by thickets of evergreen shrubs and catbrier or occasionally by pond 

 cypress. Forests on the ridge do not contain unusual-size trees, 

 unique assemblages of species, or high volume boardf ootage . The 

 natural area includes, however, colonies of the federally-protected 

 Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and the size class and condition of the 

 longleaf pine forests indicates that a larger population of birds 

 could be sustained, under proper management conditions. Altogether 

 the 421 Sand Ridge Natural Area contains the largest area of longleaf 

 pine - turkey oak forest that we found in Pender County. 



11B. Prose Description of Site Significance: The so-called "Brunswick 

 Escarpment" extends from Brunswick County, near Orton Plantation, 

 across northwestern New Hanover County, and terminates in southern 

 Pender County — • as the 421 sand ridge. While escarpments such as 

 this are not unknown elsewhere, the occurrence in North Carolina of 

 a sizeable sand body, excluding the fall-line sandhills, is relatively 

 unique. A second factor of significance in this natural area is the 

 occurrence of several colonies of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. 



Prehistoric and historic significance was not investigated during 

 this study, but prior to 1980, several archaeological forays in the 

 area produced noteworthy collections of artifacts. Aboriginal implements 

 have been found in the area which indicate occupancy around 5,000 

 years before present. Further investigations along these lines should 

 be conducted. 



12. Significance Summary (See TABLE 7) 

 Legal Status, Use, and Management 



13. Ownership type by percent area: Private 100% 



14. Number of Owners: Generally, 2 



15. Name(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) (with addresses, phone numbers, 

 and other pertinent information) : 



(1) Bruce B. Cameron, 2219 Blythe Rd. , Wilmington, NC (763-1054) 



(2) Corbett Package Co., and Corbett Industries, Wrightsboro (Wilmington), 

 NC (763-4646) 



16. Name(s) of knowledgeable person (s) (with addresses, phone numbers, and 

 other pertinent information) : Jay Carter, Southern Pines, is familiar 

 with locations of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in natural area. 



17. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation (contacted?): 

 Owners not contacted, but reportedly favor industrial development of 

 tract. 



18. Uses of natural area: Hunting 



19. Uses of surrounding land: Wildland 100% 



108 



