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By Emily Callicutt
Crystal Cockman will be leaving Three Rivers Land Trust in October, 2024, after an 18-year career protecting special places in the Piedmont and Sandhills of North Carolina.
Crystal first joined the then Land Trust for Central North Carolina in 2005 as a Duke University Stanback Intern. She then joined as a full-time staff member in 2006 and has worked on land protection projects the entire time.
Crystal has been an instrumental part of the growth of the organization, helping TRLT gain and keep accreditation status, overseeing the merger with the Sandhills Area Land Trust, and working to expand land protection efforts in TRLTs growing region. Throughout her time with the land trust, Crystal has worked with countless landowners to conserve over 25,000 acres of land within TRLT’s region.
Anyone who has worked with Crystal in any capacity knows, her passion for this work is immense and her dedication to seeing projects through is remarkable. There is no one who embodies TRLT’s tagline of “Connected to the Land, Committed to Conservation” more than Crystal. She has worked tirelessly to close projects, often working after hours and on the weekends to ensure everything is done with perfection. Land protection work is not easy, but one of my favorite Crystal quotes is “nothing worthwhile is ever easy.” Her ability to solve problems and find creative solutions to problems is one of her greatest strengths, and is what has made her so successful in this work. From Uwharrie Trail reconnection, new NCWRC Gameland creation, water quality protection and new paddle access, and saving family farms, we have Crystal to thank.
A legacy of outstanding land protection is not the only thing Crystal will leave TRLT with. Crystal is responsible for some of TRLTs most popular events, including the Uwharrie Trail Thru Hike. Crystal started this event with a summer intern in 2013, and is has now grown into its 16th 100+ person event that helps raise funds and awareness for conservation in the Uwharries.
Crystal has also been responsible for preparing the next generation of land conservationists, having supervised over 40 interns and trained numerous new land protection staff. I am so thankful for the almost 4 years I have been able to spend learning from and working with Crystal. She is an incredible teacher and has generously shared her immense wealth of knowledge. It is because of her leadership and training that TRLT is prepared to have a successful future in accomplishing conservation work.
We are so grateful for all Crystal has done for TRLT, both professionally and personally, and wish her so much success in her new career with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
I am honored to follow in her footsteps and continue her legacy of conservation work in the Piedmont and Sandhills of NC.
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