N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island Receives $6,500 Grant from Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation

On Dec. 8 Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation presented a check for $6,500 to the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island to support the Aquarium's environmental stewardship of local and migrating birds. Winnie Wade, external affairs manager for Dominion Energy, presented a check to Larry Warner, director of the Aquarium. The Aquarium is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

With Dominion Energy's support, the Aquarium will purchase and install bird strike film on the Aquarium's exterior windows and doors. Bird collisions with windows, also known as bird strikes, are often fatal interactions due to birds not recognizing that windows and glass are solid barriers. Globally, the number of birds has fallen by 25% since the 1970s, and bird collisions are often the cause.

Located on the Atlantic Flyway, the Aquarium is a "super-highway" for migrating birds and hosts many bird species throughout the year. Endangered birds such as the Piping Plover and Red-headed Woodpecker, in addition to local Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Northern Cardinals, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, frequently visit the Aquarium's 16 acres, which includes the beloved Pollinator Garden and Nature Trail.

With the installation of the bird strike film, fatal bird strikes at the Aquarium are expected to be significantly reduced by up to 95% year-round. The bird strike film will be applied to the exterior of windows and doors and features a 2"x2" grid of white squares that make glass visible to passing birds while not significantly impacting sightlines for Aquarium visitors. The Aquarium is excited to use the grant funds to protect and preserve the safety and natural habitats for its bird visitors.

The Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (A.Z.A.) and is involved in regional, national, and international conservation initiatives, including A.Z.A.'s Saving Animals from Extinction (S.A.F.E.) initiative. Dedicated in 1976, the Aquarium is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.

About the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Located on the Outer Banks in Manteo, N.C., the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island is part of N.C. Aquariums, which includes four attractions along North Carolina's coast and is a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The 63,000 square-foot facility on 16 acres overlooks the Croatan Sound and houses over 2,200 animals. Over 315,000 guests visit the Aquarium each year to see the 285,000-gallon "Graveyard of the Atlantic" shark and ocean habitat, visit the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (S.T.A.R.) Center, and learn why North Carolina's waterways are so special. As an educational attraction, the mission of N.C. Aquariums is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. The Aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, visit www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

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