Catawba Lands Conservancy preserves Gaston County land with $1.1 million grant
Two tracts of land in Gaston County, totaling 115 acres, will be preserved by the Catawba Lands Conservancy thanks to a $1.1 million grant.
The two conservation projects funded by the North Carolina Land and Water Fund will protect water quality and native species around the Catawba River and its tributaries, including the South Fork River, according to a release from the Catawba Lands Conservancy.
Both projects also provide an opportunity for future trail connections through the Carolina Thread Trail, creating public access for the surrounding communities.
"The allocation of this funding reinforces the importance of the work happening in the North Carolina Piedmont to protect drinking water for 1.1 million people (10% of the North Carolina population) and unique places that are home to rare, threatened and endangered plants," stated the release. "The protected forests and wetlands will provide barriers to pollutants along our waterways and protect nature’s beauty from the heavy development pressure facing the region."
The Piedmont is home to some of the fastest-growing urban centers in the Southeast United States, making it necessary to set land aside through conservation in a fast closing window of opportunity.
The North Carolina Land and Water Fund rankings and approval of funding for the Conservancy’s two projects underscore this need, according to the release. Of 88 projects considered for funding in this cycle, the Conservancy’s were ranked No. 1 and No. 25.
The North Carolina Land and Water Fund application process is highly competitive and requires applicants to provide land trust funding and secure other public or private dollars to match funds awarded through the grant process.
J.M. Huber Corp., which has its corporate office in Atlanta, is contributing to the matching funds necessary to make this project happen. Huber's companies create products used in a broad range of products related to personal care, food and beverage, agricultural nutrients and adjuvants, building materials, flame retardants and smoke suppressants, as well as sustainable forestry services.
”J.M. Huber Corp. is proud to have contributed to grant funding for this project through our annual Impact Your Community Program, which is part of our company’s approach to community engagement, known as Huber Helps,” says Lea Volpe, director of corporate communications and community relations. “We believe that working with groups such as the Catawba Lands Conservancy not only protects vital green spaces in growing communities, but contributes to healthier communities.”
Additional matching funding is put up by the Conservancy itself, the primary source being donations from individuals.
You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-201-7016 or email him at Kellis@GastonGazette.com. Support local journalism by subscribing here.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Catawba Lands Conservancy preserves Gaston land with $1 million grant
