Spencer Bay

This significant 2,921-acre property in Hyde County 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 substantial 215-acre waterfowl impoundment, making it a haven for a wide array of wildlife species.

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 various sandpipers. It may also provide refuge for imperiled wildlife such as the Northern big-eared bat, federally listed as a threatened species. Situated within the Swanquarter/Gull Rock Wetlands Significant Natural Heritage Area, its expansive coastal marsh plays a crucial role in protecting inland areas from storms and helps sustain local fisheries that are important for the local economy.

After completing the purchase, the Coastal Land Trust transferred the property to the State of North Carolina to be managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as part of the Gull Rock Game Land.

The acquisition of this ecologically significant property was made possible through the generous support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, N.C. Land and Water Fund, Fred and Alice Stanback, and the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation, Inc.

Learn more about the protection of this property and donate to help the Coastal Land Trust continue this work!