For Immediate Release
March 14, 2011
Charlotte, N.C. – The Catawba Lands Conservancy Board of Directors Chair, Tommy Lee, announced today that Dave Cable, leader of the region’s largest environmental and land conservation non-profit group, will be leaving the Conservancy following a successful seven-year tenure as executive director of the Conservancy and the more recently developed Carolina Thread Trail.
“For the past seven years, Charlotte and the 15-county region have benefited from Dave Cable’s leadership as a champion for responsible stewardship of land and our environment,” said Lee. “It is with sadness and a profound respect for Dave’s accomplishments that I write to announce Dave’s decision to leave his current role as executive director of the Conservancy and the management of its day-to-day operations.”
Cable has led the organization through nearly a decade of conservation projects and has strengthened outreach and education across the region. He has worked closely with community leaders on issues of land conservation and protection, and on education efforts about the mutual importance of respect for the environment and carefully planned development for urban core, suburban, and rural areas in our region. The Carolina Thread Trail, a collaborative regional initiative, was launched in 2007 under his leadership. Board of Directors Chairs of the Conservancy during Cable’s tenure have included Frank Bragg, Kathryn Heath, Bo Elliott, Jack Meckler, and Tommy Lee, while Ruth Shaw (past chair) and Philip Blumenthal (current chair) have served as chairs of the Carolina Thread Trail Governing Board.
The Conservancy has achieved several key accomplishments under Cable’s leadership:
- Led the Conservancy to become one of the first nationally accredited land trusts
- Advocated for North Carolina’s conservation policies and funding, including the state’s critical Clean Water Management Trust Fund
- Doubled regional conserved lands to 10,700 acres permanently protected by the Conservancy, adding 5,300 acres during seven years
- Raised significant capital for land conservation efforts to support the Conservancy and the Carolina Thread Trail
- Broadened the reach of the Conservancy through collaborative leadership with organizations and communities throughout the region
“Dave’s departure will end a seven-year era of transformative accomplishments for the good of our region and its communities,” said Lee. “Dave has agreed to assist in a smooth and carefully planned transition for the Conservancy and The Thread, and will be on retainer as a strategic advisor for a period of time to support both boards and the new leadership of the Conservancy and The Thread.”
“I could not be more proud of the team that will continue to lead the Conservancy,” said Cable. “Together we have accomplished a great deal and while I look forward to pursuing new adventures in life, a part of me will always remain committed to our efforts to preserve natural lands in the region.”
A search will begin this spring for a new executive director.
About Catawba Lands Conservancy
Catawba Lands Conservancy is dedicated to saving land and connecting lives to nature. The Conservancy protects more than 10,000 acres in Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Union counties and is one of 24 land trusts serving North Carolina. The organization focuses its efforts in four key areas: clean water, local farms, wildlife habitat and providing public access to nature. The Conservancy is supported in part with operating support by the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Inc. Catawba Lands Conservancy is the lead agency for the Carolina Thread Trail, an initiative that links more than two million citizens with hundreds of miles of trails that wind through fifteen counties in North and South Carolina.
About The Carolina Thread Trail
The Carolina Thread Trail (The Thread) is a 15-county, two state initiative designed to inspire and facilitate the creation of a regional network of trails, blueways, and conservation corridors that is growing together to link more than 2.3 million citizens. With technical resources and catalytic funding from The Thread, local communities plan and implement their portions of this green interstate system. Catawba Lands Conservancy is the lead agency for The Thread, working in partnership with Foundation For The Carolinas and many other local partners.
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