Bull Neck Swamp Research Forest
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North Carolina State University’s Department of Forestry and Environmental Reources acquired the Bull Neck Swamp Research Forest in early 1
996 through a series of grants from the Natural Heritage Trust Fund. The site is located on the Albermarle Sound in Washington County, N.C., approximately 18 miles east of Plymouth. Historically, the site was owned by numerous logging companies and logged extensively for Atlantic white-cedar. The Natural Heritage Trust Fund placed a large portion of the previously logged land into preserves.
Bull Neck Swamp Research Forest is one of the largest remaining tracts of undeveloped private waterfront property on North Carolina's Albemarle Sound. It covers 6,158 acres, including more than seven miles of rare, undisturbed shoreline and 2,317 acres of preserve. The preserves include 1,118 acres of Shoreline and Islands Preserve, 777 acres of Non-riverine Swamp Forest Preserve, 237 acres of Pond Pine Preserve, and 185 acres of Atlantic white-cedar Preserve. Vegetation occurring in each preserve and management options can be found in the Preserves section (see below).
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The Bull Neck Swamp tract consists of five community types including nonriverine swamp forest, peatland Atlantic white cedar, mesic mixed hardwood forest, tidal cypress gum swamp, and tidal freshwater marsh. The diversity and uniqueness of the tract makes it an ideal wetland research site and allows for various forestry and wildlife management options. Numerous species occur at Bull Neck Swamp including black bear (Ursus americanus), bobcat (Lynx rufus), Northern river otter (Lontra canadensis), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Eastern king snake(Lampropeltis g. getula), red-bellied watersnake (Nerodia erthrogaster), and others (see the Species Lists section below for updated species lists and photos).
The Bull Neck Swamp Research Forest currently generates revenue for the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Program through hunting leases and timber sales. The revenue is applied towards funding graduate student research and an undergraduate Bull Neck Swamp Scholarship. The below links provide more information on current research and scholarship details.
Current Research
Herpetafauna Research: Stan Hutchens
Bobcat Research: Aimeé Rockhill
Bull Neck Swamp Management Plan (Work in Progress)
Proposed Research
Currently, research conducted on Bull Neck Swamp Research Forest is supported from the Fisheries and Wildlife Program at NC State University. There is little known about the ecology of the tract, and we encourage research from all facets of the University, whether it be internal or include collaboration from government agencies. Potential fields of study include hydrology, forestry, recreation and tourism, entomology, agriculture, and more. If you are interested in conducting research at Bull Neck Swamp, please contact Dr. Christopher S. DePerno.
See the User Fees page for important information to include in your proposals.
Species Lists
Birds/Waterfowl
Mammals
Reptiles
Amphibians
Preserves
Pond Pine Preserve
Non-Riverine Swamp Forest Preserve
Atlantic White-Cedar Preserve
Shoreline and Islands Preserve
Read about the Bull Neck Swamp Scholarship for NCSU undergraduate students.
Get a map and directions to Bull Neck Swamp Research Forest
Giving Back
It only takes a moment to make a huge impact. There are many management and research opportunities available at Bull Neck Swamp. You may consider contributing to the implementation of these through an endowment or donation. For more information on how to contribute, contact Dr. Christopher S. DePerno.
 Iris bloom in early may throughout the wetland. |
 Water Lilies can often be seen blooming along the canals. |
The many color variations of Southern Cricket Frogs make herping an adventure at Bull Neck Swamp.
Research and management activities at Bull Neck Swamp are coordinated by Dr. Christopher S. DePerno (chris_deperno@ncsu.edu) and Ph.D. student, Aimee Rockhill (aprockhi@ncsu.edu).
* This website was designed and edited by Aimee Rockhill and Dr. Christopher S. DePerno. All pictures on the site were taken at Bull Neck Swamp by Aimee Rockhill, Stan Hutchens, or a Cuddleback automatic camera; unless otherwise noted. Please request permission to use any of these pictures.