If the name Ricky Bevan sounds familiar, it’s for good reason. He is one of the three partners who owned the King Mountain Property, purchased by The LandTrust in April of this year, and was truly instrumental in seeing that important property protected. The King Mountain Property was a crucial acquisition, as it provides a critical link in the Uwharrie Trail, possesses natural heritage elements including the federally endangered Schweinitz’s sunflower, and also houses a tributary within the Barnes Creek outstanding resource watershed.

After Ricky sold his interest in King Mountain, he took the money and bought a tract beside the property where he lives in the Trinity area of Randolph County, and knew immediately what he wanted to do with it – preserve it. This year’s donation of 50 acres is actually adjacent to this newly purchased tract, and has three tributaries to the Uwharrie River and hardwood forests. Ricky and his wife, Kay, plan to donate an easement on the newly acquired portion next year, and include with it about thirty acres adjacent to his residence, which has a beautiful rocky stream and pond on it. In total, they will have protected over 130 acres.

A quick drive around this area reveals a beautiful landscape of Uwharrie Mountains. In the fall the reds, oranges and yellows brighten the landscape, with rolling hills around every bend in the road. But the area’s close proximity to High Point and Winston-Salem threaten this gorgeous landscape, as this area of Trinity is facing increasing development pressures. But there are a few landowners here who are working hard to keep it beautiful. Ricky’s property is near the protected John Holton Farm, 244 acres with a historic home, forests and fields. Other landowners and farmers in the area have also expressed interest in conservation easements.