State acquires 79-acre lake in Bladen County for recreation and conservation

Dr. Clemuel Johnson of Elizabethtown wielded oversized shears to slice through a blue ribbon at Bakers Lake on Friday, marking the end of an era of land ownership filled with family memories on the 79-acre natural lake he'd owned for 41 years.

"I've made it 92 years and God has been good to me," Johnson said through tears. "I just wish Nancye could be here with us."

His late wife and partner of 65 years, Nancye Johnson, had been the inspiration to start the conservation process for the property nearly 15 years ago.

"I hope the citizens of North Carolina will be proud they have a place like this they can come and enjoy nature and meditate and pray," he said.

The Conservation Fund purchased the property in 2021 with the intent to transfer the land to the state. Later that year, the NC General Assembly authorized the addition of Bakers Lake State Natural Area to the state parks system.

Eventually, funding from the NC Land and Water Fund and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund provided allowed the state to purchase the property.

"Bakers Lake State Natural Area is a phenomenal place," said Reid Wilson, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. "We are a rapidly growing state, so we need more and more places to be preserved forever."

The primary goal of the property will be to preserve the natural resources there, but the public will be able to access the 1156-acre area for activities like hiking and kayaking.

Like other Carolina bay lakes, the property features forests of pond pine and a pocosin ecosystem. The site also contains the globally rare Peatland Atlantic White Cedar Forest. It's unique features provide habitat for diverse species, improve water quality, and is a carbon sink.

Brian Strong, the director for NC State Parks, says he's honored to be a steward for a property that was so cherished by the previous owner.

"This is an incredible acquisition for us to get another state lake and this really unique beautiful spot and put into protection for the citizens of North Carolina," Strong said.

Strong says he expects trails and public access points to be built over the next few years, with an interim use plan that would allow kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized boats on the lake.