TOPSAIL BEACH — Almost a year after Topsail residents established an organization to conserve ecologically sensitive property on the island’s south end, a prominent nonprofit has announced its intention to raise funds for its permanent preservation.
The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust announced Tuesday its campaign to raise $8 million to purchase roughly 150 acres of property in south Topsail Island containing maritime shrub forests, estuarine wetlands, dunes, and 1.6 miles of shoreline frontage.
Residents have referred to it as “The Point” for years. Until last fall, it faced development from Todd and Laura Olson, who wanted to purchase the land to build a seven-structure family compound.
Topsail residents formally incorporated the nonprofit “Conserve the Point” in June 2023 in response to a couple’s plans to purchase the property and develop 20 acres; the Olsons offered to preserve the other 130 acres, but withdrew their rezoning request and purchase of the property in November after public pushback.
Conserve the Point has since sought to establish a public-private partnership to purchase The Point and ensure the area’s indefinite conservation, as well as long-term environmental regulations to prevent future development.
NC Coastal Land Trust’s executive director Harrison Marks told Port City Daily his organization has viewed The Point as a priority for years.
The trust attempted to purchase a portion of the area in 2006, but Marks said excessive property valuations at the time prevented the acquisition. More favorable valuations have enabled the renewed effort to purchase a region the trust views as “unparalleled” in coastal preservation values.
Conserve the Point founder Roy Costa told Port City Daily he believed public support generated by residents’ response to the recent development proposal contributed to a favorable environment for the deal.
“Conservation groups, including the land trust, have been interested in purchasing the property for many years,” Costa said. “But just could never come to an agreement to make that all happen.”
Marks confirmed the nonprofit recently signed a contract with the three families who own the Point — the McCullens, McLeods, and Oppegaards — aiming to purchase the 150-acre tract by March 2025; Cape Fear Commercial partner Paul Loukas is serving as the sellers’ broker.
Property owner Renee McCullen offered a statement on behalf of the property owners in a press release Tuesday:
“It’s our hope that by preserving the South End, future generations will enjoy the restorative power the coastal environment provides and be reminded of what the entire island once resembled.”
The nonprofit has not disclosed the cost of the property, but the total conservation effort — including appraisals, legal fees, and surveys — is $8 million.
While Marks is confident the fundraising effort will succeed, the trust will not be able to carry out the purchase if the figure cannot be reached.
In addition to a six-figure down payment, the trust has applied for North Carolina Land and Water Fund, North American Wetlands Conservation Act, and National Fish and Wildlife Federation grants. The nonprofit added significant private contributions would be necessary, even if requested grants are awarded.
“We have put down a deposit that’s at risk,” Marks said. “So if we’re unsuccessful we will be out the amount of money.”
Marks said the group will apply for more grants and is encouraged by interest from private donors; Costa previously told PCD residents involved with Conserve the Point were interested in contributing to the effort.
“We will try to have a plan A, B, and C in terms of funding,” the executive director noted.
The NC Land and Water Fund grant request is around $3 million and the combined total of the other two grants would be between $1 and $2 million, according to Marks. He expects to know if the proposals have been accepted by the fourth quarter of 2024.
NC Coastal Land Trust is one of the top recipients of grants from NC Land and Water Fund; Marks estimated it has allocated tens of millions to the trust’s efforts in the past 10 years. He cited the Brunswick Nature Preserve and the Abbey Nature Preserve as efforts in the tri-county region supported by the grant.
Protected acreage includes property the trust owns and land it does not own but preserves from development, including easements.
The trust’s 62 acres in Abbey Nature Preserve are in the latter category. It purchased a permanent conservation easement on 31 acres of the Pender County property from the Foy family, the area’s property owners, in 2007.
The Foys donated an additional 31 acres to the trust’s conservation easement, but sold the properties in 2022 as part of a 242-acre transaction with developer Mungo Homes. Marks said the trust will continue to protect the easement despite Mungo building 137 homes in the tract’s remaining acreage.
In total, the nonprofit has protected 23,267 acres in Brunswick County, 1,586 acres in New Hanover County, and 10,788 acres in Pender County.
Marks said the trust generally does not publicize uncertain projects in the manner it has announced the preservation effort in south Topsail Island.
“We’re kind of aware when we’ve got a project that’s on the bubble if you will, that is going to be harder to fund,” he said. “We’ve maintained a reputation with landowners because we’re pretty clear about that.”
If fundraising is successful, the Coastal Land Trust plans to retain ownership of The Point until receiving all awarded grant funds. It would then transfer ownership to the state of North Carolina.
The Division of Coastal Management and the Wildlife Resources Commission would manage the property, develop a plan to identify and preserve sensitive shorebird and sea turtle nesting areas, and maintain the existing park area for public uses, including walking, swimming and fishing.
Tips or comments? Email journalist Peter Castagno at peter@localdailymedia.com.
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