COASTLINES
FUNDRAISING GOAL MET!
In early January, we were excited to announce that we had reached our goal of raising nearly $8 million to purchase and permanently protect the South End of Topsail Island. Private donors contributed more than $1.5 million to the Save the South End campaign. The rest of the funding has been approved through grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
When we launched this project in March 2024, we knew it was an ambitious undertaking – one that would not be possible without the support of the community. We are grateful for the more than 760 donors, dozens of community volunteers, local businesses, and federal, state, and nonprofit partners who have contributed to the campaign.
Since completing the fundraising for the project, our staff has been working on all of the due diligence associated with purchasing the South End and placing it in permanent conservation protection. This includes preparing to own and manage the property for up to one year before it is ultimately transferred to the State of North Carolina to be managed by the Division of Coastal Management. We look forward to completing this project and celebrating this huge conservation victory in the weeks to come.
We are weeks away from purchasing and permanently protecting this slice of paradise.
HISTORICAL AND ECOLOGICAL TREASURE IN BERTIE COUNTY PROTECTED
“The Town of Windsor is excited by the collaborative effort with Coastal Land Trust...,” stated Lewis Hoggard, Mayor of Windsor. “The cultural and recreational value of the property to the citizens of Windsor and for visitors to Bertie County cannot be underestimated.”
The Coastal Land Trust completed the purchase of the historic 313-acre Hoggard’s Millpond property in Bertie County in December. The Coastal Land Trust began work on this project in 2016 and is thrilled to see it cross the finish line. Located near the Town of Windsor, the property features 2.2 miles of frontage along each side of Hoggard’s Mill Run and has numerous historic and ecological values.
After the purchase, the Coastal Land Trust transferred ownership of the property to the Town of Windsor which plans to create and manage a public nature and historic park on the property. The Town plans to develop park amenities within a 27-acre portion of the prop-
erty, with the remaining 286 acres preserved under conservation restrictions
Historically, the site was the first Bertie County seat (circa 1722 to 1769), known as the “Lost Town of Cashy” where a courthouse, jail, and other buildings were located. The property later hosted a millpond (believed to be the first millpond constructed in the state) that supported both a grain and sawmill which was operated from the late 1700’s until about 1934. Importantly, the dam and water control structure on the property drained 22 square miles and controlled water flow extending 8 miles upstream, making the property of utmost importance for flood control purposes.
HOGGARD’S, continued on page 3
ADDITIONAL ACRES PROTECTED ALONG NEWPORT RIVER
The Coastal Land Trust is proud to have protected an additional 593 acres of land along the Newport River in Carteret County. Purchased from Weyerhaeuser Company in November, the property was subsequently transferred to the North Carolina Coastal Federation for long-term management and restoration.
This is the second phase of a conservation partnership between the Coastal Land Trust, Coastal Federation, and U.S. Marine Corps Air Station – Cherry Point to protect and restore
land along the Newport River. The first phase, completed in 2023, protected 1,436 acres located just downstream from this newest conservation project (featured in the Summer 2024 edition of Coastlines).
Connecting conservation lands is one of the Coastal Land Trust’s core priorities as each successive connected property expands existing protected wildlife habitat and creates conservation corridors. This spectacular property lies adjacent to the Coastal
Photo Credit: Gavin Shwahla
Photo credit: John Rudolph
NEW STAFF
PHONE NUMBERS
MAIN OFFICE
3 Pine Valley Drive Wilmington, NC 28412 (910) 790-4524
HARRISON MARKS Executive Director (910) 726-3049 harrison@CoastalLandTrust.org
LIZZIE BARKLEY Office & Event Coordinator (910) 726-3089 lizzie@CoastalLandTrust.org
JESICA C. BLAKE Associate Director (910) 726-3057 jesica@CoastalLandTrust.org
MARY ANN BROUGHTON DANIEL Development Associate 910) 726-3094 maryann@CoastalLandTrust.org
MELLISSA DIONESOTES Land and Stewardship Manager (910) 726-3095 mellissa@CoastalLandTrust.org
KENNETH J. LINGERFELT Director of Land Protection (910) 726-3065 kenneth@CoastalLandTrust.org
FLOYD PEARSALL Environmental Education Coordinator Resilience Corps NC Member (910) 726-3097 resilience@CoastalLandTrust.org
BRYCE THOLEN Environmental Education Coordinator and Stewardship Assistant (910) 726-3005 bryce@CoastalLandTrust.org
ERIC VREELAND Director of Strategic Advancement (910) 726-3006 eric@CoastalLandTrust.org
LAUREN WAIBEL Stewardship and Volunteer Coordinator Resilience Corps NC Member (910) 726-3105 stewardship@CoastalLandTrust.org
LAURA WILSON Development and Communications Specialist (910) 726-3076 laura@CoastalLandTrust.org
NORTHEAST OFFICE
LEE L. LEIDY Northeast Region Director Attorney at Law 410 E. Main St., Ste. 204 Elizabeth City, NC 27909 (252) 335-9495 lee@CoastalLandTrust.org
ADDITIONAL CONTACT
LENA AUSTIN O’NEAL Springer’s Point Preserve Steward lena.oneal@nccat.org
A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Members and Friends, This edition of Coastlines provides a report on our activities and successes for what was an exhilarating year. In addition to successful conservation of 4 properties totaling 4,063 acres, the Coastal Land Trust reached more people through Environmental Education programs than ever before and
NATURE TRIVIA
had record-breaking attendance at our Annual Celebration held in September at Poplar Grove. The announcement of our plan to conserve the South End of Topsail Beach in March added significantly to our work for the remainder of 2024. That work paid off with the announcement just before Christmas that the goal of $1.5 million in private funding had been attained. In early January we received notification that the final grant required to complete the project had been approved and preparation for closing on the property is underway. We also had our share of arrivals and departures. Lizzie Barkley joined the organization in April and is already an integral part of the Coastal Land Trust team. Janice Allen’s retirement at the end of December 2024 was the impetus for the creation of a dedicated fund to support our land management
Answer on page 8
What do the two painted white bands on pine trees in the Croatan National Forest and Holly Shelter Game Land mean?
a. The tree is part of a research project.
b. The tree is more than 80 years old.
c. The tree hosts a red-cockaded woodpecker nest cavity.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Merrie Jo Alcoke Vice President New Bern, NC
Ken Hines Wilmington, NC
Nick Parker Treasurer Wilmington, NC
activities (see article “Coastal Land Trust Establishes Janice Allen Land Management Fund” on the next page). On a more somber note, the Coastal Land Trust lost former Board member and longtime advisor, John Fussell (see p. 5). John was widely known and a respected naturalist, and a real loss for the eastern NC conservation community.
The future looks extremely bright for the Coastal Land Trust, building on the successes of the past. Several exciting projects are taking shape which will add breathtaking properties to the 91,000+ acres protected so far by the Coastal Land Trust. We look forward to sharing more with you in future editions of Coastlines.
Sincerely,
Harrison Marks Executive Director Coastal Land Trust
Ann Cary Simpson Chapel Hill, NC
Lorrie Basnight Greenville, NC
Lorrie Basnight Greenville, NC
Hannah Holt Vice President/Secretary Wilmington, NC
Chad Pearson Wilmington, NC
Cheryl Bradley Smith Pine Knoll Shores, NC
Bob Emory President New Bern, NC
Bernest Hewett Bolivia, NC
Ken Hines Wilmington, NC
Bernest Hewett Bolivia, NC
Laurie McComas King Wilmington, NC
Hal Kitchin Wilmington, NC
Yoshi Newman, Ph.D. Greenville, NC
Bill Rich Ocracoke, NC
Dr. Stan Riggs Greenville, NC
Brian Rubino Kitty Hawk, NC
Mary Tillery Chapel Hill, NC
Pam Watkins Wilmington, NC
COASTAL LAND TRUST ESTABLISHES JANICE ALLEN LAND MANAGEMENT FUND
After 27 years leading acquisition and protection of special lands along the NC Coast for the Coastal Land Trust, Janice Allen retired in December. Many accolades for Janice’s accomplishments were received from across the state as her retirement date approached, and the Coastal Land Trust determined it was fitting to find a way to permanently commemorate Janice’s contributions to land conservation.
On December 11th, the Coastal Land Trust Board of Directors adopted a proclamation reciting Janice’s accomplishments and establishing the Janice Allen Land Management Fund. To read the proclamation, scan the QR code to the right.
The Fund was created with an allocation of $100,000 from a recent bequest to the organization. Money from the Janice Allen Fund, including future donations, will be used to support land management work on Coastal
continued from page 1
“After years of dedicated effort and collaboration with the Town of Windsor and the Thompson family, we are proud to have secured the permanent protection of this treasured landscape,” said Harrison Marks, Executive Director for the Coastal Land Trust.
“Together, we are ensuring that this special place will continue to inspire and benefit future generations, preserving both the natural and cultural heritage of Bertie County.”
The conservation value of the Hoggard’s Millpond property extends beyond its historical importance. Located within the Hoggard Mill Creek Swamp State Significant Natural Heritage Area, the property is ranked of high
Land Trust preserves, an increasing challenge as the Coastal Land Trust now has almost 15,000 acres of preserves.
Bob Emory, Board President of the Coastal Land Trust, noted that “in addition to Janice’s tireless efforts to find and conserve special lands, Janice personally invested her time overseeing several Land Trust preserves, and directing activities such as irradicating invasive species and planting longleaf pine on suitable lands. This fund is a fitting tribute to a life dedicated to preserving land.”
If you would like to honor Janice’s contributions to conservation, please consider making a gift to the Coastal Land Trust designated for the Janice Allen Land Management Fund.
ecological significance by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. It provides crucial habitat for anadromous fish, including hickory shad, blueback herring, and river herring; is critical for flood control purposes; and helps maintain the water quality of Hoggard’s Mill Run (also known as Hoggard’s Mill), the largest tributary of the Cashie River. Additionally, the property hosts a mature cypress forest, bottomland hardwoods, and upland ridges which provide excellent habitat for bats, colonial waterbirds, and waterfowl.
Members of the Thompson family, the property’s previous owners, worked diligently
Below, from L to R: Lee Leidy, Jesica Blake, Board President Bob Emory, Harrison Marks, and Kenneth Lingerfelt surprised Janice Allen (center) with a Board Proclamation creating the Janice Allen Land Management Fund.
toward its conservation. “Our father, Harry Lewis Thompson would be thrilled to know this mill pond property will be preserved for generations to come,” said his children, JeNell Dilday, Pat Taylor, and Vic Thompson.
Lewis Hoggard, Mayor of Windsor, echoed this sentiment, stating “The Town of Windsor is excited by the collaborative effort with Coastal Land Trust to acquire, preserve, and potentially restore the Hoggard Mill Property in Bertie County. The cultural and recreational value of the property to the citizens of Windsor and for visitors to Bertie County cannot be underestimated.”
Read the full conservation announcement by scanning the QR code.
Above: Janice is all smiles in her element and looking forward to spending more time outdoors in her retirement.
HOGGARD’S,
FUNDING PARTNERS
$25,000 – $100,000 +
$10,000 – $24,999
CEDAR HILL WEST BANK HERITAGE FOUNDATION
$2,500 – $9,999
THE SAXER FAMILY FOUNDATION
$1,000 – $2,499
EDDIE AND JO ALLISON SMITH FAMILY FOUNDATION, INC.
MOFFAT PIPE, INC J. TYLEE WILSON FAMILY FOUNDATION
THE KOOKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION
CLARK PROPERTIES OF OCRACOKE, LLC
$500 – $999
• Alani Nu
• Armstrong World Industries, Inc
• Carol Sue Blueberry Farm
• Cheerwine
• The Country Club of Landfall
THE MID-ATLANTIC FOUNDATION
POINT CLAN, LLC
• Daughters of the American Revolution, Brunswick Town Chapter
• Duke Energy Corporation PAC
• Dunn, Pittman, Skinner & Ashton, PLLC
• Hunt Brothers Pizza
• Lackey Lighting and Irrigation
• Lunch Box Sandwiches
• Charles K. McCotter Attorney at Law
• Murchison, Taylor & Gibson, PLLC
• Orton Longleaf
• PRIME
• Resource Management Systems, LLC
• Quest Transport
• The Oleander Company, Inc.
• Wild Bird and Garden
IN MEMORIAM
John Fussell’s love for North Carolina’s coastal environment began in his youth and lasted his whole life, from his days as zoology student and intern at Fort Macon State Park to recent years as he helped found the N.C. Sierra Club’s Croatan Group, then led its members to “explore, enjoy and protect” the region’s natural wonders.
One of John’s significant contributions to the NC coast was as project advisor as the Sierra Club sued to block construction of the Havelock Bypass through the Croatan National Forest. Under a 2018 settlement, state and federal agencies were allowed to go ahead with the project in return for taking major steps to conserve habitat and protect wildlife.
The agreement “has resulted in funding for N.C. Coastal Land Trust to do land preservation around the Croatan Forest,” said Cassie Gavin, who was the N.C. Chapter’s Director of Government Relations from 2013 to 2022. “His work on this lives on as land continues to be protected using that funding.”
Harrison Marks, the Coastal Land Trust’s Executive Director, echoed Cassie’s message: “John’s work that led to the 2018 settlement agreement was very significant. The funds from the Havelock Bypass settlement agreement have been key to the permanent protection of more than 3,950 acres in or adjacent to the Croatan National Forest thus far, and additional land acquisitions are still in the works.”
Jesica Blake, Associate Director at the Coastal Land Trust, recalled many hours spent in the field with John and his many contributions to NCCLT, “From his service on the Board of Directors leading discussions on the importance of a property to walking through dense forests looking for a rare butterfly, John was always the one to go ‘just a bit further,’” Blake said. “His contributions to conservation might be measured in acres protected and hours spent, but his depth of knowledge and amount of passion were as uncommon as the Duke’s Skipper butterfly which John found along the Neuse River.” Fussell passed away on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, at the age of 75. You can read the full tribute article courtesy of the North Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club by visiting: www.sc.org/ ncnews.
PROTECTING CRITICAL HABITAT ALONG THE COASTAL ATLANTIC FLYWAY
The Coastal Atlantic Flyway is the migratory route along the eastern coasts of North and South America. The flyway includes some of the hemisphere’s most productive ecosystems such as beaches, forests, and coastal wetlands. The National Audubon Society describes it as an “avian superhighway” for more than 500 bird species.
Here in North Carolina our beaches, estuaries, and barrier islands provide critical habitat along the Coastal Atlantic Flyway. Many migratory songbirds, shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl use these areas for resting and feeding in the winter and as important nesting and nursery areas in the summer. The Coastal Land Trust has worked hard over the years to protect the important coastal habitats migratory bird species depend on, such as Hutaff, Lea, and Masonboro Islands. Each winter, these pristine coastal habitats are visited by common loons, American coots, Northern gannets, and a plethora of other birds utilizing the islands for a little R&R. During the summer, the islands are booming with nesting species such as oystercatcher, least terns, Wilson’s plover, and piping plover, to name a few.
These islands are also popular for human visitors searching for a quiet beach to relax on. Protecting migratory bird species while facilitating recreation for visitors is an important balance. The Coastal Land Trust partners with Audubon North Carolina to accomplish this goal. From March through September, Audubon staff work tirelessly to monitor nesting areas and install signage and rope barriers to protect them. They walk the beach most days spotting scope in hand, searching for active nests and recent hatchlings. The team bands birds to keep accurate records of individual birds, their nesting success, and population numbers. Years of data aid in a better understanding of population trends. This allows visitors to enjoy the islands without disturbing delicate areas during nesting season.
You can help protect our feathered friends by staying out of the designated areas when visiting beaches during nesting season and spreading the word about the important role our coastal backyard plays for migratory birds.
An American oystercatcher chick finds sanctuary among the grassy dunes at Hutaff Island.
Photo Credit: Mellissa Dionesotes
COASTAL LAND TRUST 2024 CONSERVATION RECAP
TOTAL NUMBER OF ACRES PROTECTED: 4,063
TOTAL ACREAGE PROTECTED SINCE 1992: 91,101
1. Spencer Bay: Purchased 2,921 acres in Hyde County in April and transferred to the State of North Carolina to be managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as part of the Gull Rock Game Land. This coastal property is recognized by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program as one of the state’s premier areas for biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
2. Morgan Swamp Phase IV: 235 acres in Craven County were placed under conservation easement in October. This property buffers and connects existing conservation lands along the Neuse River Basin.
3. Newport River Phase II: Purchased 593 acres in Carteret County in December and transferred to the North Carolina Coastal Federation for long-term management and restoration. The property hosts estuarine marsh, managed loblolly pine forest, and bottomland hardwoods along 4+ miles of the Newport River and its tributaries.
4. Hoggard’s Millpond: A 313-acre historic and ecological treasure in Bertie County that was purchased in December and transferred to the Town of Windsor which plans to create and manage a public nature and historic park on the property.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION:
FISCAL YEAR 2024 FINANCIALS
October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024
The Finance Committee of the Coastal Land Trust meets regularly to review the financial health of the organization. Together with the staff and the Board of Directors, they ensure our financial resources are strategically deployed to support our conservation goals. Details for the most recent fiscal year are below.
NEWPORT continued from page 1
Federation’s 215-acre McCotter Preserve, upstream from the Coastal Land Trust’s 530-acre Newport River Marsh Preserve, and close to the Croatan National Forest.
The property hosts estuarine marsh, managed loblolly pine forest, and bottomland hardwoods along 4+ miles of the Newport River and its tributaries. It lies within the Newport River and Black Creek Natural Heritage Area, deemed of Very High ecological significance by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program.
The Newport River is one of the most economically valuable and environmentally endangered oyster-growing estuaries in the state. Stormwater run-off is recognized as the largest source of coastal water quality impairment. The
$10,563,307 Total spent on land protection, stewardship and conservation education
$705,440 spent on fundraising, communications, and administration
Coastal Federation plans to restore the natural hydrology and vegetation on portions of each protected property.
Read the full announcement, including more of the significant features of the property by visiting the QR code.
SCRAPBOOK
First Volunteer Day for 2025 / Brunswick Nature Park / Brunswick County / January 2025
CHILLY CLEANUP IN BRUNSWICK
26 community members
embraced the chilly start to the new year and volunteered for this inaugural Trails and Trash Day, in partnership with We Live Here Leland.
Open Hike Day
Everett Creek Preserve
March 15
Northeast Member
Gathering
Coxe Residence
April 6
Volunteer Day
EV Henwood
April 5
Open Hike Day
Everett Creek Preserve
April 19
Pollinator Palooza
NCCLT Office
April 26
Work on Wilmington
Stanley Rehder Carnivorous
Plant Garden
April 26
Volunteer
Appreciation BBQ
TBD
May 3
Midcoast Gathering
New Bern Convention Center
May 9
Open Hike Day
Everett Creek Preserve
May 17
Party for the Point Norvell Residence
May 23
Flytrap Frolic
Stanley Rehder Carnivorous
Plant Garden
June 7
Scan the QR code for the most up-to-date land trust events
NATURE TRIVIA ANSWER
from page 3
Answer: C. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Red-cockaded Woodpecker Recovery Plan recommends painting pine trees that have a red-cockaded woodpecker nest cavity with two white bands so they can be easily identified in the forest.
Photo of an RCW cavity tree in Holly Shelter Game Land in Pender County.
Winter Wonderland | NCCLT Conservation Properties | January 2025
PRESERVES BUTTON UP FOR WINTER
Right: Places in Wilmington, such as the Piney Ridge Nature Preserve and Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden, received almost 5 inches of snow.
The North Carolina coast was adorned with snow this past January. Take a look at how some of the special places you love were transformed.
ENCHANTED OCRACOKE
Ocracoke Island received a whopping 8+ inches of snow, making Springer’s Point Preserve even more enchanting.
Nesting Cavity Installation / Bern Preserve / Craven County / November 2024
NEW NESTS AT BERN
The NC Wildlife Resources Commission installed 3 artificial nesting cavities for Red-cockaded Woodpecker in mature longleaf pines at the Coastal Land Trust’s Bern Preserve. The goal is to help this threatened species expand into new locations this spring.
Far right: Everett Creek Preserve in Onslow County also felt magical during this rare snow fall.
Photo Credit: Rob Hart
RCW
Photo Credit: Lena O’Neal
More than 30 people including community volunteers, UNCW students, neighbors, members of the Cedar Hill West Bank Heritage Foundation, and NCCLT staff came together to do landscaping at Reaves Chapel, completing one of the last steps of the restoration of this historic chapel!
Scan for ways to connect!
REAVES SPRUCE-UP
SCRAPBOOK
SANDERLING’S SERENITY
Gavin Shwahla, who has given permission to the Coastal Land Trust to use his photos for promoting the Save the South End campaign, wins ScenesProfessional, People - Professional, and an honorable mention in the North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s 6th annual photo contest.
Photo Credit: Gavin Shwahla