Rhyne Mill Dam Removal Concept Plan – Request for Proposals
January 9, 2026
LINCOLN COUNTY, NC – A 150-acre property in Lincoln County featuring a rare and sensitive natural habitat has been permanently protected through a partnership between Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, Catawba Lands Conservancy, and The Conservation Fund.
Located in the Southern Outer Piedmont Ecoregion, the property is part of the historic Mundy family farm, tied to the founding of present-day Denver, N.C. As development pressure continues to expand outward from the Lake Norman and Charlotte region, projects like this play an increasingly important role in conserving the natural landscapes and ecological systems that define the area.
The project was completed on March 31, with The Conservation Fund facilitating its long-term protection through Catawba Lands Conservancy. Approximately 150 acres will be conserved through this partnership, with Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina holding the conservation easement to ensure the land remains protected in perpetuity.
A defining feature of the property is a small but ecologically significant granitic flatrock, an uncommon natural community that supports specialized plant species adapted to thin soils and harsh growing conditions. The site also includes approximately 1,800 feet of Wingate Creek. Protecting this land will contribute to water quality in the Dutchmans Creek watershed.
Because of the sensitivity of these habitats, the property is not open to public access, helping ensure that its ecological integrity is preserved over time.
“This conservation effort represents a meaningful investment in protecting one of our region’s unique natural landscapes,” said Amanda Byrum, Senior Field Representative at The Conservation Fund. “By preserving this distinctive granitic flatrock and safeguarding the critical buffer along Wingate Creek and its tributary, we are ensuring these important natural features remain intact even as development continues across the state. This project also highlights the power of partnership. Collaboration with two regional land trusts made these conservation outcomes possible and demonstrates what can be achieved when organizations come together with a shared commitment to protecting our natural heritage.”
The property supports a range of Piedmont natural communities and species of interest, including rare plants adapted specifically to flatrock environments, habitats that are increasingly uncommon across the region.
“The granitic flatrock community on this property is an incredibly unique habitat, home to specialized species found in few places in our region,” said Will Ruark, Land Conservation Director for Catawba Lands Conservancy. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with our partners to permanently conserve and enhance this habitat, so that over time, those species can thrive.”
For Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, the project reflects both the urgency of conservation in fast-growing areas and the importance of long-term stewardship partnerships.
“FCNC is delighted to have worked with The Conservation Fund and Catawba Lands Conservancy to protect this significant natural area in a place that is facing extraordinary development pressure from the Charlotte region,” said Michael Gaffney, Conservation and GIS Specialist for Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. “We look forward to continuing to work with Catawba Lands Conservancy on the long-term management of this exceptional place.”