COASTLINES Summer 2026
JESICA BLAKE SELECTED AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COASTAL LAND TRUST
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resident of the Board Bob Emory has announced the selection of Jesica Blake as the next Executive Director of the Coastal Land Trust, beginning October 1, marking a new chapter for an organization she has helped shape for more than two decades. Jesica joined the Coastal Land Trust in 2002 as its first stewardship staff member, and over the years she has become one of the organization’s most respected leaders — guiding the long-term care of protected lands, strengthening stewardship practices, and helping advance the mission of permanent land conservation across coastal North Carolina. “Jesica brings a rare combination of deep institutional knowledge, strategic leadership, and credibility in the conservation community,” said Bob Emory. “She has dedicated her career to protecting the places we all love, and the board is confident that her experience, judgment, and passion make her the right person to lead the Coastal Land Trust into the future.” Jesica’s history with the Coastal
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Jesica and Harrison at Flytrap Frolic in the midst of a serious business meeting.
Land Trust is both long and distinguished. In her current role as Associate Director, she has expanded her responsibilities beyond stewardship to include organizational strategy and people
operations, helping build a strong and collaborative team. She is widely recognized as a leader in land stewardship throughout the southeast and has earned BLAKE, cont’d. on page 3 CoastalLandTrust.org
A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR the trust, support, and encouragement you have shown me throughout this journey .
Dear Members and Friends, By the time the next Coastlines arrives in your mailbox my days as Executive Director will be winding down and I will be looking forward in happy anticipation to Jesica Blake becoming Executive Director on October 1st. It has been a privilege to serve as the Executive Director of the Coastal Land when the public’s commitment to land conservation is on the rise. Together, we have celebrated important achievements and continued to strengthen the organization in support of the mission that brings us all together. I am proud of what we have accomplished and inspired by the dedication of our staff, our Board of Directors and the generosity of our donors. I am deeply grateful for
CONTENTS Executive Director Announcement. . . . . 1 Note from the Executive Director. . . . . . . 2 Nature Trivia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 14 Reaves Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Springer’s Point Turns 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Topsail Milestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Conference News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Whitehurst Property Preserved. . . . . . . . 7 Op-Ed: Cal Bryant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Funding Partners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Planned Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Volunteer of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 People in the News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15 Scrapbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-20 Board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Save the Date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Coastal Land Trust Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
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It gives me great confidence and joy to know that Jesica will be the new Executive Director. She brings a passion for our mission, extraordinary knowledge, and a deep commitment to the future of this organization. There could not be a better choice to serve in this role, and the organization will continue to grow and excel under her leadership. Please consider how you might increase your support and commitment as Jesica and the entire Coastal Land Trust team continue to grow and protect more special places throughout the coastal plain. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this remarkable chapter in the life of the Coastal Land Trust. While this is my last column as Executive Director, I will continue to contribute in whatever ways may be helpful to Jesica and the organization. My commitment to our mission and appreciation for this organization and each one of you who contributes in some way to make our work possible remain steadfast. I leave the Executive Director role with a full heart and every confidence in Jesica and the rest of the Coastal Land Trust team.
Sincerely, Harrison Marks Executive Director, Coastal Land Trust
NATURE TRIVIA
Answer on page 14
The female eastern tiger swallowtail is a mimic of which insect? A) Pipevine swallowtail B) Spicebush swallowtail C) Palamedes swallowtail
COASTLINES SUMMER 2026
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SCRAPBOOK: REAVES CHAPEL AWARD The Coastal Land Trust is honored to have been awarded the 2026 Preservation Award from The Historic Wilmington Foundation for our work and partnership in completing the restoration of the historic Reaves Chapel in Navassa. This award is dedicated to all of those, past, present, and future, who are connected to this special place. Pictured L to R: Jan Brewington (President of The Historic Wilmington Foundation), Jesica Blake (Associate Director of the Coastal Land Trust), and Carol Bullock (Executive Director of The Historic Wilmington Foundation).
BLAKE, cont’d. from page 1
designation as a Land Trust Alliance Advanced Practitioner. Her national involvement has further elevated the Coastal Land Trust’s profile, including years of service as a presenter and contributor on stewardship issues and her election to the Terrafirma governing members committee, where she helps support sound risk management and strong conservation practices across the land trust community. Bob also expresses appreciation for Harrison Marks, whose steady leadership helped guide the CoastalLandTrust.org
organization through an important period of transition. Harrison brought experience, calm judgment, and a deep love for the coast to the executive director role in the fall of 2022, strengthening relationships across the organization and helping position the Coastal Land Trust for its next phase of success. “It has been a privilege to serve the Coastal Land Trust in this role and to work alongside such a talented and committed team,” said Harrison Marks. “Jesica has been central to this organization’s success for many years. COASTLINES SUMMER 2026
She understands the mission at every level, has earned the trust of colleagues and partners across the region and beyond, and is exceptionally well prepared to lead the Land Trust forward.” With Jesica at the helm, the Coastal Land Trust is poised to build on its strong foundation of conservation, stewardship, and community partnership. Her selection reflects both continuity and momentum — honoring the organization’s history while embracing the opportunities ahead to protect the remarkable lands and waters of North Carolina’s coastal plain.
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SPRINGER’S POINT T PRESERVE TURNS 20
Director of Land Protection Kenneth Lingerfelt leads folks who were interested in learning about Springer’s Point for an on-site look at why saving this special place was so important.
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his year marks a milestone for Springer’s Point Preserve on Ocracoke Island — one of North Carolina coast’s most beloved public landscapes celebrates 20 years since opening to visitors in May 2006. Permanently protected in four separate transactions, the preserve now encompasses more than 132 acres of maritime forest, tidal red cedar forest, salt marsh, wet grasslands, and soundside shoreline overlooking Pamlico Sound and the legendary Teach’s Hole. Along its winding trail, visitors pass ancient live oaks and rich native habitat before arriving at a quiet beach long connected to Ocracoke’s lore and history. Springer’s Point is treasured not only for its natural beauty, but also for the story of how it was saved. The first 31 acres were protected in 2002, another 91 acres were added in 2006, and later acquisitions in 2020 and 2021 completed the vision for a fully protected preserve. Today, it remains one of the last undeveloped places of its kind on the island, offering residents and visitors a chance to walk, birdwatch, reflect, and experience a landscape that feels timeless. As Springer’s Point turns 20, the anniversary is a celebration of conservation, community support, and the enduring value of protecting special places for future generations.
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ANOTHER MAJOR MILESTONE FOR TOPSAIL
Piping plovers depend on undisturbed beaches and dune habitats to rest, forage, and raise their young along the coast — and thanks to conservation success, the south end of Topsail will provide that sanctuary.
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ollowing the Coastal Land Trust’s successful purchase of the South Topsail property in April 2025, the property has now been handed over to the State of North Carolina for longterm protection and management as Topsail Nature Preserve. The transition ensures that this remarkable stretch of beach, dunes, wetlands, and wildlife habitat will remain protected for future generations while continuing to welcome the public for responsible recreation, education, and enjoyment. That next chapter was celebrated with a public ceremony on May 19, when state leaders, local officials, community members, and
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Photo credit: Gavin Shwahla
conservation partners gathered at the preserve to mark the official transfer. The event recognized years of grassroots advocacy, donor support, and collaboration that made permanent protection possible. Reid Wilson, NC Department of Environmental Quality payed tribute to the Coastal Land Trust’s efforts: “Conserving places like this strengthens the long-term resilience of our coastal communities, protects natural habitats and preserves the natural features that help our coast adapt to changing environmental conditions.” While ownership has shifted to the state, the Coastal Land Trust will continue to play an important
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role by continuing to organize, coordinate and provide training for the South Topsail Stewards, a volunteer group dedicated to helping care for the preserve through habitat protection, litter cleanup, and public education. “The South Topsail Stewards are an essential part of what makes long-term conservation work,” said Lauren Waibel. “Their presence on the ground helps protect sensitive habitat, welcome visitors into a culture of stewardship, and strengthen the community’s connection to this extraordinary place. Even as the preserve enters state ownership, the Stewards will remain a vital way for people to stay involved in caring for the South End.”
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COASTAL LAND TRUST IS A
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lack bears don’t know when they’ve crossed from Virginia to North Carolina — they just know there’s a wildlife corridor of forested land where they can roam freely.” So began Cal Bryant's column in the January 27, 2026 edition of the Roanoke-Chowan Herald prompted by his research on all the projects completed in the region by the Coastal Land Trust. His column detailed one of the first of a series of projects benefitting the area. “In December of 2016, the Coastal Land Trust purchased a 950-acre tract on the Chowan River Tract in Gates County, situated between 30,000-acres of the Chowan Swamp Game Lands owned by the State of North Carolina and 3,100-acres of the South Quay Nature Preserve owned by Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Thus, this acquisition linked conservation lands between two states in a vast green corridor along the Chowan River. “The property was transferred to the state of North Carolina, managed by the Wildlife Resources Commission to benefit its diverse wildlife from black bear and bobcat to barred owl and bobwhite quail. “By adding this valuable property to the Chowan Swamp Game Lands, hunters, anglers, wildlife watchers, and others can enjoy it for generations to come.”
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Events Coordinator Lizzie Barkley and Director of Land Protection Kenneth Lingerfelt peer down the 80+ ft Chowan River Bluffs overlooking the wide expanse of the Chowan River. COASTLINES SUMMER 2026
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GODSEND TO OUR AREA We are very appreciative of Bryant’s unsolicited column lauding the work of the Coastal Land Trust. To read the full story, scan the QR code to the right.
“The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust continues to be at the forefront of preserving the beauty and the rich history of our coastal communities.”
—Cal Bryant
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ontributing to Cal Bryant’s remarkable depiction of the organization’s conservation work throughout the northeast region of North Carolina, the Coastal Land Trust also protected the 577-acre Meherrin River Preserve located in northern Northampton County, NC. In partnership with the Virginia chapter of The Nature Conservancy, this project was completed in two phases which took place in 2012 and 2016.
Map of the Meherrin River Preserve protected in two separate transactions, 421 acres (2012) and 156 acres (2016), with funding from U.S. Fish and Wildlife grants as well as private contributions.
The preserve features a stunning old-growth hardwood forest composed of mature cypress, tupelo, oak, and maple trees along more than one and a half miles of the Meherrin River and is considered both a State Significant
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Natural Heritage Site and a Regionally Significant Aquatic Site. The Coastal Land Trust is grateful to Cal Bryant for taking the time to showcase the impact of the organization's conservation work and partnerships in the northeast region of North Carolina.
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LTA SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE
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n April, staff from the North Carolina Coastal Land Conservation Trust and the Florida Trail Association Trust joined conservation leaders from across the that addressed practical solutions for improving Southeast in Greenville, South Carolina for the trail accessibility on publicly accessible conserva2026 Southeast Land Conservation Conference, tion lands. Together, these workshops reinforced a hosted by the Land Trust powerful theme: conserAlliance. Held April 28–30 vation is strongest when it at the Hyatt Regency is collaborative, communiGreenville, the conferty-informed, and built for ence brought together long-term impact. land trust professionKenneth Lingerfelt led a als and conservation workshop at the conferpartners from across ence on the importance the region to exchange of Geographical Inforideas, strengthen relationmation Systems (GIS) for ships, and explore new land conservation work approaches to protecting and discussed tools and the places communities resources to help other value most. Representland trusts begin building the Coastal Land ing their own geospaTrust were Brian Rubino, tial capacity. Michael Northeast Region DirecGaffney, a former Duke tor; Mellissa Dionesotes, Stanback Fellow with the Land and Stewardship Coastal Land Trust and Manager; and Kenneth now Conservation & GIS Lingerfelt, Director of Specialist with Foothills Land Protection. From L to R: Director of Land Protection Kenneth Conservancy, co-led the Lingerfelt, Land & Stewardhip Manager Mellissa Among the many standworkshop with Kenneth. Dionesotes, and Northeast Region Director Brian Rubino out sessions, staff were Their session offered a walk away from the SE conference with new ideas and especially inspired by practical introduction to lasting connections. examples of partnership the history of geography in action. One workshop highlighted a collaborathat shaped modern GIS, an overview of how GIS tion among Catawba Lands Conservancy, Foothills supports land conservation work, and a set of tools Conservancy, and the Catawba Tribe focused on and resources to help land trusts begin building their river cane restoration, monitoring, and Indigenous own geospatial capacity. Reflecting on the experistewardship practices on protected lands. Another, ence, Kenneth shared, “It was an absolute pleasure led by Triangle Land Conservancy and HeirShares to work with Michael on the workshop and a fantastic — co-founded by Coastal Land Trust board member opportunity to describe the different ways that GIS Mavis Gragg — explored the importance of heirs’ data analysis drives land conservation efforts in our property within the broader land conservation moverespective regions of North Carolina.” The conferment. Heirs' property refers to land that has been ence as a whole provided meaningful opportunities passed down through family generations with no to learn from peers, share expertise, and bring fresh clear title recorded at a county registry of deeds. ideas back to conservation work across the North Staff also attended a session presented by Alachua Carolina coast.
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Protected through generations of stewardship, the Whitehurst property showcases the beauty and variety of North Carolina’s coastal longleaf pine landscape.
WHITEHURST PROPERTY PRESERVED
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ver the last 20 years, the Latham and Whitehurst families have taken steps to protect much of their original farm in Craven County, NC. Composed of longleaf pine sand ridges, pond pine woodlands and flatwoods, cypress-dominant tidal swamps, and tidal freshwater marsh, the historical Whitehurst property provides a representative taste of the ecological diversity found within the region.
The late Mr. Samuel L. Whitehurst, a former North Carolina State Representative and Senator, grew up on the property, which is part of the larger approximately 2,000acre farm belonging to Mr. Whitehurst’s father’s family (the Latham Family) since the early 1800s. Mr. Whitehurst was passionate about conserving some of this family land and took his first step in 2007 by placing a working forest CoastalLandTrust.org
conservation easement on 181.8 acres of land along Upper Broad Creek. The following year, Mr. Whitehurst sold another 132 acres located further downstream to the Coastal Land Trust, which then transferred the property to Craven County to become the now popular Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park. Through the years, Mr. Whitehurst also sold more than 600-acres of land to the State of North Carolina to become part of the 5,600-acre Neuse River Game Lands, which lie adjacent to the family lands. Then, this spring, the Coastal Land Trust worked with Carolyn Whitehurst, Mr. Whitehurst’s daughter, to honor her father’s legacy and conserve another 190 acres of family land through two conservation easements – each on a different portion of the property. The Whitehurst Family has COASTLINES SUMMER 2026
placed nearly 1,000 acres of their historical family land in conservation, ensuring that the ecological diversity of the property, which lies within the Duck Creek Wetlands/ Upper Broad Creek Natural Heritage Site deemed of Very High Ecological Significance by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, is protected in perpetuity. Now the property they’ve dedicated to conservation exists as a forever protected haven for wildlife and a stunning display of North Carolina’s coastal natural communities. The Whitehurst Family’s enduring commitment to conservation has left a lasting mark on the landscape of coastal North Carolina. Through their vision and stewardship, these lands will remain protected, preserving both their ecological significance and family legacy for generations to come.
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COASTAL LAND TRUST FUNDING PARTNERS $25,000 – $100,000 +
THE SAXER FAMILY FOUNDATION
JOHNSTON FAMILY FOUNDATION $10,000 – $24,999
J‘ . TYLEE WILSON FAMILY FOUNDATION
CEDAR HILL WEST BANK HERITAGE FOUNDATION
EDDIE AND JO ALLISON SMITH FAMILY FOUNDATION, INC.
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$2,500 – $9,999
RODNEY WHITE FOUNDATION
CAROL B. PHELON FOUNDATION
$1,000 – $2,499
POINT CLAN, LLC
DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION PAC
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR A GREATER RICHMOND ELEMENT ONE, INC ROUNDS LLC
$500 – $999 • • • •
Air-Call Cmmunications, Inc. Cheerwine The Country Club of Landfall Dunn, Pittman, Skinner & Ashton Attorneys at Law
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• • • • •
Hunt Brothers Pizza Lackey Lighting and Irrigation G. R. Little Agency, Inc. Perfetti Port City Direct Primary Care COASTLINES SUMMER 2026
• • • • •
Rock Creek Land Company, LLC Scoot® Frozen Lemonade Village Craftsmen of Ocracoke, Inc. Wild Bird and Garden XXL Wines
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PLANNED GIVING FOR THE FUTURE OF COASTAL LAND How a legacy gift can support the people, places, and conservation values you care about most
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planned gift is one of the most meaningful ways to care for the people and places you love while creating a lasting legacy. Through your estate plans, you can provide for family, express your values, and help ensure that the coast and other special landscapes remain protected for generations to come. Planned giving can
also offer flexibility, allowing you to make a future gift that reflects both your personal priorities and your charitable goals. One important planned giving option to consider involves retirement accounts such as IRAs. Financial advisor and Coastal Land Trust supporter Cheryl Grandfield has noted that recent inherited IRA distribution rules
have made these accounts less appealing for many family beneficiaries other than surviving spouses. In many cases, non-spousal beneficiaries must withdraw inherited IRA assets over a 10-year period, which can accelerate taxable income and create additional financial planning concerns. For that reason, naming a charita-
Legacy giving leaves a lasting impact on conservation for future generations.
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ble organization as a primary or contingent IRA beneficiary can be an especially effective way to support a mission you value. Cheryl shared that a surviving spouse or other primary beneficiary may, in some circumstances, disclaim some or all of an IRA so that those assets pass directly to a charitable beneficiary already named on the account. Because qualified charities can receive inherited IRA assets free of income tax, the full pretax value of the gift can be put to work in support of conservation. Because every estate plan is unique, we encourage you to consult your legal and financial advisors about the giving options that are right for you.
For many supporters, Coastal Land Trust is a particularly meaningful beneficiary for an estate gift because our responsibility to care for conserved land is permanent. Protecting land is not a one-time act; it requires ongoing stewardship, monitoring, and defense to ensure these irreplaceable places remain protected forever. A planned gift helps provide the enduring support needed to uphold that promise and extend your conservation values into the future. To learn more about including the Coastal Land Trust in your estate plans, please contact Jesica Blake at 910-726-3057 (jesica@ CoastalLandTrust.org).
Celebrating Volunteers
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lease give a round of applause for this year’s Volunteer of the Year! Though he has volunteered with the Coastal Land Trust over the years, 2026 brought a deeper level of involvement for John Leahy, our 2026 Volunteer of the Year. After planting trees at Reaves Chapel in January, he teamed up with Trish Farnham (Volunteer of the Year ‘25) to develop and fulfill a twice-weekly watering schedule.
John Leahy (pictured R with volunteer Jacob Horvath L) enthusiastically leads the effort to plant trees at one of last year’s volunteer day at Reaves Chapel.
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Since approaching Lauren (our Volunteer and Trail Coordinator) with their plan, they have carried out their watering schedule for the past 5 months, and plan to for the foreseeable future! The best volunteers truly care about their community — enough to keep an eye on the rain forecast and stop by Reaves Chapel every week to ensure the successful establishment of a handful of live oak saplings.
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NEW FACES FOR THE SUMMER WELCOME DUKE STANBACK FELLOW, ADDISEN ANTONUCCI
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ddisen was born and raised in New Jersey and discovered her passion for conservation after moving to Florida. She earned a B.S. in Ecosystem Science and Policy from the University of Miami in 2022. She has since worked as a Restoration Intern with the Coral Restoration Foundation in the Florida Keys and as an Ecology Assistant with the Pacific Island Inventory and Monitoring Network through the National Park Service. Driven by her passion for diving and marine ecosystems, Addisen continued reef restoration work on the Caribbean island of Bonaire. Addisen is currently pursuing a Master of Environmental Management at Duke University, focusing on coastal and marine systems, as well as data analytics and modeling. She is particularly interested in applying data-driven approaches to coastal manage-
ment. In her free time, Addisen enjoys SCUBA diving, sailing, exploring National Parks, and running. Addisen will be utilizing the Coastal Land Trust’s Sea Level Rise modeling tool, which was developed by Meg Manning during her 2024 Fellowship term, to analyze the potential impacts of
sea level rise on the Land Trust's coastal preserves. The results of Addisen's analysis will provide a baseline of information from which sea level rise response plans will be drafted for preserves at highest risk of inundation, allowing the Land Trust to plan for, and adapt to, shifting environmental conditions.
NATURE TRIVIA ANSWER
From page 2
The answer is A: pipevine swallowtail. The eastern tiger swallowtail, North Carolinas state butterfly, is a mimic of the pipevine swallowtail. This is called Batesian Mimicry, a defense mechanism where harmless species imitate the warning signs of a dangerous or toxic species. While the eastern tiger swallowtail is non-toxic, predators perceive it to be the pipevine swallowtail which is toxic and is avoided.
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TWO STEWARDSHIP INTERNS JOIN THE SUMMER CREW
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he Coastal Land Trust welcomes Lauren Robinson as one of two stewardship interns this summer. Lauren is a recent graduate from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a BS in Environmental Science with a minor in Marine Science in May 2025. She is currently pursuing her MS in Environmental Science at The University of North Carolina Wilmington. She previously worked as a Stewardship Intern with Foothills Conservancy, an experience that sparked her desire to work in land conservation. Lauren is passionate about coastal conservation and looks forward to further developing her stewardship experience through her internship with The Coastal Land Trust.
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oining Lauren is Brynn Ballard. Brynn is an upcoming senior at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas majoring in Environmental Biology & Climate Change with a minor Environmental Science and Policy. Last summer she was a habitat enhancement crew member for the Jefferson Land Trust in Washington state, and that’s where she fell in love with land trusts and conservation work. After graduation, she hopes to continue conservation and land stewardship work with nonprofit organizations. She chose the NC Coastal Land Trust because of her interest in monitoring species in these protected ecosystems and would like to know more about how a land trust operates.
SCRAPBOOK: A REFRESH AT SPRINGER’S POINT Coastal Land Trust crew built a new fence at Springer's Point Preserve over Memorial Day weekend to prepare for an upcoming nature-based shoreline protection project! Pictured L to R: Kenneth Lingerfelt (Director of Land Protection), Lee Leidy (General Counsel), Mellissa Dionesotes (Land and Stewardship Manager), Addisen Antonucci (Duke Stanback Fellow).
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SCRAPBOOK: FLYTRAP FROLIC 2026 Summer at the coast kicked off with a successful Flytrap Frolic on June 6th with more than 800 in attendance at the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden in Wilmington. Folks from near and far enjoyed learning about pitcher plants, sundews, and the worldfamous Venus flytrap.
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SCRAPBOOK: POLLINATOR PALOOZA 2026 The Coastal Land Trust served 491 elementary school students during April's Pollinator Palooza program (part of the North Carolina Science Festival). Bryce Tholen, the Coastal Land Trust’s Environmental Education Coordinator, led field trips, visited schools, and offered programing that covered curriculum including carnivorous plants, longleaf pines, and pollinators. Photo credit: Elementary School Teacher
91,387 ACRES PROTECTED Saving the lands you love at the coast. CoastalLandTrust.org/donate CoastalLandTrust.org
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SCRAPBOOK: LATHAM-WHITEHURST TRIP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Bob Emory New Bern, NC Vice President Merrie Jo Alcoke New Bern, NC GreenLorrie Basnight
ville, NC Vice President/Secretary Hannah Holt
Bernest Hewett Wilmington, NC Bolivia, NC Treasurer
Ken NickHines Parker Wilmington, NC Wilmington, NC Lorrie Basnight Greenville, NC Webb Fuller Nags Head, NC The Coastal Land Trust Board of Directors & staff took a field trip to Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park in Craven County after a productive board meeting. The LathamWhitehurst property was purchased by the Coastal Land Trust and transferred to Craven County for permanent management as a Nature Park, which opened in 2011. The board and staff are grateful for the partnership with Craven County and Mark Seymour (third from right), Director of Craven County Recreation & Parks, and look forward to the future opening of their next park (also protected by the Coastal Land Trust) in the coming months.
Ken Hines Wilmington, NC Linda Spencer Murchison Wilmington, NC Michael Murchison Wilmington, NC Yoshi Newman, Ph.D. Greenville, NC
TRIBUTES
Chad Pearson Wilmington, NC
January 6, 2026 - June 5, 2026
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Mavis Gragg Durham, NC
Bill Rich Ocracoke, NC
In Honor Of
In Memory Of
Lee & Diane Butzin
Maxine Britt
Lynn Hoffman
Flossie Bryan
Hannah Holt
Tom Jones
Chuck Moody
Roi Penton
Susie Ward
Len Skinner
William Snyder Topsail Beach, NC
Beth Steelman
Mary Tillery Chapel Hill, NC
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Dr. Stan Riggs Greenville, NC Ann Cary Simpson Chapel Hill, NC Cheryl Bradley Smith Pine Knoll Shores, NC
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SAVE THE DATE
CoastalLandTrust.org/events Elizabeth Darrow Art Show & Benefit Station No. 2 August 14 – 16 Volunteer Day Everett Creek Preserve September 12 Open Hike Weekend Everett Creek Preserve September 19 & 20
Annual Celebration Everett Creek Preserve September 26
Trick or Treat on the Trails Everett Creek Preserve October 31
Fire in the Pines Festival Halyburton Park October 10
Land, Lager, & Oysters Swells’a Brewing November 14
Open Hike Weekend Everett Creek Preserve October 17 & 18
STAFF MAIN OFFICE 3 Pine Valley Drive Wilmington, NC 28412 (910) 790-4524 Harrison Marks Executive Director harrison@CoastalLandTrust.org Lizzie Barkley Event & Office Coordinator lizzie@CoastalLandTrust.org Jesica C. Blake Associate Director jesica@CoastalLandTrust.org Mellissa Dionesotes Land and Stewardship Manager mellissa@CoastalLandTrust.org
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Kenneth J. Lingerfelt Director of Land Protection kenneth@CoastalLandTrust.org Mary Catherine Parker Administrative Assistant marycatherine@ CoastalLandTrust.org Bryce Tholen Environmental Education and Stewardship Coordinator bryce@CoastalLandTrust.org Lauren Waibel Volunteer and Trail Coordinator lauren@CoastalLandTrust.org
NORTHEAST OFFICE Brian Rubino Northeast Region Director 252-216-2095 brian@CoastalLandTrust.org Lee L. Leidy General Counsel (252) 335-9495 lee@CoastalLandTrust.org ADDITIONAL CONTACT Lena Austin O’Neal Springer’s Point Preserve Steward lena.oneal@nccat.org
Laura Wilson Development and Communications Specialist laura@CoastalLandTrust.org
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SCRAPBOOK: NCCLT RECEIVES GOVERNOR’S AWARD
The Coastal Land Trust Staff and Board are honored to be recognized by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards as the 2026 Conservation Organization of the Year. From projects as big as saving the south end of Topsail Beach to projects that are quietly conserved through other landowner partnerships, and in between, thank you to those who support the Coastal Land Trust’s conservation efforts in eastern North Carolina. COASTLINES SUMMER 2026
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