Dear Tidewater Member:

Greetings from the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust! You are reading the Autumn 2007 edition of Tidecast, the quarterly updates written especially for the Coastal Land Trust Tidewater Society.

In this edition you will find details on our ongoing land acquisition and protection projects, Coastal Land Trust news, and the Coastal Land Trust’s upcoming fall and winter events. Please, read on.

Let’s talk about efficiency

When you're considering where to invest your philanthropic dollar, it is a good idea to know some things about the efficiency of the organization that you are being asked to support. Nonprofit corporations just like for profit enterprises have overhead. Some nonprofits spend so much on overhead and fundraising activities that they barely put any of their resources to work for their purpose of existence, their mission.

I am pleased to report to you that North Carolina Coastal Land Trust is certainly one of the most efficient organizations working to protect land in the nonprofit sector anywhere. Let's take a look at some numbers that you can be proud of. During the 2007 fiscal year the Coastal Land Trust was able to secure $16.8 Million of federal, state and municipal grants for land acquisition. The revenues generated from corporate, foundation, individual gifts, membership dues and special events was about $936,000. That means that for every $1 donated to the Coastal Land Trust, we were able to turn it into $18 for land protection.

Now let's take a look at expenses to analyze efficiency. If you extrapolate the total spent on general overhead and fundraising, which is approximately $200,000 against the total revenue, generated including government grants, the operating efficiency of the organization is incredible. Most organizations are proud if they can declare that 90% of their total revenues are dedicated to mission delivery. The Coastal Land Trusts efficiency is 99.6%. The picture that is painted here is simple. If you want to get the most return for your philanthropic dollar, support North Carolina Coastal Land Trust.

This kind of efficiency and effective mission delivery often piques the interest of people who wish to integrate a charity and its mission into their estate plans. North Carolina Coastal Land Trust is initiating a planned giving program for those who want to make a planned gift to the organization. A "planned" gift is generally described as a gift that generates special tax and/or income benefits to the donor during his/her life and also provides future (and sometimes immediate) benefits to the charitable organization.

We will soon have information posted on our web site as we initiate the opportunity for individuals to make planned gifts in their many forms as well as gifts of appreciated stock. All this so we can help ensure the quality of life here in coastal North Carolina.

Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of North Carolina Coastal Land Trust was held September 7, 2007 at the River Road Park on River Road in Wilmington. The gala celebration coincided with the dedication of the John and Ruth Burnett Natural Area to the citizens and visitors of New Hanover County. The John and Ruth Burnett Natural Area will be designed as a nature park and will include walking trails and other passive recreational opportunities. The event was kicked off with driving tours of the John and Ruth Burnett Natural Area.

A cocktail hour began the event at the park and the attendees were treated to the music of Mojo Collins, always a crowd favorite. The evening was a fun time for everyone who attended. If you missed it try not to miss next year's. Kudos to Nancy Preston and the staff for their excellent planning and hard work that led to a great meeting.

President David Huffine called the meeting to order. The activities of the business meeting included the re-election of Bob Emory, Cheryl Smith, Dave Whaley and Beth Storie to the Board of Directors. Two new Board members were also elected, Dr. Don Hoss and Jwantana Frink. David Huffine introduced the new President and Officers. Michael Murchison is the newly elected President, Bob Emory; Vice-President, Diana Corbett; secretary and Lyle B. McMerty; Treasurer. President Huffine also recognized the service of outgoing Board members Hannah Gage and John Fussell.

The award ceremony included:

• 2007 Landowner Awards to Joe and Gloria Hughes, The Adams family, and Dr. David Sloan and Calvin Wells


• 2007 Conservation Awards went to Tyler Harris, Bill Rogers, and Carmen Lombardo of Cherry Point MCAS


• The Not-For-Profit Award went to Allies for Cherry Point’s Tomorrow


• The Corporation of the Year went to Great Outdoor Provision Company


• Volunteer of the Year Pat Rowe

The Presidents Award went to Coastal Land Trust former employee, Bruce Watkins for his vision and for securing numerous properties in Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, Sampson, Bladen and Duplin counties.

Newly elected President Michael Murchison recognized the outstanding leadership of outgoing President David Huffine and presented him with a beautifully framed photograph by Walker Golder of Audubon, North Carolina.

The Tidewater Society and Bartram Leadership Circle members were recognized.

Some of the highlights of the meeting included having Judge Gil Burnett and his brother Julian share stories of the history of their family land. Judge Burnett told of his memories of wandering the Burnett property with his father and brother when he was a child. He spoke of how they always took with them a fried egg sandwich, a banana, and a Pepsi. Fried egg sandwiches and banana hors d’oeuvres were served to the membership in honor of the Burnett family’s generosity in helping make the Natural Area become a reality.

Executive Director Camilla Herlevich gave an overview of the year and the year end finances. The Coastal Land Trust celebrated a great year of mission accomplishment and solid financial performance.





A special invitation to all Tidewater members

Please mark your calendars for January 26, 2008 from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The Coastal Land Trust will be holding an oyster roast, celebration and gala at the Five Eagles Farm at Rocky Point. Five Eagles farm is the home of John and Judy Thomas, your hosts, along with David Huffine. Tidewater members are invited and it is free! This is our way of thanking you, the members of the Tidewater Society for your generous support of the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust. If you have a friend or friends who might be good candidates to join our Tidewater Society and become conservation stewards, please invite them too. No hard sell promised. We will tell about our good and important work and enjoy a day of fun and friendship. There will be tours of the farm, music to entertain you, retriever demonstrations, games and lots of food and drinks. In addition to the oysters there will be a buffet including southern style chicken, grits, coleslaw and other succulent food. Dress according to the weather as everything will be held outside under tent and shelter. We will be sending personal invitations to each of you with more specific details including maps on how to get there and an RSVP for you and any guests that you may bring.

CONSERVING SPECIAL PLACES

For more information on places to enjoy nature, please visit our website.
You’ll find links to wonderful places that the Coastal Land Trust has
saved, including:

• public gardens, like beautiful Airlie Gardens in
  New Hanover County


• places to hunt, like Turkey Quarter Island in Craven County


• places to bird watch, like Sea Gate Woods in Carteret County


• parks with kayak launches, like the Oakhurst Nature Park in
  Onslow County


• places to botanize, like the BW Wells Savannah, in Pender County


• places to explore culture, history and nature, like Springer’s Point
  on the Outer Banks

And there are more pleasures in store, so keep checking our website. For example, Brunswick County is working to open its new 900-acre nature preserve.The Coastal Land Trust will keep finding ways to protect more of the lands you love.

Fall Events

Oct 13, 2007 - Big Sweep on Masonboro Island
The Coastal Land Trust will be participating in Big Sweep- coordinating the clean up of Masonboro Island on October 13th. If you would like to volunteer please contact our volunteer coordinator Mary Beth Bankson by email at volcoordinator@coastallandtrust.org or calling our Wilmington office 910/790-4524.
We are always looking for volunteer boats (with captains) to ferry people to the site.

Oct 14, 2007 - Fall Paddle on Shelter Creek
The Coastal Land Trust is hosting a fall canoe trip on Shelter Creek- Sunday Oct. 14 for the afternoon (half day trip). Come see some of our protected properties when the weather cools off and the bugs die down- by taking a leisurely paddle down Shelter Creek in Pender County. Space is limited and there is a charge for this trip. Our website will provide cost and time. Please contact Jesica by email- jesica@coastallandtrust.org, or by calling our Wilmington office 910/790-4524 to reserve your spot.

Nov 3, 2007 Wrightsville Beach Kayak Race
The 4th Annual Wrightsville Beach Kayak Race will be held sound side from Blockade Runner Hotel at Wrightsville Beach on Saturday, November 3rd at 11am. Sponsors of the race include Salt Marsh Kayak Company and Great Outdoor Provision Company. Race divisions will include a 3-mile fun loop, 6-mile main event, and 500-meter sprint for kid’s 12 and under. Families, novices, serious racers, and onlookers are all encouraged to come take part in the festivities.

In addition, a raffle will be held after the race. In previous years, raffle items have included a Hurricane Aquasports kayak and over $4,000 in donated gear. For more information or for raffle tickets, contact Nancy at 910-790-4524 or email nancy@coastallandtrust.org. For entry forms, visit the Salt Marsh Kayak Company website at www.saltmarshkayak.com/events.htm.

Thanks for all you do to help make us the best that we can be.

We appreciate all you do for the Coastal Land Trust!

Yours in conservation,

Gary West
Director of Development

P.S. The purpose of Tidecast is to keep you informed of upcoming events, news about the organization and ongoing conservation projects. If you’d prefer that I use a different email address, if you’d like me to add a family member to the list, or if you would rather not receive these emails, just let me know. I would be happy to mail you a paper copy of Tidecast each quarter or take you off the list altogether. And I promise to never share your email address with another party.