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For Immediate Release
April 28, 2010


(Charlotte, N.C.) – A successful partnership between the state and a local land conservation trust is the backdrop for the release of Land for Tomorrow’s annual Green Book. The Green Book, which details the state of conservation funding in North Carolina, will be released on Thursday, April 29.

The report, “Conservation = Economic Stimulus,” is an annual compilation of county-by-county funding by North Carolina’s four land and water conservation trust funds: the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, Natural Heritage Trust Fund and Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF). Such public funding is vital to the conservation of local lands by Catawba Lands Conservancy, lead agency for the Carolina Thread Trail (The Thread).

In 2008, The Thread was awarded a $3 million grant by CWMTF trustees. In early 2010, Gov. Perdue released $1.5 million of the grant, which will help protect water quality and create public recreation opportunities on an unprecedented regional scale. As N.C. communities self-identify their sections of The Thread, many are selecting buffer lands along streams and rivers in the Broad, Catawba and Yadkin-Pee-Dee river basins.

With communities seeing the benefits of conservation, the state’s trust funds have record numbers of requests to fund local projects. The growing interest in conservation has created a huge gap between the number of quality projects and the amount of state funding available. Land for Tomorrow is urging the state’s leaders to maintain the $50 million already budgeted for the Clean Water Management Trust Fund in FY 2010-11 and to include $2 million for the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. Both trust funds leverage millions of dollars each year from federal, local and private sources.

“Our recent successes in preserving local lands that will enhance water quality and increase public access to green spaces is a great example of local and state cooperation that improves our quality of life,” said Dave Cable, Executive Director for Catawba Lands Conservancy. “We’re grateful for the support of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, and will continue to work for conservation projects that bring an economic benefit to the state and protect our valuable water supply.”

Conservation also boosts our state’s economic development by protecting our clean water supply. An American Water Works Association study highlighted in the Green Book observed that, for every 10 percent increase in forest cover, drinking water treatment and chemical costs decrease approximately 20 percent.

About Land for Tomorrow

Land for Tomorrow, a coalition of conservation, agriculture, business and local government organizations, is committed to preserving and protecting North Carolina’s land, water and historic places. Its goal is to increase public awareness for the need to protect additional lands that are critical to economic well-being and quality of life in North Carolina. Land for Tomorrow seeks to help the state reach its declared goal of conserving a million acres, and ensure that critical land will be available to provide clean air and drinking water, strengthen our communities, promote job growth and enhance the quality of life for generations to come.


About Catawba Lands Conservancy

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 8,000 acres in Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Union counties and is one of 24 land trusts serving North Carolina. Catawba Lands Conservancy is the lead agency for the Carolina Thread Trail, an initiative that will link more than two million citizens with hundreds of miles of trails that wind through fifteen counties in North and South Carolina.

About The Carolina Thread Trail

The Carolina Thread Trail (The Thread) is a 15-county, two state initiative designed to inspire and facilitate the creation of a regional network of trails, blueways, and conservation corridors that will grow together over time linking more than 2.3 million citizens. With technical resources and catalytic funding from The Thread, local communities will plan and implement their portions of this green interstate system. Catawba Lands Conservancy is the lead agency for The Thread, working in partnership with Foundation For The Carolinas and many other local partners.

Additional Resources:

• www.catawbalands.org
• www.carolinathreadtrail.org
• www.landfortomorrow.org