Old North News

The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve, part of the Division of Coastal Management in the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, recently held a dedication ceremony for Bald Head Woods Reserve. This event marked the site's inclusion in the Old-Growth Forest Network in late January 2025. Attendees included staff and representatives from the Old-Growth Forest Network, as well as local, state, and community partners who participated in speeches and a guided hike through the woods.

Bald Head Woods Reserve spans 191 acres and became part of the Coastal Reserve program in 1993 to safeguard its maritime forest and interdune swale communities indefinitely. The site is located centrally on Bald Head Island and is notable for its ancient live oak trees that form a complex maritime forest canopy.

Elizabeth Pinnix, Coastal Reserve Southern Sites Manager, emphasized the importance of these habitats: “Maritime forests in N.C., like Bald Head Woods Reserve, are a rare and declining habitat in the state, so it is important to recognize and study these forests and build strong partnerships to work to protect them.” She added that the forest is also protected as a state nature preserve by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program.

Rebecca Ellin, N.C. Coastal Reserve Manager, expressed gratitude for local partnerships: “The N.C. Coastal Reserve is fortunate to be entrusted with the protection and preservation of ecologically important habitats on our coast. We appreciate the local partnerships and recent dedication from the Old-Growth Forest Network that support our management of the Reserves.”

The Old-Growth Forest Network aims to protect old-growth native forests across the nation where people can experience biodiversity firsthand. This designation aligns with Bald Head Woods' status as both a Coastal Reserve and Dedicated Nature Preserve.

Dan Camacho from the Old-Growth Forest Network highlighted the ecological significance: “Showcasing this forest in the Network is an invitation to others to see what is ecologically possible. Less than one percent of old-growth forests remain in the eastern US.”

Nick Sanchez, Network Manager for Old-Growth Forest Network, welcomed Bald Head Woods into their network: "We're honored to welcome this exceptional old forest in the national Network, the 5th recognized to-date in North Carolina."

Bald Head Woods Reserve now stands as the 277th forest within this network which includes sites across 39 states with four other locations already recognized in North Carolina.