Why I Feel Hopeful

Dear friend of Conserving Carolina,

As we enter a new year, at Conserving Carolina, we are full of hope. You might not expect those of us working in conservation to feel hopeful at a time when the threats to our natural world are so large, so real, and so urgent. But with your help, every day we are planting seeds of hope. And every day we see them growing. 

It is so encouraging to see people energized by their connection with nature and working to care for the places they love. We see farmers protecting the land that we need to grow food for coming generations. We see teachers working with us on field trips and hands-on conservation projects—and students who light up when they get outdoors. We see gardeners who carry on the work of conservation at home, creating pollinator gardens and bird habitat. We see volunteers who come out week after week to help us pull invasive species, build trails, engage communities, and more. 

At our conservation properties, we can see so much positive change. We see salamanders, frogs, songbirds, hawks, otters, and so much more coming back to the areas along rivers where we are restoring wetlands and other habitat. We see more forests protected, where trees will go on storing carbon and where plants and animals stressed by climate change may find refuge. We prioritize protecting places that help form wildlife corridors, so species can migrate and adapt. 

We also see projects that deliver multiple solutions at once. For example, a natural floodplain restoration provides cleaner water, reduces flood risk, creates homes for wildlife, and gives people a place to enjoy nature—all at the same time. Rail trails like the Ecusta Trail and the Saluda Grade Trail promise to drive economic growth, expand outdoor recreation, improve people’s health, and provide corridors for wildlife. That’s a lot of wins. 

If you missed our list of our top 10 conservation stories from 2022, you might want to check it out. There’s a tremendous amount of good work happening—and we need you to keep it moving forward. 

That’s why I am asking you to make a generous year end gift to Conserving Carolina. Can you make a gift before the end of 2022? 

Donations to Conserving Carolina are tax deductible. If you have questions about how to make your 2022 donation, here is some information you may find helpful.

Thank you so much for all of your support for conservation. Thank you for the very real hope that I see unfolding every day. 

Sincerely,

Kieran Roe,

Executive Director

P.S. The new year may also be a time that you think about the legacy you want to leave. If you are giving thought to your estate plans, we greatly appreciate if you would consider a legacy gift to Conserving Carolina. You can learn more about options for legacy giving here and we are happy to talk with you about your vision for your legacy.