Hutaff Island is Protected! - Fall 2021

huTAFF ISLANd IS PrOTECTEd!

The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust has purchased Hutaff Island, the last privately-owned undeveloped barrier island in North Carolina. This 2.5-mile long, gem of a barrier island and the adjoining 1,000 acres of salt marsh with shrub and forested islands is one of the best examples of a natural, dynamic barrier island complex left in North Carolina.

Walk along the island’s beach and you will see a barrier island landscape shaped by wind and water, one allowed to move and breathe, and an island that has sustained itself over time. Sea oat-covered dunes and sandy beach provide the first line of defense against storms for local communities while providing essential habitat for birds, sea turtles, and plant communities that depend on barrier islands, including ten state or federally-listed species like Red Knot, Piping Plover, and seabeach amaranth.

Above: The Coastal Land Trust has purchased Hutaff Island, the last privatelyowned undeveloped barrier island in North Carolina, along with the adjoining 1,000 acres of salt marsh with shrub and forested islands. The natural barrier island provides essential habitat to plants and animals, including shorebirds such as the piping plover shown at right.

Venture in the marsh and you’ll experience a classic back-barrier salt marsh ecosystem rich with fisheries of all kinds, birds, and other wildlife, and some of the best water quality of any place on the North Carolina coast. Protecting this island will help sustain

NAvASSA’S JurASSIC PArk

By Janice Allen, Coastal Land Trust Director of Land Protection

Eerily exhilarating. That is how I would describe my trek through the wild and wonderful Dollison’s Swamp of Brunswick County, a vast 1,000+acre swamp forest along the Cape Fear River in the Town of Navassa. I was following veteran swamp master, John Rudolph, our surveyor, who was showing me a property line he recently surveyed. As I slogged through the boot-sucking mud, swatting some mosquitoes, and scanning the murky water for slithering creatures, John yelled back to me, “I LOVE it out here. Swamps are so wild.”

Yes, enjoying a swamp requires a certain

Along the Cape

in

is Dollison’s Swamp, a 1,000-acre swamp forest that takes us back in time.

hUtaFF continued on page 3

SANd BEACh PrOvIdES FIrST LINE OF dEFENSE AgAINST STOrmS

Fear River

the Town of Navassa

Photo by Walker golder, CLT

Photos by Walker Golder, CLT

dukE SummEr INTErN mIChAEL gAFFNEy hELPS PrIOrITIzE NEW LANd ACquISITIONS

Asthe Carbon, Climate, and Conservation Fellow, my work this summer will enable the Coastal Land Trust to actively pursue new properties that benefit the environment and the people who enjoy it in a rapidly changing world. I used GIS (Geographic Information System) software as a tool to prioritize new land acquisition in the coastal plain. My project focused on properties in two watersheds, the Cashie River in Bertie County and the Waccamaw River in Brunswick and Columbus counties. The Cashie flows through rural communities and agricultural lands, eventually emptying into the Roanoke River. The Waccamaw River, one of the region’s most ecologically significant, begins in a large Carolina Bay called Lake Waccamaw. It flows through swamps, timberland, and towns as it heads into South Carolina.

While the Coastal Land Trust remains focused on preserving lands that are important for biodiversity, my project used the power of geospatial technology and large-scale datasets to identify land in both watersheds that may help address some of

the monumental challenges the state of North Carolina faces from climate change.

Next to the Cashie River, the Town of Windsor has experienced substantial flood damage over the last two decades, most recently from Hurricane Matthew (2016) and Hurricane Florence (2018). The health of the Waccamaw’s ecosystems, meanwhile, has begun to deteriorate due in part to more frequent storms and floods. To address both of these immediate concerns and the

NATurE TrIvIA

deeper causes of climate change, I created maps that highlight places in these two watersheds where restoration and preservation of wetlands and forests are possible. These “natural climate solutions” would aid with future flood mitigation and carbon sequestration. My internship work shows how traditional tools of conservation can be repurposed to aid with the transformations that climate change is bringing.

Michael Gaffney

Linda Murchison Wilmington, NC Nick Parker Wilmington, NC Linda Pearsall Raleigh, NC Chad Pearson Wilmington, NC

Cheryl Bradley Smith Pine Knoll Shores, NC

Lovay WallaceSingleton New Bern, NC

Robert Wells Kitty Hawk, NC

George Wood Kill Devil Hills, NC

President Melanie Allen Durham, NC

Vice President Robert Perry Raleigh, NC

and Vice President Laurie McComas King Wilmington, NC

Treasurer Maggie Ashburn Wilmington, NC Board members serve three, three-year staggered terms and are elected each year by the membership during the annual meeting.

Which of the following shorebirds that have been observed at Hutaff Island makes the longest annual migration and is the rarest?

A. Dunlin

B. Red Knot

C. Black-bellied Plover

Michael Gaffney exploring the Waccamaw River. Photo by Janice Allen, CLT

the “Outstanding Resource Water” and “Primary Nursery Area” classifications. Forest and shrub hammocks add to the landscape and provide important habitat for wildlife like migrating Monarchs and ever-cheerful Painted Buntings. The marsh also supports Saltmarsh Sparrows, a critically-imperiled species that is on a path toward extinction if current trends continue.

“The community of loggerhead turtles, American oystercatchers, piping plovers, least terns, and clapper rails all thank you from their respective nests. The native citizenry of this diverse community of water, land, and air are excited about the future opportunities to share their natural world with our grandchildren who will now be able to experience a truly unmodified barrier island system with all its complex interactions and dynamics.”

Dr. Stanley R. Riggs, Coastal Geologist, East Carolina University

The Coastal Land Trust is very grateful to the McEachern and Hutaff families for their desire to see the island, which has been in their family since 1925, protected forever as a wild and natural barrier island. The families shared “we are thrilled the island will be conserved and remain as a natural habitat forever.” We are equally grateful for the generous support from conservation philanthropist, Tim Sweeney, who provided the funding that made this acquisition possible.

Hutaff Island will be protected in perpetuity by the Coastal Land Trust and managed in partnership with Audubon North Carolina and state agencies to ensure the sustainability of its iconic landscape, rich natural habitats, plant communities and wildlife, and for the enjoyment of people.

Camilla Herlevich recently received a 2021 NC Coastal Federation Pelican Award “For Exemplary Lifetime Dedication to Saving Critically Important Coastal Lands and Habitats.” The award is a photograph by Tom Earnhardt, writer, co-producer and host of uNC-TV’s “Exploring North Carolina,” and a plaque.

“The Pelican Awards were created to celebrate very special people and organizations who work to protect and restore our coast,” said Todd Miller, federation executive director. “The recipients this year come from different walks of life, but still work tirelessly to keep our coast healthy and beautiful.”

Back in 1992, Camilla put forth vision and drive and took it upon herself to ensure that special coastal places along our beautiful North Carolina Coast were protected in perpetuity instead of being altered or developed.

With that vision, the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust was founded by Camilla, and it has become the state’s

sole accredited regional land trust focused on our state’s coastal lands. under Camilla’s leadership, the Coastal Land Trust has saved beaches that became state parks and preserves, streams that provide clean water, forests

that are havens for wildlife, working farms and nature parks for all to enjoy.

The Coastal Federation had the pleasure of first working with Camilla back in 1992 when the two organizations collaborated for a decade to save Bird Island in Brunswick County. Camilla led the acquisition effort; and in 2002, following purchase, Bird Island was formally dedicated as the state’s 10th Coastal Reserve.

In addition, Camilla guided the Coastal Federation in 1997 when it acquired 31 acres at Hoop Hole Creek in Atlantic Beach. This property was the first ever purchased with funding from then newly created N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund, and Camilla provided handson help in leading the federation through this brand-new acquisition process.

During her tenure at the Land Trust, over 80,000 acres of special coastal lands were saved and many more acres are slated for future protection.

Source: Coastal Federation press release

Wildlife of Hutaff Island include, at top, painted bunting; bottom, least tern.

Photos by Walker Golder, CLT

CONSErvEd LANdS WE LOvE ANd Why

Reflections on Jubilee Farms

Jubilee Farms, also known as Poplar Neck, has been actively pursuing agriculture and silviculture since the late 18th century. The Rich family have been stewards of the property for nearly 50 years. We have transformed old crop lands to natural native grass pastures and pine plantations to a robust wildlife habitat. We have preserved a mature hardwood and pine forest - all of which provide scenic beauty, diverse wildlife habitat, and 500 acres actively sequestering CO2 in the soil.

The biggest transformation was taking the dense 35-year-old pine plantation and creating a diverse wildlife habitat. The first step was careful thinning of the pines from over 100 trees per acre to approximately 60 thus allowing more sunlight to reach the ground, and encouraging the grasses and forbs to grow. Then we created trails, small roads, and drainage to allow access for walking, riding, and hunting.

The former crop land was planted in a mix of various strains of Bluestem, Gamma grass, and Switch-grasses - all grasses similar to those found throughout North Carolina’s Coastal and Piedmont Prairies. Pre-European settlement, Native American people who inhabited this land ritually burned large areas creating prairies

(much like on the Great Plains) which allowed for the concentration of the wildlife on which they depended for food and thus easier hunting.

We added more than 10 kilowatts of solar electric production in 2003 along with geothermal heating and air conditioning in an effort, along with carbon sequestration, to naturally to reduce our carbon foot print.

PEArSALL ACCEPTS NEW rOLE

Vann Pearsall, former Director of Development, left the Coastal Land Trust in July to accept the newly established position of Executive Director for the Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas (PCC). PCC promotes the well-being and resilience of individuals, families, and communities through psychoanalytic education, practice, and service.

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years, and while I’m sad to leave my team, I’m excited about the new chapter ahead”, said Vann.

Vann built a strong fundraising team and a strong foundation of support for the organization. under his leadership, annual giving increased and a $36M campaign (the most ambitious fundraising effort in the Coastal Land Trust’s history) was successfully completed.

“Vann guided the development team through growth and challenges, and has been a guiding force for me as the new Executive Director,” said Walker Golder. “We are very grateful for his leadership, commitment and service to the Coastal Land Trust.”

We feel climate change will be the major issue affecting our future, and limiting our greenhouse gas emissions is an effortalong with the conservation easement on the property - to preserve this land and its inhabitants for centuries to come.

Cy and Nancy Rich Chowan County (near Edenton)

– Janice Allen

Thinning the pine forest allows more sunlight to reach the ground and encourages the grasses and forbs (flowering plants that are not grasses) to grow.

“The sunflower is one of the happiest flowers there is!”

CONSErvEd LANdS WE LOvE ANd Why

Reflections on the Rehder Garden

During a long weekend in May 2021, our photography group (comprised of members from North and South Carolina) made many stops in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties. We found the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden to be one of the most compelling, interesting, and photogenic of all the locations we explored.

As a photographer and nature enthusiast, past opportunities to search out and photograph carnivorous plants have almost always been disappointing, but not this time. The Rehder Garden was open, inviting, accessible, and provided a variety of plants to study, enjoy, and photograph.

We are grateful for this opportunity to visit an outstanding public park, and we thank those who made this facility possible to enjoy. I have signed up for the Coastal Land Trust newsletter to keep in touch and hope to return next spring!

Marshall Hurley Greensboro, NC

Reflections on Bal Gra and Site X

Our parents Roy (deceased) and Kitty Lassiter of Boykins, Virginia had a summer cottage at “Bal Gra,” * right at the mouth of Salmon Creek and the Chowan River/Albemarle Sound.

We had three decades of summer fun and

introduced countless kids and adults to water skiing in the creek and the river. It was such a wonderful place for friends to visit and enjoy the waterfront. Many family members attribute their love of water to the wonderful events at Bal Gra.

Many were concerned when we heard of the massive waterfront development on all of Salmon Creek. It would have ruined the character of the whole area, loaded Salmon

Creek with hundreds of boats and most importantly, it would have ruined Site X!

Thank goodness that the Coastal Land Trust was able to purchase the land to avoid this needless development and preserve this most important part of American history.

The Lassiter Family Kitty, Jim, Allan and Kitty Lou Pope * pronounced “Ball Gray”

Salmon Creek – a spot for great times and many memories

Right: Venus Flytrap in bloom at the Rehder Garden during May and early June.

Photo by Walker golder, CLT

and the BATE Tr

adjacent to Croatan National Forest. Both help buffer the national forest. The Coastal Land Trust hopes to transfer the Bate Tract to the u.S. Forest Service in the future. 2 The ChOWAN /BAL gr A hArBOr property is adjacent to Salmon Creek State Natural Area (Site X site that the Coastal Land Trust bought and transferred to the State of NC). CLT also transferred the Chowan/Bal Gra Harbor property to the State to be included in the Salmon Creek State Natural Area. The Bal Gra Harbor Tract also connects Site X to a Bertie County park along the Chowan River. 3 The Coastal Land Trust purchased TWO INhOLd INg LOTS AT SPr INgEr’S POINT along the Pamlico Sound. If they had been sold for development they would share access in and out of the Preserve. It is wonderful that we were able to buy these two

to help consolidate land at Springer’s Point Preserve.

mrS. PAT hOrSTmAN – hEr LEgACy gIFT A gAmE ChANgEr FOr ThE COASTAL LANd TruST

What matters most to you?

What do you want to leave behind when you are gone?

For Mrs. Pat Horstman, who passed away in February 2021, the answer to those questions were profound and deep as she left the largest legacy gift to the Coastal Land Trust in our 29-year history.

The gift not only showed her passion for conservation, but also the trust and faith she had in the Coastal Land Trust, and our staff and leaders, including a long friendship with our founding director Camilla Herlevich. Her gift ensures that the organization will continue to do good long after her own life was over.

It’s a game changer for us, and will allow the Coastal Land Trust to shore up our operating reserves, add additional funds to our ready capital/revolving loan fund, and finish out the important restoration work at the historic Reaves Chapel A.M.E. Church. Reaves Chapel is one of the most culturally significant African American structures

in the Cape Fear region. In addition, and with the majority of the gift, we are creating the “Horstman Operations Endowment” that will help support the annual operations of the Coastal Land Trust for generations to come.

I’ve thought a lot about what I’d like to say to Mrs. Horstman these past few months, we all have. It’s hard to put into words, so I’ll keep it simple:

“Dear Mrs. Horstman: You have made such a difference. Thank you from all of us, Past, Present and Future.”

(Note: A legacy gift is a planned future gift that designates some part of an individual’s estate as a donation to a nonprofit. Legacy gifts enable individuals to create a powerful philanthropic legacy by making a direct impact on the causes that are important to them.)

David Phillips, Jr., CPA Chief Financial Officer Coastal Land Trust

To find out how you can include the Coastal Land Trust in your estate planning, contact Executive Director Walker Golder: walker@CoastalLandTrust.org

NATurE TrIvIA ANSWEr

from page 2

Answer: B. The Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), a federally threatened shorebird species, flies over 9,000 miles from its breeding grounds in the Canadian Arctic down to its wintering area around Tierra del Fuego, the tip of South America, and then repeats the trip back, all in one year.

Pat Horstman

Photo by Walker Golder,

CAmILLA’S “SENd OFF” AT hALyBurTON PArk SCrAPBOOk

perspective, and as we ventured further into the woods, I began to get my swamp groove on. I heard singing Prothonotary, Black and White, and Northern Parula Warblers; observed Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets flying overhead, and found patches of golden club, a beautiful yellow-tipped swamp flower.

John and I marveled at countless thick buttressed cypress and swamp tupelo trees, many of them ancient. While few people have likely experienced it on foot; fisherman, kayakers and boaters regularly enjoy this scenic and secluded spot. And downstream residents of the greater Wilmington area reap its benefits as the swamp helps moderate floodwaters, filter the water, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Dollison’s Swamp is a special place.

On June 24, 2021, the Coastal Land Trust purchased the 1,043-acre Cape Fear/Corbett Tract, located in the very heart of Dollison’s Swamp. The N.C. Natural Heritage Program

considers Dollison Swamp to be a very ecologically significant site due to the age and relative pristine nature of the forest. This newly acquired property hosts more than five miles of frontage along the Cape Fear River and Indian Creek, a tributary, and it adjoins a 1,300+acre conservation easement held by the Coastal Land Trust just upstream. The Coastal Land Trust will manage this tract as a nature preserve, which will protect it forever from timbering or other

human disturbance. Funding for this conservation acquisition came from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Damage Assessment, Remediation and Restoration Program, i.e., Kerr-McGee settlement funds, and the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund.

Anyone seeking a surreal nature experience, or desiring to earn a coveted “swamp badge,” should contact the Coastal Land Trust stewardship staff about volunteering to assist with the future monitoring of this property!

VISIT TO HuTAFF

Coastal Legacy Society members Alysson Troffer, center, and husband Tim Clemmer, right, explore Hutaff Island with new Executive Director Walker Golder.

Donor Trip to Hutaff | Hutaff Island | Pender County off N.C. Coast | July 15, 2021

JUraSSIc continued from page 1

Photo by Walker golder, CLT

LEgACy SOCIETy dONOr ThANkS

When I was asked to write an article on why I included Coastal Land Trust as part of my estate, I thought “That’s easy. I believe in their mission.”

Because of the Coastal Land Trust, I realize there is more to the coast than white sandy beaches and tan lines. Now, marshes are one of my favorite places. If I’m quiet and observant, diverse plant and animal life surrounds me.

“Saving the Lands You Love at the Coast.” Without the Coastal Land Trust, I might not have seen that condos and parking lots are not the ultimate destiny of the coast. Swamps have their own rhythm and beauty. Forests can be brought back to their origins with just the right amount of input.

And maybe it is more than the mission. It is the people. The dedication. Everyone I’ve come into contact with at the Coastal Land Trust lives the mission. Everyone shares an enthusiasm for protecting our coast.

I’ve learned so much through this organization. The Coastal Land Trust makes a huge impact for a small nonprofit. I believe in what they do and how they do it. It was easy for me to share with them considering all they have shared with me.

Ms.

Pat Rowe Durham, NC

Executive Director Walker Golder: walker@ CoastalLandTrust.org.

SCrAPBOOk

Dedication and Grand Reopening | Veteran’s Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden | New Bern | May 26, 2021

The Veteran’s Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden (VEBCOG) has moved to 1235 Pollock Street in New Bern. Above Janice Allen with Lovay WallaceSingleton in the new garden during its grand re-opening. Lovay, the founder and executive director of the Veteran’s Organic Garden, is also a board member of the Coastal Land Trust.

“The new place is truly inspiring”, said Janice, “If only we could work that kind of magic growing pollinator plants in our natural gardens!”

For more information about the garden, visit: veteransorganicgarden.org

PANdEmIC-PrOOF PrOgrAmmINg

PANdEmIC-PrOOF PrOgrAmmINg

ENvIrONmENTAL EduCATION

ENvIrONmENTAL EduCATION

Ivy’s venus Flytrap, Watercolor Tutorial: 203 views on YouTube

Ivy’s venus Flytrap, Watercolor Tutorial: 203 views on YouTube

Pollinator Palooza videos, dIy mini Pollinator garden: 34 views on YouTube

Pollinator Palooza videos, dIy mini Pollinator garden: 34 views on YouTube

North Carolina Native Plants, illustrated by Ivy knox: 124 views on YouTube

North Carolina Native Plants, illustrated by Ivy knox: 124 views on YouTube

Beekeeping with dr Anthony Snyder: 47 views on YouTube

Beekeeping with dr Anthony Snyder: 47 views on YouTube

Composting with riley Alber: 24 views on YouTube

Composting with riley Alber: 24 views on YouTube

Pollinator Palooza video views: 18 on YouTube, 34 live

Pollinator Palooza video views: 18 on YouTube, 34 live

LANd vIdEOS

LANd vIdEOS

hutaff Island drone video: 629 views+267 on Facebook

hutaff Island slideshow “video”: 2,693 views on Facebook dollison’s Swamp: 102 views on YouTube

hutaff Island drone video: 629 views+267 on Facebook hutaff Island slideshow “video”: 2,693 views on Facebook dollison’s Swamp: 102 views on YouTube

“During a long weekend in May 2021, our photography group (com prised of members from North and South Carolina) made many stops in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties. We found the Stan ley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden to be one of the most compel ling, interesting, and photogenic of all the locations we explored.

Marshall Hurley Greensboro, NC

EduCATION, LLL

Little Lunch Lectures in Fy 2019-2020

LITTLE LuNCh LECTurES IN Fy 2019-2020

Number of lectures: 22 (between April and September)

Number of lectures: 22 (between April and September)

Average number of attendees at each lecture: 35

Average number of attendees at each lecture: 35

Average live views: 770

Average live views: 770

Total views on you Tube: 1,543

Total views on You Tube: 1,543

Left: Venus flytraps bloom at the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Rehder Garden. read more about the garden in “Conserved Lands We Love and Why,” page 5.

Photo by Marshall Hurley

Bank Foundation presented the

R EAVES C HAPEL Cedar Hill/West

COAST

Wilmington, North Carolina 28412 VOLUME 21 // ISSUE 3 // Fall 2021

counting!

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

Island Creek Tour Jones County, July 16, 2021

ISLAND CREEK FOREST WALK

u.S. Fish and Wildlife biologists walk the Island Creek Forest Walk Trail on the Croatan National Forest with Coastal Land Trust’s Janice Allen and Duke summer intern, Michael Gaffney. Fish and Wildlife Service provided funds to control non-native Wisteria on the adjacent Island Creek Preserve.

Photo by Walker golder, CLT

3 Pine Valley Drive LINES CoastalLandTrust.org PAGE 12

From Left: Michael Gaffney, John Ann Shearer (u.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Janice Allen, Luke Lolies (u.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and Tim Tabak (consulting forester).

Coastal Land Trust

with a $15,000 check toward

the restoration of

Reaves Chapel.

Reaves Chapel is

the current priority project for the

Cedar Hill/West

Bank Foundation.

Pictured are

Bernard Robbins (Treasurer CH/

WB), Jesica

Blake (Associate Director CLT),

Al Beatty

(President CH/WB)

at Reaves Chapel

AC r ES SA v E d

83,901 and