Catawba Lands Conservancy made strong advances in 2011 towards its mission of saving land and connecting lives to nature. CLC ended 2011, its 20th year in operation, with another record-breaking year for land conservation in the Southern Piedmont region.

Since the beginning of 2011, CLC permanently protected 10 new properties totaling 1,623 acres in five counties within the greater Charlotte region (that acreage is equivalent to approximately 2.5 square miles or 1,623 football fields). The number of properties conserved and the total number of acres for 2011 represent the highest yearend totals to date since CLC was founded in 1991. In 2010, CLC protected 1,436 acres land, and at that time, was the largest acreage ever protected in a 12-month period by CLC.

Conserved properties offer the public and local communities significant benefits. In 2011, CLC conserved: four local farms with 456 acres of active farmland; 88,980 linear feet of river and stream frontage in three watersheds; 632 acres of wildlife habitat; one regionally significant Natural Heritage Area that contains two significant plant species and two significant wildlife species; and open space along six conserved properties for 9.7 miles of trail for the Carolina Thread Trail (The Thread).

Over the past 20 years, CLC has made a significant impact on conservation within the region. CLC currently protects a total of 160 properties and conserves 12,356 acres of land for public benefit, helping to make our region greener and healthier, and improving our quality of life. Through easements, land donations or purchases, CLC conserves land through perpetuity
for local farms, clean water, wildlife habitat and connections to nature via The Thread.

Funding for land conservation comes from local, state and federal funding sources or grants, and from public, private or corporate donations. Every dollar donated to CLC protects $10 worth of conserved land. Conservation easements allow landowners to permanently protect their land while continuing to own and use it.

All 10 of the conserved properties in 2011 have more than one conservation benefit, with six providing public access through future trails for The Thread which will connect outdoor recreation enthusiasts with natural resources.

Catawba Lands Conservancy Executive Director Tom Okel said CLC looks strategically at the conservation benefits and value of each project, and is taking advantage of the downturn in the economy and real estate development to maximize regional conservation efforts.

“We understand that this is a difficult time in our economy, but today’s land prices afford us a unique opportunity to proactively conserve property within our region,” said Okel. “In many cases, the slow real estate market has made conservation
easements or land donations a more viable alternative for landowners. We realize we must take advantage of this time and assist local landowners, developers and the public with saving our special places and heritage.”

Other land trusts across the state and country are also maximizing conservation efforts in today’s economic climate.  According to a recent report by the Land Trust Alliance, North Carolina showed strong growth over the past five years in land conservation. Nationally, 10 million acres were conserved from 2005-2010; North Carolina contributed to this success by increasing the amount of acres conserved statewide by 64 percent during that period.

Population increase is an important reason our region needs effective conservation efforts and strategies that support smart regional growth.  The U.S. Census Bureau ranks North Carolina fifth in the nation for numerical population growth over a 15-month period ending July 1, 2011, with an estimated 121,000 residents recently relocating to the state. The state has gained 1.5 million people since 2000 and remains the 1oth most populated state in the country.

“Our region is still growing even in tough economic times, so our work is as important as ever,” said Okel.  “Donations and collaborative work with the public and our community partners allow us to make lasting environmental gifts to our community.”

CLC’s vision is a critical part of a future for our region that includes successful growth and quality of life. CLC plans to conserve 50,000 acres of land for clean water, wildlife habitat and local farms, and dedicate more than 1,000 miles of the Carolina Thread Trail by 2030.

“We have an ambitious goal that will leave a lasting legacy for our region,” said Okel. “We want the next 20 years to be as productive as the first. We are thankful for the community and public for their support.”

Listed below are CLC’s 2011 conserved properties which brings to 12,356 the total number of acres protected since its creation 20 years ago:

Springhaven Preserve:  Winding along the Catawba Creek in Gaston County, this 78-acre preserve is conserved for watershed protection for the Cawtaba River. It will hold an estimated 1.5-mile waterfront segment of The Thread.

Seven Oaks Preserve:  CLC partnered with the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and Clean Water Management Trust Fund to conserve 77 acres directly adjacent to Lake Wylie. The Seven Oaks property in Gaston County that will connect the
Garden with Lake Wylie and host a 2.3-mile waterfront segment of The Thread.

The Pharr Family Preserve and Jones and Polly Pharr Conservation Easement: This 414-acre conservation area in Cabarrus County was permanently conserved in July 2011. The land protects wildlife and plant habitat – including a population of a state-threaten plant species – and clean water, with more than 100 acres of rolling pastures, hardwood forest and ponds along the Rocky River. The property will have two miles of The Thread.

Grace Farm:  This protected land is a 107-acre cow-calf farm in Lincoln County. The owners are good stewards of their land and are dedicated to best management practices on their farm.

Hagans Forest: This family protected their 202-acre forest in Gaston County. The forest has outstanding conservation value which includes two protected plants and two protected wildlife species. A significant portion of the property, 185-acres, is designated as a regionally significant Natural Heritage Area. It is also a viewshed for Crowder’s Mountain State Park and protects six streams on the property.

Concord Conservation Area: This is 29-acre property along the Rocky River in Cabarrus County provides a key connection for The Thread underneath I-85. The conservation of this property supports outdoor recreation and the environmental
benefits of surface water quality and watershed protection.

Long Creek Conservation Area: Located in Mecklenburg County, this conservation area adds approximately 175 acres of conserved land to CLC already 1,250 conserved acres along the Catawba River. The area protects the natural habitats for fish,
wildlife and plants and provides watershed protection for the Catawba River. An 3-mile segment of The Thread is planned.

Howey Family Farm An eighth generation farmer, Frank Howey, conserved his 118-acre soy, corn and wheat production farm in Union County. It’s the first phase of a 900-acre conservation effort. The conserved farm provides rural open space protection in a rapidly urbanizing area, protects prime and statewide important soils, and ensures the scenic quality of the landscape.

DiMicco Preserve:  This 31-acre preserve in the Lake Wylie watershed in Mecklenburg County protects water quality and wildlife habitat.

Buffalo Creek Preserve:  This 393-acre preserve in Cabarrus County is a wonderful combination of farmlands and forested areas. A conservation easement also ensures that the riparian buffers adjacent to Dutch Buffalo Creek and Adams Creek will remain forever. A 1.2-mile segment of The Thread is planned.