The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Visit us at our Nags Head Woods Ecological preserve where on a guided hike you can learn about this unique maritime forest and the work we do.

Open to the public and free of charge, Nags Head Woods Preserve is a National Natural Landmark that welcomes 60,000 visitors every year. It is a haven from the busy coastal scene both for wildlife and for the many people who enjoy its beauty and accessibility. Nags Head Woods protects a remarkable range of unique habitats on North Carolina's Outer Banks, including forested dunes, interdune ponds, marshes, wetlands, and the largest intact maritime forest on the East Coast. The preserve is home to 550 species of plants, 7 species of fish, 150 species of birds (50 of which nest at the preserve), 29 species of mammals, 28 species of reptiles, and 15 species of amphibians.