{"id":471,"date":"2026-05-21T13:35:51","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T13:35:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=471"},"modified":"2026-05-21T13:35:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T13:35:51","slug":"rare-undeveloped-section-of-nc-barrier-island-transferred-to-state-officials-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=471","title":{"rendered":"Rare undeveloped section of NC barrier island transferred to state, officials say"},"content":{"rendered":"

A years-long struggle to protect one of \u201cthe last privately owned, undeveloped tracts<\/a> on any North Carolina barrier island\u201d came to an end on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Read more Helicopters, rain, faith: Legge and her \u2018military operation\u2019 attempt The Double<\/a><\/p>\n

That\u2019s when the south end of Topsail Island came under the state\u2019s protection as part of an agreement with the Coastal Land Trust, which led the fight to shield the 149 acres.<\/p>\n

The site is now known as the Topsail Nature Preserve, and it includes 1.6 miles of highly prized shoreline.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe southern tip of Topsail Beach \u2014 known locally as The South End or The Point \u2014 is a breathtaking stretch of North Carolina coastline, defined by its sweeping views, dynamic ecosystems, and remarkable biodiversity,\u201d the Coastal Land Trust reports.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith sound-to-sea frontage along the Atlantic Ocean, New Topsail Inlet, and Banks Channel, the site features pristine dunes, estuarine wetlands, maritime shrub forest, and vital nesting habitat for coast-loving wildlife. … This once-in-a-generation conservation victory ensures this beloved place will remain wild.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Coastal Land Trust negotiated and signed a contract to purchase The South End in 2025, after raising close to $8 million. Nearly 800 donors contributed to the campaign, as well as the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, officials said.<\/p>\n

Read more Early morning homicide reported among popular gathering places in NoDa, CMPD says<\/a><\/p>\n

Under state management, Topsail Nature Preserve will remain open to the public, \u201cwith a continued emphasis on conservation, education and responsible recreation,\u201d the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Topsail Nature Preserve is a unique coastal resource, and we are committed to protecting its natural integrity and maintaining responsible public access,\u201d DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson said in a May 19 news release.<\/p>\n

\u201cConserving places like this strengthens the long-term resilience of our coastal communities, protects natural habitats and preserves the natural features that help our coast adapt to changing environmental conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Topsail Island is 26-miles long<\/a> and is located about a 140-mile drive southeast from downtown Raleigh.<\/p>\n

Read more Police officer arrested at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, SBI says<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Battle to save one of last privately owned, undeveloped tracts on North Carolina barrier island ends with state assuming ownership of Topsail Nature Preserve.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":470,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-read-todays-edition"],"yoast_head":"\nRare undeveloped section of NC barrier island transferred to state, officials say - \u0421harlotte Relocation Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=471\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Rare undeveloped section of NC barrier island transferred to state, officials say - 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