North Carolina Coastal Land Trust Executive Director Harrison Marks is officially stepping down as executive director to assume the role of senior adviser for the Wilmington-based nonprofit organization.
Conservation
Advocates challenge proposed Castle Hayne quarry expansion
Environmental groups argue that Martin Marietta’s preferred plan to enlarge its Castle Hayne quarry would permanently destroy 140-plus acres of pristine wetlands and around 10 acres of open water classified as primary nursery and strategic habitat areas, and essential fish habitat.
Nonprofit, developer carve path to protect Sledge Forest tract
The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust has come to a tentative purchase and sale agreement with Charlotte-based Copper Builders to preserve more than 3,200 acres of Sledge Forest on the Northeast Cape Fear River.
Tabb’s Trails: Resilience, beauty, variety in Nags Head Woods
Coastal reporter Kip Tabb explores Nags Head Woods Preserve, The Nature Conservancy’s 14-acre protected maritime forest on the Outer Banks.
Coastal Federation, The Conservation Fund protect 153 acres
The two nonprofit organizations partnered to acquire the more than153 acres situated along U.S. Highway 70 between East Carteret High School and the North River Bridge.
New book, ‘A Spectacular Coast and its Guardians’: An excerpt
Author Glenn Blackburn, professor emeritus of history at University of Virginia’s College at Wise, has written his second book about the North Carolina Coastal Federation and the nonprofit’s history, people and accomplishments.
I grew up on this coast; I won’t watch right whales disappear
Critically endangered North Atlantic right whales face a crisis they can’t outswim — and a recent move by the federal government threatens to make a dire situation even worse.
Amid record growth, groups protect tracts from development
Population growth on the North Carolina coast has ramped up pressure on conservation groups to acquire and set aside land, such as the more than 2,000 acres in coastal counties recently protected from development, areas with natural landscape features that reduce flood risk, improve water quality and provide vital habitat.
Holden Beach Turtle Patrol unveils 2026 T-shirt design
“Every Turtle Counts … Every Action
Matters,” is the message selected to reflect the organization’s “shared commitment to sea turtle conservation, education and environmental stewardship.”
NC awards $1.5M for water management, recreation projects
Morehead City and Windsor have been awarded $200,000 each from the state for stream restoration, water-based recreation and water management projects.
New Hanover County agrees to purchase, preserve 28 acres
Commissioners have unanimously agreed to a $2.24 million deal that includes two undeveloped tracts across from downtown Wilmington that will remain preserved from development once they are county-owned.
Land Trust transfers 300 acres to state for conservation
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is now managing the Pasquotank River Preserve, which neighbors the state agency’s North River Game Land in Camden County.
Cape Fear nonprofit writes how-to on growing tree canopies
The Wilmington-based Alliance for Cape Fear Trees has released a 45-page guide to help local governments grow greener, healthier canopies.
$4.6M in grants to go to coastal conservation projects
More than $4.6 million will go to coastal conservation efforts such as property acquisition and living shoreline projects out of $36 million in statewide grants through North Carolina Land and Water Fund, the state announced earlier this week.
Builder vows fight to develop land that includes Sledge Forest
Copper Builders founder Wade Miller says misconceptions are fueling opposition to his proposed Hilton Bluffs development on a portion of 4,000 acres including a nationally threatened forest; opponents say entire tract should be conserved.
Duke Energy Foundation awards grant to Coastal Federation
The money will be used to support the Coastal Federation’s new Coastal Leadership Institute, a six-month-long program designed to strengthen leadership across North Carolina’s coastal communities
