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TGOW - Tall Glass of Water
Project
The 'Tall Glass of Water' (TGOW)
Project celebrates the rich natural and cultural landscape
of Bertie County. As a region, Eastern North Carolina is a
beautiful and serene landscape that so often tends to be
overlooked as people are drawn to the oceanfront beaches,
mountains, and urban areas.
Big Picture Goals
Bertie's greatest assets,
besides its people, are a pristine natural landscape,
history, and diverse waterways. The Board of Commissioners
understand this and have moved forward to preserve and
protect these invaluable resources while at the same time
create new paths towards the responsible and sustainable
promotion of these assets. Please contact one of the TGOW
Team for detailed information on Environmental Enhancement,
Shoreline Preservation, and Outdoor Recreation.
TGOW
Bertie County's investment in
the TGOW 147-acre property will be the first public beach
access to recreational waters, unlike anywhere else in
Northeastern North Carolina. Referred to locally as "Tall
Glass of Water" (TGOW)" until a name and logo have been
selected, the site's most stunning feature is its 2,200
linear feet of sand beach and shallow calm waters overlooked
by impressive high cliffs on the Albemarle Sound where the
Chowan River begins.
Opportunities will include
swimming, canoeing & kayaking, a music pavilion, 7 miles of
hiking, camping, and environmental education field
experiences for students and adults.
The Bertie County Board of
Education has also embraced in-the-field teaching and
hands-on learning opportunities for local students at TGOW,
with discussions regarding expanding the "Sound to the Sea"
curriculum and field laboratory activities here in Bertie
County.
The purchase was made possible
by Bertie County Board of Commissioners and NC Parks and
Recreation Trust Fund.
Good Neighbors

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Bertie County's investment is
complemented by the NC Coastal Land Trust (NCCLT)
purchase of two parcels, 995 and 300-acres, adjacent
to TGOW (See map upper left). The larger parcel was
destined to become a 2,800 unit development and 212
slip marina, but with the economic downturn, the
property came up for sale, and NCCLT was able to
secure the site with funds awarded by the Clean
Water Management Trust Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, NC. Attorney General's Environmental
Enhancement Grant Fund, N.C. Parks and Recreation
Trust Fund, the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund, and
the US Department of Defense. In 2018 |
NCCLT conveyed the land to the NC. Division of Parks and
Recreation, which will manage the site as the new Salmon
Creek State Natural Area. The move ensures permanent
protection of its significant natural, historical,
archaeological, and cultural resources.
https://www.ncparks.gov/newsroom/media-releases/salmon-creek-property-transferred-state-new-natural-area
Together with the TGOW
147-acres, a total of 1,432 acres of Sound-front Bertie
wilderness has been preserved!
Natural Features, Ecological Significance and Eco-tourism
Dr. Stanley Riggs, North Carolina
Land Of Water
NCLOW Report 12-21-2018
NCLOW Report 9-4-2019
NCLOW Report 10-14-2019
(Presewntation Video)
Summary: From Rivers to Sounds
Bertie County is water-bound by a
complex of different kinds of drainage systems encircling
three sides of the county and dissecting it through the
interior. The great Roanoke River forms the entire western
and southern boundary, while the estuarine waters of
Albemarle Sound and the Chowan River embayed estuary forms
the southeastern and entire eastern boundary, respectively.
The interior of Bertie County is dominated by the dendritic
valley of the Cashie River and its upstream tributary
network and downstream inputs from Roquist and Wadling Place
creeks. Several smaller and incised, black-water tributary
streams flow into Albemarle Sound and include the Salmon,
Black Walnut, and Cashoke creeks. The high, eastfacing
bluffs of the Wicomoco and Talbot Terraces contain numerous
small, steep, and deeply incised, ephemeral drainages
characterized by small delta plains and cypress headlands
where they discharge into the Chowan River and Albemarle
Sound.
Eco-Tourism
Bertie County’s unique and
world-class water system represents a two-pronged future for
its citizens. The diverse and vast character of natural and
cultural resources can provide the framework for a new “From
Rivers to Sounds” program that focuses on regional
environmental education and forms the basis for a
sustainable eco-tourism economy. In order to develop this
eco-tourism economy, environmental education is essential to
grow an educated citizenry in
order to maintain a healthy
environment and to cultivate and train local personnel for
new career opportunities within the Bertie waterscape.
Eco-tourism has the potential to provide important economic
benefits with an influx of new travelers visiting the region
resulting in increased spending, new local businesses and
jobs, and development sensitive to the ecology and culture
of coastal eco-systems. Thus, an important goal is to
educate stakeholders about the advantages of sustainable
eco-tourism development and how to balance economic
revitalization with the 3-Ps (preservation, protection, and
presentation) of Bertie County’s natural resources and
cultural history. Page 69
Development of paddle trails as well
as waterfront facilities and programs would build upon the
strategic business clusters identified by the Bertie County
Board of Commissioners, which include adventure and
eco-tourism market segments. Capitalizing on the wildlife
resources for hunting and fishing and natural resources for
eco-tourism around birding, boating, paddling, hiking, and
touring would offer local entrepreneurs the opportunity to
create small businesses to support recreation and
eco-tourism activities. The natural resources and cultural
history of Bertie County provide a great opportunity for
continued development of outdoor recreation and tourism. In
the 2018 Bertie County Comprehensive Recreation Plan, public
input showed overwhelming support for outdoor recreation and
tourism. Page 9
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May
1, 2020 Project Plan
(Click to
Enlarge)

In the News
October 27,
2020
TGOW Project receives $125,000 for Environmental Enhancement
October 15,
2020
Discovery shows Lost Colony survivors lived inland
September 22,
2020
PARTF Awards Bertie's TGOW $500,000
July 14,
2020
NCGrowth-SmartUp
Partner with Bertie County TGOW
March 1, 2020
Meet VINES Architecture
January 17, 2020
Bertie
Seeks PARTF
November 2019
NCACC CountyCast - Bertie County's Tall
Glass of Water
November 2019
NC
Association of County Commissioners:
CountyCast - Bertie County's Tall Gloss
of Water
June 28, 2019
Bertie County turning rivers, creeks,
woods into economic catalyst
April 26, 2019
County Talks TGOW
January 16, 2019
Commissioners Exercise Eminent Domain
January 14, 2019
Bertie County Press Release
March 26, 2018
Governor Cooper Hosts Conservation
Groups
August 30, 2016
Soothing Water
April 7, 2016
"Sounds" Good
Project Partners

Community Voices
“Great job Bertie!”
L. Helms
“Can't wait to come and
experience Bertie Co. Beach. Great Accomplishment!!” M. Bond
“We had the best time!! We will
be there every weekend!!”
K. Copeland
“Great event! I enjoyed seeing
our county come together! Well planned and hats off to all
involved to make it happen!” P. Demofonte
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