Welcome to the Winter 2009 edition of Tidecast, written exclusively for the members of the Tidewater Society and members of the William Bartram Leadership Circle.

Eastern Fox Squirrel-Photo courtesy of Jeff Hall

It’s true - land trusts protect tens of thousands of acres of conservation land that remains in private ownership. So while foxes are snug in their winter dens, pitcher plants catch insects undisturbed, and longleaf seedlings reach their “candles” towards the sky, the “public” may not get to see all the glories of nature that many land trusts have preserved.

But here at the Coastal Land Trust, we make it a point each year to save places where nature can be seen, explored and enjoyed by people as well as wildlife. This past year was no exception. In fact, on the very last day of the year, December 31st, we saved a little land on the Morehead City waterfront! But I’m getting ahead of the story. The story for 2008 is that the Coastal Land Trust saved land for public enjoyment all up and down the coast—near Greenville, Wilmington, New Bern, Currituck, and (as you just heard) Morehead City.

Most of these places aren’t open for visitors yet. It may take months or years, and lots of money and staff time, to get the land ready for public use. Biologists want to inventory what they have; planners need to design and build safe trails and appropriate interpretative features, boundaries may need to be fenced, parking spots found, and perhaps rangers or caretakers may even need to be hired. So, more often than not, the Coastal Land Trust prefers to save the land, then donate it to the state, the county or a town, which has the staff to manage public visitation. That’s exactly what we did this year with some of our newest projects, with great success!

Near Greenville, we accepted a donated conservation agreement over Bray Hollow. This project covered a 102-acre tract having over half a mile of frontage on tributaries of Contentnea and Little Contentnea Creeks. The Bray family has been working through the years to acquire this property, which had been platted for development as a residential subdivision. The property was acquired by the Brays in sixteen different parcels, all with the hope of one day being able to place the property in conservation. The Brays and the Coastal Land Trust hope that the property can be used by Pitt County for environmental educational purposes, since it abuts other land already owned by the county designated as the Pitt County Environmental Education Center. In fact, the Brays are already working with Pitt County to expand the educational opportunities the County can offer.

Small tributary of Contentnea Creek- Staff Photo

North of New Bern, near Bayboro, we finalized the purchase of more than 130 acres on Upper Broad Creek from Mr. Samuel Whitehurst, part of a conservation area known as “Devil’s Garden”. Much to the delight of local residents, Craven County has accepted our donation of this land for a future nature park. Protection of this property will enhance the water quality of Upper Broad Creek, a tributary of the Neuse River, through preservation of wetlands and a forested buffer along the waterway and a tributary known as Dam Branch.

Welcome Sign at Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park, Craven County-Photo courtesy of Jan Parker, Craven County Parks and Recreation

Up in Currituck and Camden Counties, we saved almost a thousand acres of incredible mature bottomland hardwood swamp forests with enormous Bald Cypress trees when we purchased two separate tracts from a timber company. The Indiantown Creek tract is almost 650 acres in Camden and Currituck Counties. The Pasquotank River tract has 300 acres along the River in Camden County, and is reported to be home to the state trophy Atlantic White Cedar. While we caution against trudging through these dense swamp forests on foot, a favorite for black bear, we do recommend enjoying the unbroken ribbon of green by boat from the water. The vista includes almost 3 miles of undeveloped frontage along Indiantown Creek and Run Swamp Canal, and 1 1/2 miles along the Pasquotank River.

Masonboro Island, on the other hand, is among the most visited of all the properties connected to the Coastal Land Trust. The lion’s share of the credit for saving Masonboro Island goes to others—to the former Society for Masonboro Island Inc. and those with the NC Division of Coastal Management, who manage it today. But each summer since our merger with the Society, a Coastal Land Trust Law Clerk contacts the owners of inholdings. As a result of one of those contacts, the state picked up the largest recent addition to the project—more than 23 acres.

Volunteers at Big Sweep on Masonboro Island-Staff Photo

And that leaves our Morehead City waterfront project. The ink is hardly dry, but we’re ready to celebrate! At the request of the Town of Morehead City, we purchased a small tract known as “The Jib,” a triangular, sail-shaped parcel located in the historic waterfront area. Morehead City’s waterfront is a vital public space, and the Town asked us to buy and hold this tract so that it can secure funds to re-purchase the land later this summer. The waterfront is already the site of many activities for the community, including concerts, art displays, the Big Rock/Blue Marlin Sport Fishing Tournament, the NC Seafood Festival, and many other special water-related events. We applaud the Town for maintaining water access for the public and are glad to help!

Scenic view at Morehead City Waterfront-Photo courtesy of Town of Morehead City

So thanks for your support. Parks and preserves don’t magically appear because we make a wish. Instead, people have to negotiate the deals, find the financing, hire the lawyers, build the trails, and even find the parking spaces before you get to go out on the land!

Every dollar you donate means that we can do all that for you and your family—from Masonboro to Currituck—including treasures in between! Today, more than ever, there are land-buying opportunities, but we need your continued support as members of the Tidewater Society to bring these ideas to reality.

Winter 2009 Edition
Camilla M. Herlevich