Coastal Land Trust completes purchase of South End of Topsail Beach

TOPSAIL BEACH, N.C. (WECT) - The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust announced it has purchased the South End of Topsail Beach or ‘The Point’.

As one of the last remaining privately owned, large and undeveloped tracts on North Carolina’s barrier islands, Coastal Land Trust says this is a significant step to permanently protect the Point.

“This is a once-in-a-generation victory for conservation on the coast,” said Harrison Marks, Executive Director of the Coastal Land Trust. “We are deeply grateful to the partners, donors, and volunteers who made this possible.”

The property was purchased on April 29 and as part of the transaction, a 1-acre portion of the site was sold to the Town of Topsail Beach. That includes the existing parking area and surrounding land.

The Coastal Land Trust negotiated a contract and launched a campaign in March 2024 to raise nearly $8 million, supported by almost 800 donors.

“This beautiful and beloved section of Topsail is now protected forever,” said Frank Braxton, Mayor of the Town of Topsail Beach. “We’re thrilled to partner with the Coastal Land Trust to ensure its natural beauty is preserved for future generations.”

The South End features expansive dunes, estuarine wetlands, a maritime shrub forest and other habitats for several native fauna and flora. Loggerhead sea turtles, Wilson’s plovers, willets, more than 30 priority bird species and the rare coastal plant seabeach amaranth are now under protection from future development.

“This project is a model for collaborative coastal conservation and an excellent example of the lasting benefits that Acres for America grants can provide to wildlife and communities,” said the Director of Acres for America Program at NFWF Chris West. “This effort will conserve critical habitat for wildlife and offer lasting benefits for current and future generations of North Carolinians to enjoy.”

The Coastal Land Trust also acquired a bridge loan from the approved grants, which will not be received for several months to meet the contract deadline for closing.

Grant funding also came from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through Walmart’s Acres for America program, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s North American Wetlands Conservation Act and National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant programs.

“We look forward to stewarding this unique site for the public’s enjoyment and protection of irreplaceable wildlife habitat,” said Tancred Miller from the Division of Coastal Management. “Its natural and ecological value is extraordinary.”

The Coastal Land Trust will own and manage the property for up to a year before repaying the loan when all the grant funds are received. They will then transfer the land to the State of North Carolina to be managed by the Division of Coastal Management.

The trust is looking to work with volunteers and partners to protect nesting bird habitats, remove debris and lead educational beach walks. You can sign up for volunteer opportunities here.