News

By Crystal Cockman, TRLT Associate Director

As 2022 comes to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on the conservation successes after another year of working to save special places in the North Carolina Piedmont. Certainly, every year, and even every project, has its ups and downs, but with over 1,500 acres protected through a dozen different projects, overall, it’s been a really successful year. I’d like to take a minute to look back over some of these achievements.

Early on in the year, a fee donation was made to Three Rivers Land Trust of approximately 68 acres in Montgomery County along beautiful Cheeks Creek. This particular property was donated in memory of the landowner’s deceased wife, who loved this tract dearly and always wanted to see it protected. With mature hardwood forest and a diverse botanical understory, TRLT was happy to take ownership of this land to ensure its natural resources are preserved in perpetuity.

In March, the second project of the year closed with the protection of a 410-acre organic dairy and organic beef cattle farm in Iredell County. This project took nearly 4 years to accomplish, with both state and federal farmland funding involved, one of the most complicated types of projects TRLT takes on. These landowners were so grateful to see this farm protected, which has been in their family for 8 generations, and can use these funds to buy additional equipment and land to make their farming operation even more sustainable into the future.

The next project was a 210-acre acquisition, known as Watery Branch, that adjoins a portion of the Uwharrie National Recreational Trail. This project holds a special place for me as there is now a trail shelter there named “Crystal’s Place.” This hardwood forest has US Forest Service (USFS) land on both sides and we are very close to getting it transferred to the USFS for the public’s use and enjoyment, possibly before year’s end.

This brings me to the next accomplishment of 2022- the transfer of the Dark Mountain property to USFS. This 70-acre parcel is the stuff of legend and lore, with places like Liquor Springs, Painted Rocks, and Outlaw Cave purported to be located on this land. It’s also the highest peak in Montgomery County, and adjoins the Uwharrie Trail. Getting this tract into public ownership took several years, but it’s now available for us all to experience.

TRLT also closed our first Hoke County project this year, with the protection of 272 acres of forest and wetland near Raeford. This property is near Fort Bragg and helps provide a buffer to the base, and is also near land owned by The Nature Conservancy, their Callaway Preserve. Longleaf pines and beaver swamps are found on this unique site, and this conservation easement closed in August of this year.

The next two acquisitions were 165 acres and 82 acres that add onto our complex of conservation lands at “The Point” in Davie County, where the Yadkin and South Yadkin Rivers meet. This land will be incorporated into our Sportsman Access Program and available for hunting, hiking, and fishing to SAP members starting next year. These tracts also boast hardwood forest and farm fields, which are home to a wide variety of wildlife. We look forward to managing these sites to make them the best they can be now that they are in our ownership.

On December 1^st, we closed a project that we’d also been working on for about 3 years. This is a 172-acre property in Moore County along McLendons Creek that adjoins another tract we already owned. There were some obstacles to overcome on this project, and we were down the wire, closing on the very day our option on the property expired. We’re excited to own this great tract now, thanks in part to funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service through their North American Wetland Conservation Act small grant program.

Building upon our mission to expand public lands, we transferred another great property to Morrow Mountain State Park on December 19^th. This 215-acre tract has mature hardwood forests and rocky outcrops and adjoins the existing parkland, connecting it directly to the town of Badin. This site is near the Native American archeological site known as the Hardaway Site, and brings the total acreage of Morrow Mountain State Park to over 6,000 acres.

The Land Protection team at TRLT brought in more than $7,000,000 in grant awards this year including funds from the NC Land and Water Fund, state and federal farmland funds, military funding, and private foundations. We also applied for 9 farms to the federal farmland fund and 15 farms to the state farmland fund for consideration for funding next year. We are currently working on over 30 projects in progress fully funded, and have more than 60 projects total on our list, when you consider tracts partially funded, applied for, or on our waitlist for grant applications.

Next year should be an even bigger year with over 4,000 acres of conservation work slated to be accomplished, not counting anything else that comes in the door before year’s end. I’m proud to work for an organization that turns every operational dollar into $12 of project funding, and works with great landowners to see very special natural areas, family farms, and rural landscapes protected for the benefit of future generations.

Thanks to all our supporters who make this important work possible. Although nothing worthwhile is ever easy, this work would not be possible at all without committed landowners, and great TRLT members who believe in our mission.

In November 2021, Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) purchased 215 acres of forest only a half-mile away from the Hardaway Site, a National Historic Landmark known for its Native American significance, and adjacent to Morrow Mountain State Park in Badin, NC. TRLT’s long term vision was to expand public lands by transferring the property to Morrow Mountain State Park. “Our members really like to see us expand public lands, whether its local parks, state parks, national forest or game lands. Increasing public lands/access resonates with so many of our supporters,” states Travis Morehead, Executive Director, Three Rivers Land Trust.

Not only does this project benefit the public by expanding recreational access, but it is also beneficial from an environmental perspective, as the forested stream buffers help to filter a tributary to Mountain Creek, protecting water quality. This acquisition also connects the town of Badin to an existing State Park, providing direct access to the park from this local community.

Crystal Cockman, Associate Director, knows the importance of a project like this, “This project is a big deal, not just for TRLT, but for the community. Here at TRLT, we have three major pillars that we focus on: expanding public lands, saving family farms, and protecting local waters. This project covers two of those goals by expanding public land and protecting local waters for current and future generations to enjoy. We are pleased to add these 215 acres to Morrow Mountain State Park, which brings the total acreage of the park to over 6,000 acres.”

“This is a project that took many players, and we are grateful that we had the support of donors and private foundations that made this project possible,” states TRLT Executive Director, Travis Morehead “This particular project is significant both environmentally and historically, and we are so pleased to make it possible.”

This conservation project was generously funded in part by the North Carolina Native Plant Society (ncwildflower.org), the Carolina Bird Club, Duke Energy, Fred and Alice Stanback, the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) and the North Carolina Land and Water Fund (LWF). The public is invited to a ribbon cutting that is currently planned for Friday, January 6, 2023 at 10:00am to celebrate this milestone achievement. The ribbon cutting will take place along Stanly Street in Badin, parking is very limited in this area. More details about the ribbon cutting can be found at https://threeriverslandtrust.org/event/mm2023/.

TRLT staff will be leading a New Year’s Day hike on this property beginning at 8:00am on January 1^st, 2023.  For more information on this hike or to sign up, please visit https://threeriverslandtrust.org/event/new-years-day-hike-2023/.

To learn more about how to conserve your own lands or how you can support Three Rivers Land Trust in their conservation mission, please contact Emily Callicutt, Land Protection Specialist at Three Rivers Land Trust by calling 704-647-0302 or by email at emily@trlt.org.

For three years, Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) has sought funding through grants and donations from supporters to secure 172 acres in Moore County for permanent conservation. Now, after diligent fundraising efforts and numerous grant applications including the receipt of $100,000 from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), Three Rivers Land Trust can proudly say that they accomplished their goal. This project, known as the McLendons Creek Bottomlands, will permanently protect 172 acres and directly contribute to protecting water quality and wildlife in the area.

TRLT already owns approximately 2,900 acres in this Deep River corridor area of Northeastern Moore County, and this property adds onto this complex of conservation lands. This region is naturally significant as an exceptional natural area, designated by the North Carolina Natural Heritage program, and the Deep River itself is a High Quality Watershed, as designated by the state of North Carolina. The conservation of this property assists in maintaining this natural area and pristine water quality, protecting species like the Cape Fear Shiner, a federally threatened species, and the Carolina creekshell mussel, another state listed species, both found nearby in this section of the Deep River.

“Projects like this one take time to accomplish,” states Associate Director Crystal Cockman. “Thanks to the landowners who reached out to our organization with a desire to sell their land for conservation who were willing to wait while we raised funds needed, and partnerships like the one with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through their NAWCA grant award, we were able to work to accomplish the goal of protecting this important property.”

TRLT Executive Director Travis Morehead also expressed his satisfaction with the closure of this project, “This is a huge project for the Sandhill region. With this property now permanently conserved, we are making steps towards our goal of protecting local waters in our footprint. With the completion of this project, TRLT has protected over 1,400 acres in 2022. Our organization prides itself on working to expand public lands, save family farms, and protect local waters throughout our 15-county region.”

To learn more about how to conserve your own lands or how you can support Three Rivers Land Trust in their conservation mission, please contact Emily Callicutt, Land Protection Specialist at Three Rivers Land Trust by calling 704-647-0302 or by email at emily@trlt.org.

Over the past 24 years, through a dozen different acquisitions, Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) has acquired a total acreage of 1,649 acres in the vicinity of the confluence of the Yadkin and South Yadkin Rivers in an area affectionately known as “The Point.” TRLT is excited to announce their most recent acquisition, which closed on November 16, 2022, adds an additional 82 acres in Davie County onto this important complex of conservation lands.

This area has incredible natural and cultural resources, from mature hardwood forest, working agricultural lands, to the rich Native American heritage of this area. The very first purchase was made in 1999 on a tract known as the South Yadkin Refuge in Rowan County. Purchasing lands in this area has been a priority of TRLT for the past 20 years. Many of these acquisitions began with a property owner reaching out to explore their options for protecting their land from development. “Ninety-percent of our work is reactionary,” states Crystal Cockman, TRLT Associate Director. “We worked with great folks that cared more about the land than financial gain.”

In 2011, the acquisition of the Springer Property, located at the confluence of the Yadkin and South Yadkin in Davie County, served as the lynchpin for this entire assemblage. Many of these acquisitions were funded through private donations that helped to leverage both state and federal grant dollars.

Former TRLT employee Andy Abramson, now an attorney at Woodson Sayers Law Firm in Salisbury, who still works with TRLT to close conservation projects, reflects on this project with nostalgia. “It is so exciting to see another property along the Yadkin River and South Yadkin River Corridor come into permanent conservation. This property is another integral piece of the puzzle. Over 20 years ago we launched the “Two Rivers Preserve Project”, with a goal of bringing as many of the properties in this vicinity as possible into permanent conservation, because of its importance to wildlife and water quality. Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined all those years ago that the dream of conserving these lands would ultimately come to fruition due to the gracious conservation ethic of many landowners and the tireless work of the Three Rivers Land Trust. The work that TRLT has done, and the accomplishments they have achieved are truly unbelievable. We are incredibly fortunate to have them leading the way in land conservation efforts in the Piedmont and Sandhills of North Carolina.”

The largest acquisitions took place in 2019, when approximately 2,400 acres and 45 miles of shoreline were conserved in this area thru a partnership with TRLT and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). “With almost $2 million that TRLT raised to help the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission acquire the now “Yadkin River Gamelands” which adjoin the Point Property, we have made a huge impact on providing wildlife habitat and increasing public access,” states Executive Director Travis Morehead. “Building a block of conservation lands of this size in such a rapidly developing part of North Carolina is truly a conservation achievement we are proud of.”

Support for this newest acquisition came from Fred and Alice Stanback and other TRLT donors.

To learn more about how to conserve your own lands or how you can support Three Rivers Land Trust in their conservation mission, please contact Emily Callicutt, Land Protection Specialist at Three Rivers Land Trust by calling 704-647-0 302 or by email at emily@trlt.org.

After much anticipation, Three Rivers Land Trust announced prize winners for over 100 prizes, with a combined worth of over $200k to participants in their inaugural TRLT Conservation Raffle on October 8th. This raffle served as a fundraiser for local conservation projects in the 15 county region that Three Rivers Land Trust serves.Among the many prizes were a Ford F-150 STX, Subaru Crosstrek, a Tracker boat, kayaks, grills, coolers, hunting trips, various types of hunting equipment, gift cards, cash prizes, and much more. Winners of the prizes were from all over, from Piedmont locals to out of state participants, all with the common thread of wanting to support conservation efforts.

“We are so pleased with t he outcome of this event,” states TRLT Executive Director Travis Morehead. “This raffle has been a long time coming, but we are so grateful for those that supported this effort. With prizes being awarded to supporters of our [TRLT] mission, and proceeds going into local conservation projects, it truly has been a win-win situation. This year was a great learning experience, and we are excited to see how this raffle with grow in the coming years.”

Philip Watson, one of the prize winners in the TRLT Conservation Raffle states, “Although I am extremely pleased to win a prize in the TRLT Conservation Raffle, I was going to be happy with the outcome even if I did not win, because at the end of the day I am supporting local conservation efforts in our area. This raffle is an awesome way to give back, with the bonus opportunity to win some incredible prizes. I can’t wait for next year!”

Supporting the raffle were numerous generous sponsors including Jeff Moose, owner of Backcountry & Beyond located in Salisbury, who commented “We take a lot of pride in our partnership with the Land Trust and believe in their conservation efforts. We want to be a part of what they are doing to keep land accessible for everyone.” Other generous sponsors also supporting conservation efforts by their participation in the raffle include Cooper Ford, Strider Subaru, RPM Cycles, Bass Pro Shops, Quality Equipment in Albemarle, Rock Outdoors, M2S E-Bikes, Grafton Archery, Skinny Wheels, REI, Bill Webb, Leon Huneycutt, River Daisy Outdoor Co., Ed’s Gun Shop, Poppies Gun & Pawn, and Smoke and Oak.

For a full list of prize winners, visit trlt.org/raffle.

In less than a month, Three Rivers Land Trust will be hosting their inaugural Habitat Summit. The Habitat Summit was developed as a platform for wildlife biologists, foresters, and natural resource professionals to share sound management advice to landowners and land managers. Subject-matter experts will come together from all over the country, on October 7^th at the Charles Mack Citizen Center in Mooresville, for a unique event crafted for the education of landowners and professionals alike. The Habitat Summit is catered to individuals, private landowners, land managers, conservation groups, consultants, university staff, forestry professionals, and outreach personnel who share an interest in promoting wildlife species and improving forestland.

The Habitat Summit provides the opportunity for farmers, hunters, landowners, and individuals interested in general conservation to learn about management options that are available to them. The knowledge gained from this conference will prepare participants to make better management decisions to meet their property goals. The Habitat Summit will host concurrent sessions with speakers rotating throughout the day. Landowners will be able to choose sessions to attend that they are most interested in. Presentations will include topics like: wild turkey management, deer habitat management, prescribed fire, improving forest land, pollinator habitat, invasive plant control, duck impoundments, feral hog management, and conserving family-owned land.

“The professionals coming to present on October 7^th are experts in their respective fields, and will have a plethora of information to share with attendees. This will be an excellent opportunity for those attending to learn from the absolute best of the best on how to achieve their land management goals,” states TRLT Executive Director Travis Morehead.

The event will host exciting presentations that any landowner can benefit from. The variety of topics seek to answer questions many landowners may have. Possible sessions for attendees include the steps landowners can take to improve their land for a broad spectrum of wildlife species ranging from bats and butterflies to ducks and white-tailed deer. Continuing education credits are also available for professionals including NC Pesticide, Continuing Forestry Education, and Certified Wildlife Biologist® renewal credits.

Habitat Summit presenting organizations include; National Deer Association, Growing Deer TV, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Ducks Unlimited, Jager Pro Hog Control Systems, Sandhills Prescribed Burn Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, NC Forest Service, Heritage & Habitat, Eli Beverly & Associates, and Quail Forever.

Three Rivers Land Trust is very grateful to the supporting sponsors that helped make the Habitat Summit possible. Sponsors include: James River Equipment, Alcoa, Whitetail Properties, Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, Leon Huneycutt, Carolina Farm Credit, H. W. Culp Lumber Co., Inc., and Pig Brig Trap Systems.

For a full list of presenters, seminar topics, and ticket information, visit trlt.org/habitat-summit. Tickets for the Habitat Summit are $35 which includes lunch at the event.

Located in Hoke County are 272 acres of beautiful hardwood and longleaf pine forests that are now permanently conserved by Three Rivers Land Trust. The property is located near Fort Bragg, which will add to the network of conservation lands in the area.

This property is unique, with Buffalo Creek and its tributaries going through the property. This conservation project helps protect water quality for both wildlife and people. Buffalo Creek is a tributary of Drowning Creek, which is a high-quality watershed that feeds into the Lumber River, a major drinking water source. Additionally, the property features wetlands and even a beaver swamp which provide migratory stop-over habitat for waterfowl, giving them a place to rest and fuel up before they continue migration. This property also contains a longleaf pine forest that provides critical habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. Protecting longleaf is important because it now only occupies a fraction of its historic range. In the early 2000s, less than 3% of the historic longleaf acreage remained. The permanent conservation of this property will contribute to the network of longleaf pine stands by providing habitat connectivity for the species that depend on them.

This 272 acre conservation project was made possible through a donated easement by Ralph and Linda Huff. When reflecting on the project, Ralph Huff commented that “Linda and I are delighted to conserve this property with Three Rivers Land Trust. It is land that we wanted to remain undeveloped in perpetuity. We are so pleased to have worked with TRLT to accomplish this goal of ours and hope others in the area will choose to do the same.”

“We are extremely pleased to work with Ralph and Linda to accomplish their conservation goals for their property. Conserving strategic tracts like this one is a goal of TRLT’s mission,” states TRLT Associate Director, Crystal Cockman. “This property is unique from its hardwoods to the wetlands on the property, and now we can proudly say that it will be protected for generations to come.”

To learn more about how to conserve your own lands or how you can support Three Rivers Land Trust in their conservation mission, please contact Emily Callicutt, Land Protection Specialist at Three Rivers Land Trust by calling 704-647-0302 or by email at emily@trlt.org.