Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education — Attraction in Corolla

The Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education is nothing short of a travesty. Were it possible, I would assign this so-called "center" zero stars, for even one star seems too generous for a place that masquerades as a hub of wildlife education while glorifying archaic, destructive hunting practices.

As I walked through its halls, I was overwhelmed not by a celebration of the rich, diverse ecosystems of North Carolina, but by a fixation on man's domination over it. The center presents the tools and techniques of hunting with a disturbingly proud air, as though the annihilation of species and the near decimation of ecosystems are accomplishments to be celebrated. The exhibits, dripping with nostalgia for an era of exploitation, seem to overlook entirely the fact that these very practices contributed to the extinction and endangerment of many species now lost to us forever.

Rather than a sanctuary for learning, the center is a shrine to the eradication of wildlife. There is little effort to teach true conservation, the kind that could heal the wounds inflicted by past generations. To stand in that place is to feel the weight of a world unlearned and unwilling to change. It is not educational, it is heartbreaking—a sobering reminder of how far we have...

This place offers education about the wildlife in the area. The exhibits are excellent. They describe and explain about North Carolina , especially Outer Banks wildlife. They offer a great variety of group and school programs. Students can learn about the wildlife, which include fish, crab, frog, turtles, whales, dolphins, owls, and other birds. They also offer a program of Archery for Beginners, since archery is considered as a skill with roots in the country's shooting and hunting heritage that has evolved into a sport.

You can learn how dissect a fish. You can learn about animal Olympics like, Turtle Hurdles, Whack-a-Fish. You can learn about Japanese Fish Printing used to be a way of keeping records of fish caught. Also learn about how the chain of supply from when the fish is caught to get to your dinner plate, and so on and so on. A very interesting and...

GREAT! The 20-minute presentation gave a good history of the area, the displays were very well done, and the two people we met were very friendly and helpful!

DETAILS - New building with a viewing room for the 20-minute presentation of the history over the years up until present day. The room display area had interesting information related to hunting, fishing, boat making, and more. Plan about 1-hour for the presentation, display area, and...