Category: Conservation Champion

Representative Wray Receives Award as a Land and Water Champion

ROANOKE RAPIDS —The North Carolina Land for Tomorrow Coalition has recognized Representative Michael Wray as a 2024 North Carolina Land and Water Champion.

“Thank you, Representative Wray, for your leadership on conservation issues in our state,” said Piedmont Land Conservancy Executive Director Kevin Redding, who chairs the Land for Tomorrow Coalition. Representative Wray played a critical role in the passage of legislation this summer to reinstate NC’s conservation tax credit. The legislation passed unanimously 104-0 in the House and 40-0 in the Senate. The conservation tax credit is a time-limited state tax credit on the value of real estate donated to a qualified nonprofit or government entity for farmland preservation, public trails, fish and wildlife, and other conservation-related purposes.

Representative Wray also championed the Roanoke River State Trail designation in 2021. This paddle trail extends from Weldon to Albemarle Sound. As it meanders through North Carolina, the trail offers a unique wilderness experience plus opportunities to protect a vital water source for the coastal plain.

“The conservation tax credits are a powerful incentive for private landowners to conserve more farm and forest land and expand our state’s parks, trails, and wildlife areas,” said Redding. “Investing in places like the Roanoke River State Trail ensures that residents can enjoy and explore all North Carolina offers.”

Representative Wray is one of three state legislators to receive this year’s award. Other awards went to Senator Brent Jackson and Representative Steve Ross, who have been pivotal in creating more places for North Carolinians to recreate and enjoy our natural spaces.

Picture Caption: Land for Tomorrow Coalition representatives recognized Representative Michael Wray as a North Carolina Land and Water Champion at River Falls Park Trailhead in Weldon, along the Roanoke River. Representative Wray championed the designation of the Roanoke River State Trail, which offers recreation plus an opportunity to protect land to ensure clean water for all North Carolinians. Pictured from left to right: Will Robinson, The Nature Conservancy’s Director of Government Relations; Representative Michael Wray; Deans Eatman, Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs at NC Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources.

ABOUT LAND FOR TOMORROW COALITION:
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.

Representative Ross Receives Award as a Land and Water Champion

BURLINGTON —The North Carolina Land for Tomorrow Coalition has recognized Representative Steve Ross as a 2024 North Carolina Land and Water Champion.

“Thank you, Representative Ross, for your years of service protecting the natural beauty of North Carolina,” said Piedmont Land Conservancy Executive Director Kevin Redding, who chairs the Land for Tomorrow Coalition.

Representative Ross was a critical leader in passing legislation NC Farm Act, SB 355, to reinstate NC’s conservation tax credit during the 2024 session of the NC General Assembly. The legislation passed unanimously 104-0 in the House and 40-0 in the Senate. The conservation tax credit is a time-limited state tax credit on the value of real estate donated to a qualified nonprofit or government entity for farmland preservation, public trails, fish and wildlife, and other conservation-related purposes.

Representative Ross championed the designation of the Haw River Trail State Trail in 2023. The Trail winds through Alamance and Chatham Counties. Its over 60 miles of land and paddle trail allow the community to explore while helping to conserve and protect this vital resource.

“Rep. Ross’s tireless efforts support our farmers, enhance our natural resources, and ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for all North Carolinians,” said Redding. “The conservation tax credits are a powerful incentive for private landowners to conserve more farm and forest land and expand our state’s parks, trails, and wildlife areas. Investing in places like the Haw River State Trail ensures that residents can enjoy and explore all North Carolina offers.”

Representative Ross is one of three legislators to receive this year’s award. Other awards went to Senator Brent Jackson and Representative Michael Wray, who have been pivotal in creating more places for North Carolinians to recreate and enjoy our natural spaces.

Picture Caption: Land for Tomorrow Coalition representatives recognized Representative Steve Ross as a North Carolina Land and Water Champion. Representative Ross was a critical leader in reinstating NC’s conservation tax credit and creating a state trail designation for the Haw River Trail Trail that winds through Alamance and Chatham Counties. Pictured from left to right: The Nature Conservancy’s Director of Government Relations Will Robinson, Representative Steve Ross, and Piedmont Land Conservancy Executive Director Kevin Redding.

ABOUT LAND FOR TOMORROW COALITION:
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.

Senator Jackson Receives Award as a Land and Water Champion

RALEIGH—The North Carolina Land for Tomorrow Coalition has recognized Senator Brent Jackson as a 2024 North Carolina Land and Water Champion.

“Thank you, Senator Brent Jackson, for your unwavering dedication to protecting North Carolina’s working farms and forests,” said Piedmont Land Conservancy Executive Director Kevin Redding, who chairs the Land for Tomorrow Coalition. ”Your work is crucial in ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for our state.”

Senator Jackson was a critical leader in passing the NC Farm Act, SB 355, which passed unanimously 104-0 in the House and 40-0 in the Senate. The Farm Act included the return of the conservation tax credit, which is a time-limited state tax credit on the value of real estate donated to a qualified nonprofit or government entity for farmland preservation, public trails, fish and wildlife, and other conservation-related purposes.

“This legislation supports our farmers, enhances our natural resources, and ensures a healthier, more sustainable future for all North Carolinians,” said Redding. “The conservation tax credits are a powerful incentive for private landowners to conserve more farm and forest land and expand our state’s parks, trails, and wildlife areas.”

Senator Jackson is one of three state legislators to receive this year’s award. Other awards went to Representative Steve Ross and Representative Michael Wray, who have been pivotal in creating more places for North Carolinians to recreate and enjoy our natural spaces.

Picture Caption: Land for Tomorrow Coalition representatives recognized Senator Brent Jackson as a North Carolina Land and Water Champion at Big Yellow Mountain Preserve. Senator Jackson was a critical leader in passing the NC Farm Act, SB 355, which includes the return of the conservation tax credit. Pictured from left to right: Sen. Jackson, Will Morgan, and Will Robinson.

ABOUT LAND FOR TOMORROW COALITION:
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.

Conservation Champion: Representative Kyle Hall

Representative Kyle Hall has worked on conservation efforts that benefit the quality of life and economic well-being for residents in North Carolina. Land for Tomorrow asked Representative Hall a few questions about the importance of land protection in our state.

1. Where is your favorite natural/outdoor place in North Carolina and why is it important to you?

I’m blessed to have three of the best state parks in the 91st District: Hanging Rock, Pilot Mountain, and Mayo River State Parks. I regularly visit them on the weekends for outdoor recreation and to simply clear my head after hectic weeks in Raleigh.

2. What do you see are the immediate and long-term benefits of investing in land protection?

Conservation helps to improve the quality of life for our state’s future generations. It is also an economic development tool as potential new businesses and visitors are looking at states with a higher quality of life.

3. How can land protection have an overall economic impact on North Carolina’s constituents and state economy through the tourism, agricultural and farming, and military divisions?

North Carolina competes for new jobs and tourism dollars. Businesses are looking for states with reduced tax burdens and higher quality of life. Tourists are looking for states with plenty to see and do. Our state is fortunate to offer new businesses and visitors not only a competitive tax climate but also majestic mountains, thriving cities and tranquil beaches, something most other states cannot deliver. Conserving our natural assets is just one more tool in the job recruitment toolbox.

4. Why is conservation funding important to your constituents? How do you feel the investment in land can generate a direct, positive impact in your respective district?

In the 91st District, it’s easy to see a direct correlation between conservation and increased economic activity. For example, Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain each had nearly 800,000 visitors last year. Those visitors ate at our local restaurants, made purchases at our local shops, and stayed in our campgrounds and hotels. This return on investment is huge for rural communities like mine.

5. What are your suggestions as to how community members, local and state government officials, and land conservation groups can work together to support land conservation in North Carolina?

Conservation groups should meet regularly with local elected officials, local business owners, and outdoorsmen to establish long term plans for their local areas and be cognizant that there must be local buy-in for these long-term goals.

6. What do you see as the biggest threat facing North Carolina’s land conservation efforts?

A lack of private investment and an inability to spend money wisely.

The Conservation Champion series intends to highlight North Carolina legislators dedicated to protecting our state’s natural resources and display why funding conservation projects is important for our state’s development.

Conservation Champion: Senator Andy Wells

Senator Andy Wells has been an avid supporter of legislation that benefits conservation funding in North Carolina. Land for Tomorrow asked Senator Wells a few questions about the importance of land protection.

1. Where is your favorite natural/outdoor place in North Carolina and why is it important to you?

Jacob’s Fork River in Catawba County is my favorite natural place in North Carolina. It’s still pristine after the brief journey from South Mountain State Park – less than an hour from Charlotte – still undiscovered. I’m lucky, it’s 20 minutes from my Hickory office to a more peaceful world.

2. What do you see are the immediate and long-term benefits of investing in land protection?

Land protection, water quality, storm resiliency, and mitigation all go hand-in-hand, and the combined benefits add up to help local communities. Addressing all these holistically will preserve more land at less cost to taxpayers.

3. How can land protection have an overall economic impact on North Carolina’s constituents and state economy through the tourism, agricultural and farming, and military divisions?

Too often, governments distort free markets. Bad zoning policy or bad tax policy do that. Bad policies can be the result of special interest lobbying or good old-fashioned poor judgement. And they can encourage landowners to make choices based on short-term profits. Our ancestors knew that their children would inherit land only as good as they passed along. Preservation is a way to balance the scales and replace short-term with long-term thinking.

4. Why is conservation funding important to your constituents? How do you feel the investment in land can generate a direct, positive impact in your respective district?

As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee, my responsibilities cover the state – from protecting family farms to local parks or major rivers. Taking time away from digital computer screens and enjoying the nature created for us by God is a blessing we should all appreciate.

5. What are your suggestions as to how community members, local and state government officials, and land conservation groups can work together to support land conservation in North Carolina?

Agree to a long-term and fair goal for communities across the state, have a plan to work toward that goal and execute the plan.

6. What do you see as the biggest threat facing North Carolina’s land conservation efforts?

A fragmented bureaucratic structure that fails to spend taxpayers’ money wisely and efficiently.

The Conservation Champion series intends to highlight North Carolina legislators dedicated to protecting our state’s natural resources and display why funding conservation projects is important for our state’s development.