Coffer Forest

TLC Protects More than 1,000 Acres in 2000

by Beth Wickham
(excerpt from TLC News, April 2001)

Coffer Forest is a 257-acre property on the Deep River in Lee County, near Carbonton. TLC negotiated and recorded a conservation easement donated by Bert Coffer, M.D., that protects a hardwood buffer along more than one mile of the Deep River and three of its tributaries, and ensures sustainable harvesting of upland pines. The conservation easement, TLC's first protected property in Lee County, also protects part of a Natural Heritage Inventory site—an area determined to have natural significance by the NC Natural Heritage Program.

Dr. Coffer contacted Kevin Brice, TLC's Associate Director, after reading about TLC's protection of the Hester Farm (La Grange Riparian Reserve) in Chatham County and talking with a friend involved in the Deep River Campaign.

Dr. Coffer was born and raised in rural Lee County and had no electricity or running water until he was eight years old. His memories of that time instilled an enduring appreciation for wildlife, trees and landscape left undisturbed, which is what he wants for his 257 acres in Lee County.

Initially interested in Coffer Forest for its investment potential, Dr. Coffer says now that he would never consider selling it for development. A resident of north Raleigh for years, Dr. Coffer can testify to the huge population growth and resulting development boom. He does not want to see that happen to this special place on the Deep River, where bobcat and wild turkey thrive and many varieties of hickory and oak stand tall.

"There's no way that I would ever sell this. My son is very much interested in preserving land, too, so I thought I might as well put it in a land trust and make sure it stays that way."