North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke IslandPosts

We have tips to make the holidays greener! ♻️🍭🎁 Environmental impacts of the holiday season can be avoided with these eco-friendly tips! 👇

🍽️ Use reusable plates and cutlery for gatherings and avoid single-use disposables
📰 Avoid wrapping paper or choose reusable options instead such as recyclable paper, newspaper, or fabric
🎢 Gift experiences instead of material gifts
🎁 Purchase locally or thrift rather than ordering and shipping
🥔 Compost food scraps
🎨 Make homemade gifts
🍿 Make homemade decorations or use natural resources for decorations such as dehydrated orange slices or popcorn garland
📬 Send e-cards instead of physical cards
🚫 Avoid using balloons
✨ Avoid using non-biodegradable glitter
💡 Use smart plugs or timers on lights to save energy
🌲 Rent a Christmas tree and/or donate a tree
🍬 Choose candy made with sustainable palm oil
🍪 Give baked goods in reusable tin or glass
🚙 Carpool to see local neighborhood lights
🪩 For ugly sweater parties, thrift or swap ugly sweaters with friends
🗑️ Pick up trash while out on post-dinner walk or host an environmental clean-up with friends

Out by the Croatan, past the city limit sign, there's line dancing at the Aquarium! 🎶🤠 This Friday, August 15 we're hosting a fun evening of country line dancing at the Aquarium! This special BYOB 21+ evening event is from 6:30 - 8:30 PM on the Soundside Pier. In case of inclement weather, boot-scootin' will happen inside in front of the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” shark habitat! Tickets for this exciting after-hours event must be purchased in advance.

OBX boat manners can make a big difference to wildlife this time of year. Boaters can follow a few common-sense practices to avoid harming marine life:
- Wear polarized sunglasses which help reduce glare and make these animals easier to see, she said. Vessel operators should designate a wildlife spotter to keep an eye out for marine life.
- Keep your boat 50 yards away from them, Doshkov added. If you find yourself less than 50 yards away from them, remember these additional tips.
- Use no-wake speed and put your engine in neutral, don't expect these marine animals to move out of your way, instead, move away from them slowly, she noted. And finally, make sure the animal is a safe distance away before engaging your propeller.