Although The LandTrust has been working in the Uwharrie region for more than 13 years, prior to this year we have never completed a transfer of property to the Uwharrie National Forest. We are very pleased to announce in this newsletter the completion of not one but two transfers to the United States Forest Service—King Mountain and the Historic Lawrenceville Properties. King Mountain is a rare conservation opportunity not only for recreation, closing a critical gap in the once 40-mile long Uwharrie Trail, but also as a property with biological significance and natural habitat for wildlife. The property houses the federally endangered Schweinitz’s sunflower, a rare Piedmont monadnock forest with large rock outcroppings, in addition to the headwaters of several high quality streams with rare mussels.
The LandTrust negotiated the purchase of King Mountain with private landowners for over 18 months, closing on the property in 2007 with private donations and a generous loan from The Conservation Fund. After several years seeking federal and state funding, we were awarded federal funding in October 2009, thanks to broad-based support from our Congressional delegation, the Eastern Forest Partnership, and the Greater Uwharrie Conservation Partnership.
The funding is for the first phase of this property, 165 acres that will allow for reconnection of the historic Uwharrie Trail, because the earmark was funded at half the amount requested. Staff continue to work with our partners for funding for the remainder of the tract. The LandTrust plans to hold a formal event to celebrate the official transfer to the US Forest Service on September 1st, at the Jumpin’ Off Rock Trailhead, and everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. A big thank you to all who have worked so tirelessly for this conservation success. Future user groups of this wonderful resource will forever be grateful for the partnerships that made it possible.