On the Expedition
Study the social lives of Shackleford Island’s horses to learn whether population controls are changing herd dynamics.
Breaking into smaller groups, your team will trek across Shackelford Island in search of wild horse harems. When you find a group of horses, you’ll stop and observe them, using a handheld GPS unit and data sheet to record their location, herd composition, behavior, and individual identity. You’ll observe around five to seven different harems each day, taking a short break to eat lunch, go for a quick swim or catch up on rest. You’ll work hard, walking in loose sand under the hot sun while combating insects, but your efforts will be rewarded with the unique chance to get to know these horses. Before dinner, you’ll have time to recover from your hard work by relaxing at the beach. During the expedition, the team will stay in Beaufort, back on the mainland, where you may have the opportunity to visit the Foundation for Shackleford Horses, stock up on any items you need, eat out, or visit attractions like Blackbeard's house or the North Carolina Aquarium.
Meals and Accommodations
Shackleford Island is uninhabited, so be prepared to rough it! You'll have your own tent, but there are no showers and you'll soon be an expert in leave-no-trace bathroom procedures. You'll help prepare simple meals, such as cereals, sandwiches, fruit, pasta, burritos, and snacks. While in Beaufort in the middle and at the end of the expedition, you'll stay at a local inn and will be able to enjoy the luxuries of showers and air conditioning.
About the Research Area
Earthwatch teams will be based on Shackleford Island, on the Cape Lookout National Seashore in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Shackleford is an uninhabited island known for its feral horse population. Free from development (and modern amenities), the island offers excellent swimming, shelling, birding and fishing. Dolphins can be spotted off the island and sea turtle nests are a common sight.
For two days out of each week, the team will stay in the nearby town of Beaufort on the North Carolina mainland. Local companies offer everything from ghost walks past Blackbeard’s house to dive trips and sport fishing. It is also possible to rent canoes and kayaks while staying in Beaufort, take a dolphin-watching cruise, or try parasailing. Beaufort has an assortment of small shops and restaurants and is home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum and the Beaufort Historical site. Other nearby attractions include the North Carolina Aquarium, Rachel Carson Reserve, Fort Macon State Park, and the Cape Lookout lighthouse. Morehead City and Atlantic Beach are a short drive away.