Category: Land and Water Fund

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/

 

Strengthening Flood Resilience in Henderson County

North Carolina’s Land and Water Fund [https://nclwf.nc.gov/] is helping strengthen flood resilience in Henderson County.

Natural floodplain restoration projects along the French Broad River are already making a difference for nearby communities. During Hurricane Helene, projects led by Conserving Carolina [https://conservingcarolina.org/] helped hold an estimated 1.25 billion gallons of floodwater across restored floodplains at Pleasant Grove, Mouth of Mud Creek, and Kings Bridge.

For residents who watched the river rise toward her home before dawn during the storm, these natural areas may have helped reduce the impact. By reconnecting the river to its floodplain and restoring wetlands and natural stream channels, these projects allow floodwaters to spread out and slow down, rather than rushing downstream and worsening floods.

Restoration work also improves water quality, supports wildlife habitat, and protects farms, homes, and infrastructure throughout the watershed.
Projects like these are possible because the North Carolina General Assembly allocates funding to the N.C. Land and Water Fund, helping communities strengthen resilience to extreme weather while protecting the natural resources that support North Carolina’s economy and quality of life.

Thank you to Representative Jennifer Balkcom [https://www.votebalkcom.com/], Representative Jake Johnson [https://www.jakefornc.com/], and Senator Timothy Moffitt [https://www.timmoffitt.com/] for your service to Henderson County.

To learn more about the N.C. Land and Water Fund and conservation projects across our state, visit:
Land for Tomorrow: www.land4tomorrow.org