COASTAL LAND TRUST 2025 CONSERVATION RECAP
Conservation Highlights
1. Reaves Chapel Dedication (March):
The restoration of Reaves Chapel in Navassa is complete, preserving a culturally significant African American landmark built by formerly enslaved individuals and deeply rooted in Gullah Geechee history. Led by a partnership between the Cedar Hill/West Bank Heritage Foundation and the Coastal Land Trust, the project culminated with a community celebration and bell ringing, ensuring the chapel will continue to serve as a place of history, reflection, and education for generations to come.
2. South Topsail
Preserve Closing (April):
Made possible through a year-long campaign, nearly 800 donors, and significant public funding partnerships, the property is now protected forever and will be transferred to the State of North Carolina for long-term stewardship this spring. Spanning ocean to sound, this rare landscape provides critical habitat for sea turtles, shorebirds, and coastal plants. This previously unprotected property was at risk of development.
1. Pasquotank River Preserve (August):
The Coastal Land Trust transferred this 303.5-acre preserve in Camden County to the State of North Carolina, to allow it to be managed with adjoining conservation lands owned by the State of North Carolina and managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Protecting 1.7 miles of blackwater river frontage along the Pasquotank River, vital wetlands, and forested riparian buffers, this effort conserves wildlife habitat and enhances water quality in a rapidly growing region.
EVENT ATTENDANCE:
RED BEANS & BLUEGRASS: 100
REAVES CHAPEL DEDICATION: 198
EVENING IN EDENTON: 59
MID-COAST CELEBRATION: 62
SAVE THE SOUTH END CELEBRATION: 185
PARTY FOR THE POINT: 80
MASONBORO ISLAND EXCURSION: 37
ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT: 38 TEAMS
ANNUAL CELEBRATION: 152
LAND, LAGER, AND OYSTERS: 175
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH:
3,607 INDIVIDUALS REACHED
1,684 STUDENTS 329 PALOOZA ATTENDEES
1,015 FLYTRAP FROLIC ATTENDEES
1,800 FIRE IN THE PINES FESTIVAL ATTENDEES
20 SCHOOLS VISITED ACROSS 9 COUNTIES
10 FIELD TRIPS
VOLUNTEERS:
237 TOTAL VOLUNTEERS
1,158 HOURS
12 OPPORTUNITIES
5 COUNTIES
$40,287 VALUE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS’ HARD WORK
STEWARDSHIP:
CONSERVATION PROPERTIES MONITORED: 230+
HOURS SPENT OUTSIDE: 1,500
MAPS MADE: 100+
SNAKE SIGHTINGS: 31
BOOTS MUDDIED = INFINITE!
