|
Not too far from the
heart of Ocracoke Village lies one of the last undeveloped spots on the
island. Springer’s Point, is a tranquil and quiet haven on the shores of
the Pamlico Sound that is a treasure trove of the island’s heritage and
artifacts.
The
North
Carolina Coastal Land Trust, a nonprofit conservation
organization, and the
Ocracoke
Preservation Society, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving
and restoring significant buildings, districts and objects of local and
historical interest on the island, have joined together an effort to
preserve and protect the ancient maritime forest and sandy beaches of
Springer’s Point.
The maritime forest
with hummocks of live oak, yaupon, red bay and red cedar trees are said
to host one of the largest and most diverse nesting rookeries in North
Carolina, featuring eight species of ibis, heron and egret. The sandy
dunes along the shoreline of the Pamlico Sound are covered with
flowering yucca, sea oxeye and seaside morning glories.
Stories of the
legendary Blackbeard and other pirates abound. Legend has it that
Blackbeard’s gold is buried beneath the dunes of Springer’s Point. Other
pieces of history, such as the graveyard where Norfolk industrialist Sam
Jones and his beloved Ocracoke pony, Ikey D are buried, are all
intertwined in this special place of the Outer Banks.
The property has
already been purchased with North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust
Funds. Future plans include a nature preserve and wildlife sanctuary
with hiking trails and interpretive signage, benches and bike racks.
Springer’s Point will be an educational and recreational amenity that
will host birdwatching trips, history and nature walks, picnics, kayak
trips and school field trips. Other funds and volunteers are needed to
maintain Springer’s Point as a clean, safe, and peaceful nature
preserve.
For more information,
contact: |
