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The Umstead Coalition was founded in 1968 and is a volunteer-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization comprised of individual members and 16 partner conservation organizations.
Our mission is to preserve the natural integrity of William B. Umstead State Park and the surrounding open space
Since Margaret Nygard founded the Umstead Coalition, we have repeatedly risen to protect William B. Umstead State Park from threats such as quarries, a proposal to sell the Park, a dry-dam flood control structure on Turkey Creek, RDU airport runways that would have taken Park lands and a plan to build a major highway that would have taken Park land and disrupted the Richland Creek Corridor.
The Umstead Coalition is active in service projects, Park land acquisition environmental education activities, trail maintenance, restoration of the 120 historic cabins and mess halls (recently accomplished with over 7,000 volunteer hours) and preserving the cultural history of the rural community that once lived in the lands that became William B. Umstead State Park. Learn more about our projects to help the Park>>
Become a member: Please consider becoming a member of the Umstead Coalition . These consistent, annual dues bring stability, help us maintain our support of William B. Umstead State Park and plan for future projects.

Umstead's 92nd Birthday Bash Concert & Dinner

Native Plant & T-shirt Sale Pop-Up Sale

Fall Native Plant Sale

Free Concert - Clyde and Catherine Edgerton

Spring Native Plant Sale

Volunteer for Fall Native Plant Sale

Volunteer for ongoing park projects

Give

1943 Quitclaim Deed from the National Park Service to the State of North Carolina

Historic records research summary, updated December 3, 2024

Dr. Jean Spooner

Charles Bachmann

Sean Bat-Haee

Ben Bruster

David Collier

Dina Deaton

Paul Groff

Julie Hall

David Humphrey

Gil Johnson

Caroline Lalla

Michael McKinney

Today’s the day! Join us for live music, dinner and drinks at Umstead’s 92nd Birthday Bash. Jazz, folk, and bluegrass at the historic Sycamore Mess Hall, with dinner from Clouds Brewing and Sassool, birthday cake, and a flannel shirt contest. Wear your best flannel! Beer and root beer from Clouds Brewing, wine, and free lemonade. When: Today, 4–7pm (doors open 3:30pm) Where: Sycamore Mess Hall, #UmsteadStatePark (US-70/Glenwood Ave entrance) Tickets: $25 · Kids 12 and under free with an adult At 7pm, we’ll draw the winner of a Blackstone outdoor griddle. You don’t need to be present to win. All proceeds support the park. Get tickets at the link in our bio. #RaleighNC #CaryNC #DurhamNC #NCNonprofits

Umstead Birthday Concert & Dinner, this Saturday! Celebrate Umstead with live jazz, folk, and bluegrass, plus drinks and dinner from Clouds Brewing and Sassool at the historic Sycamore Mess Hall. 📅 Sat, Oct 24 · 4–7pm (doors open at 3:30pm) 🎟️ $25 · Kids 12 & under free · Only 150 spots Wear your best flannel! Tickets at the link in our bio. All proceeds support Umstead State Park. #UmsteadStatePark #RaleighNC #CaryNC #RaleighEvents

Pop-up sale this Sunday 10/18 11am-2pm in Umstead State Park for leftover plants! Thanks to everyone who came to our plant sale💚it was cold rainy and windy! Updated plant list and pricing: 4” - $10 Conoclinium coel. “Blue mistflower” Monad didyma “Scarlet beebalm” Physostegia virginiana “Obedient plant” Pycnanth. muticum “Cl. mountain mint” Osmunda spectabilis “Royal fern” 1 gallon - $20. Pawpaw & azalea - $25 Amelanchier canadensis “Serviceberry” Asimina triloba “Pawpaw” Benthamidia florida “Flowering dogwood” Calycanthus floridus “Sweet shrub” Hamamelis virginiana “Witch hazel” Ilex verticillata “Winterberry” Itea virginica “Virginia sweetspire” Lindera benzoin “Spice bush” Rhodo. periclymenoides “Pink azalea” Sambucus canadensis”Elderberry” Vaccinium cory. “Highbush blueberry” Viburnum nud. “Possum haw viburnum” Seed packets Pollinator Mix Scarlet rosemallow Common milkweed Butterfly milkweed 100% of all proceeds from the event go to support William B. Umstead State Park. We’ll also have Umstead-branded merch and more : ) Location: We’ll be set up in the grassy area on the right when you drive into the parking lot at the Harrison Ave, Cary entrance to Umstead State Park (2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513).

Come out to #UmsteadStatePark today from noon-3pm for our native plant sale and Umstead merch! Details in bio or umsteadcoalition.org

Fall Native Plant Sale 🍂🐝 Saturday, October 17, 12–3 PM at Umstead State Park (2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC). Members and donors of $15 or more get early entry at 11 AM and first pick of plants. What's on offer: • 4" pots, $10: blue mistflower, scarlet beebalm, obedient plant, clustered mountain mint, wrinkle-leaf goldenrod, New England aster, royal fern • 1-gallon pots, $20: serviceberry, flowering dogwood, American beautyberry, witch hazel, oakleaf hydrangea, winterberry, highbush blueberry, and more • Pawpaw and pink azalea, $25 • Pollinator seed packets Cash, card, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo accepted. Registration isn't required, but it helps us plan. Find the link at umsteadcoalition.org (link in bio). Volunteers: we need help with Friday setup (Oct 16, 9:00 AM) and on sale day. Sign up through the website or at the link in bio. #UmsteadStatePark #CaryNC #RaleighNC

FALL 🍂 is the best time to plant, allowing shrubs & trees to concentrate on growing their roots over the winter! Hope to see you October 17th! 💯 proceeds support the park💚 See link in bio for plant list on event page ☑️

Have you experienced the abundance of serviceberry? Stop by our upcoming sale and you can bring several native plants with edible fruits home to grow in your yard! ￼￼ 10/17/2026 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM (early entry for donors) @Umstead State Park (2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513) Plant List & Pricing 4” - $10 Conoclinium coelestinum “Blue mistflower” Monad didyma “Scarlet beebalm” Physostegia virginiana “Obedient plant” Pycnanthemum muticum “Clustered mountain mint” Solidago rugosa “Wrinkle-leaf goldenrod” Symphyotrichum novae-angliae “New England aster” Osmunda spectabilis “Royal fern” 1 gallon - $20. Pawpaw & azalea - $25 Amelanchier canadensis “Serviceberry” Asimina triloba “Pawpaw” Benthamidia florida “Flowering dogwood” Callicarpa americana “American beautyberry” Calycanthus floridus “Sweet shrub” Hamamelis virginiana “Witch hazel” Hydrangea quercifolia “Oakleaf hydrangea” Hypericum densiflorum “Bushy St. Johnswort” Ilex verticillata “Winterberry” Itea virginica “Virginia sweetspire” Lindera benzoin “Spice bush” Lyonia lucida “Fetterbush” Rhododendron periclymenoides “Pink azalea” Sambucus canadensis, “Elderberry” Vaccinium corymbosum “Highbush blueberry” Viburnum nudum “Possum haw viburnum” Seed packets: Pollinator Mix 100% proceeds benefit Umstead State Park!￼

SAVE THE DATE for our Fall Native Plant & Umstead Merch Sale!! Saturday, October 17th from 12pm-3pm. We'll be selling locally-grown, native flowers, shrubs and trees. **EARLY ENTRY! Umstead Coalition Members (with current membership or donations over $15 from October 1, 2025) will get early access from 11am-noon. 100% of all proceeds from the event go to support William B. Umstead State Park. Location: We'll be set up in the grassy area on the right when you drive into the parking lot at the Harrison Ave, Cary entrance to Umstead State Park (2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513). Pricing: 4 inch: $10 1 gallon (excluding azaleas and paw paws): $20 1 gallon azaleas and paw paws: $25 View the plant list at the link in our bio! VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION: We can use about 30 volunteers to help make the event successful, please sign-up to volunteer at the link in our bio!

On August 14 at 6pm, Clyde and Catherine Edgerton will delight us with a concert of old traditional tunes and stories. Clyde Edgerton’s family grew up on what is now William B. Umstead State Park. Clyde is well know as a North Carolina author and professor; Catherine a singer, guitarist, and artist. Light refreshments will be served. Come see the status of our restoration of the 1937 Sycamore Mess Hall. Tickets are FREE, donations to help William B. Umstead State Park are always appreciated. CD’s by the musicians will be available for purchase. Tickets: Required for planning and seating limits Parking: The event will take place at the Sycamore Mess Hall, off the US70/Glenwood Ave Park entrance. Follow signs to the “Multi-use Trailhead” (and temporary signs to the “Sycamore Mess Hall” and then special signs to walk to the Sycamore Mess Hall. Register at the link in our bio!

Ever find yourself on a walk wondering, "What is that plant? That bird? That mushroom?" iNaturalist is a free app that can tell you — and your observations help scientists in the process. On Tuesday, April 21 from 7-8pm, join local naturalist and NCMNS Collaborative Science Specialist Julie Hall to learn how iNaturalist works and why it's become the go-to tool for nature identification. Every sighting you log contributes to the world's largest biodiversity database, helping researchers track invasive species, monitor population changes, and study ecosystems. You'll also get the details on the City Nature Challenge, a worldwide event happening April 24–27 where communities compete to document as much local wild flora and fauna as possible. Find out how to join the local team and put your new skills to use. We hope you can join us for this Zoom presentation! Get the login details at the link in our bio. 📸 Slow & Steady by Ariel Randolph

What a day in Umstead! Thank you to everyone who came out to our Spring Native Plant Sale — it was wonderful to see so many people genuinely excited about native plants and supporting the Park. A special thank you to our 20+ volunteers who gave their time yesterday and today. It takes a lot of people to put a sale like this together, and we had the best — setup crew, plant experts, merch sellers, talliers, and takedown team all showing up and pitching in. Thank you all! (That's our volunteer team in the photo this morning, before the crowds arrived.) We still have a few plants left: purple coneflower grown right here in Umstead State Park by Ranger Nick, winterberry, and witch hazel. If you had your eye on any of these, come early. They'll go quickly. We'll be back at the Reedy Creek entrance tomorrow April 19 from 9am - 1pm with the remaining plants, Umstead merch, t-shirts, hats, and the popular Piedmont month-by-month gardener's guide from the NCSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers of Wake County. All proceeds support the Park. We hope to see you tomorrow! 2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary #UmsteadStatePark #RaleighNC #CaryNC #NCNonprofit View pricing at: www.umsteadcoalition.org

The early access to our native plant sale is in full swing! Plants are selling quickly! Come early for parking and make sure you get your favorite plants. We have tons of free milkweed seeds collected by Ranger Nick and Park volunteers! We’re here until 3pm! - Umstead State Park - 2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary. #raleighnc #carync #ncnonprofit #durhamnc

Tomorrow is the day. The plants are ready, and we can't wait to see you at the Park. Saturday, April 18 | Noon–3pm Early entry 11am for members and donors (it's not too late to join or make a $15 donation to get early access!) Reedy Creek entrance, Umstead State Park 2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary Free milkweed seed packets while supplies last. 100% of proceeds support Umstead State Park. See you tomorrow! Plant list and pricing at: www.umsteadcoalition.org #UmsteadStatePark #RaleighNC #CaryNC #NCNonprofit

Our plant sales draw hundreds of people every year, and they happen because of volunteers who show up and make them work. If you've ever wanted to be part of one of our community events, this is your chance. We need volunteers for Friday, April 17 setup and Saturday, April 18 sale day (there are multiple shifts available both days). It's a wonderful way to connect with fellow Park lovers, get a behind-the-scenes look at how the sale comes together, and directly support Umstead State Park . Sign up to volunteer at the link in our bio. The sale itself is Saturday, April 18, noon to 3pm at the Reedy Creek entrance to Umstead State Park. 100% of proceeds support the Park. See the plant list and pricing at the link in our bio. #UmsteadStatePark #RaleighNC #CaryNC #NCNonprofit

For nearly 30 years, our Spring Native Plant Sale has been one of the most beloved days of the year for Umstead's community of gardeners and Park lovers. We hope you'll join us next Saturday, April 18 from noon-3pm. This year's sale features over 20 species – swamp milkweed, blazing star, witch hazel, winterberry, pawpaw, muhly grass, and more – all native to the Piedmont and chosen to support the pollinators, birds, and wildlife that depend on plants indigenous to this region. Some were grown by Ranger Nick himself, right here in Umstead State Park. Members and anyone who has donated $15 or more since October 1, 2025 get first pick – early entry from 11am to noon, before the public arrives. Not a member? Joining before April 18th is one of the most direct ways to support the Park, and it gets you in first. See the full plant list and pricing, and join or renew your membership at the links in our bio. Saturday, April 18 | Noon–3pm | Reedy Creek entrance, 2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary 100% of proceeds support Umstead State Park. #UmsteadStatePark #RaleighNC #CaryNC #NCNonprofit

Our Spring Native Plant Sale on April 18 is one of the ways we fund the work of preserving Umstead State Park for the community. When you buy a native plant at our sale, you're doing something good for your garden and for the Park we all love. Saturday, April 18 | 12–3pm | Reedy Creek entrance, Umstead State Park Flowers start at $10, 1-gallon shrubs from $20. See the full plant list and pricing at umsteadcoalition.org/event-6521549 Members get early access from 11am. When you become a member, your dues go directly to the Park — supporting conservation efforts, trail improvements, wildlife habitat protection, and our ongoing advocacy. Membership starts at $15 and is tax-deductible. See the links in our bio to learn more about become an Umstead Coalition member, and to see full plant list and pricing. #UmsteadStatePark #TriangleNC #RaleighNC #CaryNC #ncnonprofit 📸 "Tiger Swallowtail Enjoying Thistle Nectar" — 2019 Umstead Photo & Illustration Contest, 1st Place. Photo by Melissa Theil.

Our Spring Native Plant Sale returns on Saturday, April 18 — and we can't wait! We partner with local growers — including Umstead's own Ranger Nick — to bring you plants that thrive in the Piedmont, supporting local wildlife, pollinators, and healthy ecosystems right in your own garden. Saturday, April 18 | 12–3pm Reedy Creek entrance, Umstead State Park This is one of our most popular events of the year, and plants go fast. Flowers start at $10, 1-gallon shrubs from $20. You don't need to register, but we'd love to know you're coming — an RSVP helps us prepare. Members get early access from 11am–noon, and if you've been thinking about joining, membership starts at $15. See the link in our bio for the full plant list, pricing, and to RSVP. As always, 100% of proceeds support Umstead State Park. #UmsteadStatePark #NativePlants #TriangleNC #RaleighNC #CaryNC #ncnonprofit

The Umstead Coalition is happy to announce a series of monthly Sunset Hikes, at various locations around the park. Sign up today on Meetup! First hike February 2nd. 🌅 https://meetu.ps/e/PP4nc/vjHY/i

Support Umstead State Park with a Year-End Gift

I want to thank you for being a valued part of the Umstead community. Through volunteering, donating, and attending hikes and events, you have helped advance our shared goal of protecting the Park we all love. As we close out the year, I want to share an update about where things stand with our ongoing fight to stop RDU Quarry and Save RDU Forest, and why your continued support is so important. This month, Wake County Superior Court Judge Sean Cole ruled in favor of the Umstead Coalition, restoring the original Sunset Clause on the Wake Stone Triangle Quarry permit and ordering the reinstatement of undisturbed protective buffers along Crabtree Creek and Umstead State Park. This ruling confirms that Triangle Quarry operations adjacent to the Park must end by May 2031 and that the buffers intended to protect the Park cannot be weakened. This was a significant win, and it happened because our members and supporters stayed engaged and helped fund years of legal work. However, despite the court’s clear ruling, the NC DEQ has not yet issued the revised permit ordered by the court, and Wake Stone is continuing efforts to intervene and overturn the decision. We are actively responding in court and prepared to defend the ruling. The Umstead Coalition is the only nonprofit dedicated to supporting #UmsteadStatePark. As a volunteer-led organization, 100% of your donations go directly to supporting the Park and surrounding open space, ensuring that your generosity has a direct and lasting impact. The Umstead Coalition is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. Thank you for your continued commitment to this Park. Your year-end gift helps ensure that we can finish the work we have started and protect Umstead — permanently. You can make a donation via the Instagram Fundraiser in our bio. I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events! - Dr. Jean Spooner Chair, The Umstead Coalition PS: Read our full 2025 Year in Review on our website 📸 Hand in Hand by Sean Fernandes, Misty Morning at the Company Mill Site by Peter Vandeberg, Barn Owl by Marcelle Kirk, Serenity by Grace Levine, Heron & Friend by Ben Payne

For nearly 40 years, through the original 1981 Wake Stone mining permit and eight subsequent renewals and modifications, NC State Parks and the public relied on two essential protections: the 50-year Sunset Clause and the undisturbed buffers measured from the top of bank of Crabtree Creek. After improper removal of those protections from the permit, and years of Wake Stone’s legal resistance and repeated attempts to block review of these issues, the Umstead Coalition ultimately secured a court decision restoring those long-standing protections for #UmsteadStatePark. Justice has been done and the Sunset Clause and buffer protections upon which we have all depended have been restored. The Umstead Coalition sought and achieved: -Restoration of the 50-year Sunset Clause that Wake Stone Corporation agreed to and was a condition included in the original Mining Permit on May 13, 1981 and eight subsequent Permit Renewals and Modifications through December 1, 2017. The Sunset Clause gave the State the “right to acquire the quarry site at the end of 50 years or 10 years after quarrying operations have ceased, whichever is sooner.” (The March 26, 2018 Mining Permit Modification requested by Wake Stone changed “sooner” to “later” effectively eliminating the Sunset Clause that had been in effect for 37 years and counted upon by NC State Parks.) -The restoration of Crabtree Creek protective buffers to be measured from the top of stream bank. Their width was decreased in the March 26, 2018 Permit by moving the protective buffers to instead be measured from the center of Crabtree Creek. Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair of The Umstead Coalition, “We are thankful for the Court’s decision to restore the Sunset Clause and Crabtree Creek buffers on the Triangle Quarry to protect William B. Umstead State Park. These conditions were negotiated in good faith in 1981 between Wake Stone, State Parks and other State agencies at the highest level, with the clear expectation these protections would be a permanent requirement of the mining operation.” Thank you to our volunteers and our generous supporters who helped us achieve this monumental win for our Park! See more at the link in our bio

Sunset Clause Court Case Update: The current Wake Stone Triangle Quarry adjacent to Umstead State Park had their original Mining Permit 92‐10 approved in 1981 with a 50-year Sunset Clause and protective Park and stream buffers. After 50 years, in 2031, Wake Stone was to donate the pit to the State and all mining operations would cease. Wake Stone accepted permit renewals and modifications without objections to the Sunset Clause for 37 years. In 2018, without public notice, the Wake Stone Mining Permit was changed to eliminate the Sunset Clause, take out the undisturbed protections along the Creek and the Park, and reduce the protective buffers along Crabtree Creek by 30 feet and allow for them to be “unexcavated” which means logging, roads, stock piling, etc. In 2023 to present, various court filings and Hearings in a very winding legal manner have transpired (more details are on www.umsteadcoalition.org). We do not have the official ruling, but Wake County Superior Court Judge Sean Cole’s draft ruling is now public record, and it is in support of the Umstead Coalition. Current Status: Wake Stone saw this draft ruling and then filed a Hail Mary to Intervene with the stated purpose of getting our case dismissed, that is, to void our win. Our lawyers are defending our case at a Virtual hearing on December 1. We believe we will eventually prevail! Illustration: Anna Winters

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