North Carolina Afield: A Guide to Nature Conservancy Projects in North Carolina

Where on Earth can you find . . .
- the first population of red wolves successfully reintroduced into the wild;
- the oldest trees in eastern North America;
- and the greatest concentration of salamander species (57) in North America?

Find out in North Carolina Afield.

Whether your passion is hiking, birding, paddling, or just driving along quiet back roads, North Carolina Afield will become a trusted resource for planning your expeditions in North Carolina. This guidebook offers detailed information about 92 of the most scenic and ecologically significant areas that The Nature Conservancy has protected in North Carolina: craggy mountain peaks that inspire poets and botanists alike; ancient swamp forests that once harbored Carolina parakeets; and wind-sculpted dunes and maritime forests on the dynamic Outer Banks.

All of these natural areas are open to the public and are managed as state parks, game lands, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and Nature Conservancy preserves. Every entry features ecological information, conservation history, tips on hiking trails or paddling routes, and current access and contact information, including websites and phone numbers. Photographs from premier nature photographers illustrate this beautifully designed publication.

Some of the wild lands featured in the book include:

Elk Knob -- Old growth forest covers this sky island that offers exquisite views of hidden valleys.

Gorges State Park -- This rugged, unfragmented wilderness is famous for its waterfalls, powerful rivers, and unique plants and animals.

South Mountains Game Land -- This isolated, sprawling mountain range in the Piedmont offers fishing and backcountry hiking.

Roanoke River Region – Public and private and conservation lands in this vast river floodplain provide ever-expanding paddling, hiking, and birding opportunities, including the Roanoke River Paddle Trail.

Black River Preserve – This pristine river is home to the oldest trees in eastern North America, a stand of 1,700-year-old bald cypress, as well as songbirds and black bears.

Sandhills Game Land – Miles of unpaved roads wind through the rolling hills in this 58,713-acre game land, one of North Carolina’s most extensive and accessible longleaf pine habitats.

Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve – This remnant maritime forest on the Outer Banks offers hikers and paddlers a respite from the beach crowds.

Ida Phillips Lynch is a freelance writer and editor whose writing has appeared in Wildlife in North Carolina, Nature Conservancy, and New Age, and in many print and multimedia projects for environmental organizations. She was formerly the director of communications for The Nature Conservancy, N.C. Chapter.