolina. Our parks and our community are better because of you, and we are beyond fortunate to call you our rangers, mentors and friends.

On World Park Ranger Day and every day, please know how deeply grateful we are for each of you.




North Carolina State Parks and Recreation
Friends of State Parks
1% for the Planet

07/17/2026

Thank you Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce for celebrating the people who help make sure visitors leave with memories —and these special places remain protected for the next one. 💚

North Carolina State Parks and Recreation
Friends of State Parks
NC Recreation & Park Association
Governor Josh Stein

Today, July 17, we proudly celebrate Park & Recreation Professionals Day! 🌿💚

The State of North Carolina recognizes the dedicated park and recreation professionals whose work strengthens our communities, connects people with nature and each other, and creates opportunities for healthy living, environmental stewardship, and outdoor adventure.

Here on Pleasure Island, we're incredibly fortunate to have two extraordinary state parks that are central to our community, tourism, and quality of life.

Carolina Beach State Park welcomes visitors from across the country with astronomy and birding programs, guided hikes, camping, marina access, and the rare opportunity to see the famous Venus flytrap growing in its natural habitat.

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, the third most visited state park in North Carolina, welcomes more than 1.2 million visitors each year. It's home to the annual Cape Fear Kite Festival, hosts countless outdoor adventures, and has even served as the backdrop for film and television productions, including 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'.

The Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce has the privilege of working alongside the incredible teams at Carolina Beach State Park and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area throughout the year. Whether partnering on events, welcoming visitors, preserving our natural resources, or sharing the stories that make our island special, their knowledge, professionalism, passion, and commitment make a lasting impact on our community.

Today, we extend our sincere gratitude to every park ranger, educator, maintenance professional, volunteer coordinator, and staff member who helps protect these treasured places and creates unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors alike.

Thank you for all you do to make Pleasure Island a place we're proud to call home. 💚