Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce

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Natures Glory

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As one of the largest counties in North Carolina, and one which literally is bounded and criss-crossed by water, forests and wetlands, Brunswick County offers the absolute best of nature and citizens who diligently work each day to preserve that treasure. For her residents and visitors, this offers a dizzying array of opportunities, from viewing the more than 200 species of birds to hiking pristine forests to canoeing to monitoring endangered sea turtles.

Sea turtle protection programs exist on area beaches. Several species of turtle, including the loggerhead, green sea turtle, leatherback and the extremely rare Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, benefit from the energy of volunteers who mark and monitor nests. During the hatching season, usually June and July, these volunteers make nightly treks to nests to help the quarter-sized hatchlings find their way to the sea. Because the hatchlings look for the light of the moon to find their way to the ocean, lights from beachfront homes can confuse them. Light curfews are voluntarily observed during the season as are prohibitions on flashlights, flash photography and other human interference that can distract and discourage the hatchling turtles as they find their way to the ocean. Trained volunteers sometimes use flashlights to guide the babies to the water, sometimes digging a small trench from the nest to the ocean to make the trip easier. If you’d like to help, contact Brunswick County Turtle Watch Program, 910-579-1016, and Bald Head Island Turtle Sanctuary and Conservancy 910-457-0089.

While visiting the beaches, please respect the dunes. Sea oats planted along the dune line hold sand in place and thwart erosion. Successful dune and strand restoration programs have been underway in the area for several years. Volunteers often team with governmental agencies and municipalities to plant additional oats on the dunes.

In cooperation with the US Fish and Wildlife Commission, NC Natural Heritage and the NC Wildlife Commission, volunteers monitor wood stork migration and nesting in the area. Prime viewing of these spectacular birds is at the Twin Lakes section of Sunset Beach. For more information on this group, and how to volunteer, 910-579-2828.Ibises and pelicans nest on Battery Island in the middle of the Cape Fear River. This critical nesting area is managed by National Audubon Society with assistance from volunteers. The ibises can often be seen flying high above Highway 17 between Bolivia and Supply .

Outdoor enthusiasts may want to trek into the Green Swamp Preserve, a 15,000 acre Nature Conservancy preserve located northwest of Supply. Known for dense vegetation and wildlife, the swamp is home to endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers, black bears and bobcats. The vast array of plant life includes 14 species of carnivorous plants including Venus fly traps which grow only in this part of the world. Before attempting to go to the Green Swamp, contact the Nature Conservancy for a map, and ask about local guides. 910-762-6277.

The 174 acre Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve is open to the public for hiking, photography, bird watching, nature appreciation and research. Located to the east near Winnabow, the site has 15 trails which display the preserve's diversity of plants and animals. Several small creeks drain the upland area; the low land forest along the Town Creek is undisturbed. 910-253-6066. http://www.uncwil.edu/arboretum/evhen.html

Bird Island, at the south end of Sunset Beach, is one of the state’s last undeveloped barrier islands. Home to many kinds of shore birds, the island has been purchased by the state in order to protect it from development. The Kindred Spirit mailbox, erected by an anonymous nature lover, offers island visitors a place to leave literary reflections of their visit.

Local produce farms offer hundreds of locally and regionally grown fresh vegetables and fruits, canned and frozen foods, and specialty foods and drinks. Pick-your-own tomatoes, strawberries and more are also offered in season at Holden Brothers Produce and others. An interesting family outing may be in your future with a tour of a fully operational farm, a aquatic farm facility, or one of the large beef cattle, swine, tobacco or cotton operations. For more information and an extensive guide to agricultural opportunities and suppliers, call the Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at 910-253-2610. www.ces.ncsu.edu/brunswick/

More than 800 varieties of herbs are grown at Shelton Herb Farm, north of Winnabow on Goodman Road just off Highway 17. A favorite local source for fresh cut herbs and edible flowers, the Shelton Farm offers the largest variety of herbs in southeastern NC as well as classes, tours and garden talks. They’re open for tours Monday thru Saturday, 8 to 5pm. 910-253-5964

An exciting new way to travel the county is in development as Brunswick County joins the East Coast Greenway. This 2600-mile trail connecting cities along the eastern seaboard from Canada to Key West is designed for bikers, hikers, roller bladers and wheelchairs. Already designated county bike trails are being incorporated. The 47 mile county Port of Call route enters Brunswick County from the Southport/Fort Fisher Ferry onto Route 211 through Southport to Supply, then along Highway 17 to Main Street in Shallotte where it picks up Highway 179 and has scenic views of Sauce Pan Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway in Sunset Beach. The route leaves for SC near Calabash. New trail markers will go up soon in addition to the bike trail markers already up. A secondary route from Norfolk down the coast is in the works and future plans are to move the entire 2600 mile route off-road. www.greenway.org.