Along Panther Creek’s banks, one landowner has decided to conserve a piece of family land that holds special value for wildlife and the people who grew up loving it. Landowners Susan and David Davis have partnered with Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) to conserve 75 acres in Randolph County, helping ensure its mixed hardwood forests and wildlife habitat remain undeveloped forever.
The future of rural landscapes often depends on the decisions landowners make today. Through a partnership with Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT), conservation-minded landowners Dean and Amy Davis have conserved two properties totaling 78 acres in Iredell and Yadkin counties. Their shared commitment to keeping rural areas undeveloped for generations inspired them to seek this partnership with the TRLT.
From the waters of a small tributary of Rocky Creek to the peak of Shumaker Mountain, 150 acres in Iredell County are now permanently conserved. Located on the border of Iredell and Alexander Counties, the property contains mature forests and riparian corridors that create excellent wildlife habitat.
Paddlers and anglers alike frequent Abbotts Creek for its excellent fishing and scenic views. Now, 130 acres of farm and forest land along this important Yadkin River tributary are permanently conserved, helping ensure the beauty and natural character of Abbotts Creek remain for generations to come.
The newly conserved property contains 3,600 feet of frontage along Abbotts Creek and 56 acres of bottomland hardwood forest. These forests provide valuable habitat for wildlife while also contributing to the ecological health of the creek and surrounding landscape.
Along the shoreline of the Cape Fear River, near Raven Rock State Park, 225 acres of land in Harnett County will remain undeveloped and permanently conserved thanks to the landowners, the NC Land and Water Fund, and Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT). “This project was important to conserve for several different reasons: for improved water quality of the Cape Fear River, for the property’s visual proximity to Raven Rock State Park, and to help balance the scales of development due to the area’s continued rapid growth,” states Emily Calicutt, TRLT Director of Conservation.
Across the Cape Fear River lies Raven Rock State Park, a nearly 5,000-acre park known for its scenic cliffs, forests, and recreational opportunities. This park draws visitors from the rapidly developing Triangle every weekend. Conserving land adjacent to protected land creates important natural buffers that maintain the park’s scenic character while reducing habitat fragmentation and expanding connected wildlife corridors.
“Our families are delighted to be able to place 225 acres along the Cape Fear River into a permanent conservation easement that will protect the land across from Raven Rock State Park and the water flowing down the Cape Fear River. We initially purchased this land as a place to hike, swim, boat, and hunt with our families and friends. The idea of conserving it permanently came from discussions with Three Rivers Land Trust. It is our hope that others with land along the Cape Fear will do the same so there will be expanses of forest land for future generations to enjoy,” said landowners John Linderman and Mary & Jack Clayton in a joint statement.
Along the shoreline of the Cape Fear River, near Raven Rock State Park, 225 acres of land in Harnett County will remain undeveloped and permanently conserved thanks to the landowners, the NC Land and Water Fund, and Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT). “This project was important to conserve for several different reasons: for improved water quality of the Cape Fear River, for the property’s visual proximity to Raven Rock State Park, and to help balance the scales of development due to the area’s continued rapid growth,” states Emily Calicutt, TRLT Director of Conservation.
Across the Cape Fear River lies Raven Rock State Park, a nearly 5,000-acre park known for its scenic cliffs, forests, and recreational opportunities. This park draws visitors from the rapidly developing Triangle every weekend. Conserving land adjacent to protected land creates important natural buffers that maintain the park’s scenic character while reducing habitat fragmentation and expanding connected wildlife corridors.
“Our families are delighted to be able to place 225 acres along the Cape Fear River into a permanent conservation easement that will protect the land across from Raven Rock State Park and the water flowing down the Cape Fear River. We initially purchased this land as a place to hike, swim, boat, and hunt with our families and friends. The idea of conserving it permanently came from discussions with Three Rivers Land Trust. It is our hope that others with land along the Cape Fear will do the same so there will be expanses of forest land for future generations to enjoy,” said landowners John Linderman and Mary & Jack Clayton in a joint statement.
Across the central Piedmont and Sandhills of North Carolina, the familiar rural landscapes that make this region so special are quickly being lost to development. It is estimated that North Carolina loses 55 acres of farmland every day, and that loss is driven by low-density residential development, according to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Office. To help prevent the loss of more family farms, Three Rivers Land Trust has been awarded $11 million from state and federal government partners to help permanently conserve over 1,500 acres of agricultural lands.
Across the central Piedmont and Sandhills of North Carolina, the familiar rural landscapes that make this region so special are quickly being lost to development. It is estimated that North Carolina loses 55 acres of farmland every day, and that loss is driven by low-density residential development, according to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Office. To help prevent the loss of more family farms, Three Rivers Land Trust has been awarded $11 million from state and federal government partners to help permanently conserve over 1,500 acres of agricultural lands.
A privately owned tract bordering the Uwharrie National Forest, less than a mile from the Uwharrie Trail, will remain undeveloped forever thanks to a donated conservation easement completed by Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT). The 82-acre property contains mature hardwood forests and Cedar Creek, a tributary of the Uwharrie River.