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Cape Lookout National Seashore Seeks Pony Patrol Volunteers

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Compiled from NPS Releases

Published Date

January 22, 2025
Horses grazing in a grass field

NPS photo

Cape Lookout National Seashore, the N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Foundation for Shackleford Horses, Inc., are joining forces again this year to offer the Pony Patrol volunteer program. This initiative is designed to raise awareness about wild horses, protect their well-being, and encourage visitors to follow the rules and guidelines for interacting with the horses at Shackleford Banks and Rachel Carson Reserve.

In 2024, the program was highly successful, with volunteers completing 254 patrols and engaging with over 3,800 visitors.

Pony Patrol volunteers will work three to four-hour shifts walking through Rachel Carson Reserve and/or Shackleford Banks, educating visitors on how to enjoy the beauty of the wild horses while respecting their natural behaviors. Volunteers will receive training to communicate effectively with visitors, understand the importance of giving wild horses space, and ensure the safety and welfare of both visitors and the horses. This training will also prepare them to answer questions about the horses and their unique barrier island habitats.

To participate, candidates must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and physically able to navigate the sandy terrain and dynamic conditions of the islands, which include extreme sun, heat, humidity, wind, and insects. Volunteers will be expected to commit to at least three shifts per month, with each shift lasting three to four hours. Due to limited availability, the positions will be competitive.

Applications can be submitted online at https://tinyurl.com/PonyPatrol2025. The application period opens on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, and closes on Friday, February 21, 2025. Applicants interested in volunteering at both Rachel Carson Reserve and Shackleford Banks must apply to both locations. Selected candidates will be contacted for an interview in early March.

For more information, visit the following websites: Cape Lookout National Seashore at www.nps.gov/calo, Rachel Carson Reserve at www.deq.nc.gov/coastalreserve, and the Foundation for Shackleford Horses at www.shackleford-horses.org.

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