North Carolina’s four conservation trust funds give essential support to land and water protection projects across our state, supporting our economy, keeping drinking water sources safe, creating parkland and public recreation sites, providing safe zones around military bases and training grounds, sustaining family farms, and safeguarding our unique natural heritage and quality of life.
A 2011 study by The Trust for Public Land found that North Carolina’s investment in conservation via these trust funds has returned four dollars for every one dollar spent. The value comes in the form of natural goods and services, such as cleaner drinking water sources, erosion control and flood mitigation. The study noted that additional economic benefits are found in the impact conservation has on jobs, businesses and industries related to agriculture, outdoor recreation and parks, military bases, tourism and more.
The Natural Heritage Trust Fund, created in 1987, provides funding for the acquisition and protection of important natural and cultural areas. Acquisitions include land that is home to rare plant and animal species as well as important wildlife habitats. It also covers the acquisition of sites that are significant to NC’s cultural history. To date, it has funded more than $310 million in projects.
The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, created in 1994, funds improvements in the state’s park system, dollar-for-dollar matching grants to local governments for parks and grants to local governments to improve public beach and estuarine access. It is the main source of funding for most state park improvements or acquisition of land to create new parks or expand existing ones. To date, it has funded more than $449 million in projects.
The Clean Water Management Trust Fund, created in 1996, makes grants to local governments, state agencies and conservation nonprofits to help finance projects that address water pollution. It covers land acquisitions that protect watersheds. It also funds other solutions to pollution, such as wastewater treatment or stormwater upgrades. To date, it has funded more than $950 million in projects.
The Agricultral Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, created in 2005, funds conservation easements on lands used for production of food, fiber and other agricultural products. It also supports public and private enterprise programs that promote profitable and sustainable agricultural, horticultural and forestland activities. To date, it has funded $11.6 million in projects.
