Photo copyright Mac Stone
Home to Eastern North America's oldest trees
|
Southern Conservation Partners is assisting individuals and allied organizations who wish to collaborate to achieve the long-term protection, stewardship, and integrity of North Carolina’s extraordinary Black River and its primary tributary streams. A major tributary to the Cape Fear River, the Black River’s ecological and historical heritage includes swamp forests that are home to ancient bald cypress trees (1000 to nearly 3,000 years old).
|
Photo copyright Dan Griffin
|
Praise
The forested wetlands along the Black River preserve the oldest trees in eastern North America, which are among the oldest-known trees on Earth. Hundreds of bald cypress trees over 1,000-years old can still be found in and along this remarkable stream. |
Photo copyright Dan Griffin
|
A high-quality blackwater stream & ancient floodplain forests
|
The Friends of the Black River (NC) is dedicated to interpreting and championing natural and historical resources along the river to foster public understanding of its unique environment and provide memorable experiences for visitors. We believe positive economic impacts accrue for the Wilmington area and southeastern North Carolina when natural and cultural heritage tourism is promoted in the Lower Cape Fear region. Working together, we can secure the future of this natural treasure and benefit generations to come.
|
Photo above copyright Mac Stone
Supporting Organizations & Individuals
|
Friends of the Black River NC is in the early phase of establishment as a coalition of organizations, businesses, and individuals who share concern for the long-term protection and stewardship of the Black River's natural habitats, water quality, forests, wildlife, and historic features. We passionately advocate for a collaborative effort involving private and public landowners and stakeholders, and we support continuing efforts by The Nature Conservancy to preserve land and water quality along the river. All are welcome to attend a meeting of the Friends of the Black River NC on Tuesday afternoon, February 25, 2025, in the Pender County Agriculture Center in Burgaw, NC (in conference room, beginning at 2 p.m.). Speakers and presenters will include staff from The Nature Conservancy, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Pender County Planning Department, National Park Service Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program, and Open Space Institute. Contact us for more information. If you or your organization wish to be identified here as partners in this effort, CONTACT us. MISSION: To ensure long-term protection, security, and care for the nation’s largest expanse of old-growth swamp forest and other natural communities, biota, and historic features of North Carolina’s Black River and its tributary streams. GOALS: 1. Create an association of individuals, organizations, businesses and public partners to champion and advocate for long-term protection and security of the entire Black River corridor, including its principal tributary streams, and maintain traditional, compatible public and private uses of the river’s natural resources. 2. Expand public recognition of the exceptional natural assets and beauty of North Carolina’s Black River and its major tributary streams, particularly its extensive old-growth swamp and bottomland forests containing the oldest trees (bald cypresses) known in eastern North America, along with its outstanding water quality and other ecological and cultural resources. 3. Defend the outstanding water quality of the river and its tributary streams, and be vigilant to safeguard against threats to the river’s water quality, wildlife, and natural habitats. 4. Recognize and reward private landowners along the river and its tributaries for their good conservation stewardship of the land, water, and natural resources of the Black River and its watershed. 5. Explore options and opportunities for a compatible blend of public and private conservation actions for the land, water, and biotic resources of the Black River and its watershed – with safeguards for continuation of traditional private land ownership and stewardship. |
Steering Committee for
Friends of the Black River NC Kullen Bell Kemp Burdette Bridger Hahn Joshua McLamb Carl North Clint North Roger Shew Fred Sheffield Mike Taylor ORGANIZATIONAL FRIENDS
(click on name of org for link) 
Charles (Chuck) Roe, President
Milo Pyne, Board Chair
BUSINESSES
* member of FoBR Steering Committee
Support This Project! |
INDIVIDUALS
* member of FoBR Steering Committee
|
