mentally sound. The right type of development will attract new people to the area and make it better for everyone.� The CLC uses a large workforce of volunteers in their efforts, and Lake Wylie residents are encouraged to get involved. Volunteers are used for office work as well as out in the field where they take baseline inventories of plants and wildlife, clear and mark trails, identify invasive plants and clean up areas. Some of the volunteer work requires training and CLC hosts classes to teach volunteers how to identify plant and animal species, and how to build trails that do not damage the environment. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden also has a large group of volunteers. “The Garden and the Lands Conservancy hope that this partnership will help expand and grow our collective core of volunteers. We plan to work together on all phases of the project,� Newport said. Want to volunteer? Visit www.DSBG.org or www.CatawbaLands.org. LW
A record-breaking year Since the beginning of 2011, Catawba Lands Conservancy permanently protected 10 new properties totaling 1,623 acres in five counties within the greater Charlotte region. That acreage is equivalent to approximately 2.5 square miles or 1,623 football fields. The number of properties conserved and the total number of acres for 2011 represent the highest year-end totals to date since CLC was founded in 1991. Over the past 20 years, CLC has made a significant impact on conservation within the region. CLC currently protects a total of 160 properties and conserves 12,356 acres of land for public benefit, helping to make our region greener and healthier, and improving our quality of life. Through easements, land donations or purchases, CLC conserves land through perpetuity for local farms, clean water, wildlife habitat and connections to nature via The Thread. Source: Catawba Lands Conservancy
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Spring 2012 | www.LakeWylieToday.com
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