Top 10 Hopeful Stories from 2023
Dear friend of Conserving Carolina,
As we approach the end of the year, I want to share with you a very special top 10 list. Here are 10 big ways that you made a difference for our natural world in 2023. In the face of very real threats that are often in the news—like climate change or land lost to development—these stories show that we can also have very real hope.
As you look over this impressive year in conservation, what means the most to you? Is it a beautiful new trail for you to explore with your family and friends? Is it knowing that wildlife—from black bears to bog turtles—will find homes in newly protected places? Is it seeing streams and wetlands restored to health, so we have cleaner water? Is it the look on a child’s face when they feel the spark of connection with our living world?
When you look at the places you’re protecting, you can feel it for yourself. Hope. You know that you can make a positive difference. You know that we can make a better world for our kids.
Thank you for the amazing things you made happen in 2023! And there is still time to make a gift before the end of the year. Please consider a donation to keep this good work going strong in the new year.
With deep gratitude for all that you do,
Kieran Roe
Executive Director
Top 10 Stories from 2023
1. Breaking Ground on the Ecusta Trail
2023 saw dramatic news for the Ecusta Trail. Early in the year, in the face of rising construction costs, it looked like we still had a long way to go to raise money. Then the trail was awarded not one but two game-changing federal grants! Combine that with generous local donations to meet the match and we now have all the funding we need to build the full 19 miles of trail from Hendersonville to Brevard. In October, with jubilant spirits, trail advocates and donors broke ground on the long-awaited rail trail.
2. Vast Protected Land Will Link Two State Trails
For years, we have been steadily buying land from GreyRock, once a vast planned development in the mountains north of Lake Lure. Already, we helped create Buffalo Creek Park, where we built the epic Weed Patch Mountain Trail. This year, we purchased another 174 acres, bringing our current total to 2,200 acres. We’re working toward a goal of more than 2,650 protected acres, where we aim to expand the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail system and link it with the Wilderness Gateway State Trail.
3. Natural Floodplain Restored on French Broad River
The French Broad you see today is very different from the natural river corridor that once existed, surrounded by wetlands and full of life. Now, at a growing chain of restorations, we are bringing back that vital natural floodplain, with benefits for wildlife habitat, clean water, and flood control. This spring, we completed the 70-acre Pleasant Grove restoration in Etowah, with over a mile of restored streams, 22 acres of wetlands, 13 acres of wildflower meadows, 29 reforested acres, a 7-acre backwater slough, and future trails.
4. Stream Restored in Neighborhood Built by Habitat for Humanity
When Habitat for Humanity bought the land for the Dodd Meadows neighborhood in East Flat Rock, it came with a stream but a degraded one. This section of Bat Fork had steep, eroding banks. It was full of trash and choked by invasive plants. Habitat worked with Conserving Carolina to restore the stream and build a walking path, creating a beautiful neighborhood green space while improving water quality and flood control in our region.
5. NC Budgets $12 Million for Saluda Grade Trail
We have an opportunity to purchase the historic 31-mile Saluda Grade railroad for a rail trail and a $12 million investment from the state of NC goes a long way toward making it possible. This is in addition to a$15 million investment in South Carolina. As we explore the vision for the proposed rail trail, we launched an in-depth study in 2023, including extensive landowner outreach and public input.
6. Three River Properties Protected in Transylvania
In an area famous for beautiful waterways, we acquired three properties along streams and rivers. We purchased the exceptional Little River Wetlands where forested wetlands with oxbow pools make an ideal home for frogs, salamanders, bats, birds, and more. This 27-acre parcel adjoins other recently protected land near a rare Appalachian mountain bog. At Big Branch Falls, we now own a 45-acre nature preserve with 2,000 feet of streams and a unique spray cliff community. And we just purchased 18 acres on the French Broad River near Brevard as a river access point and potential floodplain restoration.
7. Parks and Preserves Expanded in Polk County
There are now more protected woodlands where people can enjoy nature in Polk County. This spring, we added 140 acres to a local park behind Polk County Middle School, where trails for hiking and biking are underway. With this addition, a total of 1,040 acres from our landmark Little White Oak Mountain project have become public, protected land. In addition, we purchased a 36.5-acre addition to our Norman Wilder Forest preserve, with rare wildflowers and streams that flow into the North Pacolet River.
8. Energizing a Movement for Habitat at Home
Our Habitat at Home campaign got a huge boost of energy in 2023, as we joined the grassroots effort that brought best-selling author Doug Tallamy to a sold-out crowd in Columbus, NC. Tallamy was one of the first to call attention to the importance of native plants and the potential of our own yards and gardens to restore nature. In addition, we welcomed expert naturalist and stunning photographer Sharon Mammoser as the author of our Habitat at Home columns. And our annual spring Habitat at Home photo contest attracted exceptional talent as well as delightful amateur images.
9. Land Added to Bracken Preserve
With an outpouring of public support, we met our goal to add 34 acres to Bracken Mountain Preserve, which connects the City of Brevard to Pisgah National Forest. This gives us the opportunity to build trails that are more moderate than the current hardcore trails, making the preserve more welcoming for families, young people, seniors, beginning mountain bikers, and some people with disabilities.
10. Community Engagement Every Day… Plus Some!
We can only protect and restore our incredible natural world if enough people love nature and want to get involved. Fortunately, we connect with more people every day. In 2023, we held 421 community engagement events. That’s more than one per day! This included major events like Riverfest, Gardening for Life Celebration, Hendo Earthfest, and field trips to Bearwallow Mountain. Plus, there were a wide variety of school and youth programs, volunteer days, speaker series, guided hikes, and forest bathing. We appreciate the energy of everyone who comes out.
Thank You for an Amazing 2023!
None of this could happen without the support of generous members, donors, and volunteers like you. Thank you for all of the ways that you make conservation stronger every day. Nature needs us more than ever and with your support, we hope to do even more in 2024.
If you’re feeling moved to make an end-of-year donation, here’s how to donate. For details on how to make sure that your gift is counted as a 2023 donation, go here. Thank you so much!