Coastal Land Trust’s Top 40 list includes some of the most special places on the coast in terms of ecological significance. We developed this list to be more selective, strategic, and impactful in our land conservation efforts.
We have decided to let you in on a little secret about one of these *very special* TOP 40 projects. Well, maybe not so little! The Coastal Land Trust has signed a contract to purchase over 5,000-acres of land down east in Carteret County called Salters Creek Landing. While we aren’t ready to do our happy dance yet (we are currently in high gear fund-raising mode), this challenging project offers a lot to cheer about, that is lots of waterfront, wildlife, wild woods and wetlands.
Can you find Janice Allen among the Spanish moss of this ancient live oak tree at Salter’s Creek?
If you take a boat from the wildlife landing off Highway 12 at Salters Creek and travel north, it will take you over 10 miles to get around this amazing property! You will see vast and pristine estuarine marsh along Long Bay with tucked in tidal creeks fringed with maritime forest. During the winter, you can observe all sorts of waterfowl from diving ducks to Tundra Swans foraging and loafing in the open water and sheltered creeks. In the summer, you will see herons, egrets, rails and shorebirds poking around the marsh and mudflats. Traveling by land to the high or upper marsh you might even hear the elusive Black Rail which emits a three-noted nasal “kickee-doo” or “kic-kic-kerr.” Yep, “ear-birding” is best in finding this feathered rarity.
And birds also abound in the upland and wetland forests on the property. Red-cockaded Woodpeckers cavities have been found, Brown-headed Nuthatches have been heard, and Wild Turkey have been seen in the extensive longleaf pine flatwoods. The tangle of vines, ericaceous shrubs and pond pine that comprise the pocosin wetlands host habitat for a colorful array of songbirds including Black-throated Green Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, and Brown Creeper. And the property hosts a cadre of mammals—bear, bobcat, white-tailed deer, marsh rabbit, mink, otter, beaver and gray squirrel. Lying adjacent to the 14,000+acre Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, this property is a sweet spot for wildlife! In fact, the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program considers this property along with the neighboring wildlife refuge to be a natural area of exceptional ecological significance.
The Coastal Land Trust is working to conserve some of the most special and biodiverse sites left on our coast, such as the Salter’s Creek Landing property. Stay tuned as we work to protect another site on our Top 40 list!
Want to be a part of saving lands like this in the future?! Donate here. Thank you!
