Guest commentary: Ignoring the past guarantees a grim future for our coastal communities, as the fishermen of Rose Bay warned decades ago. Will we listen now, or once again pay the price for failing to protect our way of life?
Conservation
Southport gives state more time on proposed land deal
The Southport Board of Aldermen voted 4-1 last week to extend an option agreement to the state Wildlife Resources Commission to purchase from the city more than 400 undeveloped acres, but one member objected to the $637,000 price.
Land trust, Windsor conserve 314-acre Hoggard Mill tract
The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust has transferred to the town the site that includes what is believed to be the first millpond built in the state.
Conservationists seek Farm Act changes to boost land gifts
Officials with land trusts across the state are concerned that incentives in the law that took effect Jan. 1 may not be enough to entice property owners to donate.
Sleepy Creek trail segment planners intend to ‘keep it wild’
The idea behind a planned new portion of Mountains-to-Sea Trail through the Holly Shelter Game Land’s lush pocosin in Pender County is to lure hikers safely away from Highway 17 and most other signs of civilization.
Coastal Land Trust secures final million to buy ‘The Point’
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is awarding $1 million to the state and conservation organizations to protect the 150-acre, undeveloped tract at the southern end of Topsail Beach.
Morehead City naturalist John Fussell leaves birding legacy
The conservationist who was steeped in bird and botany knowledge, credited for his focus on often-overlooked environmental issues affecting the North Carolina coast, and author of the region’s definitive bird guide, died last week at 75.
Coastal Land Trust transfers new tract to Coastal Federation
The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust announced Wednesday that an additional 593 acres along the Newport River has been purchased from Weyerhaeuser Co. and transferred to North Carolina Coastal Federation for long-term management and restoration.
Inundation-prone Sledge Forest site set for development
A sprawling, “rare, old-growth forest” on the banks of the Northeast Cape Fear River in New Hanover County that’s a key part of the river floodplain is targeted for a massive 4,000-home golf course/equestrian development with few options for opponents to stop it.
Reserve program to hold fall advisory committee meetings
The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve will hold fall local advisory committee meetings in November for each of the 10 reserve sites.
Oyster roast, festival scheduled to raise funds for The Point
Two events are set for next month to generate financial contributions to help the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust meet its $8 million goal to purchase and conserve the land at the south end of the island.
Fleckenstein receives Dare County’s first Salt Marsh Award
The Dare Soil & Water Conservation District awarded its inaugural Salt Marsh Award to Erin Fleckenstein, oyster program director for the North Carolina Coastal Federation.
Landowner resource workshop to zero in on conservation
Various agencies will be on hand to help property owners learn more about conservation management during the workshop Oct. 3 in Whiteville.
Ocean Fest to fill two days with music, vintage surf contest
Taking place Sept. 20-21, tickets for Ocean Fest in Surf City range from $25 to $70 per person.
New Hanover County eyes riverside conservation, cleanup
The board of commissioners agreed to take time to draft changes to the county’s 2016 comprehensive land use plan to create a new conservation designation for the riverfront site across from downtown Wilmington
NOAA recommends Jacksonville, Cape Fear project funding
The two eastern North Carolina projects are among the 32 recommended to receive federal money to restore habitat and build resilience.
