As spring begins to bloom on the Outer Banks, the world around us awakens with vibrant colors, fresh scents and renewed energy. This time of year serves as a gentle reminder for us to pause and reconnect with nature and reflect on the steps we can take to preserve this special place.
With Earth Day quickly approaching on April 22, there is no shortage of local events to attend or activities to participate in to help make a difference in this community.
Keep it Clean, Kitty Hawk! Spring Community Trash Clean Up
Saturday, March 29, 2025 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Kitty Hawk Town Hall – 101 Veterans Memorial Drive, Kitty Hawk
Join us for a community-wide effort to keep Kitty Hawk beautiful. Meet at Town Hall for your assignment and safety brief before helping to clean up designated areas around town. All cleanup supplies provided. Following the cleanup, enjoy a free lunch as a thank you for your hard work.
Sweep the Beach Trash Art Contest
Saturday, March 30, 2025 - Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Jockey’s Ridge Crossing – 3933 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head
Kitty Hawk Kites is teaming up with Dare Arts to create the Outer Banks ‘Sweep the Beach’ Trash Art Contest. In conjunction with Earth Day, local artists have created work from the trash they have collected from our beaches and sounds. The artwork will then be placed in the TrART Walk at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing and the public is encouraged to vote on those pieces. Selected artwork will be moved to Jockey’s Ridge State Park for Earth Fair OBX on April 22, where winners will be announced at 3:45 PM.
Kill Devil Hills Trash Attack!
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Aviation Park – 103 Veterans Drive, Kill Devil Hills
Help make Kill Devil Hills a cleaner and brighter place. Trash Attack! is a community cleanup event where volunteers head out across town to "attack" the trash: beach, soundside or anywhere in between. The event will kick-off at Aviation Park where participants will receive gloves, grabbers and trash bags.
Surfrider Foundation Beach Cleanup
Sunday, April 13, 2025 | 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
Jockey’s Ridge State Park Soundside Access – W. Soundside Road, Nags Head
Kitty Hawk Kites is partnering with the Surfrider Foundation Outer Banks Chapter to host a series of beach cleanups this season. Once volunteers have checked in, they will receive gloves and cleanup bags and will be free to clean up a stretch of beach of their own choosing. All participants will be encouraged to use the Marine Debris Tracker app to log the trash they have picked up.
The Cigarette Surfboard Documentary Film Screening
Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
The Pioneer Theater – 109 Budleigh Street, Manteo
The Cigarette Surfboard is an award-winning film that takes viewers around the world on a surfboard built from cigarette butts to explore the importance of the ocean and what an inspiring cast of professional surfers are doing to protect it. A pre-party will begin at 5pm, featuring a food truck and beverages available for purchase. The surfboards will be on display and filmmaker Ben Judkins and surfboard shaper Taylor Lane will be in attendance. The screening begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by a short Q&A. Brought to you by The Coastal Studies Institute and The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. Admission to the event is FREE, but seating is limited, and the public must register in advance.
Earth Fair OBX
Jockey’s Ridge State Park – 300 W. Carolista Drive, Nags Head
Come celebrate Earth Day with the Coastal Environmental Educators Network. This free event will bring together many Outer Banks organizations that offer environmental education, so you’ll be sure to learn something new from the groups that are working hard to preserve the delicate ecosystems of the Outer Banks. Share your love for the natural world and check out our fun and informative exhibits and activities for kids.
For other ways to get involved in the Outer Banks community, check out the many local volunteer opportunities available or make The Outer Banks Promise, a voluntary commitment that encourages residents and visitors to do their part to protect this area for future generations.
