Angola Bay Restoration
Restoring a Critical Coastal Ecosystem
Pocosin peatlands are rare, fire-adapted wetland ecosystems found only on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. These organic-soil wetlands filter water, store massive amounts of carbon, and provide critical habitat for wildlife. Angola Bay Game Land encompasses 7,500 acres of pocosin peatlands that were intensively ditched and drained for timber production, disrupting their natural hydrology and ecological function. This restoration project aims to heal these vital wetlands and re-establish the native forests that once thrived here.
Restoring Natural Water Flow
Outfall ditches transfer road water runoff to off-road locations and allow the natural process of water filtration to occur. Phase 1 of hydrologic restoration is currently being implemented across the Angola Bay project area, removing drainage infrastructure and allowing water to return to natural patterns across the landscape.
Photo credit: Eric Soderholm
Planting Atlantic White Cedar Forests
The Angola Bay Restoration project will establish globally threatened peatland Atlantic white cedar (AWC) forest along with complementary peatland-adapted species including bald cypress and buttonbush across 1,383 acres on 14 distinct, recently harvested pine plantation stands. This project area was identified as an ideal candidate for supplemental AWC planting on the North Carolina coastal plain and possesses the organic soil types necessary for its establishment.
Expanding the Camp Lejeune/Holly Shelter Megasite
The project's overarching outcome is to re-establish optimal ecological function on 7,500 acres of intensively ditched and drained pocosin peatlands at Angola Bay Game Land, while also expanding public access within one of the most important natural complexes on the Atlantic Coast—the Camp Lejeune/Holly Shelter Megasite. This work protects biodiversity, restores natural water filtration, and preserves critical habitat for rare coastal species.
How You Can Help
America the Beautiful grant funds require cost share and matching contributions. Your donation helps North Carolina meet its portion of this match to re-establish the ecological function of pocosin peatlands at Angola Bay Game Land. Support this effort to restore one of the coast's most important wetland ecosystems.