Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Trailhead for the Roosevelt Nature Trail
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 Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area
Location in North Carolina
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| Location | Carteret, North Carolina, United States |
| Area | 265 acres (107 ha) |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Established | 1971 |
| Named for | Theodore Roosevelt |
| Operator | North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation |
| Website | Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area |
The Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area is a special park in Carteret County, North Carolina. It covers about 265 acres (1.07 square kilometers) on Bogue Banks. This natural area protects the last remaining maritime forest on this barrier island. A maritime forest is a unique type of forest that grows near the ocean.
The park is located in the town of Pine Knoll Shores. It is bordered by a highway to the south and Bogue Sound to the north. In 1971, the grandchildren of Theodore Roosevelt gave this land to the state. They wanted it to be a living reminder of their grandfather's love for protecting nature. The natural area is also home to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.
The aquarium and Fort Macon State Park work together to manage this area. Most of the natural area is not open to everyone. This is because the plants and animals there are very delicate. However, two nature trails let visitors explore parts of this beautiful preserve. All visitor services are found near the aquarium.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Park
In 1917, a woman named Alice Grene Hoffman bought a large piece of land on Bogue Banks. She was from a wealthy family in New York City. Alice moved to the land permanently in 1938 and lived there until 1953. She did not have children of her own. So, she left the land to her niece, Eleanor Butler Alexander-Roosevelt. Eleanor and her husband, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., later passed the property to their four children.
In 1971, Theodore Roosevelt's grandchildren decided to donate 298 acres (1.21 square kilometers) of this land to North Carolina. They did this to honor their grandfather, who was the 26th President of the United States. He was famous for his work in conservation. The family wanted the land to stay in its natural state. They wanted it used for learning about nature, wildlife, and the environment.
Part of the agreement allowed for a "Marine Resource Center" to be built on 25.04 acres (0.10 square kilometers) of the property. This center opened in 1976 and later became the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. The remaining 265 acres (1.07 square kilometers) became the Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area.
Nature's Wonders: Ecology of the Park
The natural area is covered by a thick maritime forest. This forest is about 15 feet (4.6 meters) tall near the ocean. It grows up to 60 feet (18 meters) tall on the side facing the sound.
Trees and Plants
The main trees you will find here are live oak, laurel oak, loblolly pine, and red cedar. Other plants like American olive, bay tree, wax myrtle, and silverling also grow near the sound. You can also see cabbage palmetto trees.
The preserve also has brackish and salt marshes. Brackish water is a mix of fresh and saltwater. These marshes are home to plants like black needlerush, salt grass, smooth cordgrass, eelgrass, and slough grass.
Amazing Animals
Many different birds live in the natural area. The forests and marshes provide places for them to eat and build nests. You might see snowy egrets and great egrets hunting in the ponds and marshes. Ospreys, pelicans, ibises, and anhingas also hunt here. Swainson's warbler and black-throated green warbler are known to nest in the forests.
Other animals like raccoons also live in the preserve. You might even spot alligators and manatees in the rivers and lagoons. Common small sea creatures include blue crabs, oysters, clams, and fiddler crabs.
Fun Things to Do: Recreation
Activities at the state natural area are mostly limited to hiking and watching nature. This includes birdwatching. Two special nature trails let you explore parts of the preserve. All visitor services are found near the aquarium.
Alice Hoffman Nature Trail
The Alice Hoffman Nature Trail is about 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) long. You need to pay admission to the aquarium to use this trail. The trail starts from the aquarium's marsh boardwalk. It crosses a pond and goes through marsh lands.
Roosevelt Nature Trail
The Roosevelt Nature Trail is about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) long. You can get to this trail from the west end of the aquarium's parking lot. You do not need to pay aquarium admission to use this trail. This trail goes over a sand dune ridge and through an old maritime forest. It also takes hikers by marshes near the sound and inside the island.
Nearby State Parks
Here are some other state parks not too far from Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area:
