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About Circlepond.org
Our Organization
Circlepond.org was founded by Lori Trawinski in 2025. The organization has partnered with the Southern Shores Civic Association to restore Circle Pond to its natural state and ensure the health of the pond and its inhabitants. Lori developed a restoration plan for her graduate capstone project for her master of natural resources degree at Virginia Tech. Lori researched the history of the pond and interviewed more than 20 experts from organizations including Dare County, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, The Nature Conservancy at Nags Head Woods, the Audubon Pine Island Sanctuary, and the National Park Service about how best to approach the habitat restoration. She also met with staff from the Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative to develop a comprehensive plan to remove and manage the invasive phragmites that have overtaken the pond.
Our Mission
Circle Pond is is a natural, interdunal pond that has been designated as a wetland by the state of North Carolina. The pond is home to a variety of wildlife including turtles, frogs, fish, birds, and snakes, as well as macroinvertebrates and other organisms. Our mission is to ensure that the pond returns to a healthy state so it can support a wide range of native plants and animals while also providing important ecosystem services including natural mosquito control and stormwater management. The pond is a focal point of the local community and attracts visitors year round who seek to view this natural wonder.