Leader: Liz Guertin Location: Washington, North Carolina (outside Greenville) Members $390, nonmembers $440 Eastern North Carolina is often known only for the Outer Banks, but the areas west of the barrier islands are rich in plant, bird, and mammal biodiversity. This land is flat as a pancake, but hidden in its lack of topography is a wonderland of the last populations of red wolves, the largest concentration of the world's largest black bears, the northernmost species of palm tree (palmettos), vast cypress swamps and water tupelo trees, grasslands hosting rare sparrow species and beaver-formed wetlands, swaths of mesmerizing long-leaf pine forest, diverse estuaries, carnivorous plants, and surprise sightings of birds from the south (occasional anhingas and painted buntings), as well as birds from the north, especially as migration is in full swing - opportunities for hundreds of species of birds. There's so much to see, it'll be a whirlwind and we won't set one foot on the Outer Banks. We'll call the quaint and historical town of Washington, North Carolina home for the weekend. We'll take in a few local eateries (the infamous cheddar biscuits at Mom's Grill). Program cost covers field activities only; we’ll share information about lodging and food options to all registrants. Note: This trip requires a level of physical fitness to be able to be able to walk up to three (very flat) miles at a relaxed pace. We'll walk a couple miles at least a couple times over two days. The farthest we'll drive from Washington, NC is about 45 minutes one-way, so expect a couple hours of driving a day.