One crisp fall morning, Dr. Michael Baranski looked out over his property and knew he wanted it to remain just as it was now. As a retired ecology professor, Dr. Baranski understands the importance of conservation. So, he and his wife Julia worked with Three Rivers Land Trust to thoughtfully conserve his property from future development.
“I love old forests, natural areas, and undeveloped landscapes. These places are rapidly disappearing due to urban sprawl. I am fortunate to have a piece of undeveloped property, consisting of a significant natural area and some very mature hardwoods. I am choosing to keep the forest intact and all the land undeveloped in perpetuity,” stated Dr. Baranski.
Situated along Fourth Creek, the property consists of old hardwoods and remnant fields. Fourth Creek feeds into the South Yadkin River, the major drinking water source for the residents of Salisbury. In addition to the water quality resources, this woodland boasts over 80% prime or statewide important soils. Many species of wildlife call this well-managed forest home. Conserving this site and its resources will benefit the local community for generations to come.
When Katie Dunlap heard about the Auto Port planned for northwestern Moore County, she knew she had to act. Only a few miles from her rural home, 200 acres are slated for development into condos, garages, a 20,000 square foot clubhouse, a driving track, and more. She reached out to Three Rivers Land Trust and began the process of donating a conservation easement.
On August 21, 2025, Three Rivers Land Trust conserved 87 acres of working farm and forest land in Montgomery and Richmond Counties, adding to the network of nearby conserved lands. These parcels are adjacent to over 350 acres of land previously conserved by TRLT.
Recently, TRLT conserved a 157-acre farm on the Cabarrus-Union County line. This family farm has been permanently conserved with grant funding from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and will now permanently be a part of NC’s agricultural landscape.
On May 1, 2025, Three Rivers Land Trust partnered with the Department of Defense and Fort Bragg to conserve a 25-acre farm located in southern Moore County. This equestrian farm is adjacent to Fort Bragg, one of the nation’s most active military installations. “The primary purpose of this project was to permanently conserve the land […]
Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) has received a $25,000 grant from SC Johnson to support farmland conservation in North Carolina’s Piedmont and Sandhills regions. This is the third consecutive year of funding from SC Johnson, highlighting the company’s commitment to local communities. The grant will help conserve prime agricultural land across 15 counties.
Three Rivers Land Trust has been awarded $1.57 million in grants to conserve 308 acres of farmland across Rowan and Cabarrus counties. These farms will now be forever conserved for future generations.
This past Saturday, a few friends and myself decided to hike from the Luther Place trailhead up to…
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