The Nature Conservancy in North Carolina - Faces of Conservation: John Townson

Faces of Conservation
John Townson

Among the wild species under John Townson's care at
Camp Lejeune is 98% of the world's population of the
rare coastal goldenrod (shown here)
© Les Pearson

As the Natural Resource Manager at Camp Lejeune, John Townson’s duties range from keeping track of historic buildings to monitoring wildlife. The base’s 143,000 acres sit within a rich mosaic of saltwater marshes, wetlands, longleaf pine savannas and other coastal ecosystems known as the Onslow Bight.

A few years ago, John’s work took an unexpected twist that involved fortuitous meetings and an array of partners unlike anything he had ever expected. The result is the Onslow Bight Conservation Forum: a groundbreaking effort that includes military bases, national forests and refuges, foresters, local land trusts and The Nature Conservancy.

John and Conservancy staff represented the partnership this past summer at the first conference on the environment convened by the White House in 40 years. The Onslow Bight Conservation Forum was one of only three Department of Defense projects selected to participate in this prestigious conference.

Camp Lejeune’s involvement with what would become the Onslow Bight Conservation Forum began when the Marine Corps examined the issue of encroachment from nearby development. They also talked with the Endangered Species Coalition about their role as wildlife refuges for endangered species. Meanwhile, The Nature Conservancy and Fort Bragg were celebrating successes conserving land that protected the base from encroachment and provided habitat for federally endangered birds. John called on the Conservancy to discuss Camp Lejeune, and in 2003 these and other partners created the Forum.

According to John, a “perfect storm of opportunity” developed when a 2,500 acre wedge of property between the base and one of its key training facilities was up for sale. The Conservancy acquired the land and sold the easement to the Navy. Title went to the Wildlife Resources Commission. Camp Lejeune is thrilled with the resulting Stone Creek Game Lands—they provide compatible land use for the military’s training purposes while preserving habitat off the base and maintaining high water quality. It was just the first of many projects together.

“This is exactly what the Onslow Bight Conservation Forum is intended to do,” says John. “Who would think that the military, the Conservancy and hunters would have the same needs? In the short term, our missions may seem very different. But because of our foresight in setting up the Forum, we can see that our long-term goals are completely compatible.”