North Carolina’s Land and Water Fund is helping protect one of the most important coastal landscapes in our state. This is a significant milestone for eastern North Carolina and a clear example of how strategic funding and strong partnerships deliver lasting results for our state.
Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
and North Carolina Coastal Federation recently announced the acquisition of nearly 800 acres along the North River in Carteret County. The newly acquired property will provide a critical link for the Mountains to Sea Trail, eventually creating approximately 11 miles of new, off-road trail miles and greatly expanding the trail’s presence in this area.
This project is a clear example of how state investment makes big outcomes possible. Funding from the Complete the Trails Program, created by the North Carolina General Assembly, helped move this long-priority project forward. An additional $1M grant from the N.C. Land and Water Fund and funding from the U.S. Navy brought together the partnerships needed to complete the acquisition.
Projects like this show how conservation funding works as a smart investment. By leveraging partnerships, these dollars go further, helping protect large-scale landscapes that support water quality, wildlife habitat, and coastal resilience and develop recreational opportunities.
Thank you to Senator Norman Sanderson and Representative Celeste Cairns for your service to North Carolina’s coastal communities.
To read more about this project, visit https://mountainstoseatrail.org/2026/04/land-acquisition-carteret/