Coastal Land Trust Received $7.3M Settlement - Summer 2018

The Coastal Land Trust has received $7.3 million settlement funds from litigation brought against NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) by the Sierra Club over NCDOT’s proposed U.S. 70 Havelock Bypass that goes through the Croatan National Forest.

As part of the settlement, NCDOT, Sierra Club and the Coastal Land Trust have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which provides for the Coastal Land Trust to establish two funds, the Croatan Protection Fund ($5.3M) and a Revolving Loan Fund ($2M).

The Croatan Protection Fund is being held by the Coastal Land Trust as a restricted-use fund to protect land in or around the Croatan National Forest.

The Revolving Loan Fund is

being held by the Coastal Land Trust as an internal loan fund, for interim or bridge financing, to protect land in Carteret, Jones or Craven Counties. Projects that will be given priority for such loans are those located in or around the Croatan National Forest, those that protect, preserve, or enhance red-cockaded woodpecker habitat or those that include longleaf pine forest.

As part of the Settlement Agreement, NCDOT has committed to place a conservation easement on a 233-acre piece of land it owns in Craven County, which may be held by Coastal Land Trust. Needless to say, the Coastal Land Trust is thrilled to have been selected by Sierra Club and NCDOT to receive these funds.

HAvELOCk ByPASS

Elaine Logothetis Jack has gained a deep understanding and love for the natural world through her education and life experiences. We are honored that she chose to join our Legacy Society by including the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust in her will.

She grew up riding horses, hiking, camping and skiing with her family. She continued to enjoy the outdoors while studying in Boulder, CO, and SCUBA diving during graduate school in California. Her degrees in environmental and fish ecology has enabled her to work with scientists on wetlands and water quality management and to conduct research with commercial fishermen to help better understand local NC fisheries and habitats.

“I feel more effective when I focus my efforts and my money in a few places,” Elaine explained when asked why she chose to join the Legacy Society. “I want my legacy to be that I’ve helped make this a better, more loving place. I want to leave a memory of what’s in my heart.”

“It’s interesting how all the parts of the environment work together for healthy natural habitats,” she said.

“A creek is healthier when there is land along creek banks with trees, shrubs and grasses. This area of land provides shade, stabilizes the bank, and filters out pollutants. As natural areas shrink or are squeezed, they become less resilient and subsequently less effective.”

Elaine and her husband, Matt, moved to Wilmington seventeen years ago and discovered the Coastal Land Trust through friends, but it was the Flytrap Frolic that hooked her and her son, Leo. The Frolic is an annual event highlighting the Wilmington area’s unique, carnivorous plant.

And it seems Leo (nearly 11) is following closely in his generous parents’ footsteps. His six-yearold’s fascination with venus flytraps moved him to donate all of his birthday money that year to help replace thousands of flytraps that were poached from the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden.

Elaine is passionate about the environment and understands the importance of the Coastal Land Trust’s work to preserve land in its natural state. “Once it’s gone, you can’t get it back,” she said.

To learn how you can leave a legacy of conservation through the Coastal Land Trust, please visit CoastalLandTrust.org/legacy-gifts/

i want my legacy to be that i’ve helped make this a better, more loving place. i want to leave a memory of what’s in my heart.”

elaine Jack

Member, Coastal land Trust legacy society

Leonidas (Leo), Matthew, and Elaine Jack

Randy Beardsworth Wilmington, NC

Nancy J. Bray Grifton, NC

John Fussell Morehead City, NC

Hannah Holt Wilmington, NC

Jason L. kesler Carolina Beach, NC

Hannah McOwen Manteo, NC

Linda Murchison Wilmington, NC

Linda Pearsall Raleigh, NC

Robert Perry Raleigh, NC

kris Pickler Davidson, NC Will Purvis Wilmington, NC

Cheryl Bradley Smith Pine knoll Shores, NC

Lovay WallaceSingleton New Bern, NC

George Wood kill Devil Hills, NC

President Ann Cary Simpson Chapel Hill, NC

Vice President

Melanie Allen Durham, NC

secretary and Vice President Paul E. Hosier Wilmington, NC

Treasurer Maggie Ashburn Wilmington, NC

Board members serve three, three-year staggered terms. Board members are elected each year by the membership during the annual meeting.

COASTAL LANd TruST bLOOMS wITh A NEw LOOk

Spring in eastern North Carolina is such a special time of renewal: beautiful flowers bloom, green leaves re-emerge, and refreshing warm breezes call us outdoors and beckon us to the coast.

This spring, the Coastal Land Trust has refreshed our look! Having celebrated 25 years of coastal conservation in 2017, we wanted our brand to reflect that we are poised and ready for the next 25 years: with new ideas, new ambitions, and new resources to bring to coastal conservation.

With a laser-like focus, the new Coastal Land Trust is an organization ready to act to save North Carolina’s most important coastal land to benefit local communities and future generations.

Even the most ambitious of the Coastal Land Trust’s new initiatives, such as targeting the Top 40 coastal conservation projects, taking out a loan to protect Site X and Salmon Creek, and establishing a $2 million revolving loan fund as part of

the Croatan National Forest settlement agreement, however, are built upon the foundation of our past accomplishments.

It’s fitting, then, that our “new” logo and branding also references our past, and continues to connect with our roots.

Of course, a fresh new look does not change the fact that only with yOur help are we able to protect the coastal lands and waterways that make North Carolina a great place to live. There’s more at stake than ever, and we remain your local land trust, focused on the lands where you hike, paddle, and play at the coast. As always, our motto is: “We save the lands you love at the coast.”

We are delighted to reveal our new logo and our new look, which we hope you like. Even more importantly, we hope you endorse the ambitious goals of the new Coastal Land Trust – rising to the challenges of the future to safeguard coastal land and waterways.

CROATAN, continued from page 1

meets the sea—serve as vital nursery areas for ocean life, and help buffer our communities from wind, waves, and tides.

Wildlife found at the Croatan National Forest include deer, black bear, wild turkey, quail, otter and alligator. The Croatan lies within the Atlantic Flyway for migratory birds, and hosts songbirds and raptors as well as ducks, geese, and wading birds. Its longleaf pine forests, which are maintained by prescribed burning, are home to the largest collection of carnivorous plants of any National Forest, and are key nesting and foraging habitat for the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker.

The Croatan National Forest is a land to be treasured and enjoyed. Treat yourself to a stroll through the botanically rich ½ mile loop trail at Island Creek, bird watch along the 2 mile loop Cedar Point Tideland Trail or experience the beauty of the longleaf pine forest at the 1-2 mile long Patsy Pond Trail. Or perhaps challenge yourself to a longer hike along the 11 mile long Weetock Trail or 20 mile long Neusiok Trails. visit the Croatan National Forest Ranger District Office between New Bern and Havelock for more information to plan for a safe trip in the woods!

Hey! While we’re talking about fresh starts, why not take a minute to rENEw your Coastal Land Trust membership if you haven’t done so yet this year. Our members make all of this, and more, happen!

www.CoastalLandTrust.org/renew

SNEAk PEEk AT SALTErS CrEEk!

Coastal land Trust’s Top 40 list includes some of the most special places on the coast in terms of ecological significance. We developed this list to be more selective, strategic, and impactful in our land conservation efforts.

We have decided to let you in on a little secret! Well, maybe not so little! The Coastal Land Trust has signed a contract to purchase over 5,000 acres of land down east in Carteret County called Salters Creek Landing. While we aren’t ready to do our happy dance yet (we are currently in high gear fund-raising mode), this challenging project offers a lot to cheer about: that is, lots of waterfront, wildlife, wild woods and wetlands.

If you take a boat from the wildlife landing off Highway 12 at Salters Creek and travel north, it will take you over 10 miles to get around this amazing property! you will see vast and pristine estuarine marsh along Long Bay with tucked in tidal creeks fringed with maritime forest. During the winter, you can observe all sorts of waterfowl from diving ducks to Tundra Swans foraging and loafing in the open water and sheltered creeks. In the summer, you will see herons, egrets, rails and shorebirds poking around the marsh and mudflats. Traveling by land to the high or upper marsh you might even hear the elusive Black Rail which emits a threenoted nasal “kickee-doo” or “kic-kic-kerr.” yep, “ear-birding” is best in finding this feathered rarity.

Birds also abound in the upland and wetland forests on the property. Redcockaded Woodpeckers cavities have

been found, Brown-headed Nuthatches have been heard, and Wild Turkey have been seen in the extensive longleaf pine flatwoods. The tangle of vines, ericaceous shrubs and pond pine that comprise the pocosin wetlands host habitat for a colorful array of songbirds including Blackthroated Green Warbler, Blue-headed vireo, and Brown Creeper. The property hosts a cadre of mammals—bear, bobcat, white-tailed deer, marsh rabbit, mink, otter, beaver and gray squirrel. Lying adjacent to the 14,000+acre Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, this property is a sweet spot for wildlife! In fact, the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program considers this property along with the neighboring wildlife refuge to be a natural area of exceptional ecological significance.

The Coastal Land Trust is working to conserve some of the most special and biodiverse sites left on our coast, such as the Salter’s Creek Landing property. Stay tuned as we work to protect another site on our Top 40 list!

Can you find Janice Allen among the Spanish moss of this ancient live oak tree at Salter’s Creek?

SCrAPbOOk

Coastal

land

Trust Volunteer Days

R AkING ASSISTANCE

CLEAR A PATH

Seventeen volunteers turned out for volunteer Day at Abbey Nature Preserve! The volunteers cleared trails, removed debris from the pond, and cleared and moved sand from the bridge. The Coastal Land Trust’s partnership with the Foy Family helped this volunteer day run smoothly and successfully.

Carnivorous Plant Garden • Wilmington, NC • April 5, 2018

stanley Rehder

With the help of 5 NCino employees, the Coastal Land Trust’s stewardship staff cleared the Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden of debris to prepare the garden for the Flytrap Frolic. Afterwards, Jade Woll led the group on a hike throughout the garden educating the volunteers on the habitat and carnivorous plants found there. NCino employees participating were: Alice Cox, Shelby Lee keiser, Chrissy Hennessey, Natalia Moose and kathryn Cook.

Above: Stewardship Assistant Tatum Justice leads volunteers on a guided hike of Everett Creek Preserve after trail work is complete.

All work day photos by Jade Woll, Americorps Service Member

GUIDED HIkE

SPRING CLEANUP

Everett Creek Preserve • Onslow County february 3, 2018

Right: Coastal Land Trust volunteer Megan Schwartz clears a campground at Everett Creek.

Abbey Nature Preserve • Pender County • April 7, 2018

SUNSET SPONSORS

Above: The Murchison Group of Wells Fargo Advisors was the presenting sponsor for the Cape Fear River cruise in Wilmington. Shown with Camilla Herlevich are David Brownlow, Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo, and his wife Hannah.

RIvER RIDE

CWMTF RECEPTION

During a reception for the Trustees of NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), the Coastal Land Trust’s purchase of Salmon Creek/ Site X was highlighted as one of three CWMTF projects that will enhance economic development in our state’s rural counties. Pictured (L to R): Bertie County Board of Commissionioners Chair Ernestine Bazemore, Bertie County Commissioner Tammy Lee, Camilla Herlevich, and CWMTF Chair E. Greer Cawood.

ENJOyING THE TOUR

Sunset Tour up the Cape Fear River Wilmington • May 1, 2018

kathy Egan and Diane Guida

Right: Peggy Sloan and Bob Jones

CATCHING UP ON THE TOUR

Sunset Tour photos by Jade Woll, Americorps Service Member John Wessell and Eric Calhoun were roommates in college.

SCrAPbOOk

HIDE AND -SEEk

Right:

REPTILE FRIENDS

Below: kids of all ages are fascinated by the Australian Bearded Dragon. Can you find him camouflaged on the piece of driftwood?

What’s coiled around the base?

Right: volunteers at Seagate Woods wrap up the workday after clearing 1.5 miles of trail. From left: Americorps Service Member Jade Woll with Coastal Land Trust volunteers Michael Snyder and LaraBeth Jones.

TRAIL BUILDING

Far right: LaraBeth Jones takes a break from raking, working on widening and clearing the trails at Seagate Woods.

Coastal land Trust events, field trips, and educational outings in our community showcase the joy of nature.

Left: … And this is how you make your own flytrap out of paper. Over 700 people visited the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden during the 2018 Flytrap Frolic. See more Flytrap Frolic photos on page 10.

Photo by Paige Brown

kID CRAFTS

Flytrap Frolic • Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden • Wilmington • April 21, 2018

Photo by S.R. Borrett

Photos by Jade Woll, Americorps Service Member

WORkDAy

Seagate Woods • Newport, Carteret County • February 13, 2018

Photo by Paige Brown

Family members search together for the tiny venus flytraps hidden amongst the moss and pitcher plants.

Site X Oyster Roast • Bertie County • March 17, 2018

ARTIFACTS FROM SITE X

a wide variety of artifacts attributable to the pre-Colonial period and indicative of settlement by the Roanoke colonists.

BERTIE COUNT y LEADERS

Below:

29, 2018

ENvIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

The Coastal Land Trust hosted our first field trip for students at Bogue Sound Elementary School at our Gales Creek Preserve. The 5th grade students, using the Coastal Land Trust’s “Find it in the Forest Guide,” explored the longleaf forest at the Preserve. Approximately 80 students, teachers, and chaperones attended this field trip. The field trip was paired with an in-class portion of our environmental education program which teaches the classes about the longleaf pine ecosystem before they see one in real life.

Coincidentally, during this field trip, the US Forest Service was completing a prescribed burn on the adjacent portion of the Croatan (notice the smoke in the background)!

vISITING SITE X

Left: Ernestine Bazemore, Bertie County Board of Commissioners Chair, joins Commissioner Wesson in welcoming the Coastal Land Trust and guests to Bertie County.

vISITING SITE X

Photo by Chuck Durfor

Right: First Colony Foundation archeologist Nicholas Luccketti brought

Photo by Chuck Durfor

Ron Wesson, vice-Chairman of the Bertie County Board of Commissioners, with his wife Patricia.

Photo by Chuck Durfor

Below: Turner and Abbey Sutton, Jim and Rita Hoggard

Photo by Tatum Justice

Gales Creek Field Trip • Gales Creek Preserve at Camp Sam Hatcher • Carteret County March 28 –

Photo by Chuck Durfor

See more photos of Salmon

Chuck

Wilmington, North Carolina 28403 VOLUME 18 // ISSUE 2 // Summer 2018

U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 316 Wilmington, NC

131 Racine Drive, Suite 202 COAST LINES www.CoastalLandTrust.org PAGE 10