On Friday, March 18, 2005, at an elegant reception on Arbor Day at the Dye Clubhouse in Landfall, Wilmington, Mr. J. Griffin Weld and Mr. Michael Murchison officially introduced the Tidewater Society, the new giving society for the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust's most generous donors.


In her address to the guests, Ms. Camilla Herlevich, the Coastal Land Trust's founder and executive director, explained, "We created the Tidewater Society to recognize you, our most important donors, and to encourage new donors to join your ranks."


She said, "You are our environmental heroes. We initiated the Tidewater Society to thank you for all that you do for the Coastal Land Trust."


As Mr. Weld explained, the timing for the inception of the Tidewater Society could not be more urgent, given the intense development pressure on the coast. "We've raised millions of dollars from public sources for purchasing natural lands, but the Tidewater Society provides the mainstay of our operating fund, the money to do the grant-writing and land negotiations."


He said, "The thing about staff is that they don't come to work if they don't get paid. The Tidewater Society ensures that we can pay our staff to do the conservation." Mr. Weld urged donors to increase their giving to join the Tidewater Society with a membership gift of $1,000.


To celebrate Arbor Day, guests were given a longleaf pine seedling to plant in their gardens. The seedlings were courtesy of Keep America Beautiful. Guests were also invited to attend a wildflower walk on the B.W. Wells Savannah on May 21, a unique chance to preview the Pender County preserve after its first managed burn in January. Tidewater Society members were invited to attend the walk free of charge.


Mr. Bruce Watkins, Land Protection Specialist for the Coastal Land Trust, described the organization's work on Town Creek and the Lower Cape Fear River in Brunswick County and reported the conservation of 10,000 acres there.


Ms. Herlevich also announced the Coastal Land Trust's most recent success: the purchase of 100 acres on the Northeast Cape Fear River, bringing the land trust's total portfolio to 30,000 protected acres. Yet, she added, "As I get older, the more I realize that conservation is less about dollars and number of acres and more about people and their connections to the land."


Mr. Murchison thanked the reception hosts: Lyell and Brian McMerty, Beth and Ben Steelman, Judy and John Thomas, Kyle McIntyre, Karen Hanson and Mark Ragozzino, Sam Rankin, and Hannah and Stephanie Holt. Mr. and Mrs. Weld and Mr. Murchison and Barbara Sullivan were also reception hosts.


We wish to especially thank Ms. Beth White Steelman for her dedication and energy in planning the reception and initiating the Tidewater Society.