Chapter 6 Conservation Goals and Priorities
communities, landowners, local land trusts, and other conservation organizations to protect North Carolina’s natural and cultural resources. The CTNC works cooperatively with land trusts across the state to help landowners protect natural resources through voluntary conservation methods. Visit its website to learn more (www.ctnc.org). 6.7.4 The Nature Conservancy (TNC) The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. This mission is carried out through partnerships, alliances, and collaborations with a variety of state and federal agencies, land trusts, and conservation groups. North Carolina falls within three of The Nature Conservancy’s defined ecoregions (the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, and the Southern Blue Ridge)—each with its own ecoregional plan that identifies priority conservation areas within the ecoregion. TNC has developed a strategic, science-based planning process, called “Conservation by Design,” which is used to help identify the highest-priority places—landscapes and seascapes that, if conserved, promise to ensure biodiversity over the long term. Visit TNC North Carolina chapter for more information about its work in the state (https://www.nature.org/en- us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/north-carolina/). 6.7.5 North Carolina’s Land Trusts Land trusts are community-based, nonprofit organizations that actively work to conserve land by acquiring land or conservation easements from willing landowners. Land trusts also manage or restore land once it has been conserved. Many of the land trusts in North Carolina are members of the Land Trust Alliance (LTA, https://landtrustalliance.org), which supports local land trusts and acts as an advocate on issues that affect organizations. North Carolina land trusts are community-led and supported and protect lands and waters that help the entire state. The NCWRC works collaboratively with numerous land trusts and conservation organizations. According to the LTA, land trusts in the state have increased the amount of land protected by 19% since 2010. A list of land trusts working in North Carolina is available on the LTA website https://landtrustalliance.org/land-trusts/gaining-ground/north- carolina#demographics. 6.7.6 North Carolina Conservation Network (NCCN) In 1998, the North Carolina Conservation Network (NCCN) was formed through the collective efforts of over 60 conservation, environmental justice, and community groups in North Carolina. This statewide network is committed to protecting the state's environment and public health. The NCCN works on environmental policymaking at all levels of government to achieve fair and sustainable outcomes for our environment.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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