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.

The 46-acre property in Iredell County consists of rolling horse pastures and a barn, while the 32-acre property in Yadkin County includes a mix of hardwood forests and hay fields. As NC continues to lose forest and farmland at unprecedented rates, conserving these landscapes are crucial. Agriculture is the number one industry in NC, in addition to being a significant part of its rural character and traditions. The Davis family has witnessed the loss of once productive rural land to development, and knew they wanted to prevent that from happening to their family land.

For the Dean and Amy Davis, conserving their land is part of a longstanding commitment to maintaining the rural character of their communities and safeguarding land forever. It is also a way to honor all the work and sacrifice of previous generations to keep these lands in production.

“We want to see rural areas stay rural. At the rate we are going, there won’t be anything left for those that come after us to enjoy and farm,” said Dean and Amy Davis. “This is family land, and we have worked hard to keep it that way. Now that it is conserved and we know that all our work and our family’s work will be protected. Our land will stay rural, like it was always meant to be.”

“Private landowners play an important role in the future of conservation across our region,” said Emily Callicutt, TRLT’s Director of Conservation. “We’re grateful to partner with Dean and Amy, whose commitment to conserving their land will help maintain the rural character of these areas for years to come.”

Three Rivers Land Trust is committed to working with private landowners and conservation supporters across central North Carolina to conserve the lands, farms, waters, and wildlife habitat that define our region. Together, we can keep rural lands rural for future generations.