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Who we are.

Three Rivers Land Trust has conserved over 50,000 acres in North Carolina since its inception in 1995.

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit land conservation organization headquartered in Salisbury, North Carolina. We conserve local land, natural areas, rural landscapes, family farms, scenic rivers, and historic places within North Carolina’s central Piedmont and Sandhills. Contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations make it possible for TRLT to expand public land, save family farms, and protect local waters in our region.

Our Name

From 1995 to 2018, Three Rivers Land Trust was known as The Landtrust for Central North Carolina. In 2018, the organization rebranded as “Three Rivers Land Trust” (TRLT). At that time, TRLT operated in 10 counties, each of which came into contact with one of the region’s three major rivers – Yadkin-Pee Dee, Uwharrie, and Rocky. In 2019, TRLT merged with the Sandhills Area Land Trust (SALT). Our area of operation expanded to 15 counties and more major rivers, but the name “Three Rivers” remains.

Our Reach

Our Reach

We proudly operate in 15 counties within North Carolina’s central Piedmont and Sandhills regions:

Anson, Cabarrus, Cumberland, Davidson, Davie, Harnett, Hoke, Iredell, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Rowan, Scotland, and Stanly.

Love it here? Keep it here.

In order to enjoy the rural landscapes and natural areas of the central Piedmont and Sandhills in the future, we must act now to conserve them.

We work with willing landowners by offering reasonable, attractive options to those who want to save their lands for future generations to enjoy.

Do you have a property you’d like to conserve?
We can help you navigate the process. Contact a conservation expert and explore your options.

Meet the Team

Travis Morehead
Travis Morehead

Executive Director

Crystal Cockman
Crystal Cockman

Associate Director

Emily Callicutt
Emily Callicutt

Senior Land Protection Specialist

Kyle Shores
Kyle Shores

Land Protection Specialist

Katie Stovall
Katie Stovall

Conservation Land Manager

Mark Bost
Mark Bost

Habitat Enhancement Lands Program Coordinator

Matthew WIlliams
Matthew Williams

Senior Stewardship Associate

Barry Hull
Barry Hull

Sandhills Conservation Coordinator

Valerie Alzner
Valerie Alzner

Habitat Enhancement Lands Program Coordinator

Michael Chupita
Michael Chupita

Development Associate, Membership

Sarah Paynter
Sarah Paynter

Senior Development Associate

Pierce Foster
Pierce Foster

Communications Associate

Alexis Rowe
Alexis Rowe

Development Associate, Local Business

Tonya Judge
Tonya Judge

Office Manager

Buren Fulmer
Buren Fulmer

Sandhills Stewardship Associate

Jessie Wilson
Jessie Wilson

Stewardship Associate

Join Our team!

Do what you love for a cause you can believe in.

Careers

Board of Directors

Image Mike Mabry
Mike Mabry

President - Iredell County

Retired Executive VP, Lowe’s

Image Mike Morton
Mike Morton

Vice President - Davie County

Retired CEO, Carolina Farm Credit

Images Francis Willis
Frances Willis

Secretary - Scotland County

Entrepreneur

Image Rick Allenbaugh
Rick Allenbaugh

Treasurer - Moore County

Retired, U.S. Army

Image John Bartlett
John Bartlett

Harnett County

Professor in Wildlife Ecology at Campbell University

Image Robert Hall
Robert Hall

Moore County

Retired Military

Image Darrell Hancock
Darrell Hancock

Rowan County

Attorney

Image Kathy Davis
Kathy Davis

Stanly County

Farmer

Image Monty Crump
Monty Crump

Richmond County

City Manager, Rockingham

Image Reginald Roberts
Reginald Roberts Sr., Ph.D.

Rowan County

Vice President of Public Safety, Chief of Police

Image Steve Smith
Steve Smith

Davidson County

Vice President, Smith Companies of Lexington

Image Davon Goodwin
Davon Goodwin

Scotland County

Farmer, Former U.S. Army

Larry Hale

Cabarrus County

Former U.S. Army

Image West Hunter
West Hunter

Iredell County

Owner, Hunter Construction Group

Jeff Moose
Jeff Moose

Iredell County

Business Owner

Image TRLT Logo White
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204 East Innes Street, Suite 120
Salisbury, NC 28144

(704) 647-0302

Connected to the Land.
Committed to Conservation.

CAMPFIRE CONVERSATIONS PODCAST

CAMPFIRE CONVERSATIONS PODCAST

New episodes twice a month. Listen on all platforms.

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Image Travis Morehead

Travis Morehead

Executive Director | travis@trlt.org

Travis was selected as the Executive Director position in February of 2016. Previously, he worked with the Catawba Lands Conservancy as the operations director of the Carolina Thread Trail project. Prior to that, he served in the military, including a combat deployment in Iraq, and worked as a senior and principal city planner for the town of Cary. Travis grew up in Stanly County and attended high school in Albemarle. He has a degree in political science with a concentration in town, city, and county management from Appalachian State University. Travis is dedicated to the Uwharrie region and the heartland area of North Carolina. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.
Contact Travis
Image Crystal Cockman

Crystal Cockman

Associate Director | crystal@trlt.org

Crystal began her time with TRLT as a Duke University Stanback Intern in the summer of 2005. She enjoyed the job so much that she came back to work part-time her last semester of graduate school, and then joined on as a full-time staff member in July 2006. A local girl born and raised in Moore County, Crystal has always had a heart for local conservation. She graduated from Duke University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, and minors in Earth and Ocean Science and English. In May 2006, she received her Master of Environmental Management from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, with a focus on Environmental Health and Security. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, backpacking, hiking, fly-fishing, and the outdoors.

Contact Crystal
Image Emily Callicutt

Emily Callicutt

Senior Land Protection Specialist | emily@trlt.org

Emily began working for Three Rivers Land Trust in February 2021. She attended North Carolina State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology in the spring of 2020. Emily graduated from Clemson University with a Masters degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Resource Management in December of 2023. She is also a Certified Associate Wildlife Biologist. Before coming to the Land Trust, she worked on wildlife management projects for private companies and managed the hunting program on a wildlife refuge. As a Montgomery County native, Emily is passionate about conserving the natural lands she has been able to enjoy in the region. In her spare time, Emily is an avid birder and also enjoys hiking, paddling, and baking.

Contact Emily
Image Kyle Shores

Kyle Shores

Land Protection Specialist | kyle@trlt.org

Kyle joined TRLT in June of 2023 as a Land Protection Specialist. He graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences, and a minor in Geology. Kyle has worked in a variety of industries, including an environmental specialist, insurance underwriter, and most recently a craft brewer. With a passion for the natural world since childhood, Kyle enjoys all things outdoors, including backpacking, hiking, hunting, and live music. Kyle’s conservation story began when he successfully completed a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2016. This 5-month journey over 2,189 miles had such a tremendous impact on his life and demonstrated the importance of conserving wild spaces. As a native of Salisbury, there is no greater joy to him than being able to work to conserve local lands in the heart of North Carolina.

Contact Kyle
Image Katie Stovall

Katie Stovall

Conservation Land Manager | katie@trlt.org

Katie began working with TRLT in November of 2021. She received her master’s degree in Wildlife Science from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s in Natural Resource Conservation and Management with a concentration in forestry from Western Carolina University. Katie has prior experience working for the N.C. Forest Service and the Tennessee Valley Authority, where she provided land management information and technical support to forest landowners and wildlife managers. Katie’s interest and expertise is in prescribed fire, applied habitat management, sound forest management, and blending wildlife and forestry objectives. In her free time, Katie enjoys sharing the conservation ethic with others, especially kids, and promoting the wonderful natural resources that our state has to offer.

Contact Katie
Image Mark Bost

Mark Bost

Habitat Enhancement Lands Program Coordinator | mark@trlt.org

Mark Bost joined TRLT in a part-time role as the Habitat Enhancement Lands Program Coordinator in June 2023. Mark graduated from NC State University in 1995 and had a long career with the NC Forest Service, working all over the state before recently retiring. Mark’s passion is native ecosystem restoration with a focus on longleaf and shortleaf pine restoration and hardwood forest management. Mark enjoys all outdoor activities, but especially fishing, farming, bird watching, and woodworking. Mark is a North Carolina Registered Forester, International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist, Certified Tree Farm Inspector, and NC Certified Burner.

Contact Mark
Image Matthew Williams

Matthew Williams

Senior Stewardship Associate | matthew@trlt.org

Matthew joined TRLT in August of 2022. His current role is the Stewardship Associate. In this role, Matthew makes annual contact with landowners that are enrolled in Three Rivers Conservation Easement Programs to make sure there are no easement violations. Matthew graduated from Gaston Early College High School in Dallas, North Carolina where he gained his associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. From there he received a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology at North Carolina State University. Matthew has extensive equipment operating experience along with an understanding of land management best practices that can give landowners insight into what they could potentially need to achieve their land management goals. In his free time, Matthew enjoys hunting, fishing, playing the guitar, and spending time with his family and dog named Gunner.

Contact Matthew
Image Barry Hull

Barry Hull

Sandhills Conservation Coordinator | barry@trlt.org

Barry began working as the Sandhills Conservation Coordinator for Three Rivers Land Trust in April 2023. He is an NC native who grew up in the woods and farmlands surrounding his home in rural Iredell County. He learned much about the outdoors through trial and error and Scouting. After graduating from WCU, Barry served 11 years in the Active Army. After leaving, he worked for the Army in various capacities and remained in the National Guard until retirement. He has worked on land preservation in the area for 12 years. His wife Christine grew up on a small farm in western NC and still works for the US Army. They have three grown children, two boys both on active duty and a daughter pursuing her bachelor’s at UNCW.

Contact Barry
Image Valerie Alzner

Valerie Alzner

Stewardship Associate | val@trlt.org

Valerie Alzner began working as a Stewardship Associate for the Three Rivers Land Trust in July 2019 when Three Rivers merged with Sandhills Area Land Trust. Valerie began working for Sandhills Area Land Trust in 2007 as a Land Steward Associate. She served in the U.S. Army as a Blackhawk helicopter mechanic/crew chief before getting a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University in 2005. Since graduation, she has worked as an intern at the U.S. Army Environmental Center and has banded birds in West Virginia for the Institute of Bird Populations. Valerie is a native of Michigan and first came to North Carolina in 1990 with her husband who was stationed at Ft. Bragg. In her free time, she enjoys keeping chickens, hiking, camping, reading and spending time with family.

Contact Valerie
Image Michael Chupita

Michael Chupita

Development Associate, Membership | michael@trlt.org

Michael joined TRLT in October of 2023 as a Development Associate. He graduated from UNC Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Born and raised in the dairy state of Wisconsin, Michael has called the Piedmont region of North Carolina home since 2008. He has spent the past three years working as a real estate agent servicing the greater Lake Norman area. An avid hunter and fisherman, Michael enjoys spending his time in the outdoors and has a strong passion for conservation. Growing up working on a dairy farm, Michael understands the importance of family farms and the significance that the agricultural industry as a whole provides to the public. He is thrilled to be able to assist TRLT in their conservation efforts.

Contact Michael
Image Sarah Paynter

Sarah Paynter

Senior Stewardship Associate | sarah@trlt.org

Sarah joined the Three Rivers Land Trust team in January of 2024. Born and raised on a small farm in eastern North Carolina, she appreciates the importance of saving and conserving family lands. She has over fifteen years’ experience fundraising for nonprofits and higher education in our region. Sarah is a graduate of Pfeiffer University and enjoys gardening and spending time on the lake. Aside from volunteering with an animal rescue league in our community, she also serves on several planning committees in Mount
Pleasant, where she resides.

Contact Sarah
Image Pierce Foster

Pierce Foster

Communications Associate | pierce@trlt.org

Pierce joined the TRLT team in February of 2024. Pierce is a multidisciplinary designer, writer, art director and filmmaker who loves collaboration and pushing ideas as far as they can go. Pierce has worked in both agency and in-house environments and has extensive experience in the food and textile industries. In his free time, Pierce loves film, physical fitness, and outdoor adventures.

Contact Pierce
Image Alexis Rowe

Alexis Rowe

Development Associate, Local Business | alexis@trlt.org

Alexis joined TRLT in March of 2024. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Biology. She comes to us with several years’ experience working with native wildlife as a zookeeper as well as nonprofit fundraising. Alexis grew up in Stanly County exploring the woods and creek by her home. She has a lifelong passion for the conservation of wildlife and their natural habitats. She enjoys being involved in her community and connecting with local businesses who
foster the same desire to conserve our rural landscapes. Alexis enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, and growing her own food and flowers in her garden with her young daughter.

Contact Alexis
Image Tonya Judge

Tonya Judge

Office Manager | tonya@trlt.org

Tonya holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and leadership from Pfeiffer University. She has over nineteen years of experience in fundraising and event management within the nonprofit sector. Passionate about serving her community, Tonya actively volunteers and serves on various community boards. Beyond her professional commitments, she finds joy in gardening, particularly planting flowers, and spending quality time with her family.

Contact Tonya
Image Buren Fulmer

Buren Fulmer

Sandhills Stewardship Associate | buren@trlt.org

Buren Fulmer joined Three Rivers as the Sandhills Stewardship Associate in May 2024. Buren is a graduate of Western Carolina University with a Bachelor’s in Natural Resource Management and a concentration in forestry. Buren recently retired from the North Carolina Forest Service, working his entire career in the Sandhills region. Buren’s passion is the longleaf pine ecosystem, with a focus on restoration and prescribed burning. Buren enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.

Contact Buren
Jessie Wilson

Jessie Wilson

Stewardship Associate | jessie@trlt.org

Jessie Wilson joined TRLT in August of 2024 as a Stewardship Associate. She graduated from UNCW with a Master’s in Environmental Studies, with a concentration in Conservation and Management. Jessie received her Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and a minor in Geology from Appalachian State University. A Montgomery County native, Jessie grew up spending her weekends on horseback in the Uwharrie National Forest and “helping” her grandpa drive his boat on Lake Tillery. She is passionate about protecting the beautiful land in the Piedmont region that her family has called home for generations. Today, most weekends still find her in the woods, either riding her horse or hiking with her dog.

Contact Jessie