Posted: April 8, 2025 | Industry News
A historic land transfer has reconnected the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina with nearly 1,400 acres of their ancestral homeland. The property, known as Camp Island, is now under tribal stewardship for the first time in generations, thanks to a collaboration between the tribe, conservation groups, and private supporters.
The Open Space Institute (OSI), a New York-based conservation organization, recently acquired the 1,382-acre Camp Island property with funding support from a private family foundation and a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant, facilitated by Ducks Unlimited. OSI then donated the entire property to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
The land holds deep cultural and historical significance for the Lumbee people. Camp Island has long been recognized as a sacred place, where indigenous artifacts have been discovered and stories of pre-colonial life remain part of the tribe’s heritage. In addition to its indigenous history, the land once housed a pro-British loyalist encampment during the colonial era and later became home to a community of escaped slaves in the 1850s.
“We are excited to reconnect with this land, which we’ve not been able to access for a very long time,” said Lumbee Tribal Chairman John Lowery. “Our people are outdoors people, and the ability to steward this land for Lumbee and visitors alike is truly special. We are proud to preserve Camp Island for many years to come.”
The transfer of Camp Island is about more than cultural significance — it’s about long-term land preservation and environmental protection. OSI called the property “rich with cultural significance and natural resources,” and the Lumbee Tribe will now steward the land as a natural and cultural resource for generations to come.
In addition to protecting the Lumbee Tribe’s ancestral ties, preserving Camp Island has direct environmental benefits. The property includes blackwater swamps and wetlands that drain into the Lumber River, an ecologically important waterway in southeastern North Carolina. Keeping this land out of private development will help safeguard the area’s wildlife habitat, wetlands, and water quality.
Emily Purcell, who leads Ducks Unlimited’s southeastern conservation efforts, emphasized the importance of the project, saying:
“We’re excited to join forces with OSI and the Lumbee Tribe to fund a project that holds tremendous value for wetlands, wildlife, and the community.”
This landmark land transfer is especially meaningful in Robeson County, where approximately 41% of residents identify as American Indian or Alaska Native alone, according to the 2020 Census — the highest concentration east of the Mississippi River.
For the Lumbee Tribe, the return of Camp Island is more than a conservation effort; it’s a long-overdue homecoming. It provides an opportunity for tribal members and visitors alike to reconnect with the land, learn about its history, and protect its natural resources for future generations.