OUR MISSION
Carolina Land & Lakes
Carolina Land & Lakes serves as a bridge between local communities, federal and state agencies, and other stakeholders to preserve, protect, and provide responsible stewardship and utilization of local and environmental resources.
We create a collaborative environment to benefit North Carolina counties by providing economic development and resource protection and utilization, while strategically strengthening the local community. We work in three areas: agriculture, water, and wildfire — all supported through education, advocacy, and innovative programs.
OUR PROGRAMS
What We Do
We work across three key areas to protect and preserve North Carolina’s natural resources.
Agriculture
Supporting local farmers and small businesses with energy efficiency programs, conservation easements, and innovative agricultural solutions that reduce costs and protect the land.
Water
Protecting clean water and high water quality for local economies, safe environments, and thriving communities through restoration, nutrient studies, and dam removal projects.
Wildfire
Linking key stakeholders around wildfire prevention and preparedness, developing Community Wildfire Protection Plans, and educating communities about wildfire risk reduction.
Community Developement
Building partnerships that bring results by connecting communities, government, and industry to create lasting change for North Carolina’s rural counties.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Help Us Protect North Carolina’s Natural Resources
Your support funds wildfire preparedness, water quality initiatives, agricultural conservation, and community resilience programs across our region.
Latest News
Wilson Creek Action Plan
The Wilson Creek Action Plan was released today, marking the completion of a six-month long collaborative planning effort for the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River! The plan reflects input from over 600 public comments, dozens of community meetings, and a diverse coalition of partner organizations. The Wilson Creek Action Plan provides a path forward for outdoor recreation infrastructure development along Wilson Creek. Our collective goal is to protect the river by better managing use. Check out the full plan (or the shorter plan summary) at the link below:
Wilson Creek 2024
A diverse partnership is leading an effort to create a more sustainable future for Wilson Creek. The Wilson Creek Action Plan will provide a vision for outdoor recreation infrastructure development along Wilson Creek and present recommendations for parking areas, river accesses, and support facilities such as restrooms and picnic areas. Over the past three years, the community has come together to support better stewardship of the Wild and Scenic River located in Pisgah National Forest in Caldwell County, North Carolina. As part of this partnership, the U.S. Forest Service is moving forward with plans to improve parking and river access.
Going on the offensive in the South
Christina Newhouse shows David Berens some areas of concern within the community wildfire protection plan for Upper Burke County, North Carolina. Berens is a prevention and mitigation specialist with the USDA Forest Service Southern Region’s Fire and Aviation Management, and Christina Newhouse is the wildfire resiliency initiatives program manager with Carolina Land and Lakes Resource Conservation and Development, a recent Community Wildfire Defense Grant program recipient. The community wildfire protection plans will help guide wildfire response.
Good Fire In The Mountains – Controlled Burn Workshop at Lake James State Park
The "Good Fire in the Mountains" workshop was held to educate and engage members of the community surrounding Lake James State Park in Nebo, NC, about the use and importance of prescribed fire, and how to reduce wildfire risk. An afternoon prescribed burn demonstration was overseen and narrated by a park ranger, who ensured participant safety.
Mountain Island Educational State Forest
View a colorful photo gallery of images from the groundbreaking ceremony for Mountain Island Educational State Forest. Not yet open to the public, the forest will feature classes and exhibits designed to educate schoolchildren, forestry professionals and the general public about the importance of North Carolina's forest health.
Shuford Mill Dam Removal – Carolina Land & Lakes
Carolinas Land and Lakes worked with other partners to remove the damaged Shuford Mill Dam in the Brookford community of Catawba County. This video explains how proper dam removal can benefit a river, and the wildlife that depends upon its waters.
