North Carolina’s natural places and working farms are an important part of our way of life. They provide us with clean water and habitat for fish and wildlife. They are also economic engines that drive job creation, tourism, and local business growth.
Over 20 million people enjoy our NC State Parks annually. In Western North Carolina alone, the Made X Mountains Partnership reported that outdoor recreation generated $4.9 billion in economic impact, supported 48,000 full-time jobs, and contributed $197.5 million in local tax revenue across 25 counties prior to Hurricane Helene.
Conserving our land is not just about preserving nature for future generations—it’s about protecting investments, supporting rural economies, and preserving North Carolina’s way of life. Land for Tomorrow recommends strategic investments to safeguard our working farms, natural areas, and outdoor spaces—ensuring we’re ready to meet the current and future needs of our growing population.
Strengthening Conservation Trust Funds:
- Additional $2 million (recurring) for NC Land and Water Fund (NCLWF)
- Additional $2 million (recurring) for Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF)
- Additional $10 million (recurring) for Farmland Preservation (ADFPTF)
Long-Term Recovery and Resilience:
- $25 million (non-recurring) for local parks and greenway restoration and rebuilding (PARTF)
- $25 million (non-recurring) for flood resilience grants (NCLWF)
- $12.5 million (non-recurring) for farmland and working forest easements (ADFPTF)
Strengthening Conservation Through Policy:
- Enhancing the Conservation Tax Credit
- Supporting Farmland Preservation through Present-Use Value (PUV)
DOWNLOAD OUR 2025 BUDGET PRIORITIES HANDOUT
To learn more about the impact of the conservation trust funds and see your tax dollars in action, follow Land for Tomorrow on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/L4TNC – and Twitter – https://twitter.com/land4tomorrow – as well as LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/land-for-tomorrow.
Land for Tomorrow is a statewide coalition of community leaders, conservation, and wildlife organizations, and parks and recreation advocates with a common goal: increasing land and water conservation in North Carolina.
Meet The Members Working to Support the Conservation Trust Funds