One of the many remarkable bird species found in Sledge Forest— the Yellow-throated Warbler!
Considered “homebodies,” many of these birds remain year-round in the Southern US. Those that do migrate return to breed earlier than many other warblers. They nest and forage high up in the tree canopy, taking refuge among Spanish moss in Southern pine forests and cypress swamps. 💛🪶🌳
🌱 Photo by Scott Gallagher
Sledge Forest spans thousands of acres in New Hanover County — home to rare old-growth swamp forest, some of the state’s oldest longleaf pines, and a nationally significant Natural Heritage Area.
Now, it’s under threat.
In October 2024, a developer announced plans for a massive development that would cram up to 4,000 homes, plus a golf course, into this ecologically sensitive landscape, putting wetlands, streams, and surrounding communities at risk in a region already vulnerable to severe storms.
Recently, County staff conditionally approved 1,800 units of this development without any public input— relying on a flawed interpretation of local conservation rules that could open the door to even more development, including the remaining 2,200 units originally planned.
SELC has filed an appeal to challenge that decision to protect this special place and was granted a temporary stay on construction permits in a unanimous vote by the board on April 28.
Stay in the know on this evolving issue and sign up for @SaveSledgeForest 's newsletter at our link in bio and give them a follow.
Photo courtesy of Save Sledge Forest/@Bootscrap
Come show your support tomorrow 4/28 at 5:30pm! More details in our last post
📍 New Hanover County Government Center
🪧 230 Government Center Drive - Room 139
🌱 Wear green!
This Tuesday, The New Hanover County Board of Adjustment will decide whether to honor our request for a stay of any permitting for the Hilton Bluffs project while our appeal opposing its approval is in process.
We can hardly begin to express our profound gratitude to SELC for representing us in this appeal. It reflects not only the steady, strategic work of SSF leadership over the last year and a half, but the power of YOUR voices, presence, and advocacy.
🗓️ Next Tuesday, APRIL 28th at 5:30 pm
📍NHC Government Center
🌱Wear your green!
Last Sunday, the brilliant @racheology led SSF supporters through a beautiful yoga flow at Red Fox Farm, reminding us all of the power of community, movement, and connection with the earth.
✨🌳💚 “May all beings everywhere be happy and free.”
Our friends from @savesledgeforest will be standing before the New Hanover County Commissioners at their meeting at 4 p.m. TONIGHT, April 6th to ask questions that remain unanswered about the Hilton Bluffs development.
As a reminder, in mid-March, the county conditionally approved the Hilton Bluffs application, despite more than 13,000 people speaking out against it. The fight is far from over, but they need your help to now make it clearer than ever that our community’s health and environmental concerns will not be ignored.
📍New Hanover County Courthouse (24 North 3rd St., Room 301, Wilmington, NC 28401)
🌲 Wear green to create a forest full of supporters standing strong behind them!
💬 If you cannot make it out to tonight’s meeting, you can still send questions to [email protected].
#Development #OldGrowthForest #Advocacy #CommunitySupport #CapeFearRiver
Wilmington has a population of nearly 125,000 people— now imagine nearly every resident represents one tree. This is what we stand to lose if we don’t continue to fight for the protection of this forest and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Show up to the NHC Commissioners Meeting next Monday, April 6th. (NHC Courthouse - 24 N. 3rd Street, Room 301). Wear green, and help us demonstrate to our elected officials that they cannot ignore the will of the people.
This is Sledge Forest - and it’s time to show up for it once again. We need everyone to show up to the New Hanover County Courthouse on Monday, April 6th, 2026 at 4 PM.
The proposed development of Sledge Forest has passed a conditional technical review with the county. The developer still has many permits to file for, but as many as 1,800 - 4,000 homes could still be placed on this unique ecosystem that is home to trees that are several hundred years old, rare and endangered species, and the last expanse of old growth forest in the county.
We need you to show up and continue to use your voice to oppose this project. Show up for the birds, the trees, the water, the Castle Hayne community, and our neighbors.
Wear green and keep showing up.
