The North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve, part of the Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management, is accepting applications for its Pony Patrol volunteer program. This initiative is organized in collaboration with Cape Lookout National Seashore and the Foundation for Shackleford Horses Inc.
Pony Patrol volunteers play a role in educating the public about wild horse guidelines at Rachel Carson Reserve and Shackleford Banks. In 2025, these volunteers conducted 260 patrols and interacted with about 3,900 visitors across both locations.
Participants in the program are required to work three- to four-hour shifts, walking through the reserves to provide information on how to observe horses respectfully and safely. Volunteers receive training focused on effective communication with visitors, maintaining the wild nature of the horses, and ensuring safety for both people and animals. This preparation equips them to answer questions about local horses and their island habitats.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and be physically able to walk over sandy terrain under various weather conditions such as heat, humidity, wind, sun exposure, and insects. Volunteers are expected to commit to at least three shifts per month. The selection process is competitive due to limited positions.
“The application period opens Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, and closes 11:59 p.m., Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Applicants must apply to both locations if they want to volunteer for Rachel Carson Reserve and Shackleford Banks. Selected candidates will be contacted for interviews in late February or early March.”
More details about the program can be found at the application portal. Additional information on Rachel Carson Reserve is available at www.deq.nc.gov/coastalreserve, while resources regarding Cape Lookout National Seashore can be accessed via www.nps.gov/calo and details on the Foundation for Shackleford Horses are found at www.shackleford-horses.org.
