The Coastal Land Trust has saved another 90 acres of truly stunning hardwood forest along Dam Creek, a tributary of the Neuse River in Craven County. 6+acres located at the mouth of Dam Creek, where it empties into the Neuse River, were purchased on August 8th, 2016. Four days later, the Coastal Land Trust acquired 84-acres featuring an absolutely gorgeous hardwood forest on the opposite end of Dam Creek, at its headwaters. With these back to back purchases, the Coastal Land Trust has expanded its existing Dam Creek Nature Preserve from 38 acres to over 120 acres conserving frontage along nearly the whole Dam Creek!
“The Coastal Land Trust has slowly and strategically conserved parcels of land along Dam Creek that connect and provide tremendous habitat for wildlife including colorful songbirds like the Prothonotary Warbler, elusive mammals like flying squirrels, and even rare butterflies like the Duke’s skipper butterfly. These new properties are a tremendous addition to the Coastal Land Trust’s Dam Creek Preserve, a nature preserve which not only provides some green space near the Carolina Pines and Royal Oaks Subdivisions, but was deemed of conservation importance to the nearby Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point which contributed significant funding. The entire Dam Creek Preserve is a small, but significant ecological gem which hosts rich hardwood forest on rolling topography, an unusual feature for the coast,” said Janice Allen, Deputy Director of the Coastal Land Trust.
The Coastal Land Trust purchased the 6-acre property from Ellis Development Company which donated the 38-acre core property back in 2006. The 84-acre property was acquired from Bate Land & Timber Company, managed by the Coastal Companies, a development company based in Holden Beach.
The Coastal Land Trust secured grants and funds from several different sources to purchase these properties: the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s North American Wetlands Conservation Act program, the Fred and Alice Stanback Fund, and the US military’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program. Additionally, contributions to the Coastal Land Trust’s stewardship endowment were provided by The Conservation Trust for North Carolina and Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Ellis.
“The Coastal Land Trust is grateful to our military partner—MCAS Cherry Point, and to our many funders” said Ms. Allen, “for their investment in this small but special place in Craven County.”
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL LAND TRUST
North Carolina Coastal Land Trust works with landowners to save special lands at the coast. Since 1992, the Coastal Land Trust has helped save over 67,000 acres of land in coastal North Carolina. North Carolina Coastal Land Trust has offices in Wilmington, New Bern and Elizabeth City. If you would like more information please visit www.CoastalLandTrust.org
For More Information contact
Janice L. Allen, Coastal Land Trust Deputy Director
252.634-1927, janice@CoastalLandTrust.org
