Special to IFN
Thanks to a generous donation from the landowner, a 25-acre tract located less than a quarter of a mile from Lake Norman will be permanently conserved.
Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) announced Wednesday that the landowner had donated a conservation easement for the Mooresville property. The exact location of the tract was not disclosed, and TRLT officials said the property owner wanted to remain anonymous.
This land was originally granted to the family from the British Crown as North Carolina was being settled. An aerial view of the property demonstrates the extreme development pressure surrounding the property, which is directly adjoined by apartment complexes and sprawling subdivisions. This historic property will now be protected from development.
The Lake Norman area is one of the most rapidly developing areas in Iredell County and in the United States. According to the American Farmland Trust, Iredell County ranks 38th in the nation for farmland loss due to development. Less than 3 percent of the 100,000-plus parcels of land in Iredell County are tracts of 25 acres, or larger.
“Once land is developed, it is almost guaranteed to never to return to its natural state” Land Protection Specialist Kyle Shores said. “Protecting this land through a donated conservation easement will literally stop development in its tracks. This will ensure the protection of valuable wildlife habitat that is being lost a record pace in Iredell County.”
“Protecting local family farms and natural areas, especially in such a rapidly developing part of the state, is something TRLT prides itself on,” added Director of Conservation Emily Callicutt. “Without the foresight of willing landowners, land like this would be lost forever to development.”
This conservation project was made possible by a generous conservation easement donation by the landowners and also by the support of TRLT members and donors.
LEARN MORE
If you would like to find out to conserve your property or support TRLT’s conservation mission, contact Emily Callicutt, Director of Conservation, at emily@trlt.org.
About Three Rivers Land Trust
Three Rivers Land Trust works with private landowners and public agencies to conserve the most important natural, scenic, agricultural, and historic places in a 15-county region of the Piedmont and Sandhills of North Carolina. Since 1995, the Land Trust has worked to offer reasonable and attractive options to landowners who want to conserve their lands for future generations to enjoy. Visit www.trlt.org.