North Carolinians love the outdoors. Visitation to NC State Parks increased to 22,800,000 in 2021 – 3,000,000 more than in 2020. Visitation to state forests, game lands, trails and local parks continues to increase.
The Land for Tomorrow Coalition greatly appreciates the strong support of the General Assembly and Governor for our Conservation Trust Funds and looks forward to working with them in 2023 to build upon our success. Land for Tomorrow recommends the following to the 2023 General Assembly.
NC Land and Water Fund
Increase recurring funds to:
- $30,000,000 recurring
- $20,000,000 in non-recurring funds in FY23-24
The Land for Tomorrow Coalition strongly supports NC Land and Water Fund’s flood risk reduction grant program.
- $15,000,000 to continue NCLWF’s flood risk reduction program
Parks and Recreation Trust Fund
- $30,000,000 recurring
- $20,000,000 in non-recurring funds in FY23-24
Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund
- $15,000,000 recurring as recommended by Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler
Great Trails State Funding
The Land for Tomorrow Coalition supports the Great Trails State Coalition’s request for appropriations to establish the Great Trails State Fund.
Dedicated Funding and Conservation Tax Credit
The Land for Tomorrow Coalition supports H290: Protecting NC’s Military and Working Lands, which incentivizes land conservation by providing a 25% tax credit to landowners who donate land for conservation purposes. The coalition also supports restoring dedicated funding from state deed excise stamp tax revenues to the Land & Water Fund and Parks & Recreation Trust Fund.
Stewardship of State Lands, Facilities & Funds
The Land for Tomorrow Coalition strongly supports requests by the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, NC Wildlife Resources Commission and Department of Agriculture for staff to manage the conservation trust funds and to manage new state parks, historic sites, game lands and state forests.
