Conservation properties provide many unique benefits to the environment and communities. Three Rivers Land Trust has focused on three main aspects of conservation, including the effort to expand public lands, save family farms, and protect local waters. However, our most recent conservation project has yet another community benefit as a bonus. This 50-acre horse farm in
Rowan County is not only a beautiful family farm but also provides equine therapy opportunities to the local community.
Equine-assisted therapies are programs where professionals guide clients through activities with horses. There are different kinds of equine programs, and they have different goals for the people involved. Some programs are part of mental health treatment, and in other cases, clients ride horses as part of a physical or occupational therapy regimen. Palmie and Jim Freeze who own this special farm wanted to protect it for the animals and people who use this land in perpetuity.
“Three Rivers Land Trust prides itself on conserving local family farms, and this project does just that, along with providing a special service to the local community,” states Executive Director Travis Morehead. “So much land in western Rowan County is being developed, that working with great landowners who have the foresight to protect farmland through donated
conservation easements is a core tenant of what we do here at TRLT.”
“Walking this property, and seeing children enjoying their time with the horses, demonstrates the importance of protecting places like this for future generations,” states Senior Land Protection Specialist Emily Callicutt. “Three Rivers Land Trust appreciates so much the dedication of these landowners to give back to their community, and their desire to conserve their special place so it
will always be available for this use.”
This project was made possible through the generous donated conservation easement by the landowners, and the support of Three Rivers Land Trust’s work by its members. To learn more about how to conserve your lands or how you can support Three Rivers Land Trust in their conservation mission, please contact Emily Callicutt, Senior Land Protection Specialist at Three
Rivers Land Trust by calling 704-647-0302 or by email at emily@trlt.org.
About Three Rivers Land Trust
Three Rivers Land Trust works with private landowners and public agencies to conserve the most important natural areas, scenic rivers, family farms, and historic places in a 15-county region of the central Piedmont and Sandhills. Since 1995, The Land Trust has worked to offer reasonable and attractive options to landowners who want to save their lands for future generations to enjoy. Our mission is to work thoughtfully and selectively with property owners, conserving land that is essential to our region. For more information about Three Rivers Land Trust, please contact the Land Trust at 704-647-0302 or membership@trlt.org or visit their website at trlt.org.