2025 marks the 25th year of the UNC Institute for the Environment’s field site for undergraduates on the Outer Banks. First established in 2001 as the Albemarle Ecological Field Site, the program, now known as the Outer Banks Field Site (OBXFS), offers UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduates the opportunity to study at the coast each Fall. During each iteration of the OBXFS experience hosted by the Coastal Studies Institute, students take courses, participate in a community-based internship, and conduct research for an intensive group capstone project.
This year, thirteen students representing California, Colorado, North Carolina, and even Taiwan, are enrolled in the OBXFS program. Each has a passion for the environment and is majoring in one or more topical areas such as biology, environmental studies, public policy, and journalism. While on the Outer Banks, these high-achieving students are taking courses which include Sustainable Coastal Management; Ecological Processes in Environmental Systems: Coastal Estuarine Ecology; and Coastal Law and Policy. Their classes often involve guest speakers or hands-on field trips to places like Audubon’s Pine Island Sanctuary and other cultural sites in Corolla, the Croatan Sound via pontoon boat, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Lake Mattamuskeet, Pocosin Arts, and more.
Additionally, for their capstone research project this year, the group is working in Nags Head Woods Preserve, where they will explore the quality and value of the maritime forest ecosystem through the lenses of human dimensions and natural systems. As a result of their study, they hope to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of Nags Head Woods Preserve, which, in turn, could inform future management decisions for the area. Their work is currently ongoing, and they will present their findings during a public presentation at CSI on Thursday, December 11, at 3 pm.
OBXFS students prepare a vegetation plot for study in Nags Head Woods.
When not dedicating time to their coursework or capstone, the students can be found at their various internships or enjoying all the great opportunities the Outer Banks has to offer. Student internship placements include the North Carolina Coastal Reserve, the Town of Manteo, the Atlantic Marine Energy Center, the National Park Service, and others as each student has their own placement. Additionally, popular downtime activities have included visits to local coffee shops, movie screenings at the Manteo Community House where they currently reside, workouts at local gyms, and sunrise viewings at the beach.
Summarizing her experiences as an Outer Banks Field Site student this semester, sophomore Ellie Poitras shares, “[We have] been very busy with vegetation surveys, interviews, and research for our capstone project, and we have made lots of progress. So far, we have also been on field trips to the Inner Banks, Corolla, and Nags Head Woods to learn more about the dynamics of coastal management at the coast. Finally, in our free time, we love going to the beach, stargazing, trying new local restaurants, and exploring downtown Manteo!”
As chronicled in their weekly blog posts, it seems the students are certainly making the most of their time on the Outer Banks. Having only been at the coast for two months, and with almost two more months still ahead of them, there is no doubt this group is set to accomplish a great many things before the semester ends.
To learn more about the Outer Banks Field Site or to follow the students’ Capstone progress and daily life experiences, visit https://tarheels.live/obxfieldsite/.
Finally, OBXFS organizers are planning a celebration of 25 years that will include reunions. Those wishing to contribute to planning the events or attend as an alumnus, internship mentor, or CAB member should contact OBXFS Director Lindsay Dubbs (dubbs@email.unc.edu or dubbsl@ecu.edu).
“To celebrate 25 years of a UNC-Chapel Hill Institute for the Environment Field Site on the Outer Banks, we are aiming to reconnect the network of current and former students and the many people from our community who have contributed to the learning environment and social collective of the Outer Banks Field Site/Albemarle Ecological Field Site. We want to learn about the paths taken by alumni post field site and to hear about the memories that stand out for all who have been involved! We hope that the network will bring opportunities and inspiration for OBXFS/AEFS alumni, friends, Advisory Board members, and mentors of the past, present, and future,” says Dubbs.
The group has enjoyed many golden hours and sunsets along the Outer Banks while on the coast this semester. Photo courtesy of Ellie Poitras.
The preceding story first appeared in the Summer/ Fall 2025 edition of CoastLines, published in October.
Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University. Click on the links below for more information.
ECU's Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement. ECU ICP includes the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU's Department of Coastal Studies, and ECU Diving and Water Safety.
The ECU Outer Banks campus is home to the Coastal Studies Institute.
