The 107-acre Gatlin conservation easement, donated by Keith and Lisa Gatlin, may be in eastern Iredell county, but its proximity to several Rowan County conservation easements, including the Adams and Pence easements highlighted in this newsletter, make it a significant addition to what is emerging as an important conservation corridor in northwest Rowan County and eastern Iredell County.
LandTrust staff worked with the Gatlin family for over two years to complete this project. The conservation values of this easement donation are diverse, as it preserves open space, farmland, hardwood forests, wildlife habitat, and scenic vistas from West Page Hager Road. The donation, made in late December 2007, brings the total land protected by The LandTrust in Iredell County to just over 2,100 acres. Preserving properties that are adjacent to other conservation lands is an efficient and effective way to conserve large-scale habitat many species rely upon. The LandTrust is fortunate to have so much interest in conservation within this important corridor.