The Discovery Forest at Whiteville.

Whiteville location announces return of Discovery Forest interactive experience

July 23, 2021

The Museum’s Whiteville location is pleased to announce the return of a popular, interactive experience: The Discovery Forest. The ideal place for intergenerational learning, The Discovery Forest is filled with natural items and activities designed for young children and adults to enjoy together. Guests can read a science story in the book nook, perform an… Read More >


Southern Hognose Snake. Photo: Jeff Beane.

Southern Hog-nosed Snake Reproduction and Nesting

July 21, 2021

Burrow used as refugium and nest by Heterodon simus, Scotland County, North Carolina. The Southern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon simus) is found in dry sandhill habitats within the declining Longleaf Pine ecosystem of the Southeast. Its relative rarity, adaptations for digging, and secretive nature have confounded documentation of certain basic natural history information, including nesting behavior…. Read More >


A fuzzy pink and yellow moth hangs against a wall.

Let’s Celebrate National Moth Week

Rosy Maple Moth. It seems there is a day for everything now. National Fried Chicken Day. Talk Like a Pirate Day. National Tape Measure Day. You can celebrate nearly anything for a day, but moths? They are so amazing and important that they get a whole week. National Moth Week is July 17 to 25,… Read More >


A closeup of a Red-eared Slider.

Museum, NC State Researchers Study Impact of Invasive Turtle

July 15, 2021

A closeup of a Red-eared Slider. Photo: Adam Prince. The Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is an invasive turtle from the Mississippi River drainage that has been released by pet owners into the wild outside of their native range. Small and cute when sold as pets, the baby turtles quickly grow to a large size… Read More >


Richard Louv. Photo copyright Eric B. Dynowski.

Inside the Animal Mind: A Conversation with Richard Louv

July 13, 2021

Richard Louv. Photo copyright Eric B. Dynowski. By NCMNS Director and CEO Eric Dorfman I recently had the chance fulfill a long-time ambition, to have a chat with the Richard Louv best-selling author of many books, including “Last Child in the Woods” and “The Nature Principle.” Richard is a leader in thinking about nature deficit… Read More >