The temperature is 35 degrees, and a steady rain is coming down as Special Forces candidates begin their night land navigation course at Camp Mackall, North Carolina. Each candidate will be moving throughout the night from point to point with a heavy rucksack, made even heavier by the falling rain. Land navigation, long movements, and inclement weather are just some of the hallmarks of the Special Forces Assessment and Selection program that takes place at Camp Mackall. This long-standing process is fundamental in selecting candidates who have the right attributes to become a Special Forces soldier.
As growth continues across Davidson County, the opportunity to conserve meaningful pieces of
land becomes increasingly important. David and Terry Craver have chosen to do just that,
working with Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) to permanently conserve over 52 acres of their
family property.
One Moore County landowner has made a lasting commitment to conservation. In partnership with Three Rivers Land Trust, a 43-acre farm is now permanently conserved, ensuring it continues to support agriculture for generations to come. The farm produces sheep, goats, and chickens—an increasingly rare combination in North Carolina. Less than 4 percent of farms across the state raise sheep and goats, and that number is declining. Between 2017 and 2022, sheep and goat farms decreased by 25 percent, leaving approximately 1,500 remaining statewide. If this trend continues, fewer than 1,000 could remain by 2030.
Protecting local waters is one of Three Rivers Land Trust’s (TRLT) most important missions, which is why TRLT is proud to announce the permanent protection of 467 acres along Drowning Creek in Moore County. Drowning Creek is the headwaters of the Lumber River and is classified as a high-quality watershed by the State of North Carolina. The stream is also the primary drinking water source for the Town of Southern Pines. Protection of this property will help ensure the continued maintenance of water quality along this stretch of Drowning Creek.
Protecting local waters is one of Three Rivers Land Trust’s (TRLT) most important missions, which is why TRLT is proud to announce the permanent protection of 467 acres along Drowning Creek in Moore County. Drowning Creek is the headwaters of the Lumber River and is classified as a high-quality watershed by the State of North Carolina. The stream is also the primary drinking water source for the Town of Southern Pines. Protection of this property will help ensure the continued maintenance of water quality along this stretch of Drowning Creek.
Davie County is experiencing an annual growth rate of nearly 2 percent, compared to North Carolina’s overall growth rate of 1.3 percent. Rapid growth brings increased land development, often converting farms and forests into subdivisions. Fortunately, one family outside the fast-growing town of Bermuda Run decided their property was too important to lose.
Terry Sharpe is no stranger to land conservation, having previously protected 114 acres in 2013 with Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT). Terry has continued his efforts to protect native plants and wildlife habitat by placing an additional 90 acres into a conservation easement with TRLT.
Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) is pleased to announce it has received a grant from SC Johnson to support local farmland conservation efforts in the Piedmont and Sandhills of North Carolina. This marks the fourth consecutive year of support from SC Johnson, reinforcing the company’s commitment to giving back to communities where it operates
In a landscape shaped by agriculture and forests, 770 acres of working farm and forest land in Harnett County are now permanently conserved. Conserved through a permanent easement in partnership with Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT), the property will continue to protect productive soils, managed timberland, and natural resources that sustain the county’s rural character and economy.
Driving Highway 109 towards Winston-Salem in Davidson County the evidence of growth and urban sprawl is apparent. Creeping in from every direction, the cities of High Point, Winston-Salem, and Lexington appear to be determined to consume the last remnants of rural land. Situated directly in the middle of this development pressure is the land owned by the Cridlebaugh family. Ms. Cridlebaugh has decided to go against the grain of development by working with Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) to permanently conserve an additional 45 acre parcel of their family land.
