Lovers of “The Point,” the sprawling, undeveloped southern tip of Topsail Island, can get in on the action to help raise money needed to buy and conserve the land forever.
Two community events are scheduled next month to generate financial contributions that will help the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust meet an $8 million goal to purchase the land in Pender County.
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An Oyster Roast for The Coast will be held Oct. 1 at Surf City Brewing Co., where local oysters, beer and wine will be served, and music provided, during a silent auction on items donated to raise money for land purchase. Tickets for that event are available at https://coastallandtrust.org/event/oyster-roast/.
Later in the month, the Coastal Land Trust and community supporters will at the Autumn with Topsail Festival with new merchandise for sale and raffle prizes. The festival is scheduled for Oct. 18-20 in Topsail Beach. Tickets are available at https://www.eventeny.com/events/2024-autumn-with-topsail-festival-9893/#ticket-section
Local residents and businesses have so far raised more than $990,000 toward a $2 million goal, according to the Coastal Land Trust.
The money will be pooled with a recently approved $700,000 North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant and a $350,000 grant Topsail Beach has received to assist in improving public access to the property.
The privately owned land has been on and off the real estate market for years. Topsail Island residents, visitors and environmentalists banded together to conserve the land after a Raleigh-based entrepreneur sought a rezoning request of the land, upon which he wanted to build a family compound. He eventually withdrew the rezoning request.
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So far, more than 40 businesses have posted flyers, set up donation boxes and created special merchandise to help promote the community support campaign.
Conserve The Point, a local nonprofit formed specifically to raise awareness and funds to protect the south end of the island, in July launched a community Go Fund Me page to accept donations from $10 to $500.
“Community excitement about the possibility to finally purchase and conserve The Point underscores the love people have for this special part of the Island,” Roy Costa, president of the board of directors for Conserve The Point, said in a statement. “Local residents and Town officials have tried for years to purchase and conserve The Point without success. Now thanks to the NC Coastal Land Trust and the willingness of the property owners to sell the property for conservation, the community is doing its part to realize a lifelong dream to conserve one of the last undeveloped tracts of this special barrier island for future generations.”
