North Carolina Projects

Protecting Wildlife and Habitat at Pine Island

Our Goals
Protect Pine Island’s globally rare and important habitat and historical legacy for birds and future generations.
What We’re Doing
Managing and restoring habitat, fostering research, and growing community partnerships.
Wood Ducks

Amid the pressures of climate change and coastal development on the Outer Banks, the Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Sanctuary at Pine Island stands out as both a stronghold of the untamed past of our coast and a model for what coastal conservation and resilience can look like in the future. 

The sanctuary protects 2,600 acres of globally rare habitat on Currituck Sound—from extensive fresh water marshes to upland maritime forest—making the sanctuary one of the most important places for birds in the hemisphere. 

We work alongside community partners and researchers to manage and restore the sanctuary’s habitats for the future, while honoring the rich waterfowling legacy of the property and Currituck Sound.

Robert Fearn

Director, Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Sanctuary at Pine Island

Pamela Fearn

Educator

Sara Marschhauser

Senior Coordinator of Habitats and Facilities

News from Pine Island
Pine Island lodge. Photo: Sydney Walsh/Audubon
Pine Island Year in Review: Habitat and Infrastructure Upgrades Prepare Sanctuary for the Future
November 12, 2025 — This year we made significant updates to make the sanctuary more resilient and improve habitat.
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Short-billed Dowitcher. Photo: Sydney Walsh/Audubon
Audubon, Chapters Join Global Wildlife Tracking Network to Help Birds
November 12, 2025 — NC chapters are taking advantage of an easy and affordable way to get involved in cool bird science, and it’s paying off.
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Wood Ducks
Inside Look: Restored Pond and Waterway at Audubon’s Pine Island Sanctuary
September 12, 2025 — NC Land and Water Fund-supported project already welcoming back birds.
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Sara Marschhauser playing callbacks during a secretive marsh bird survey. Photo: Ben Graham/Audubon
This Year at Pine Island: Motus Tower, Nesting Birds, and More
June 06, 2025 — We started the year with important projects to improve bird habitat, just in time for the breeding season.
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Black Rail. Photo: Julio Mulero/Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Rolling out the Welcome Mat for Black Rails at Pine Island
March 04, 2025 — Create habitat and they will come. That’s the hope as we develop the perfect breeding ground for Black Rails at our Outer Banks sanctuary.
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Sara and Robbie on Currituck Sound conducting secretive marsh bird surveys.
Pine Island Year in Review: Marsh Research, Wildlife Surveys, and More
November 19, 2024 — We launched new research and advanced restoration projects at our Outer Banks sanctuary, with the help of new partnerships, staff, and volunteers.
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Sara holding a hawk with its wings outstreached
New Habitat Coordinator Takes Flight at Pine Island
May 10, 2024 — Meet the newest member of our team who is doing everything from implementing marsh restoration projects to tracking box turtles and counting secretive marsh birds.
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Behind the Gates: Winter at Pine Island
January 09, 2024 — There’s more to winter at Pine Island than cold weather and waterfowl. Join award-winning photographer Bryan Putnam for a tour.
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