The Croatan National Forest's 160,000 acres have coastal forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs, and raised swamps, called pocosins. Bounded on 3 sides by tidal rivers and Bogue Sound, the forest is defined by water.

Blackwater creeks originate deep in the forest; over half the Croatan is pocosins. All this water provides a variety of fishing and canoeing, as well as a diversity of wildlife - from deer, black bears, and turkeys, to wading birds, ospreys, and alligators.

Fire plays a big role in the forest ecosystem. Some plants and animals depend on periodic fires for their survival. The forest managers use controlled burns to maintain the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker's habitat. The Croatan's most unusual plants, the carnivorous Venus fly traps, sundew, and pitcher-plants need fire to remove competing vegetation. Although fire is a part of the natural cycle, like medicine, it's important that it be "prescribed" for the right time of year and weather conditions.

• View many of Croatan's unusual wildlife such as the carnivorous Venus fly trap, sundew and pitcher-plants.