Conservation-related Links

We hope you find this list of links useful.  If you find any broken links, or would like to suggest a link to be added, please contact us.

The links below are for your information and do NOT necessarily imply endorsement by Catawba Lands Conservancy. Links will open in a new window or tab.

A Student’s Guide to Conservation and Environmental Science
“The study of environmental conservation is so important because it enlightens us as to what we need to do to conserve our planet and resources.”

Water Conservation at Home
“What if you wanted a glass of water one morning and all of the water was gone? What would you do? Our water is our most important natural resource and it’s steadily being used up.”

LAND CONSERVATION

American Farmland Trust
Founded in 1980 by a group of farmers and conservationists concerned about the rapid loss of the nation’s farmland to development, American Farmland Trust (AFT) is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting our nation’s strategic agricultural resources.

Conservation Trust for North Carolina
The Conservation Trust for North Carolina is a non-profit statewide conservation organization. Their mission is to protect our state’s land and water through statewide conservation and cooperative work with land trusts to preserve our natural resources as a legacy for future generations.

Land for Tomorrow
Land for Tomorrow is a statewide partnership of conservationists, farmers, business leaders, local governments, health professionals, and community groups urging the General Assembly to provide $1 billion over five years to protect the state’s land, water, and special places before they are irreversibly lost.

Land Trust Alliance
The Land Trust Alliance promotes voluntary private land conservation to benefit communities and natural systems. This organization is the national convener, strategist and representative of more than 1,600 land trusts across America.

North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund
Created in 1996, the Clean Water Management Trust Fund makes grants to local governments, state agencies and conservation non-profits to help finance projects that specifically address water pollution problems.

One North Carolina Naturally
The One North Carolina Naturally initiative promotes and coordinates the long-term conservation of North Carolina’s threatened land and water resources.

Open Space Protection Collaborative
The Open Space Protection Collaborative (OSPC) is a joint effort of six land conservation organizations to increase the pace of voluntary preservation of open space, including forest, farmland, natural areas, and culturally or historically significant properties in the Carolinas.

Private Landowner Network
The general Internet destination for conservation information, resources and contacts. A great national resource for general topics relating to conservation.

Trust for Public Land
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national, nonprofit, land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come.

The Wilderness Society
Their mission is to deliver to future generations an unspoiled legacy of wild places, with all the precious values they hold: biological diversity; clean air and water; towering forests, rushing rivers, and sage-sweet, silent deserts.

Nancy Pierce Photography
Nancy’s land and water protection work has been featured in the Light Factory’s River Docs exhibit, in publications for Land Trust Alliance, The Trust for Public Land, Catawba Riverkeppers, American Rivers, Sierra Magazine, Wildlife Magazine, and almost all of the Conservancy’s brochures, newsletters, and this website.

Sally’s Y
A new YMCA located in the heart of rapidly developing new Route 16 corridor in eastern Lincoln County with 85 acres of permanently conserved forested land. This YMCA is being built in honor of Sally McKenzie Clark who was taken from the world in a tragic car accident in 2004.

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Foundation (NCLCVF)
CCNC is a statewide lobbying organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing North Carolina’s natural environment.

Determine your ecological footprint
This Ecological Footprint Quiz estimates how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard. After answering 15 easy questions you’ll be able to compare your Ecological Footprint to what other people use and to what is available on this planet.

North Carolina Beautiful
NC Beautiful has been part of the state’s environmental preservation and protection community for almost 40 years, supporting environmental awareness, education and beautification efforts that affect the quality of life and health of North Carolinians.

North Carolina Conservation Network
The NC Conservation Network supports, trains and coordinates diverse groups and directly advocates achieving equitable and sustainable solutions for our environment.

North Carolina’s Office of Environmental Education
The Office of Environmental Education serves as a clearinghouse linking people to EE materials, facilities, programs and professionals across the state.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
A resource for hunting, fishing, and boating information, educational programs, WILD products, and other wildlife services for the citizens and visitors of North Carolina.

Natural Resources Conservation Service, Backyard Conservation
“Backyard Conservation” shows you how conservation practices that help conserve and improve natural resources on agricultural land across the country can be adapted for use around your home. These practices help the environment and can make your yard more attractive and enjoyable.

NC Sierra Club
The NC Chapter of Sierra Club has worked to pass groundbreaking environmental legislation from the local to national levels.  Their issues range from putting an end to hog waste pollution to protecting the integrity of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

SouthWings
SouthWings is a non-profit conservation organization that provides skilled pilots and aerial education to enhance conservation efforts across the Southeast. The Conservancy has used SouthWings several times for our aerial monitoring projects.

Xeriscape North Carolina
A proactive approach to curbing wasteful use of a valuable natural resource. Written by Jeri Gray, Technology Transfer Specialist with the Water Resources Research Institute of The University of North Carolina.

NC FLORA AND FAUNA

American Field Guide Immerse yourself in the great outdoors without leaving your desk. Tap into the sights and sounds from a wide variety of environments throughout America.

Audubon North Carolina Audubon North Carolina’s mission is to conserve and restore NC’s ecosystems, focusing on the needs of birds. Their approach combines historic strengths of solid, deliberate science with direct protection, public education and grassroots advocacy

Carolina Butterfly Association Carolina Butterfly Society emphasizes identifying and watching butterflies in the field and garden rather than collecting them. Find advice on butterfly gardening, photography and record-keeping, obtain fact sheets for outdoor educators, sponsor gardening workshops, and collect data for conservation use.

Carolina Herp Atlas The Carolina Herp Atlas is a project developed by the Davidson College Herpetology Laboratory and Davidson College Information Technology Services. The primary objective of the Carolina Herp Atlas is to provide detailed data on the distribution of reptiles and amphibians of North and South Carolina.

Mecklenburg Audubon Society Mecklenburg Audubon Society is the local chapter of the National Audubon Society and is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems focusing on birds and other wildlife. The chapter meets monthly September – June and conducts many local birding field trips.

North Carolina Native Plant Society The NC Native Plant Society promotes the enjoyment and conservation of native plants and their habitats through education, protection, and propagation.

North Carolina Partners in Flight North Carolina Partners in Flight is a cooperative effort to further bird conservation by involving government agencies, conservation organizations, industries, the academic community, and citizens. The primary focus of NCPIF is to further bird conservation via creative partnerships.

North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan The Wildlife Action Plan is a comprehensive management tool developed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to help conserve and enhance the state’s full array of fish and wildlife and their habitats.

North Carolina Wildlife Federation The mission of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation is to be the leading advocate for all North Carolina wildlife and its habitat.

North Carolina Wildlife Federation – Backyard Wildlife Habitat There are some basic elements for enhancing backyard habitat for wildlife that apply across the state. Here are some “getting started” tips for enhancing your yard for wildlife.  You can even receive official certification from the National Wildlife Federation.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Since its inception in 1947, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) has been dedicated to the wise-use, conservation, and management of the state’s fish and wildlife resources. Our policies and programs are based on scientifically sound resource management, assessment and monitoring, applied research, and public input.

SerenataFlowers SerenataFlowers.com provides some helpful insights and information into the benefits of planting native plants in your garden, and provides helpful tips for how to successfully grow native plants.

POLITICAL AWARENESS

United States Representatives
Find and/or contact your US Representative.

United States Senators
Find and/or contact your US Senator.

North Carolina Representatives
Find and/or contact your NC Representative. Search engine available by Zip+4 Code.

North Carolina Senators
Find and/or contact your NC Senator. Search engine available by Zip+4 Code.

CATAWBA LANDS CONSERVANCY FOOTPRINT

Catawba County
Gaston County
Iredell County
Mecklenburg County
Lincoln County
Union County

NC LAND TRUSTS

Blue Ridge Conservancy
Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy
Davidson Lands Conservancy
Eno River Association
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust
Land Trust for the Little Tennessee
LandTrust for Central North Carolina
Lumber River Conservancy
National Committee for the New River
North Carolina Coastal Land Trust
North Carolina Rail-Trails
Northeast New Hanover Conservancy
Pacolet Area Conservancy
Piedmont Land Conservancy
Sandhills Area Land Trust
Smith Island Land Trust-Bald Head Island Conservancy
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
Tar River Land Conservancy
Triangle Greenways Council
Triangle Land Conservancy