Conserving resources for healthy communities
Conserving resources for healthy communities
The staff and board of Carolina Land & Lakes are skilled in bringing various stakeholders together to solve common problems and effect positive change through the creation of partnerships.
Carolina Land & Lakes works with numerous organizations to find mutual solutions to water, land, soil, and other resource issues that impact our community, acting as a respected resource bringing data, science, and perspective.
Carolina Land & Lakes worked with an advisory committee to secure $3.16 million needed to open Mountain Island Educational State Forest to the public. We worked with Gaston and Lincoln Counties, the City of Gastonia, local Soil and Water boards, and state forest staff to develop plans for the education center.
Carolina Land & Lakes supports community-centered river and infrastructure projects that improve environmental health while strengthening local resilience. Our Executive Director Melissa Patton serves as a co-lead with the NC Aquatic Connectivity Team (NCACT), contributing to statewide collaboration around barrier removal, stream restoration, and aquatic habitat connectivity.
Through sponsorship and partnership with American Rivers, we support and manage select dam removal and river restoration projects, helping communities navigate planning, coordination, and implementation. These efforts reconnect waterways, reduce flood risk, and restore rivers as community assets.
Preserving a treasured river corridor while improving access, safety, and the visitor experience
Carolina Land & Lakes RC&D, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, led and funded the development of the Wilson Creek Action Plan—a long-term vision for sustainable outdoor recreation infrastructure along the Wild and Scenic Wilson Creek.
The plan focuses on an approximately nine-mile corridor in Caldwell County, extending from Adako Road to NC 90 at Mortimer. It balances recreational access with environmental stewardship, public safety, and the protection of the natural resources that make Wilson Creek so special.
A Community-Driven Vision
Community participation was central to the planning process. Residents, visitors, landowners, public agencies, emergency responders, conservation organizations, and recreation groups helped identify the corridor’s most pressing needs and opportunities. A public survey received 627 responses, providing valuable insight into how people currently use Wilson Creek and what improvements they would like to see.
The planning process was guided by five primary goals:
Recommendations for the Future
The Wilson Creek Action Plan identifies 17 focus areas and recommends improvements that would help protect the corridor while creating a safer, more enjoyable experience for visitors. Recommendations include:
The plan provides a roadmap rather than a commitment by any individual land manager. Future projects will be evaluated and implemented according to available funding, environmental review requirements, agency policies, and continued community collaboration.
Moving from Vision to Action
Completing the Wilson Creek Action Plan was an important first step toward the corridor’s long-term protection and improvement. Carolina Land & Lakes will continue working with government agencies, community partners, landowners, and other stakeholders to advance this shared vision for Wilson Creek.
