Month: June 2021

Land for Tomorrow Coalition Praises Senate Budget

Land for Tomorrow, a statewide coalition of community leaders, conservation and wildlife organizations, and parks and recreational advocates that works to increase land and water conservation in North Carolina, is praising the Senate’s budget, which was released last night.

“Investment at this level would be a major step forward for land and water conservation in North Carolina,” said Bill Holman, NC State Director of The Conservation Fund and chair of the Coalition. “The Senate has recognized the important role that land and water conservation play in our economic and public health. The pandemic showed that people really wanted to get outside; they need more public spaces. And, we also know that spending on public lands boosts the state and local economy.”

Tim Gestwicki, Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and Land for Tomorrow Board Member says that the need was made clear during the last 15 months. “Fishing licenses increased 94 percent from May 2020 to December 2020,” he says. “Hunting licenses increased by 20 percent. These additional funds can help grow state game lands, particularly in the Piedmont where there is a serious need.”

Funding for State Conservation Funds:

  • Land and Water Fund
    • Additional $60 million NR in FY21-22. Brings total to $73.2 million for the year.
    • Additional $40 million NR in FY22-23. Brings total to $53.2 million for the year.
  • Parks and Recreation Trust Fund
    • Additional $60 million NR in FY21-22. Brings total to $76.2 million for the year.
    • Additional $40 million NR in FY22-23. Brings total to $56.2 million for the year.
  • Farmland Preservation Trust Fund
    • Additional $35 million NR in FY21-22. Brings total to $39.3 million for the year.
    • Additional $20 million NR in FY21-22. Brings total to $24.3 million for the year.

In addition to significant funding for the State’s Conservation Trust Funds, the budget also includes:

  • $40 million NR for State Parks Water and Sewer Projects in FY21-22
  • $9 million NR in FY21-22 and $3.2 million NR in FY22-23 for Pisgah View State Park
  • $15 million NR in FY21-22 for State Historic Sites

Thank You Park and Trail Staff!!

Thank you to all the park and trail staff and volunteers that have helped keep our parks, trails, preserves and publicly protected lands safe, clean and open for people to enjoy this year. With the outdoors offering a safe way to connect with our family and friends, it’s no wonder that a record 19.8 million visitors visited our parks and trails.

Through it all, staff and volunteers have worked diligently to ensure that trails are safe and clean for everyone to use. Visitors did their part, but the park staff were the true heroes in showing up to work, day in and day out to keep our trails open and protected.

All summer long, the often-invisible heroes of trail and park staff and volunteers have been maintaining trails, emptying trash bins, cleaning restrooms and patrolling our parks. These behind-the-scenes heroes often go unrecognized for the work they do in the heat, rain and humidity. They are founts of knowledge about the land they care for and take deep pride in keeping it safe for you to enjoy.

Just saying a simple “thank you” the next time you see a park or trail staff member can go a long way. They’re the ones ensuring that you can enjoy some of the most beautiful places in North Carolina.

Here are a few simple ways you can thank your park and trail staff and volunteers:

  • Just say “Thanks” when you see them emptying trash bins or cleaning bathrooms
  • Send a thank-you note to the park or land conservancy home office
  • Send a tweet or post on Instagram thanking the staff and volunteers and tag your favorite park or land
  • conservation organization

Many of these lands have been improved thanks to funding from North Carolina’s conservation trust funds. Our state’s conservation trust funds ensure that the Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) and the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (ADFPTF) are fully funded to safeguard our beloved natural spaces. These funds enable conservation groups to continue working with our state partners to protect North Carolina’s valuable natural resources.