Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) Protects 52-acre Farm in Iredell County

On December 27^th, 2023 over 52 acres of land near the town of Harmony in Iredell County were permanently conserved. Three Rivers Land Trust worked to conserve this tract of land in partnership with the generous landowners who donated the conservation easement.

The land is currently a productive tree farm that also provides outstanding wildlife habitat. With a stretch of Dutchman Creek running through this tract, this conservation easement will also contribute towards the further protection of the Yadkin-Pee Dee watershed.

“The rapid rate of development in North Carolina threatens not only our productive agricultural lands and ability to feed future generations but also our native wildlife that utilize these farmlands as habitat,” states Land Protection Specialist Kyle Shores. “Once land is converted for development, it is almost certainly never going to be converted back to agricultural land again.”

“This will be the 6^th farm that TRLT has protected this year,” states Associate Director Crystal Cockman. “Agriculture is North Carolina’s # 1 industry; however, North Carolina ranks 2nd in the nation for potential agriculture land loss, according to the American Farmland Trust. In fact, Iredell County ranks 38^th in the nation for farmland loss. This is why it is so imperative to protect these farmlands for the benefit of our local community and all of North Carolina.”

This project was made possible through the generous donated conservation easement by the landowners, and the support of Three Rivers Land Trust’s work by its members. To learn more about how to conserve your lands or how you can support Three Rivers Land Trust in their conservation mission, please contact Emily Callicutt, Senior Land Protection Specialist at Three Rivers Land Trust by calling 704-647-0302 or by email at emily@trlt.org.

About Three Rivers Land Trust

Three Rivers Land Trust works with private landowners and public agencies to conserve the most important natural areas, scenic rivers, family farms, and historic places in a 15-county region of the central Piedmont and Sandhills. Since 1995, The Land Trust has worked to offer reasonable and attractive options to landowners who want to save their lands for future generations to enjoy. Our mission is to work thoughtfully and selectively with property owners, conserving land that is essential to our region. For more information about Three Rivers Land Trust, please contact the Land Trust at 704-647-0302 or membership@trlt.org or visit their website at trlt.org.