One of Catawba Lands Conservancy’s major projects is the Carolina Thread Trail, a regional network of trails, blueways and conservation corridors that will ultimately link more than 2.3 million citizens in North and South Carolina.

The Thread Trail comprises a 15-county area: Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell,  Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties within North Carolina and Cherokee, Chester, Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina.

Currently, over 360 miles of Thread Trail are open to the public in North and South Carolina with 14 active corridors under development. The Conservancy works in partnership with Foundation For The Carolinas and many local partners on this initiative.

The Thread Trail provides multiple benefits to our region including economic development, conservation of land, enhancement of water quality, cleaner air, alternative transportation, recreation for all regional citizens, all of which translate to enhanced quality of life. The Thread Trail is free to use and accessible to everyone.

The Thread Trail is financed with both private donations and public funding. The project’s funding model was developed following two years of planning and study of regional greenway projects in the US.

The Thread Trail awards competitive grants to local communities. These dollars provide the incentive for planning, design, land acquisition and construction of greenways and trails. Beyond the requirement that they connect with their neighbors, local communities self-determine the location and character of their trail system.

Visit the Thread Trail website for more information.

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