Publications

This inventory of the significant natural areas, natural communities, and rare species of Johnston County was funded by Johnston County and by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Trust Fund. This report identifies the most significant natural areas in the county, describes their features, and documents all of the natural communities and rare species of plants and animals associated with them. Recommendations for management and protection of each of these sites is given. A total of 39 significant standard sites are described. Of these, two (rivers/creeks) are considered to be Nationally significant. A number of other rivers and creeks are significant at the State and Regional level. The most significant terrestrial area is the Neuse River floodplain below I-95, a State significant region of extensive bottomlands and other alluvial features. The county also contains several significant remnant pine flatwoods, and a handful of significant sandhills are still present in the county. Several bluffs, slopes, and floodplain knolls are also significant. Unfortunately, relatively little of the county is in public or otherwise protected ownership, and thus considerable efforts are needed to protect the natural diversity of Johnston County.