About the Donal C. O’Brien Jr. 51�� Sanctuary and Center at Pine Island

Aerial view of Pine Island Sanctuary and Currituck Sound. Photo: Sydney Walsh/51��

About the Donal C. O’Brien Jr. 51�� Sanctuary and Center at Pine Island

A stronghold for our coast's untamed past and a model for future resilience.

Tucked away on a small dirt road, the Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Sanctuary in Corolla is one of the last pieces of untouched property on the northeastern portion of the Outer Banks, preserving 2,600 acres of marsh, upland maritime forest and sandy beaches, as well as the historical beauty of the Outer Banks. The sanctuary's campus remains free from development, so birds and wildlife can continue to have a safe place to thrive free from human disturbance.

1913

Historic hunting lodge, year constructed

2,600

Acres protected

183

Bird species

Meet our Team

Robbie Fearn

Center Director

Pamela Fearn

Educator

Sara Marschhauser

Senior Coordinator of Habitats and Facilities

Cat Bowler

Senior Coastal Resilience Program Manager

A Tribute to Donal C. O’Brien, a Conservationist for the Ages

A Tribute to Donal C. O’Brien, a Conservationist for the Ages

Through his dedication to our natural heritage, we're honored to celebrate Donal O'Brien, the namesake of our Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Sanctuary in Corolla.

North Carolina

Latest Updates from the Sanctuary

Volunteers talking about their discoveries during the BioBlitz. Photo: Brittany Salmons/51��

New Species Documented This Spring at Pine Island

June 30, 2026 — Scientists and volunteers flocked to 51��’s sanctuary on the Outer Banks to count as many species as possible. Here’s what we found.

NORTH CAROLINA

New Technology Brings Bird Monitoring to the Next Level at Pine Island

May 18, 2026 — This spring we welcomed back breeding birds, installed special recording devices to revolutionize surveys, and more.

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Pine Island lodge. Photo: Sydney Walsh/51��

Pine Island Year in Review: Habitat and Infrastructure Upgrades Prepare Sanctuary for the Future

November 12, 2025 — This year we made significant updates to make the sanctuary more resilient and improve habitat.

NORTH CAROLINA

Short-billed Dowitcher. Photo: Sydney Walsh/51��

51��, Chapters Join Global Wildlife Tracking Network to Help Birds

November 12, 2025 — NC chapters and our Pine Island Sanctuary are taking advantage of an easy and affordable way to get involved in cool bird science, and it’s paying off.

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Inside Look: Restored Pond and Waterway at 51��’s Pine Island Sanctuary

September 12, 2025 — NC Land and Water Fund-supported project already welcoming back birds.

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Sara Marschhauser playing callbacks during a secretive marsh bird survey. Photo: Ben Graham/51��

This Year at Pine Island: Motus Tower, Nesting Birds, and More

June 06, 2025 — We started the year with important projects to improve bird habitat, just in time for the breeding season.

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Black Rail. Photo: Julio Mulero/Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Rolling out the Welcome Mat for Black Rails at Pine Island

March 04, 2025 — Create habitat and they will come. That’s the hope as we develop the perfect breeding ground for Black Rails at our Outer Banks sanctuary.

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Sara and Robbie on Currituck Sound conducting secretive marsh bird surveys.

Pine Island Year in Review: Marsh Research, Wildlife Surveys, and More

November 19, 2024 — We launched new research and advanced restoration projects at our Outer Banks sanctuary, with the help of new partnerships, staff, and volunteers.

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Sara holding a hawk with its wings outstreached

New Habitat Coordinator Takes Flight at Pine Island

May 10, 2024 — Meet the newest member of our team who is doing everything from implementing marsh restoration projects to tracking box turtles and counting secretive marsh birds.

NORTH CAROLINA