Read more press releases

For Immediate Release
October 01, 2007


Catawba Lands Conservancy and the Town of Mineral Springs are pleased to announce the advancement of the first phase of the town’s Master Greenway Plan made possible by the permanent protection of approximately 58 acres of land along Wolf and Bates Branch, in the Twelve Mile Creek River Basin.

Conservation and protection of natural areas have been high priorities for the Town of Mineral Springs since the town’s founding in 1999. As part of this effort, the town established a greenway plan as part of the Vision Plan adopted in May, 2006. This planned greenway closely follows the two major Twelve Mile Creek tributaries in the town, and is intended to be developed as a network of unpaved trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, with additional wilderness areas that demonstrate varied Piedmont ecosystems being preserved as “stops” along the way.

In partnership with the Town of Mineral Springs, the Conservancy applied for a grant from the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund to permanently protect 46.8 acres of wooded land along the two branches. The Town worked with the Conservancy to conserve an additional 11 contiguous acres, providing critical local funds to increase the likelihood of receiving state funds from the trust fund. Due in large part to the Town’s additional 11-acre donation, the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund awarded $307,000 to conserve the 46.8 acres, totaling 58 acres of permanently conserved land slated to become Phase 1 of the Mineral Springs Greenway.

“The importance of this multi-part conservation effort cannot be overstated,” said Mineral Springs mayor Rick Becker. “These creeks, and the critical adjoining upland forests, comprise some of the most pristine natural areas in the region. Being able to simultaneously protect the creek water quality, provide a valuable recreational asset, and forever preserve a beautiful and diverse woodland ecosystem and wildlife habitat is an accomplishment that every resident of Mineral Springs can be proud of. This joint effort by the Town, Catawba Lands Conservancy, the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund, and two separate real estate developers should serve as a template for future collaborative efforts in the region.”

In an area experiencing rapid growth this successful project may have a catalytic effect on advancing the permanent conservation of significant lands throughout the Twelve Mile Creek watershed. This project has generated interest on the part of surrounding municipalities in creating and/or implementing local greenway plans, and proactively enhancing the quality of life for the residents of their respective local communities.

“Catawba Lands Conservancy is thrilled to be working with the Town of Mineral Springs, a long time partner and strong advocate of the Conservancy, to advance land conservation, enhance quality of life for Union County residents, and work with developers to balance growth and conservation. We are grateful to the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund for providing needed capital to a critical and catalytic project,” said Dave Cable, Executive Director of Catawba Lands Conservancy.

Due to escalating land values and rapid development, the window of opportunity to conserve land and protect our natural areas is closing. The Mineral Springs Greenway project is a success story that demonstrates the power of partnership and importance of leveraging private and public resources to enhance water quality and the quality of life for residents living in Union County.

Click on www.catawbalands.org for more information.

Catawba Lands Conservancy is a regional land trust that permanently protects land, water and wildlife habitat to enhance your quality of life. The Conservancy protects more than 6,812 acres in Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Union counties and is one of 24 land trusts serving North Carolina that collectively have protected more than 255,000 acres.