PERMANENT CONSERVATION OF 1,160 ACRES OF WETLAND FORESTS & UPLANDS ALONG THE NORTHEAST CAPE FEAR RIVER
Unique Places to Save (UP2S) is leading the protection of a portion of Sledge Forest —a remarkable landscape along the Northeast Cape Fear River in New Hanover County, North Carolina. This expansive, 1,160-acre conservation initiative represents what could be the first phase of a broader effort to protect up to 3,000 acres of ecologically significant land and water resources.
Unique Places to Save, a mission-driven conservation nonprofit, is driving this project from vision to implementation through a strategic partnership with the landowner and potential funding from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF).
This is one of the last large, intact natural floodplain systems in New Hanover County—and a critical stronghold for plant, bird, and aquatic species facing habitat loss and climate pressures. The property hosts numerous rare and threatened species and features diverse ecological communities such as Tidal Swamp, Wet Pine Flatwoods, and Sandhill Scrub.
If successful, this project will protect nearly 5 miles of riverine habitat that are designated Primary Nursery Areas by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. These habitats directly support the early life history stages of estuarine and marine fish and crustacean species, ensuring the continued sustainability of commercial and recreational fisheries in North Carolina.
This project will also expand landscape-scale conservation of the Cape Fear River Basin by being adjacent to over 12,000 acres of managed natural areas.
