Superintendent Mike Murray announced today the implementation of a new pilot “Beach Ambassador" program for the 2007 summer season. The program’s goal is to increase preventative lifesaving efforts through educational materials and personal contacts with the visiting public to Cape Hatteras National Seashore and village beaches. The program will educate and inform the public of potential hazards associated with beach recreation, in particular rip currents, beach and soundside water safety and surf and storm conditions.
The program began when community leaders, private partners and park staff began discussing ways to prevent drownings in the ocean and sound waters south of Nags Head. This week, notification was received from the National Park Service Challenge Cost Share Program that grant funds were awarded to implement this pilot program. Park Service rangers, along with partners from the Eena Project, Dare County community leaders, and Manteo High School staff combined efforts to secure the necessary funding.
The park is recruiting for a cadre of volunteers from the surrounding communities in Dare County. Training on beach and water safety conditions will be provided on Saturday, May 12, 2007 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, the location to be determined. To learn more about this exciting new program and volunteer time to help save lives, the following information meeting schedule has been established:
Wednesday, April 25, 2007, 3:20 pm - 4:00 pm
Manteo High School, Manteo
Wednesday, April 25, 2007, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Whalebone Junction Information Center, Nags Head
Friday, April 27, 2007, 11:30 am - 12:00 noon
Hatteras High School, Buxton
Friday, April 27, 2007, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Fessenden Center, Buxton
Wednesday, May 9, 2007, 7:00 pm
Ocracoke Community Center, Ocracoke
Beach Ambassador Training
Saturday, May 12, 2007, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location TBA
For further information on the Beach Ambassador program contact Chief Ranger Norah Martinez at 252-473-2111 ext.119.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
