Where Growth Meets Conservation: Preserving the Neuse River Lowgrounds

The Neuse River in the Neuse River Lowgrounds. Photograph courtesy of the Triangle Land Conservancy and the Johnston County Report.

Johnston County, North Carolina, is one of the state’s fastest growing counties, which means in addition to attracting industries, small businesses, and new residents, the county has to balance protecting its natural resources and green spaces, too. To that end, Johnston County contributed a portion of the funds that allowed the Triangle Land Conservancy to purchase 602 acres along the Neuse River in July of 2026. This large tract of land includes more than two miles that is right alongside the river, more than 400 acres of wetlands, two oxbow lakes, and some mature stands of bald cypress trees. This adds to the more than 1100 acres of wetlands, mature forests, prime wildlife habitat, and historic farmland that Johnston County and Triangle Land Conservancy purchased earlier in 2026. All of these tracts of land are located near the I-95 corridor and had been under an increased development pressure. Johnston County Commissioners, though, recognized the importance of preserving the rural character of the county while also providing for new outdoor recreation activities, such as fishing, hiking, and camping, in areas the general public previously could not access.

The Gar Gut Mashes, as this newest piece of acreage is locally known, resides within the Neuse River Lowgrounds, which conservationists identified decades ago as one of the natural areas within the greater Triangle region that was a high priority for preservation. Some of the last remaining stands of old-growth bottomland forests in the area reside in the southeastern portion of Johnston County. About 500 acres of this new addition fall within a Natural Heritage Area, which are areas the state of North Carolina recognizes as being of special biodiversity significance. An important bird habitat, the Neuse River Lowgrounds are home to many avian species, among them great blue herons, Swainson’s warblers, and even the Mississippi kite, a rare species to spot in North Carolina. Black bears, wild turkeys, and white-tailed deer also reside in the Gar Gut Mashes, highlighting the region as important habitat for many wildlife species native to North Carolina.

Formerly, the Gar Gut Mashes was part of a large tract of land owned by the Massengill family. For generations, the Masengill family was the steward of this beautiful natural resource, spending days hiking, fishing, and hunting in its forests and along the Neuse River. Now, they are pleased to know that the wild space their parents and grandparents enjoyed will now be protected for future generations. It was due to their generosity and the combined donated funds from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund and Johnston County that the Triangle Land Conservancy was able to purchase and protect this tract of land. While not open to the public yet, the Gar Gut Mashes is already giving back to the community, as its extensive floodplain and wetlands naturally filter runoff and reduce flood impacts for towns further downstream by storing and slowly releasing water. The hope is that more valuable habitat within the Neuse River Lowgrounds is preserved and protected, rather than developed, for the benefit of all North Carolinians.

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