Oak Island Beach Preservation Society, Inc. presents:
2024 Fall Lecture
Beach Response before, during, and after Coastal Extreme Events
Join us on Thursday, November 14 at 7:00 PM for a one hour lecture on how our beaches respond to extreme weather events. The event will be held at the 801 Ocean Center, 801 Ocean Dr on Oak Island.
Registration is required and free. Click below to register -
Dr. Ryan Mieras, Assistant Professor in Coastal Engineering at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, will lead the lecture.
Dr. Mieras earned both his Ph.D. and M.C.E. in Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Delaware in 2017 and 2014, respectively. He holds a B.S in Ocean Engineering from Texas A&M University (2011). Prior to academia, Mieras worked at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory – Stennis Space Center as a National Research Council, Postdoctoral Fellow from 2017-2019, where he developed technology to measure sediment concentration in the coastal swash zone (US patent pending). To date, he has secured nearly $2 million in federal funding from agencies including the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His research encompasses nearshore sediment transport and hydrodynamic processes via field and laboratory studies, serving to improve our understanding of the physical processes driving coastal flooding and geomorphology in a changing climate. His recent research activities include applied instrumentation development, extreme event reconnaissance observation platforms, post-storm beach recovery, and affordable LiDAR and remote sensing coastal observation systems.
2023 Fall Lecture - Venus Flytraps
Please register here: Seminar Registration
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Fourth Annual Public Lecture Series
2022-2023
THE HISTORY AND WORK OF THE SEA BISCUIT WILDLIFE SHELTER
Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 7:00 PM
Speaker: Mary Ellen Rogers
Topic: The Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter on Oak Island
The Oak Island Beach Preservation Society is hosting a free, in-person public lecture.
Guest speaker, Mary Ellen Rogers, will talk about the history and work of the Seabiscuit Wildlife Shelter on Oak Island with a focus on pelicans. She may also bring one of her education pelicans, Tim or Tessa, to meet the attendees. The seminar will be held at the 801 Event Center, Oak Island, at 7:00 p.m.
Mary Ellen Rogers has dedicated her life to wildlife. On Oak Island, she has also dedicated her home. Prior to moving to Oak Island in 2005, Rogers led a turtle protection program in South Carolina for many years. Finding a robust turtle program already established on Oak Island, she sought ways to help other wildlife and founded the Seabiscuit Wildlife Shelter in 2007 which focuses on wild bird rescue, rehabilitation, and release. Thousands of wild birds have been saved through this nonprofit’s hard work and dedication. Rogers is the founder and president, but she credits her volunteers and local island residents for the program’s success.
“I want to make sure people realize that they are Oak Island. They are the ones who are on the beach and see the birds and help me help them,” Rogers says. “Island people do more saving than I do. I really appreciate the support of people out there looking and reporting.”
Financial help is also appreciated. From food to medicine to vet bills to everyday expenses, the costs are exorbitant, and Rogers makes sure the birds and other wildlife have what they need even if it comes out of her own pocket. Fortunately, about 90% of expenses are currently covered by donations. For information on the shelter and how you can help, please visit http://www.seabiscuitwildlifeshelter.org/
Space is limited, and we ask everyone to register - click here to sign up.
PAST EVENTS…
THE STORY OF JESSIE STEVENS TAYLOR AND HURRICANE HAZEL
Wednesday, September 14, 2022, 7:00 PM
Speaker: Dr. Liz Fuller, President of the Southport Historical Society.
Topic: The Story of Jessie Stevens Taylor and Hurricane Hazel.
The Oak Island Beach Preservation Society is hosting a free, in-person public lecture.
On October 15, 1954, Hurricane Hazel, the only Category 4 hurricane to hit North Carolina in the 20th century, made landfall in Brunswick County. Liz will share stories of the storm's impact on Southport and Oak Island and the tireless efforts that 75-year-old Mrs. Jessie Taylor went to, to keep the community safe.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL ESTUARY
Wednesday, October 27, 2021, 7:00 PM
Where rivers meet the sea, the water levels and salinity vary with tides and storms, creating a range of habitats and conditions that serve many living things, including people! Learn about the many values of Oak Island's estuaries, and how they are threatened by some human activities.
Andy Wood has dedicated 50 years to conservation education. He is well known as a naturalist commentator for over 25 years on WHQR Public Radio. He served as education curator at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, and education director for the National Audubon Society in NC. He is currently Projects Manager for Habitats Gardens, LLC, a community conservation company with expertise in sustainable landscaping to reduce water and chemical use and unneeded plant maintenance. He is the founder and director of the Coastal Plain Conservation Group.
OAK ISLAND DUNE REPAIR WORKSHOP
Tuesday, August 10th (rescheduled), 9 - 11:30 am - in person
Spencer Rogers, Shoreline Erosion Specialist with NC Sea Grant at the 801 Ocean Event Center, with field experience outside.
What’s the dune situation on Oak Island now? Is it sustainable, ready to grow into a structure that will buffer coming storms and protect our place? What has Oak Island provided, and how can you work with the resources you have? Using a copy of The Dune Book, (the workshop text, provided), Rogers will share examples of coastal processes that build dunes and how changes we make can enhance or degrade them. Town staff will also provide information. Listen, look outside and learn at this public workshop, for the health of our protective dunes.
Click the link to view the workshop - Video Recording
ICHNOLOGY: THE “HOLE” STORY OF THE BEACH
Tuesday, March 16th
Terri Kirby Hathaway, now retired from NC Sea Grant, entertained and amazed with stories about all the things that make or use holes on the beach! What is ICHNOLOGY anyway?
BARRIER ISLAND PROCESSES AND HUMAN IMPACTS
Wednesday, December 2nd
Dr. Paul Hosier, retired from UNCW, discussed Barrier Island Processes and Human Impacts.
AFTER ISAIAS: LESSONS FOR RESILIENT REBUILDING
Thursday, October 8th
We hosted a panel of state and regional experts virtually via Zoom with an in-person viewing site as well. Panelists from state government plus Nags Head and Morehead City discussed information relevant to efforts here on Oak Island.
