The site stretches more than three miles along the western side of Bodie Island adjacent some of the outer banks’ most intense residential and commercial development. Owned jointly by The Nature Conservancy and the Town of Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills, it has long been recognized as one of NC’s most important natural areas. Appx 1200 of the 1400-acre system is now in conservation management.

Habitats: Maritime forest, mixed forest, non-riverine forested wetland, brackish marsh.

Nags Head Woods is a complex maritime forest system overlying an extensive dune ridge-swale system with elevations ranging from sea-level to more than 90’. According to pond sediment and pollen samples, woody plant communities have existed on the site for more than 1000 years. Tests are now under way to determine how long the geological dune-swale substrate has been in place, but it is thought that this date could be far in excess of 1000 years. The dominant plant communities in the forest today are maritime deciduous forest, maritime swamp forest and maritime shrub swamp. The forest is bordered to the north and south by Run Hill and Jockey’s Ridge, two non-vegetated migratory sand dunes that are among the highest on the east coast. To the west are brackish marshes and Roanoke Sound, and to the east are heavily developed residential neighborhoods and commercial areas that were once likely maritime shrub and maritime grasslands. Temperature normally ranges from the mid-20s to upper 90s. Rainfall is the only source of freshwater. A well-developed freshwater lens recharges the many ponds & swamps, and fluctuates seasonally.

Land Use: wildlife conservation, water supply, suburban/undeveloped

Primary Threats: Introduced plants, groundwater extraction, recreational development/overuse, residential/commercial development

Protection Status: Owned and protected by The Nature Conservancy.

Conservation Issues: Non-native plants and animals are the most critical conservation issue facing the site. Primary threats at this time are Phragmites australis, Jap. honeysuckle, Oriental Bittersweet and gypsy moths. The Town of Nags Head currently withdraws up to 1 million gallons of water a day from the freshwater lens beneath the forest to supplement the public water supply during the busiest month for tourism (Jun-Aug). The rate of growth on the outer banks continues unabated. All natural areas and natural processes on the islands and surrounding waters feel pressure from these forces. A transmission right-of-way, a sand road and the ever more residences on the site’s edges lead to increased fragmentation.

Birds: Maritime deciduous forest, maritime swamp forest and maritime shrub swamp are significant and representative (Criteria 3) and support a great diversity of neotropical species on during migration.

Key Bird Species