Pony Patrol 2026

The Pony Patrol program is a partnership between the National Park Service, Foundation for Shackleford Horses, and N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve (Rachel Carson Reserve). Learn more through this 2025 news release.

There are separate applications for Pony Patrol at the Rachel Carson Reserve and Shackleford Banks.  Please select your preferred site or if you want to volunteer at both sites, fill out both applications.

Volunteers must attend the annual classroom training on April 15th and an afternoon field training on either the 16th or 17th of April. Volunteers will receive training on customer service skills and horse behavior.

The positions will be competitive because there are limited spots available.

The following forms will open on January 23, 2026 at 12:00 AM.

• Rachel Carson Reserve (COASTAL RESERVE) Pony Patrol Application
• Shackleford Banks (NATIONAL PARK SERVICE) Pony Patrol Application

These applications close on February 23, 2026

 National Park Service – sabrina_godin@nps.gov

Rachel Carson Reserve – paula.gillikin@deq.nc.gov