Above: Prescribed burn at Everett Creek Preserve. Right: A mimic glass lizard finds a home.
By purchasing a specialty plate, you can fund our future by creating a new sustainable revenue stream that can greatly increase our ability to protect the beauty of the NC coast. For each plate on the road, the Land Trust receives $20 to fund coastal conservation – the other $10 supports tourism and highway beautification throughout the state. Visit www.CoastalLandTrust.org/licenseplate for more information on how you can get yours today!
PAGE
Leo Jack Award
“Veterans Garden” Groundbreaking Ceremony
CENTRAL OFFICE Janice L. Allen Deputy Director 3301-G Trent Road New Bern, NC 28562 (252) 634-1927 (252) 633-4179 Fax janice@coastallandtrust.org MAIN OFFICE 131 Racine Drive, Suite 202 Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 790-4524 (910) 790-0392 Fax Camilla M. Herlevich Executive Director ext. 206 camilla@coastallandtrust.org John Napiecek Business Manager ext. 204 john@coastallandtrust.org
T
he Coastal Land Trust contracted with Premier Forestry to carry out a prescribed or controlled burn over 65 acres of our Everett Creek Preserve in Onslow County on March 14th, 2014. The purpose of the burn was to clear out small trees and brush to open up the forest floor to sunlight which will allow the growth of grasses and forbs (herbaceous flowering plants) that attract a diversity of wildlife. Fire in the forest can be very useful and even essential to the health and productivity of many wildlife habitats in the Coastal Plain. Indeed, many of our native Coastal Plain plants and animals are adapted to periodic fire. The benefits of fire include: killing back of certain plant species, nutrient recycling, opening up the forest floor to sunlight, the stimulation of new plant growth, and controlling pests and/or invasive plants. Even when fire kills some trees there are positive wildlife benefits because many cavity nesting birds and their insect prey depend on dead, decaying trees. Frequent fires help maintain habitat structure, for example, an open park-like setting in a longleaf pine forest. Fire once occurred naturally on a regular basis on the Coastal Plain, ignited by lightning and fueled by an understory of grass and pine straw found in many habitats in this region. Native Americans once used fire intentionally to clear land, improve habitat
Board of Directors Board members serve three, three-year staggered terms. Board members are elected each year by the membership during the annual meeting. VICE PRESIDENT Edward Norvell Salisbury, NC & Ocracoke, NC
SECRETARY Ken Shanklin Wilmington, NC
Merrie Jo Alcoke New Bern, NC
John Fussell Morehead City, NC
John Haley, III Wilmington, NC
Paul E. Hosier Wilmington, NC
David Huffine Wilmington, NC
Bob Jones Wilmington, NC
Jason L. Kesler Wilmington, NC
George Liner Havelock, NC
Bob Oakes Nags Head, NC
Peter Rascoe, III Southern Shores, NC
Ann Cary Simpson Chapel Hill, NC
George H. Wood Kill Devil Hills, NC
Clark Wright New Bern, NC
PAGE 6
NC Coastal Land Trust in the Community
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 316 Wilmington, NC
Prescribed Burning at Everett Creek
PRESIDENT Kevin Hicks Wilmington, NC The Coastal Land Trust preserves the forests, waterways, beaches and farms that make our coast such a great place to live, work, and play. Since 1992, we’ve protected more than 61,000 acres in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina.
NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL LAND TRUST
Right: John Bray, who with his wife, Nancy, owns A Time for Science Nature and Science Learning Center near Ayden, points to Contentnea Creek during a “tractor pull and wagon tour” of the property. The field trip was incorporated into the April Board meeting in Greenville. A Time for Science is under conservation easement to the Coastal Land Trust.
SOME LIKE IT HOT!
COASTLINES NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL LAND TRUST
NORTHEAST OFFICE Lee L. Leidy Northeast Region Director Attorney at Law 205 N. Water Street, Ste. 1 Elizabeth City, NC 27909 (252) 335-9495 lee@coastallandtrust.org
The French name for this bird species is “nonpareil.” Which bird is it?
Tatum Justice has been with the Coastal Land Trust since January 2014 in the position of Stewardship Assistant. Her duties include assisting the Stewardship Department with annual monitoring, trail work, restoration efforts and development activities. Tatum obtained her B.S. in Biology from Salem College and has worked with agencies such as the Carolina Beach State Park and AmeriCorps in Colorado. Her favorite aspect of working in land conservation is preserving the ecological habitats unique to the North Carolina coast where she grew up. When she’s off the clock she enjoys traveling, hiking, camping and looking for her next adventure!
A. Ruby-throated hummingbird B. Painted Bunting C. Prothonotary Warbler
Justice Joins Staff
Answer on Page 2
Board on the Move - A Time for Science
Nature Trivia
Stewardship Duties Swell
Left: In the wagon (left to right): Board members Kevin Hicks, Ann Simpson, Merrie Jo Alcoke, Jason Kesler; staff Camilla Herlevich and Lee Leidy. Land Committee member Randy Beardsworth is hidden behind Camilla.
Photo Credit: James Parnell
L
and and nature matter to us as individuals—we enjoy a solitary walk in the woods or a paddle down the river. But land and nature can also bring us together and enrich our communities. The stories in this newsletter celebrate such places and such communities. I am grateful for those who’ve joined the Coastal Land Trust’s giving circles—the communities of donors who are members of the Tidewater Society, the Live Oak Society or the William Bartram Leadership Circle. And I’m also grateful to be a member of the community of land trusts. It’s incredibly inspirational to see how the research and scholarship of Dr. Stan Riggs can be used to make our coastal communities safer and more resilient places. Or to see how Dave Allen’s technique to “create a better bird box” was used to save literally hundreds of magnificent red-cockaded woodpeckers after Hurricane Hugo. Or to welcome young people, and their fresh ideas and enthusiasm, to land trust work. You, too, as a member of the Coastal Land Trust, are a part of the larger community of conservationists in our state and nation. It’s thanks to you that our coastal communities are enriched!
Save the Date
Creating Communities for Conservation
September 20, 2014 Coastal Land Trust Annual Celebration and Lawn Party
October 4, 2014 Family Fun Day at Brunswick Nature Park
Message from the Director
COASTLINES
A
lthough I travel throughout the country each month on business, I always look forward to coming home to my family and to my own community of Wilmington. Our family enjoys the Flytrap Frolic and the Field Day at Five Eagles Farm, both of which are hosted on properties protected by the Coastal Land Trust. As President of the Coastal Land Trust, I enjoy seeing how our conservation projects contribute to the quality of life in other coastal communities, too. In New Bern, the Veterans Garden project will provide healthy local produce and a place for disabled veterans to find transitional employment. Near Greenville, the Bray family has created a place for kids in their community to enjoy nature while learning about science, at their own family nature preserve, protected with conservation easements. And on Ocracoke Island, the community comes together each year to support Springer’s Point Preserve. The mission of the Coastal Land Trust is: To enrich the coastal communities of our state through the acquisition of open space and natural areas, conservation education and the promotion of good land stewardship. Let’s keep at it!
131 Racine Drive, Suite 202 Wilmington, North Carolina 28403
Our Mission: Enriching Coastal Communities
VOLUME 14 // ISSUE 2 SUMMER 2014
Workplace Giving
Message from the President
A Way to Give More
The Coastal Land Trust is proud to be a member of EarthShareNC! EarthShare NC partners with businesses across the state to engage employees in the work of over 70 environmental organizations. Giving campaigns educate employees about the value of protecting North Carolina’s natural resources. They promote participation in the work of these organizations which brings much-needed support. It is an opportunity for environmentally-conscious employees and workplaces to support hundreds of environmental groups through a charitable-giving drive. ESNC participates in campaigns at public and private sector workplaces across the state and has raised over $7.5 million to preserve our natural heritage. Look for the Coastal Land Trust in your workplace giving campaign (SECC #1113, CFC # 91392) or contact Vann Pearsall (910) 790-4524 x210 for information on how your business can get involved!
COASTLINES
TREASURER Sadie S. Price Wilmington, NC
Jesica C. Blake Director of Stewardship ext. 203 jesica@coastallandtrust.org Jennifer Avesing Stewardship Biologist ext. 207 jennifer@coastallandtrust.org
for wild game and reduce insect populations. Within the last century, fires were suppressed because of fear for loss of human structures and health. Many wildlife species declined because of the removal of fire in their habitats. Now that the science of prescribed burning allows for safe and controlled fires, land managers are using the tool as a way to restore and maintain important native habitats like longleaf pine forests and the wildlife species that depend on them. If you like to watch wildlife, many songbirds such as Bachman’s sparrow and pine and prairie warblers as well as many other non-hunted wildlife such as pinewoods tree frogs and mimic glass lizards live in fire-adapted forests. Some cool wildlife species occasionally need a hot forest!
Land Trust By the Numbers TOTAL ACRES PROTECTED:
61,986
A
fter two years of cultivating the Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden, Lovay Wallace-Singleton’s dream of a garden to benefit homeless and disabled veterans became a reality on March 28, 2014, in New Bern. Wallace-Singleton, a 20-year air traffic controller for the U.S. Navy and a disabled veteran, said the purpose of the Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden will be to decrease the veteran homeless population in Craven County,
enhance the quality of life for disabled veterans and increase organic produce in the county. The Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden worked with the Coastal Land Trust to apply for grants until its non-profit status was finalized. The project fits into the Land Trust’s farmland conservation and military partnership efforts. Visit www.veteransorganicgarden. com for more information about the Veterans Garden and those it will serve.
Beth W. Steelman Development Associate/ Volunteer Coordinator ext. 200 bsteelman@coastallandtrust.org
STAY IN TOUCH WEB www.CoastalLandTrust.org
NC Coastal Land Trust
Albemarle Margie Sawyer with Patterns
M
argie Sawyer was the featured artist in the Jenkins Gallery in April in Elizabeth City during Arts of the Albemarle’s First Friday Art Walk in. Her exhibit, “Preserving the Places We Love,” was highlighted in collaboration with the NC Coastal Land Trust. The Land Trust was selected to benefit from the proceeds of a portion of the sales from her exhibit. A well-known regional artist, Margie has award-winning works exhibited in local, state and regional shows.
I
n February, Leo Jack was recognized by the Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Development Coalition for his very special stewardship of our region’s native Venus flytrap. After learning that more than 1,000 Venus flytraps were stolen from the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden, Leo decided to step up to protect his local environment by donating all of his birthday money to help replant the flytraps. Because of his unselfish act, he brought greater attention to the need for increased protection of one of our region’s precious resources.
Wilmington Tree Commission Award
Vann Pearsall Director of Development ext. 210 vann@coastallandtrust.org
TOTAL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERSHIPS:
1,715
From left: Steven Maharrey, Brittany Atkinson, Lovay Wallace-Singleton, Rebecca Brooks and Heather Harkley.
Tatum Justice Stewardship Assistant ext. 201 tatum@coastallandtrust.org
Stephanie Borrett Development Assistant ext. 209 stephanie@coastallandtrust.org
With Leo, who is holding his Stewardship Champion Award, are Julie Rehder and Camilla Herlevich.
Arts of the
Piney Ridge Nature Preserve was recognized in March by the Wilmington Tree Commission for outstanding environmental design. The Commission’s purpose is to promote and endorse programs and policies to support, maintain and grow our urban forest, increase public education and establish award and
Fly Trap Frolic
recognition programs as incentives to encourage a healthy, safe and attractive natural environment for the City of Wilmington. The Preserve is home to the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden and is held under conservation easement by the Coastal Land Trust. Receiving the award from Nina Johnston (with sign), Superintendent of Parks and Urban Forestry for the City, is Executive Director Camilla Herlevich (center front). Representing the Preserve with Camilla are (back row from left) Julie Rehder, Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden, and Dan Sheret, volunteer. Also pictured are Jennifer O’Keefe and son Quinn, City volunteer Jerry Bell and Barbara Sullivan.
Wine Not...It’s Friday
Whole Foods held their popular Fourth Friday event the night before the Flytrap Frolic to benefit the Coastal Land Trust. Whole Foods Team Members with Ms. Flytrap are from left: Ferris (Customer Service Team Member), Tyler (Associate Store Team Leader), Lynn (Demo Team Member), Erin (Marketing Team Leader) and Leilani (Demo Specialist).
Far left: Bright yellow and red pitcher plants are easy to spot, but you have to get low to the ground to see the Venus flytraps. Left: Local Girl Scouts visit the educational booth set up by the NC Carnivorous Plant Society to learn about pitcher plants.
Pre-Press Composition By: Copycat Printshop, Wilmington, NC
www.CoastalLandTrust.org
PAGE 1