Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) is excited to announce that it will be receiving support from the REI Co-op in the amount of $5,400 to assist with the development of a paddling access point on the Uwharrie River on Highway 49 near Asheboro, North Carolina. TRLT acquired 27 acres on the Uwharrie River on Highway 49 over two projects in 2018 and 2019.
The grant will assist with the development of a parking area on Highway 49 that will allow paddlers to access the river to launch canoes and kayaks. This stretch of the Uwharrie River does not currently have any formal access, and Highway 49 as a major highway does not offer the ability to park at the bridge and launch boats. The Uwharrie River is also a popular fishing destination, known for being the easternmost location for smallmouth bass.
As a member-owned co-op, REI invests deeply in stewardship of the outdoor places its members know and love. REI actively works with nonprofits across the country to steward and maintain local trails and public lands and connect people to the outdoors. This is the first co-op grant REI has given to TRLT, but they have been a strong supporter and partner of our annual Uwharrie Trail Thru Hike for the past 3 years.
“Three Rivers Land Trust is grateful to REI for supporting our efforts to expand recreational opportunities along the Uwharrie River,” states Executive Director, Travis Morehead. “We believe in connecting the public to local conservation, by opening up river accesses and expanding trails, and feel that this grant will help us provide a new and important river access for public usage in our region.” 
In recent years, TRLT, in partnership with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, has helped open three new kayak accesses on the Uwharrie River on Low Water Bridge Road, Highway 109, and Dennis Road.. TRLT also helped the town of Star acquire a 30-acre park, which is also a river access point, at the confluence of the East Fork and West Fork of the Little River. Since 1995, Three Rivers Land Trust has transferred over 5,700 acres to public agencies providing recreational opportunities for residents and tourists alike.
To learn more about this project or how you can support Three Rivers Land Trust, contact Crystal Cockman at 704-647-0302 or crystal@threeriverslandtrust.org.
About Three Rivers Land Trust
Three Rivers Land Trust works with private landowners and public agencies to conserve the most important natural, scenic, agricultural, and historic places in a 15-county region of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Since 1995, the Land Trust has worked to offer reasonable and attractive options to landowners who want to conserve their lands for future generations to enjoy. Our mission is to work thoughtfully and selectively with property owners to conserve our lands, vistas, and the essential nature of our region. For more information about Three Rivers Land Trust, please contact the Land Trust at 704-647-0302 or michael@threeriverslandtrust.org or visit their website at www.threeriverslandtrust.org
About REI
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of more than 18 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 162 stores in 39 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the free REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company, a global leader that runs more than 250 itineraries across all continents. In every community where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.