Students Plant Trees at Battleship

Battleship North Carolina and UNCW students plant historic bald cypress trees from Three Sisters Swamp, preserving North Carolina’s natural heritage.

The Battleship North Carolina Memorial in Wilmington, North Carolina, has launched a meaningful conservation and education initiative by partnering with University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) students to plant historic bald cypress trees on the Battleship grounds. This project supports long-term environmental stewardship while honoring North Carolina’s natural heritage.

Historic Bald Cypress Seedlings from Three Sisters Swamp

The newly planted bald cypress trees were grown from cones collected in North Carolina’s Three Sisters Swamp, a remote section of the Black River known for containing some of the oldest bald cypress trees in the world. One of these trees has been verified at 2,628 years old, making the seedlings direct descendants of an ancient and ecologically significant forest.

Captain Charles Robbins played a key role in the project by donating 19 bald cypress seedlings that he personally cultivated. His contribution helped bring these rare and meaningful trees to the Battleship North Carolina site, creating a living link between the state’s natural and cultural history.

UNCW Students Support Conservation and Hands-On Learning

Under the leadership of Amy Long, M.S., C.E.E., student volunteers from UNCW helped plant the young trees across the Battleship property on November 13, 2025. The trees were placed in carefully selected locations to maximize both environmental benefits and visitor visibility.

This partnership between the Battleship North Carolina and UNCW provides:
• Long-term shoreline and soil stabilization along the riverfront
• Increased native biodiversity on the Battleship grounds
• Experiential learning opportunities for university students
• Stronger community partnerships focused on conservation and heritage

The project gives students practical, hands-on experience in environmental science while contributing to the health and resilience of the local ecosystem.

Connecting Natural and Cultural Heritage

The Battleship North Carolina is both a historic landmark and a community gathering place. By planting descendants of some of the world’s oldest bald cypress trees on the site, the memorial creates a powerful connection between the ship’s military legacy and the region’s ancient natural landscape.

Visitors to the Battleship North Carolina can now experience not only an important piece of World War II history, but also a living symbol of North Carolina’s environmental heritage growing along the riverfront.

Ongoing Commitment to Education and Stewardship

The Battleship North Carolina continues to develop environmental and educational initiatives that align with its mission to honor the past, engage the community, and protect North Carolina’s natural and cultural resources for future generations.

Through partnerships with organizations like UNCW and dedicated community members, the Battleship site is evolving into a space where history, science, and conservation come together in meaningful and lasting ways.