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Conservation in the Duke Forest: Strategic Acquisition Ensures Further Protection of New Hope Creek
posted March 22, 2009
(Note: this article orginally appeared in the 2009 Annual Report Edition of the Log)
In 2008, the Duke Forest made an important acquisition, adding 41 acres to the Korstian Division in Orange County. With increased development surrounding the Forest, there are not many opportunities to purchase additional land. This exciting acquisition not only adds to the Forest’s land base for teaching and research, but also helps protect New Hope Creek. With its old hardwood trees and meandering small tributaries, the property adds to the diversity of ecosystems and stand types represented in the Forest.
This acquisition was strategic on many fronts, including its position in the New Hope Creek corridor. The creek is an important resource, with rich historical and cultural ties, as well as unique ecosystems and rare aquatic species. These 41 acres makeup a once missing piece between open space properties that protect the corridor, including the Korstian Division, Triangle Land Conservancy’s (TLC) Johnston Mill Nature Preserve and the Forest’s Oosting Natural Area. With the addition of this property, these lands form a connection from NC-86 to Erwin Road, beneficial not only to the protection of the creek, but also wildlife habitat and aesthetics.
(Click on the image for a larger map)
Copyright 2009 Office of the Duke Forest
Because of the connection with the Johnston Mill property, this project paved the way for a partnership with TLC, a local land trust that protects open space in the Triangle (www.triangleland.org). TLC was the recent recipient of a Clean Water Management Trust Fund grant from the state for the purchase of a conservation easement on this new piece of the Korstian Division, pending final state budget changes. This easement, an important first for the Duke Forest, will ensure that the land is never converted from forest to any other use, such as development. Allowing the property to remain in its forested state will help to protect the water quality of New Hope Creek, which is part of the highly-impacted Jordan Lake watershed. TLC’s Johnston Mill Nature Preserve is also protected through a 1999 Clean Water grant, and the addition of these 41 acres helps increase the protected buffer along the creek and the existing preserve.
According to Katherine Wright, easementsteward, “TLC is excited about the potential of working with Duke Forest on future land protection projects that could provide a range of benefits to our communities, from healthy forests to recreational opportunities.” The additional property has already served a number of educational purposes, as Nicholas School of the Environment graduate students worked with Katherine as part of a handson forestry management course. Students completed a range of projects, including identifying trees and documenting the resources on the property, allowing them to learn first-hand how a conservation property is purchased and managed. The work that the students completed will be used by TLC in the baseline documentation of the property and in Katherine’s work monitoring the easement.
The Office of the Duke Forest is very happy to have partnered with TLC on this acquisition and looks forward to working with them on this and future projects!
