‘We can make this happen’: Community united to preserve land on Topsail Island

TOPSAIL BEACH, N.C. (WECT) - People of Topsail Beach say they want to see the South End saved.

On Saturday morning, May 11, at the Historic Assembly Building of Topsail Island, the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust held a “Save the South End” campaign event.

Coastal Land Trust is a non-profit group focused on conservation. The organization has a goal to save the South End of Topsail Island, which is also known as the “The Point,” and protect the land from development.

The South End is currently privately owned and Coastal Land Trust is looking to buy the property for $8 million. Saturday’s event was open to the public and educated the community on the efforts of Coastal Land Trust.

Many community members say they support Coastal Land Trust purchasing the South End.

“We’re excited to see that the owners of the property, the Coastal Land Trust, the town, and all the residents have joined together in this very positive effort to conserve the crown jewel of Topsail Island,” said Topsail resident Michele Rivest.

Coastal Land Trust has applied for four grants, and if approved, the organization will secure $4 to 5 million dollars. The organization hopes to raise the rest of the money through community support.

“Not many of us get an opportunity to conserve such a special place and we all have those places that we know but this means it’ll be like this for future generations,” said Rivest.

Harrison Marks, executive director of the Coastal Land Trust, says they have $500,000 so far and he is confident they will meet their $8 million goal.

Marks says the land is one of the last remaining undeveloped privately owned sites in North Carolina. He says he is happy to see so much community support.

“With the amount of public support we’ve got, this has been a wonderful process,” said Harrison. “This has been probably the most gratifying project that I’ve worked on. Not just at the Coastal Land Trust but ever,” he added.

The South End is 149 acres. At Saturday’s meeting, Topsail Beach town leaders shared the town could manage 1.5 acres for public access.

“I think we can make this happen and that would be the greatest gift we can leave our children and grandchildren, to conserve the point the south end forever,” said Rivest.

“Our sole purpose is really to protect important lands along the coast. So we will turn this over to the Division of Coastal Management, the state of North Carolina will be the ultimate owner,” said Marks.

Marks says the organization will have to wait until December to know if the grants were approved.