Southport Magazine

What: ‘NC Wild’: NC Maritime Museum Second Saturday Program
When: Saturday, July 12th
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: NC Maritime Museum
204 E. Moore St., Southport
Cost: FREE
Info: www.ncmaritimemuseums.com
(910) 457-0003

For the last four years, the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, of which the NC Maritime Museum is a part, features a special event on the second Saturday of the month during the summer. Lori Sanderlin, the museum’s Curator of Education, explains that the event’s theme highlights “a North Carolina natural, cultural or historic topic.”

Live brown pelicans will be on-hand with the Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter during the NC Maritime Museum’s ‘NC Wild’ Second Saturday Program. Guests will be able to get up close and personal with our area’s critters at the event. Public domain photo

This month the Second Saturday Program will fall on July 12th. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on museum grounds, “NC Wild” will focus on the wildlife of coastal North Carolina.

Mary Ellen Rogers from Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelters will be on-hand, giving an educational presentation of area birds and animals. Troy Alphin, a research associate in the field of coastal and estuarine systems with UNC Wilmington, will demonstrate a live oyster display, including how oysters take in food.  Kim Brown with Southern Reptile Saviors Rescue, Inc., will present on snakes.

Jenny Fuller, an environmental educator with the NC Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell, will showcase field microscopes. “Fort Caswell coastal education staff will be on-hand with microscopes to introduce participants to the very large world of our smallest marine creatures: the plankton,” Fuller describes. “Get a close-up view of the structures made by corals, sponges and marine mollusks, and enjoy the opportunity to create shell rubbings to take home from the day’s adventure.”

Patrons will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the wildlife that is rich in the area, bringing awareness and understanding to the myriad of creatures that make up the coastal environment.

As well, artisans will be on the grounds of the museum, overlooking the Cape Fear River, selling a variety of locally made products and crafts.

Hands-on activities for the kids include making regional fish out of rubber molds, such as bass, flounder and sea stars. Kids also will be able to paint squishy fish and fish prints.

The program’s educational opportunities will “couple art, creativity, history, and environment [in a way] that appeals to a large group of people,” explains Sanderlin.

Next month’s Second Saturday Program at the NC Maritime Museum is “The Willing but Slow,” a reference to the WBNS railroad and the 30 miles of track from Navassa to Southport.

Admission to Second Saturday events is always free. For more information, call the museum at (910) 457-0003 or visit www.ncmaritimemuseums.com.