COASTLINES VOLUME 20 // ISSUE 2 // Summer 2020
Protecting the Croatan A Natural Museum to Enjoy By Janice Allen
Coastal Land Trust Land Protection Director
“T
hat’s the old Swansboro Highway,” said Mr. Curtis Dixon, as he pointed to a narrow sandy path that led into the Croatan National Forest from the edge of his Carteret County property. I stared at the “highway” and wondered how long ago it was last used. Mr. Dixon was not sure, but he believed it was once a wagon road from this area of Newport to Swansboro. As Mr. Dixon and I walked the path into the forest, I wondered if the old-time travelers ever felt a sense of awe, like I was feeling, as they moved through this amazingly stunning longleaf forest. Perhaps not. Like travelers today, they were likely focused on getting to their destination, and prior to the mid-to-late
The Old Swansboro Highway
Croatan, continued on page 3
The promise of spring By Camilla Herlevich
Coastal Land Trust Founder and Executive Director
organization thriving, and our employees safe, healthy, supported, and productive.
We had to cancel our Spring events and we’ve missed seeing you in person! n late March, as I sat and looked But since we can’t meet you out on the outside my window here at home, land right now, we are working to bring though the streets were empty, the the beauty and restorative powers to azaleas and dogwoods and daffodils you—virtually! For example, “Flytrap still moved gently in the breeze. “Look around you,” Nature seemed to be telling Frolic Livestream!” which aired on social media on April 30, has now been viewed me. “Listen to the song of the birds. Sit more than 3,800 times. Watch it here: among the dogwoods. There is more to CoastalLandTrust.org/carnivorous. come as the days unfold.”
I
These are unprecedented times to be sure; so nature’s messages may not always get heard. My colleagues and I at the Coastal Land Trust, like all of you, are making changes every day— sometimes, it seems, every hour! Like most other businesses and nonprofits, we are working from home. We are learning from our volunteer leaders, and from others in the nonprofit community, how to keep our www.CoastalLandTrust.org
We know that for you, like us, nature matters. Nature’s rhythms comfort us, and nature’s beauty renews our spirit. Spring, especially, is nature’s time of renewal and hope. As surely as waves break along the beach, summer will follow spring, and the challenges that are so overwhelming today will eventually pass. Our goal at the Coastal Land Trust is to “keep calm and carry on.” First spring, continued on page 6
PAGE 1