Month: April 2026

Member Profile: Catawba Lands Conservancy and Carolina Thread Trail

North Carolina’s conservation trust funds are doing more than protecting land, they’re delivering real results for our communities, economy, and way of life. We’re grateful to the North Carolina General Assembly for its continued investment in these proven programs.

“Grant funding from the conservation trust funds has enabled us to protect hundreds of acres that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to conserve,” says Bart Landess, Executive Director of Catawba Lands Conservancy and Carolina Thread Trail. “Land in the Southern Piedmont around Charlotte is increasingly expensive, and it’s only through partnerships and support from the trust funds that we have been able to exceed 18,000 acres conserved.”

That impact is showing up across the state. In Catawba County, what was once a complex land transaction is now Mountain Creek Park, a growing community asset with trails for hiking, running, and mountain biking. Projects like this strengthen local economies, expand outdoor recreation, and improve quality of life.

As North Carolina continues to grow, the need to protect working lands and natural resources is only increasing.

“North Carolina is a state with incredible natural resources and a rich agricultural legacy,” Landess adds. “As rapid growth and development take place, it’s important to preserve our unique landscapes and agricultural lands before they disappear. The trust funds are a critical tool to ensure these places continue to exist.”

Behind this success is strong leadership and coordination.

“Land for Tomorrow provides critical leadership on state policy relating to land protection,” Landess says. “Without that leadership pushing for funding, we wouldn’t have seen the same level of success in conservation and agricultural projects.”

As budget discussions move forward, it’s critical to protect funding for the state’s conservation trust funds so they can continue delivering results for communities across North Carolina. Supporting the conservation trust funds is a smart, practical investment in our state’s future.

Learn more in our LEARN Section

Big Win for Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail

North Carolina’s Land and Water Fund is helping protect one of the most important coastal landscapes in our state. This is a significant milestone for eastern North Carolina and a clear example of how strategic funding and strong partnerships deliver lasting results for our state.

Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and North Carolina Coastal Federation recently announced the acquisition of nearly 800 acres along the North River in Carteret County. The newly acquired property will provide a critical link for the Mountains to Sea Trail, eventually creating approximately 11 miles of new, off-road trail miles and greatly expanding the trail’s presence in this area.

This project is a clear example of how state investment makes big outcomes possible. Funding from the Complete the Trails Program, created by the North Carolina General Assembly, helped move this long-priority project forward. An additional $1M grant from the N.C. Land and Water Fund and funding from the U.S. Navy brought together the partnerships needed to complete the acquisition.

Projects like this show how conservation funding works as a smart investment. By leveraging partnerships, these dollars go further, helping protect large-scale landscapes that support water quality, wildlife habitat, and coastal resilience and develop recreational opportunities.

Thank you to Senator Norman Sanderson and Representative Celeste Cairns for your service to North Carolina’s coastal communities.

To read more about this project, visit https://mountainstoseatrail.org/2026/04/land-acquisition-carteret/

 

2026 Budget Priorities

North Carolina’s natural places and working farms are an important part of our state’s infrastructure and way of life.

These natural places provide clean water, protect wildlife habitat, support agriculture, and power outdoor recreation economies across our communities. Across the state, investments from the N.C. Land and Water Fund, Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, and Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund help protect the lands and waters that support local economies and quality of life.

  • Outdoor recreation generates $16.2 billion in economic value in North Carolina and supports more than 145,000 jobs statewide, representing 2.1% of the state’s GDP. The outdoor recreation economy in North Carolina has grown 9.6% since 2022. (NC Outdoor Economy Office).
  • More than 20 million people visit North Carolina State Parks each year, supporting local economies and small businesses in communities across the state (North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation).
  • Agriculture and agribusiness remain North Carolina’s top industry, contributing more than $103 billion annually to the state’s economy (NC State Extension).

Conserving land is not just about protecting nature. It is about protecting critical infrastructure, supporting rural economies, and preserving North Carolina’s way of life.

Land for Tomorrow and its members are working to ensure these conservation trust funds remain strong so they can continue delivering benefits to communities across the state.

Strengthening Conservation Trust Funds:

  • $2M recurring increase for NCLWF. Currently funded at $28M recurring, a $2M increase would bring total funding to $30M.
  • $2M recurring increase for PARTF. Currently funded at $28M recurring, a $2M increase would bring total funding to $30M.
  • $20M recurring increase for ADFPTF. Currently funded at $5M recurring, a $20M increase would bring total funding to $25M

Strengthening Conservation Through Policy:

  • Extend the Conservation Tax Credit. Reinstated in 2024, the tax credit is currently set to expire at the end of 2026.
  • Pass House Bill 647 – Agriculture PUV Conservation

Meet our Land for Tomorrow’s Members who are on the ground protecting our land and water.

Download our 2026 Budget Priorities document

 

CONTACT US

Kevin Redding
Land for Tomorrow Chair
Executive Director, Piedmont Land Conservancy
Office: (336) 691-0088
kredding@piedmontland.org