COASTLINES LINES VOLUME 24 // ISSUE 3 // Fall 2024
A Piping plover enjoys the serenity of Topsail’s pristine South End. Photo credit: Gavin Shwahla
SAVE THE
SOUTH END “S aving the Lands you Love along the coast” is the tagline of the Coastal Land Trust. It is possible that these eight words have never been truer than for our effort to permanently protect the 149+ acres at the southern end of Topsail Beach. As of August 1st, the Coastal Land Trust has raised $900,000 from more than 380 donors. Support has come from year-round residents and weekend visitors, those with multi-generational connections to the island and those who recently visited for the first time, conservationists, birders, and boaters. Each story we hear emphasizes how special the South End of Topsail Beach is to people both young and old. The majority of the $8 million needed to permanently conserve the South End of Topsail Beach is expected to come from TOPSAIL, continued on page 5
The Coastal Land Trust’s Gales Creek Preserve hosts majestic longleaf pine stands like those found in the adjacent Croatan National Forest.
GROWING THE CROATAN
P
rotecting land around the Croatan National Forest has been one of the Coastal Land Trust’s highest priorities over the past 30 years. To date, NCCLT has protected more than 7,800 acres within the Croatan District boundary through 40 transactions (see map, page 5). Much of this work has been made possible by the $7.3 million NCCLT received in 2018 as part of the settlement agreement between the Sierra Club and NCDOT over the construction of the U.S. 70 Havelock Bypass. These funds have been used to protect 3,700 acres
including the purchase of a 349-acre tract that was directly transferred to the US Forest Service (USFS) to be managed as part of the Croatan. Additionally, NCCLT has protected another 4,132 acres of land using other state, federal, and private funding sources. One may ask, “Why is the Croatan such an important focus for the Coastal Land Trust?” Encompassing more than 160,000 acres, the Croatan is a bastion of natural heritage in North Carolina, representing one of the CROATAN, continued on page 5
REAVES CHAPEL RESTORATION ENTERS FINAL PHASE The restoration of Reaves Chapel is almost finished, bringing new life to this cherished landmark and preserving its legacy for future generations.
CoastalLandTrust.org
S
ince purchasing Reaves Chapel in 2019, one of the Cape Fear Region’s most culturally and historically significant African American structures, the Coastal Land Trust and Cedar Hill West Bank Heritage Foundation have worked diligently to restore the church. Each step over the past 5 years, from stabilization to a new foundation and roof, has brought the church closer to completion. The final phase of work began this summer and will continue through the
fall. The work includes installation of electrical and interior walls, construction of an external restroom facility, and installation of the driveway and parking. The restroom has been designed to complement the chapel aesthetically and will provide modern, accessible amenities for visitors to this historic space. Once the driveway and parking areas are complete, landscaping will take place. Native plantings will be used REAVES, continued on page 7
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