Last month, approximately 45 volunteers spent approximately three hours building a new .2-mile segment of natural-surface trail at Nation Ford Greenway. The workday on Saturday will complete this build and connect the greenway directly to the Springfield Trail. Volunteers will be led by Thread staff and “Trail Masters” (an experienced group of Carolina Thread Trail volunteers who completed an extensive four-day, trail-building course to learn the latest techniques in trail construction and maintenance).

It’s not too late to sign up, so please go to the Carolina Thread Trail website for more information and help build The Thread! Click here to register for Saturday’s workday.

Catawba Lands Conservancy is the lead agency for the Carolina Thread Trail.

A photo of a kudzu plant and vines. This invasive plant species is not native to North Carolina.

Catawba Lands Conservancy’s (CLC) Land Stewardship Team is planning a volunteer workday for Wednesday, February 22, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Seven Oaks Preserve and Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (Garden) in Gaston County. And, we need your help!

Volunteers will be needed to help cut kudzu vines at the base of trees in preparation for a hungry herd of kudzu-eating goats scheduled to arrive in late spring to complete the job. CLC will be working collaboratively with Garden staff and volunteers on this workday.

This kudzu removal/land restoration project is graciously sponsored by a Duke Habitat Enhancement Grant that CLC received in October 2011. The kudzu infestation area is about 10 acres. CLC will use  approximately 50 goats from Wells Farm in Horse Shoe, NC, to remove the invasive plant from the preserve in May.

What:  Kudzu Killing Volunteer Workday

When:  Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where:  Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road Belmont, NC (We will meet in parking area at the Garden.)

What to bring:  Water, Snacks, Loppers (optional) and Pruning Saws (optional)

If you are interested in volunteering with CLC, this workday will be a great opportunity for community members to help CLC and get involved in conservation initiatives. To sign up to volunteer, please either email or call Andy Kane at andy@catawbalands.org or 704-342-3330 ext. 208. Thanks for your support and let us know if you have any questions!

It’s time for runners and walkers to register for “Run For The Money!”  This is a great opportunity for the public to donate to and support Catawba Lands Conservancy. The Community Foundation of Gaston County sponsors this annual fundraising 5K race and 2K walk. This year, it will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012, in Downtown Gastonia.

You don’t have to run or walk in the race to support CLC. “Run For The Money” offers a special opportunity for the public to leverage their contributions to CLC. When you donate to Run For The Money and designate Catawba Lands Conservancy as your chosen charity, the Community Foundation of Gaston County will match donations up to $10,000. The more money that’s raised through “Run For The Money,” the greater the match! From your contributions and support last year, we received $32,666 in donations!

Over the next several months, we’ll provide more information and race details. Please tell your friends and share this information to help raise even more money for CLC this year! We appreciate your help and contributions.

Race registration and donations begin Feb. 13; you must register and donate to CLC via the Run For The Money website .
You can also go to the Run For The Money website for more information.

The property is also a viewshed for Crowder’s Mountain State Park and protects the pristine views from Kings Pinnacle. Hagans Forest serves as watershed protection for six streams located on the property.

The most abundant community of trees within of this forest are the chestnut-oaks, which belong to the most common forest community found in North Carolina. There are also several communities of dry oak-hickory trees.

Hagans Forest is part of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program which inventories, catalogues, and supports conservation of the rarest and the most outstanding elements of the natural diversity of our state. These elements of natural diversity include those plants and animals which are so rare or the natural communities which are so significant that they merit special consideration.

The property is also a viewshed for Crowder’s Mountain State Park and protects the pristine views from Kings Pinnacle. Hagans Forest serves as watershed protection for six streams located on the property.

The most abundant community of trees within of this forest are the chestnut-oaks, which belong to the most common forest
community found in North Carolina, and dry oak-hickory trees.

Hagans Forest is part of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program which inventories, catalogues, and supports conservation of the rarest and the most outstanding elements of the natural diversity of our state. These elements of natural diversity include those plants and animals which are so rare or the natural communities which are so significant that they merit special consideration.

With grants from the NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and the Federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program, CLC was able to purchase an agricultural conservation easement on the 118-acre farm.

The conserved property provides the public with open space, saves active farmland, protects prime and statewide important soils, and keeps scenic and natural views of our landscape.

The farmland is owned by eighth-generation farmer Frank Howey. Howey farms approximately 10,000 acres of land which he either owns or leases in Union County and is one of the largest land owners in the county.

This 118-acre property is the first phase of a larger effort by CLC to conserve around 900 contiguous acres of Howey-owned productive farmland over the next several years. Howey is using the proceeds to purchase his grandmother’s original farm in Union County.

“We are happy to pass along our family’s farm heritage through conserving this property so that it will remain a farm forever,” said Howey. “I hope that other farmers will take time to learn about and understand the value of conservation easements and how they can benefit and meet our individual farming needs.”

Leadership and staff of The Carolina Thread Trail (The Thread) are excited about the work ahead in 2012! Thanks to the efforts of many community partners, an estimated 12 miles of completed trail will be added this year to the existing 82 miles of open trails and greenways for The Thread. Additionally, there is a growing trail pipeline for 2013 and beyond, building off of our completed countywide master plans in 12 counties, follow by focused corridor studies for high priority segments.

The level of community engagement and support for The Thread has been fantastic! The vision has come into focus through the master planning process, thanks to the great work of our local steering committees. Thread leadership and staff will continue to work with our community partners to secure resources to convert planned trails to actual ones, adding to the 82 miles of The Thread currently being enjoyed. Volunteers are also vital in progressing The Thread, as The Thread’s success comes in large part from their dedication and support.

Nancy Pierce Photo

Sean Bloom in a stand of more than 5,000 endangered Schweinitz’s Sunflowers.

CLC’s very own GIS Director Sean Bloom has been invited to join the North Carolina Rare Plant Conservation Alliance!

The North Carolina Rare Plant Conservation Alliance is a year-old initiative dedicated to researching and preserving important habitats for rare plants throughout North Carolina. Members of the alliance include individuals from local, state and federal government agencies and conservation organizations. Sean, who has an environmental science degree from Catawba College, will provide expertise and is currently the only member on the alliance representing a land trust.

“It is an honor and a privilege to join to this group,” said Sean. “I look forward to working with other organizations and community groups to bring attention to the importance of conserving land so that several of our state’s rare and threatened plants can flourish.”

Sean is responsible for all of the mapping needs for CLC and The Thread, and supports conservation planning and stewardship. Before joining CLC, he worked as a staff scientist with the environmental consulting firm Hart and Hickman. The alliance meets bi-annually at various locations across the state.

Run For The Money offers a special opportunity for the public to leverage their contributions to CLC. When you donate to Run For The Money and designate Catawba Lands Conservancy as your chosen charity, the Community Foundation of Gaston County will match donations up to $10,000. The more money that’s raised through Run For The Money, the greater the match! From your contributions and support last year, we received $32,666 in donations!

Over the next several months, we’ll provide more information and race details. Please tell your friends and share this information to help raise even more money for CLC this year! We appreciate your help and contributions. Race
registration and donations begin on Feb. 13.  You can also go to the Run For The Money website for more information.