COASTLINES LINES VOLUME 24 // ISSUE 2 // Summer 2024
Photo Credit: Wilton Wescott
PRESERVING PARADISE
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TO
SAVE THE SOUTH END
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he southern portion of Topsail Beach, affectionately known as “The South End” or “The Point,” stands as a testament to the beauty of North Carolina’s coastline. This pristine 149+ acre property boasts over 1.6 miles of shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean, New Topsail Inlet, and Banks Channel. Here, amidst dunes, estuarine wetlands, and maritime shrub forests, an array of coastal wildlife finds refuge, from Loggerhead sea turtles to Wilson’s Plovers. Residents and visitors alike enjoy long walks along the undeveloped beach. The South End is unparalleled in coastal conservation values
and is currently unprotected from future residential development. The urgency to conserve this natural treasure led the Coastal Land Trust to embark on an ambitious campaign. The Coastal Land Trust negotiated and signed a contract to purchase The South End, marking a pivotal step towards its permanent preservation. However, this endeavor comes with a daunting challenge – raising nearly $8 million by March 2025 through grant applications to state and federal funding programs, and a significant private fundraising campaign (see page 4 for information on how to contribute to this project).
The South End of Topsail Beach represents one of the last vestiges of undeveloped, privately-owned land on North Carolina’s barrier islands. Its protection depends on community support and, together with the support of the many individuals who love the South End, the Coastal Land Trust will ensure this ecological haven remains intact for generations to come. Once the purchase is complete, the Coastal Land Trust plans to transfer the property to the State of North Carolina to be managed by the TOPSAIL, continued on page 4
COASTAL LAND TRUST SURPASSES 90,000 ACRES PROTECTED
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An aerial view of the 2,921-acre Spencer Bay property looking out toward the Pamlico Sound. Photo Credit: Mossy Oak Properites
CoastalLandTrust.org
he Coastal Land Trust is thrilled to have protected a breathtaking 2,921-acre property in Hyde County, North Carolina. This significant achievement, completed in March, marks a momentous step forward in conservation efforts in coastal North Carolina. The property boasts an impressive 50 miles of waterfront spanning Abel, Spencer, and Rose Bays. Its diverse ecosystems include pristine coastal marshlands, pond pine woodlands, oak hammocks, and a 215-acre waterfowl impoundment, making it a haven for a wide array of wildlife species.
“We are excited to have protected this spectacular property, which serves as a vital habitat for coastal wildlife,” said Harrison Marks, Executive Director of the Coastal Land Trust. Recognized by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program as one of the state’s premier areas for biodiversity and wildlife habitat, the property is home to numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds, including the American Black Duck and a variety of sandpipers. It may also provide refuge for imperiled wildlife SPENCER BAY, continued on page 5
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