Onslow County Environmental Education Center

Onslow County Environmental Education Center The Onslow County Environmental Education Center and Branch Library is located in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina.

The purpose of the Onslow County EEC is to engage visitors of all ages in exploration, enjoyment, and appreciation of local flora and fauna.

The American Alligator is native to eastern North Carolina and Onslow County. They live in and around the water, in pond...
09/30/2026

The American Alligator is native to eastern North Carolina and Onslow County. They live in and around the water, in ponds, rivers, swamps, and coastal wetlands. Hatchlings are 8 to 10 inches in length when born, usually around the end of August. Female alligators average about 8-10 feet long and males are 11-15 feet long. Once they reach about 4 feet long, they are mostly safe from predators and can live about 50 years in the wild. Fun fact: alligators regrow their teeth throughout their lives and can go through thousands in their lifetime. Remember to use caution if you spot one. They may seem slow, but they can run faster than humans!
Visit Onslow County Environmental Education Center in Sneads Ferry to learn more about the wildlife and local ecology of Onslow County. On display there is a 12-foot long American Alligator, preserved through taxidermy, as part of the Discover Onslow exhibit. For questions, or to book group tours, call 910.324.9008.

The Canada Goose is naturally a migratory bird, though many areas have permanent colonies due to milder climates and ade...
09/23/2026

The Canada Goose is naturally a migratory bird, though many areas have permanent colonies due to milder climates and adequate food supply. They are found year-round in Onslow County. They are large birds, standing anywhere from 14 to 22 inches tall, 29 to 44 inches long, with a wingspan of 50 to 74 inches. Canada Geese fly in a distinctive V-shaped formation, alternating the front position which consumes more energy. If they survive to adulthood, their average lifespan is 10-24 years.

Important to note: Canada Geese molt in late Spring and early Summer, losing their flight feathers. This is also around the same time they are raising their young, so you will often see families of these beautiful birds stopping traffic to cross the road as they forage for food during the day and return to their nesting areas at night. Please slow down and use caution as they cannot fly during this time.

Visit Onslow County Environmental Education Center in Sneads Ferry to learn more about the wildlife of Onslow County. For questions, or to book group tours, call 910.324.9008.

The House Finch is a very common bird in Onslow County. They are highly adaptable and are at home in the city, neighborh...
09/16/2026

The House Finch is a very common bird in Onslow County. They are highly adaptable and are at home in the city, neighborhoods, and rural areas. They are very social little birds, usually spending most of their time in flocks. The male has a deep rose red head, breast, and rump with brown streaked wings and back. The female has a similar appearance, but no red. They are usually 5 to 6 inches long. If you have bird feeders in your yard, you have likely seen House Finches. They love most kinds of seeds but will scatter and sling them out of the feeders while sorting for their favorites, black oil sunflower seeds.
Visit Onslow County Environmental Education Center in Sneads Ferry to learn more about the wildlife of Onslow County! For questions, or to book group tours, call 910.324.5008.

Bluefish generally swim in open water, often in large groups, but do make many forays into shallower water while searchi...
09/09/2026

Bluefish generally swim in open water, often in large groups, but do make many forays into shallower water while searching for food. They are one of the most common fish species in Onslow County, found in brackish coastal waters like the lower part of the New River, the White Oak River near Swansboro, and the Intracoastal Waterway. Juvenile Bluefish, less than a pound and smaller in length, are often referred to as “Snapper Blues”. They are quick, aggressive fish, and are among the hardest to catch, making them a favorite of sport fishermen. They are blue-green along their back and silver on their sides, have razor sharp teeth, and can grow up to 31 pounds, with a potential life span of up to 12 years.
Visit the Environmental Education Center to learn more about our local plants and animals, as well as local geography and ecology. We're located at 1330 NC-210 in Sneads Ferry. Call 910.324.5008 for more information.

Oysters have lived along the east coast, including Onslow County, for hundreds of years, but by the mid-20th century, th...
09/02/2026

Oysters have lived along the east coast, including Onslow County, for hundreds of years, but by the mid-20th century, their numbers were in decline due to overharvesting, habitat loss, and pollution. Fortunately, thanks to many conservation efforts, oysters are being grown safely and sustainably. Once such rehabilitation program, administered by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, monitors natural and artificial reefs in ocean and estuarine waters, 14 of which are oyster sanctuaries, including one in the New River. These sanctuaries provide safe habitat for oysters to grow and thrive, which serves the oyster industry as well as the environment.

The “N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Artificial Reef Guide” is an excellent resource for learning about oyster conservation efforts. It maps the location of all the artificial reefs in Onslow Bay (and other coastal waters) as well as the oyster sanctuaries. You can download a copy at the link in comments.

The adorable and playful Eastern Gray Squirrel is ubiquitous in Onslow County. This tree-dwelling rodent is active all y...
08/26/2026

The adorable and playful Eastern Gray Squirrel is ubiquitous in Onslow County. This tree-dwelling rodent is active all year round and lives in both rural and suburban environments. Their coats are usually gray with patches of brown blended throughout, and white on their bellies. They are known for their fluffy tails, which they use for balance, communication with other squirrels, and for warmth and protection against the elements. They are incredibly fun to watch, though maybe not so welcome at our bird feeders, where considerable time and effort can be expended in trying to outsmart them! In 1969, the Eastern Gray Squirrel was named as North Carolina’s state mammal.

With the start of the new school year, it’s time to start planning your class field trips to the Onslow County Museum, T...
08/24/2026

With the start of the new school year, it’s time to start planning your class field trips to the Onslow County Museum, The Onslow County Environmental Education Center, and the historic Pelletier House. Contact us to discuss all the options. Our tours are popular, so book early to ensure your preferred date(s). We can be reached at 910.324.5008. The Environmental Education Center is located 1330 NC-210, Sneads Ferry, NC. We’re open Monday-Wednesday, Friday 9-6, Thursday 10-7, and Saturday 9-3.

Gray Foxes are generally shy and solitary animals. They have a salt-and-pepper gray coat, rust colored patches on their ...
08/19/2026

Gray Foxes are generally shy and solitary animals. They have a salt-and-pepper gray coat, rust colored patches on their neck, legs and lower body, and a black-tipped tail. They are native to the area and are mostly nocturnal. They prefer wooded areas with limited human presence and have a diet consisting of small mammals, birds, insects, and various fruits. They stand about 15 inches tall at the shoulder and are around 30 to 45 inches long. Their distinctive tails alone account for a third of their length, usually around 11-17 inches long! An interesting fact about Gray Foxes is that they can actually climb trees, usually done to escape predators.
Visit Onslow County Environmental Education Center in Sneads Ferry to learn more about the wildlife of Onslow County and to see a fox specimen up close. For questions, or to book group tours, call 910.324.9008.

The Barred Owl is the most commonly seen and heard owl in Onslow County. They live here year-round and favor dense woodl...
08/12/2026

The Barred Owl is the most commonly seen and heard owl in Onslow County. They live here year-round and favor dense woodlands, ponds, rivers, and other wetland areas. They are the second largest owl, behind the Great Horned Owl, reaching 18 to 20 inches tall with wingspans up to 44 inches. The name comes from the horizontal bars around their throats. Barred Owls are most active at night and are very vocal. Like all other owls in North Carolina, these beautiful birds are protected by federal and state law.

Visit Onslow County Environmental Education Center in Sneads Ferry to learn more about the wildlife of Onslow County! For questions, or to book group tours, call 910.324.9008.

The Great Blue Heron can be seen wading slowly along shorelines, on riverbanks, and in marshy wetlands. They are large b...
08/05/2026

The Great Blue Heron can be seen wading slowly along shorelines, on riverbanks, and in marshy wetlands. They are large birds, standing 3-4 ½ feet tall with a wingspan of nearly 7 feet. They are recognizable by their slate gray and bluish feathers, curved necks, and long black plumes on their heads. Fish form the main part of their diet, but they also feed on small reptiles, birds, and crustaceans. Their presence is considered a good indicator of the biodiversity and health of the local ecosystem.
Visit Onslow County Environmental Education Center in Sneads Ferry to learn more about the wildlife of Onslow County! For questions, or to book group tours, call 910.324.9008.

Address

1330 NC Highway 210
Sneads Ferry, NC
28460

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

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