The Nature Conservancy in North Carolina - Emily and Richardson Preyer Buckridge Coastal Reserve

Emily & Richardson Preyer Buckridge Reserve

Buckridge Coastal Reserve

LOCATION:
Northern Coastal Plain
Tyrrell County

SIZE IN ACRES:
18,377

INVOLVEMENT IN ACRES:
18,377 acres

Pine barrens tree frog (© Scott Michael)

TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP:
Fairfield NE, Fairfield NW, Frying Pan, Scotia

Topographical maps are available by contacting:
NC Geographical Survey.
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612.
(919) 715-9718
www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/

ACTIVITIES & AMENITIES:
Hiking, Birding, Kayaking, Canoeing, Boat Ramp

The Preyer Reserve is quite remote and contains no public facilities. The best way to explore the reserve is by hiking on the old logging roads and by small boat. The reserve is closed to hiking during hunting season, from mid-October through December. Be sure to bring water, topo maps, and insect rellent in the warmer months.

OWNERSHIP & ACCESS:
N.C. Division of Coastal Management
Reserve Manager
7205 Wrightsville Ave.
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 256-3721, ext. 243

SITE INFORMATION:
An ecological survey in the late 1970s found that Buckridge Reserve was a missing link in the East Dismal Swamp, an important peat wetlands complex encompassing more than 320,000 acres in Dare, Hyde, Tyrell, and Washington Counties. The reserve's natural communities, including pond pine woodland, Atlantic white cedar forest, and cypress-gum swamp, provide a haven for wildlife.

A large black bear population dens in the tangled forests of loblolly pine, myrtle, and bay trees. Federally endangered red wolves, whose core population resides at nearby Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, have expanded their range into Buckridge. The tannin-stained waters of the Alligator River wrap around the reserve and tidal cypress-gum swamps and brackish marshes ring the river channel. The American alligator and rare Atlantic sturgeon inhabit the Alligator river. More than 30 species of neotropical migratory birds breed here, including wood thrush and at least 10 species of wood warblers, such as black-throated green warbler, Swainson's warbler, prairie warbler, and worm-eating warbler.

The reserve also harbors 5,000 acres of the globally endangered Atlantic white cedar natural community- half the acreage of this forest type remaining in the state. White cedar or juniper usually grows in freshwater swamps and bogs. The tree has been heavily logged throughout its range since Colonial days, as the decay-resistant wood is prized for building supplies, pilings, and ship materials. Much of the Atlantic white cedar at the reserve was logged at one time, but the forests have naturally regenerated and are recovering.

WHAT TO SEE: PLANTS AND ANIMALS Buckridge's various habitats, including pond pine woodland, Atlantic white cedar forest, and cypress-gum swamp, provide an almost impenetrable shelter for a wealth of wildlife, including a large black bear population that holes up in the tangled forests of loblolly pine, myrtle, and bay trees. Recently, federally endangered red wolves have relocated to Buckridge from nearby Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.

More than 30 species of neotropical migratory birds breed here, including wood thrush and at least 10 species of wood warblers, such as black-throated green warbler, Swainson's warbler, prairie warbler, and worm-eating warbler. The tannin-stained waters of the Alligator River wrap around Buckridge and provide habitat for some unusual aquatic animals, including the American alligator and rare Atlantic sturgeon.

Buckridge also harbors 5,000 acres of the globally endangered Atlantic white cedar natural community -- half the acreage of this forest type remaining in the state. The tree has been heavily logged throughout its range since Colonial days, as the decay-resistant wood is prized for building supplies, pilings, and ship materials. Much of the Atlantic white cedar on the Buckridge property was logged at one time, but the forests have naturally regenerated and are recovering.

CONSERVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

In 1999, the Division of Coastal Management purchased 17,719 acres of Buckridge from Primland (an investment firm) for the largest and first inland site in the N.C. Coastal Reserve system. The Nature Conservancy negotiated the purchase on behalf of the State of N.C. The State paid for the purchase with a $3.4 million grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, $2 million from the National Heritage Trust Fund, and $600,000 from the Coastal Wetlands Fund, which is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1999, with assistance from a conservation buyer and the N.C. Natural Heritage Trust Fund, The Nature Conservancy bought two critical additions to the reserve comprising 658 acres and transferred the property to the Division of Coastal Management. In 2000, the reserve was dedicated as the Emily and Richardson Preyer Buckridge Reserve in honor of this N.C. couple's lifelong commitment to the environment and philanthropy.

DIRECTIONS:
From the intersection of US 64 and NC 94 in Columbia, drive south on NC 94 to reach the three different access points to the Preyer Reserve, which all terminate at a boat landing. Approximately 10 miles down NC 94, you will intersect with Fying Pan Rd., which leads to a Wildlife Commission boat launch at Frying Pan Landing. Drive south for a total of 15 miles on NC 94 to reach Gum Neck Rd, which leads to a series of local roads. The westernmost road takes you to Grapevine Landing, an informal boat landing on th Alligator River. The southernmost road ends at Gum Neck Landing, a Wildlife Commission boat landing on a narrow part of the river.