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Duke University Enrolls 1,220 Acres of Duke Forest in Natural Areas Registry

An agreement between Duke University and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will preserve some of Duke Forest’s most significant natural areas for the education and enjoyment of generations to come.

The agreement enrolls 1,220 acres of the Forest in the Registry of Natural Heritage Areas.

Landowners who place their land in the Registry of Natural Heritage Areas are making a voluntary, nonbinding commitment with the state to preserve their land for the perpetuation of natural processes, natural communities and rare species populations.

Couch Mountain, Bald Mountain, Blackwood Mountain and Stony Creek Spring are among the Forest’s natural features now enrolled on the register. Slopes along the Eno River and New Hope Creek also are registered, as are the Forest’s rare Piedmont meadow flats, among other sites.

DENR Secretary Bill Ross presented the university with a certificate recognizing the registry agreement at the fall Duke Forest Annual Meeting at Couch Farm.

“This registry agreement gives formal recognition for something Duke has been doing for many years,” said Judson Edeburn, Duke Forest resource manager. “And it further demonstrates our commitment to good stewardship of our most significant natural areas.”

Enrolling the acres in the registry will preserve some of Duke Forest’s most scenic and ecologically significant areas for the enjoyment and education of future generations, said Linda Pearsall, program head of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. “We hope that other colleges and universities will follow the example Duke sets,” she said.

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