Annual Report 2016 Final 20160713 Web-Version

THREE LAND GIFTS RECEIVED BY TRLC SAVE THE DATE FOR AN 18,172 ACRES PROTECTED! TRLC ended 2015 by receiving three generous gifts of land. TRLC will manage all UPCOMING NATURE HIKE! three tracts as part of its stewardship program to protect wildlife habitat, streams, and wetlands. Two of the properties adjoin other land owned by TRLC along Rob- TAR RIVER September 24, 2016 ertson Creek in Creedmoor. Anthony and Jamie Dilweg of Durham donated three acres of woodland located along Robertson Creek near NC Highway 56. Deuard 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Bowden and Gregory Ferrell of Granville County donated 4.8 acres of wetlands Twelve Hawks-Hasty Tract and forest also adjoining Robertson Creek and the Golden Pond Subdivision. LAND CONSERVANCY Fishing Creek Long-time TRLC member Jack Norwood of Raleigh do- Murray Loop Road, Nash County Annual Report 2015-2016 News for Members and Friends nated a 29.7-acre woodland property in Franklin County located near US-401 between the communities of Royal and Harris Crossroads. October 29, 2016 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 155 MORE ACRES PRESERVED ALONG ROBERTSON CREEK “We are honored to receive these land gifts,” expressed TRLC Executive Director Derek Halberg. “How wonder- Outparcels Tract Future Trails and Greenways Envisioned on the Property Located in Granville County ful that these properties will forever remain in conserva- Robertson Creek Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC) recently tion thanks to the foresight and thoughtfulness of each NC Highway 56, Creedmoor, acquired 155 acres along Robertson Creek donor.” Granville County near Creedmoor in Granville County. The site If you are considering a gift of land to TRLC, please con- adjoins the north side of NC Highway 56 to the east of the Creedmoor Commons tact Derek at 919-496-5902 or [email protected]. For more information or to reserve a Shopping Center. Over half of the newly Photo: TRLC General Counsel Amy Edge with a towering spot in the hike, please contact purchased land is located in the floodplains of cherrybark oak on 4.8 acres donated to TRLC by Deuard Sheryl Munt at 919-496-5902 or Robertson and Cedar Creeks, which Bowden and Gregory Ferrell along Robertson Creek in 2015. [email protected]. converge on the property. “This property is a wonderful mix of hardwood forest areas that buffer over 70 acres of Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TarRiverLandConservancy wetlands and two miles of streams that form to keep up with the latest news, events, and projects! the core of the property,” said TRLC Executive Director Derek Halberg. “Beavers have been active on this property for several decades. As a result, the site has become a wildlife refuge for ducks, geese, and songbirds that frequent the wetlands.” TRLC received generous funding from the Creedmoor Board of Commissioners, the City of Raleigh’s Watershed Protection Program, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, and the NC Attorney General’s Environmental Enhancement Grant Program to purchase the land. Including this latest purchase, TRLC has acquired five tracts totaling 317 acres along Robertson Creek since May 2014. Robertson Creek flows southward from Creedmoor before converging with the Falls Lake Reservoir, which supplies drinking water to Raleigh and other Wake County communities. “Our long-term plan is to build walking trails and greenway paths on TRLC’s Robertson Creek properties,” Mr. Halberg noted. “We want the residents of adjoining neighborhoods to have direct access to this open space for exercise and to enjoy nature. We are eager to work with the City of Creedmoor and community leaders to achieve this vision.” TRLC expects the Creedmoor Board of Commissioners to approve a request this summer to annex the property into the City’s corporate limits. TRLC plans to offer a guided hike on its newest Robertson Creek property this fall. If you would like to receive the announcement about the hike, please send an email with your contact information to [email protected]. Photos: Wetlands (top) and cherrybark oak (bottom) on 155 acres preserved by

TRLC in spring 2016 on Roberson Creek. (photo credits: Sam Upchurch)

Louisburg, NC 27549 27549 NC Louisburg,

, NC NC , R ALEIGH

123 N. Main Street | PO Box 1161 1161 Box PO | Street Main N. 123

P . 1910 1910 . N O ERMIT

C L

ONSERVANCY AND

PAID PAID We’re Saving the Places You Love for Future Generations

P U OSTAGE S R T

IVER

AR IN PERSON, GRANVILLE, VANCE, FRANKLIN, WARREN,

. . O N RG

ONPROFIT HALIFAX, NASH AND EDGECOMBE COUNTIES TRLC Annual Report

THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FAM- XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX ILIES AND INDIVIDUALS FOR XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX WORKING WITH US TO PROTECT XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX BROWNS HOST FIELD DAY AT FIRST FRUITS FARM OUR LOCAL WATER, WILDLIFE, XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX AND WORKING FARMS XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX STEWARDS XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Stewards are landowners who have XXXXXXXXXXX donated land to TRLC or who own XXXXXXXXXXX PATRON ($100 - $249) SUSTAINING ($50 - $99) property protected by TRLC using XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX permanent conservation easements. XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Friends and supporters gathered at First Fruits Farm near Louisburg on XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX THANK YOU TO Saturday, April 30, for TRLC’s annual Field Day on the Farm. Farm owners XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Jason and Tay Brown graciously hosted the event, allowing visitors to fish in XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX ponds designed and managed by local expert Cliff Edwards. XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX OUR 2016 FIELD DAY XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Volunteers Emilee Wooster, Jan Weems, Alvin Braswell, and Elaine Nichols XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX SPONSORS! provided educational activities for children and adults. Members of the XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Louisburg High School 4-H Club provided a display for visitors while the band XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Mule Town entertained guests during the catered lunch and festivities. After XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Julie Wright Land Company lunch, Jeff Zimmer and Hannah Rank assisted by Naomi Brown drew raffle XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX tickets and handed out prizes. XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Mr. Ben Mayo Boddie XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Jason and Tay Brown led several dozen folks on a hayride tour and nature XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Duke Energy hike, along with naturalists Jan Weems and Alvin Braswell. Visitors were XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX thrilled to see a resident bald eagle flying overhead and to get an up-close XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Mr. Henry K. MacNair look at the Brown family’s cattle, pigs, and goats, including the pig that thinks XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX it’s a cow and a neighbor’s cow that jumped the fence to join the Brown XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Wake Stone Corporation family’s herd! XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Universal Leaf North America TRLC thanks all its sponsors and volunteers whose generous support made XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Field Day possible. We extend our biggest thanks to Jason and Tay Brown XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX AgCarolina Farm Credit and their family for their warm hospitality and friendship with TRLC! XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Mr. Ronnie Bagwell XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX THANKS TO THESE DONORS FOR XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX The Char-Grill Companies XXXXXXXXXXX MAKING OUR WORK POSSIBLE XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXX MAJOR DONORS ($5,000 and above) XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Golden Skillet XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX BENEFACTOR ($1,000 - $4,999) XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Pete Smith Tire & Quick Lube XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Mr. Robert Kelly, Land Surveyor XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Shackelford & Associates XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX South Granville Animal Hospital XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX True North Forest Management Services XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX CONSERVATOR ($500 - $999) XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Toney Lumber Company XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Winston Williams Creech Evans & Co. XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX ASSOCIATE ($250 - $499) XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Photo credits: Sam Upchurch XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX To see more photos, please visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/TarRiverLandConservancy XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX 6 3 TRLC Annual Report FORTY ACRES PURCHASED ON FISHING CREEK IN NASH COUNTY HELP BUILD TRAILS AT LEDGE CREEK FOREST Tar River Land Conservancy purchased 40 acres adjoining Fishing Creek in CONSERVATION AREA IN GRANVILLE COUNTY! northern Nash County in May 2016. The property connects to land across the creek in Halifax County purchased by TRLC in 2012. Over the last fifteen TRLC is working to open its Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area to the public by fall 2016. Over years, the Conservancy has preserved 1,963 acres of land on Fishing and seventy volunteers have contributed 744 hours constructing two miles of hiking trails on the conservation Little Fishing Creeks through conservation easement agreements and out- property since April. The Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area is located at 3189 Brogden Road near right land purchases. the Town of Stem in Granville County. AmeriCorps member Elaine Nichols is overseeing the trail project. Ms. Nichols began her service with TRLC in February after a year in Colorado constructing hiking trails TRLC purchased the 40-acre property from David Hodges of Rocky Mount as an AmeriCorps assistant crew leader. and John Williams of Littleton. “From the first time that I visited the property, I believed that it was an ideal place where children could learn about nature,” TRLC acquired the 220 acres that became the Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area from the estate of said Mr. Hodges. “I knew that the Conservancy has similar goals with its oth- the late Ann Summers Jordan in September 2013. That property, historically known as the “Moore Farm” er properties to give kids the opportunity to learn about the outdoors through by local residents, was a tobacco farm until the 1980s. TRLC purchased five adjoining properties in the scheduled hikes.” fall of 2015 to expand the conservation area to 381 acres! Another motivation for Mr. Hodges was to see the property preserved to hon- “The hiking trail network will lead visitors through tall hardwood and pine forests, past rock outcroppings and shaded streams, Photos: Fishing Creek (above) and or his late grandfather L.R. Hasty of Roanoke Rapids. “We really appreciate those folks who and near old fields being restored to native habitat,” said TRLC Executive Director Derek Halberg. In 2015, TRLC planted 23 cardinal flower in bloom (below) on work with us to preserve their land to honor family members and friends,” noted TRLC Exec- acres of abandoned fields on the property with shortleaf pine, a native tree that has declined over the last century. Seven acres 40 acres purchased by TRLC in utive Director Derek Halberg. were planted with native wildflowers and grasses to provide habitat for songbirds and pollinator insects. “The hiking trails will May 2016 in northern Nash County. wind past the old fields to allow visitors to follow the restoration of these areas over time,” noted Mr. Halberg. TRLC received generous contributions for the project from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation, and the North Carolina At- Three miles of hiking trails are planned for the Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area. Volunteers are still needed for the trail torney General’s Environmental Enhancement Grant Program. TRLC placed a permanent crew. Work days are held every Wednesday and two Saturdays a month from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Contact Elaine Nichols at conservation easement on the land to ensure that the 40 acres will never be developed. 919-496-5902 or [email protected] to sign up or go to TRLC’s ActivateGood webpage using the QR code above. Additionally, please contact Ms. Nichols if your community or corporate group is interested in building trails. “While most of the property is a mixture of hardwood and pine forest areas, about twelve acres is currently open land that we will need to replant with trees,” noted Mr. Halberg of the TRLC received a generous grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support Conservancy. “We are grateful to Nash County Ranger Bill Lewis of the NC Forest Service habitat restoration and trail construction at the Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area. In May 2016, Morgan Stanley awarded a who is advising us on this reforestation.” The Conservancy expects to plant several thou- grant to TRLC to construct a trailhead kiosk that will provide educational materials and maps for visitors! sand native hardwood seedlings in early 2017, with most seedlings being long-lived oaks and hickories that will eventually produce acorns and nuts for wildlife. Fishing Creek is the largest tributary of the Tar River, draining an 894-square mile area from the headwaters in Vance County to its confluence with the Tar River in Edgecombe County. Fishing Creek provides the best remaining habitat for the Tar River Spinymussel – also known by its scientific name Elliptio steinstansana – which was added to the federal list of endangered species in 1985. Tar River Spinymussels and other freshwater mussels play important roles in keeping streams healthy by filtering and purifying water as they siphon water to feed on algae, plankton, and silts.

Photos: CTNC Youth Conservation Corps crew members (left) enjoy Ledge Creek PERALTA ELECTED TO TRLC BOARD OF DIRECTORS after a week of trail work. Girl Scouts, TRLC staff, CTNC AmeriCorps members, Jesús Peralta of Henderson, NC, will serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors of Tar and families (above) celebrate National Trails Day at the Ledge Creek Forest River Land Conservancy. Mr. Peralta is principal and owner of Peralta Consulting, a public affairs Conservation Area on June 4th. (credit: Sam Upchurch) and public relations firm. Mr. Peralta advises companies on a broad range of issues affecting the agricultural industry, including climate change, water resource protection and management, and the environmental impacts of agricultural operations. NC STATE STUDENT JOINS TRLC FOR STEWARDSHIP INTERNSHIP “Tar River Land Conservancy is honored to have Jesús lend his professional expertise and wisdom Hannah Rank of Granville County will serve as Tar River Land Conservancy’s stewardship intern to our Board of Directors,” commented Executive Director Derek Halberg. “He brings nearly two this summer. Ms. Rank will be working in the field visiting many of TRLC’s protected properties across an eight-county region. During the spring of 2015, Ms. Rank interned at the Robert E. Lee decades of experience working in corporate public affairs and advising agricultural companies on Soil and Water Conservation District based in Amherst, Virginia, where she conducted stream mon- environmental and energy matters.” itoring and mapped critical areas for conservation practices. Mr. Peralta is a graduate of Episcopal High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Ms. Rank is a 2012 graduate of Granville Central High School. Presently, she is a senior at North biology from Wake Forest University and a Master of Science in Public Health from Tulane Carolina State University where she is majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Applied University in New Orleans. He later completed a postgraduate fellowship with the Environmental Protection Agency in Ecology. She previously attended Sweet Briar College in Virginia. Ms. Rank enjoys horseback rid- Washington, DC, before transitioning to his consulting career. Prior to starting his consulting firm, Mr. Peralta served for eight ing, hiking, and camping in her free time, and keeps horses on her family’s property in western years as a public affairs manager advocating on behalf of agricultural chemical companies on environmental, transportation, Granville County. Ms. Rank looks forward to spending her summer at TRLC, where she will be able security, energy, and international trade issues. to contribute to the preservation of our area’s natural beauty, farms, and woodlands.

4 123 N. Main Street | PO Box 1161 | Louisburg, NC 27549 Phone: 919-496-5902 Fax: 919-496-6940 Email: [email protected] Website: www.tarriver.org 5 TRLC Annual Report FORTY ACRES PURCHASED ON FISHING CREEK IN NASH COUNTY HELP BUILD TRAILS AT LEDGE CREEK FOREST Tar River Land Conservancy purchased 40 acres adjoining Fishing Creek in CONSERVATION AREA IN GRANVILLE COUNTY! northern Nash County in May 2016. The property connects to land across the creek in Halifax County purchased by TRLC in 2012. Over the last fifteen TRLC is working to open its Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area to the public by fall 2016. Over years, the Conservancy has preserved 1,963 acres of land on Fishing and seventy volunteers have contributed 744 hours constructing two miles of hiking trails on the conservation Little Fishing Creeks through conservation easement agreements and out- property since April. The Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area is located at 3189 Brogden Road near right land purchases. the Town of Stem in Granville County. AmeriCorps member Elaine Nichols is overseeing the trail project. Ms. Nichols began her service with TRLC in February after a year in Colorado constructing hiking trails TRLC purchased the 40-acre property from David Hodges of Rocky Mount as an AmeriCorps assistant crew leader. and John Williams of Littleton. “From the first time that I visited the property, I believed that it was an ideal place where children could learn about nature,” TRLC acquired the 220 acres that became the Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area from the estate of said Mr. Hodges. “I knew that the Conservancy has similar goals with its oth- the late Ann Summers Jordan in September 2013. That property, historically known as the “Moore Farm” er properties to give kids the opportunity to learn about the outdoors through by local residents, was a tobacco farm until the 1980s. TRLC purchased five adjoining properties in the scheduled hikes.” fall of 2015 to expand the conservation area to 381 acres! Another motivation for Mr. Hodges was to see the property preserved to hon- “The hiking trail network will lead visitors through tall hardwood and pine forests, past rock outcroppings and shaded streams, Photos: Fishing Creek (above) and or his late grandfather L.R. Hasty of Roanoke Rapids. “We really appreciate those folks who and near old fields being restored to native habitat,” said TRLC Executive Director Derek Halberg. In 2015, TRLC planted 23 cardinal flower in bloom (below) on work with us to preserve their land to honor family members and friends,” noted TRLC Exec- acres of abandoned fields on the property with shortleaf pine, a native tree that has declined over the last century. Seven acres 40 acres purchased by TRLC in utive Director Derek Halberg. were planted with native wildflowers and grasses to provide habitat for songbirds and pollinator insects. “The hiking trails will May 2016 in northern Nash County. wind past the old fields to allow visitors to follow the restoration of these areas over time,” noted Mr. Halberg. TRLC received generous contributions for the project from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation, and the North Carolina At- Three miles of hiking trails are planned for the Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area. Volunteers are still needed for the trail torney General’s Environmental Enhancement Grant Program. TRLC placed a permanent crew. Work days are held every Wednesday and two Saturdays a month from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Contact Elaine Nichols at conservation easement on the land to ensure that the 40 acres will never be developed. 919-496-5902 or [email protected] to sign up or go to TRLC’s ActivateGood webpage using the QR code above. Additionally, please contact Ms. Nichols if your community or corporate group is interested in building trails. “While most of the property is a mixture of hardwood and pine forest areas, about twelve acres is currently open land that we will need to replant with trees,” noted Mr. Halberg of the TRLC received a generous grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support Conservancy. “We are grateful to Nash County Ranger Bill Lewis of the NC Forest Service habitat restoration and trail construction at the Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area. In May 2016, Morgan Stanley awarded a who is advising us on this reforestation.” The Conservancy expects to plant several thou- grant to TRLC to construct a trailhead kiosk that will provide educational materials and maps for visitors! sand native hardwood seedlings in early 2017, with most seedlings being long-lived oaks and hickories that will eventually produce acorns and nuts for wildlife. Fishing Creek is the largest tributary of the Tar River, draining an 894-square mile area from the headwaters in Vance County to its confluence with the Tar River in Edgecombe County. Fishing Creek provides the best remaining habitat for the Tar River Spinymussel – also known by its scientific name Elliptio steinstansana – which was added to the federal list of endangered species in 1985. Tar River Spinymussels and other freshwater mussels play important roles in keeping streams healthy by filtering and purifying water as they siphon water to feed on algae, plankton, and silts.

4 123 N. Main Street | PO Box 1161 | Louisburg, NC 27549 Phone: 919-496-5902 Fax: 919-496-6940 Email: [email protected] Website: www.tarriver.org 5 TRLC Annual Report

XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX FOR TAR RIVER LAND CONSERVANCY, XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX AR IVER XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX T R ALL CONSERVATION IS LOCAL XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX LAND CONSERVANCY XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX A wonderful reality of your support for Tar River Land XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Conservancy (TRLC) is that you are investing in conservation right XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC) was founded in September here in the eight counties that TRLC has served for the last fifteen XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX GOLD LEAF ($500—$999) XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX 2000 to preserve the natural and cultural resources of the Tar years. There is an old saying that “all politics is local”. For land XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX River Basin and surrounding areas by working in partnership trusts like TRLC, all conservation is local. We work with property XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX with private landowners, public agencies and others to protect owners, government officials, businesses, and our volunteers and XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX rural landscapes and riparian corridors. Our service area XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX members to achieve measurable conservation successes year- XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX SILVER LEAF ($250—$499) XXXXXXXXXXX includes Person, Granville, Vance, Franklin, Warren, Halifax, after-year in our own communities. Our actions contribute to bigger XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Nash and Edgecombe Counties. We work directly with XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX landowners throughout the region to protect drinking water, efforts to protect land, water, wildlife habitat, and open space XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX across our state, country, and planet. But we are so gratified that XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX wildlife habitat, farms, forests and recreational open space. We XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX achieve our objectives by acquiring conservation land and TRLC’s work continues to preserve land on the roads many of us XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX permanent conservation easements and by collaborating with travel each day, farms that provide agricultural and wood products XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX vital for our local economies, and streams and wetlands that XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX other public and private entities on projects that achieve XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX mutually beneficial land conservation objectives. The result of supply drinking water to our friends, families, schools, and XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX BRONZE LEAF ($100—$249) XXXXXXXXXXX TRLC’s work has been the permanent protection of 18,172 acres businesses. XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX of land – 15,060 acres through perpetual conservation easements XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX and 3,112 acres through fee-simple acquisitions of land Our laser focus on local land conservation continues to be fruitful XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX permanently held for conservation by TRLC or a partner because of your support, with the last year being no exception. XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX conservation agency. XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX With the purchase of properties on Robertson Creek in Creedmoor XXXXXXXXXXX REGULAR ($35 - $49) XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX BOARD OF DIRECTORS (see page 1) and Fishing Creek in Nash County (see page 4) this XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Ernie Averett, President, Oxford spring, TRLC surpassed another important milestone – 18,000 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX OTHER DONATIONS XXXXXXXXXXX Carl Pike, Vice President, Oxford acres protected since TRLC was founded in 2000. Since the XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Loretta Lautzenheiser, Treasurer, Tarboro beginning of 2015 alone, TRLC purchased nine properties totaling XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Boyd Sturges, Secretary, Louisburg 413 acres and received the gifts of three other properties totaling XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Tim Bevacqua, Raleigh 37 acres. XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Virginia Clay, Oxford XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Linda Fisher, Nashville Thank you for supporting local land conservation. With your help, XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Gary Harris, Raleigh XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX TRLC will continue to deliver more conservation successes in our Jesús Peralta , Henderson XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX THE FOLLOWING GIFTS WERE communities for many decades to come! Elizabeth Shearin, Aventon XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX MADE IN HONOR OR MEMORY OF XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL INDIVIDUALS, PLACES OR INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS FOR THEIR XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX COMPANIONS STAFF GENEROUS VOLUNTEER SERVICE XXXXXXXXXXX Derek Halberg, Executive Director XXXXXXXXXXX OTHER GIFTS XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Amy Edge, Business Manager & General Counsel Derek E. Halberg XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Sheryl Munt, Development Assistant XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Executive Director XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Elaine Nichols, AmeriCorps Land Management Associate XXXXXXXXXXX [email protected] XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Hannah Rank, Land Stewardship Intern XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX David Thomas, Land Stewardship Specialist XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Financial Report XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX October 1, 2014 - September 30, 2015 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX The following financial data was generated from TRLC’s Internal Revenue Service Form 990 for the most recently completed XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX fiscal year. In addition to filing the IRS Form 990 each year, TRLC also hires a professional accounting firm to conduct an annual XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX independent audit of the organization. XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX WE THANK THESE BUSINESSES & XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX REVENUE EXPENSES XXXXXXXXXXX GOVERNMENT PARTNERS FOR XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Total = $603,881 Total = $457,128 XXXXXXXXXXX THEIR CRITICAL SUPPORT XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX MAJOR DONORS ($5,000 or more) XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Contributions & Grants = $529,005 (88%) Program Services = $387,865 (85%) XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Program Service Contracts = $20,405 (3%) Management = $46,838 (10%) XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Investments = $43,560 (7%) Fundraising = $22,425 (5%) XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Other Revenue = $11,111 (2%) XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX PLATINUM LEAF ($1,000—$4,999) XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX 2 7 THREE LAND GIFTS RECEIVED BY TRLC SAVE THE DATE FOR AN 18,172 ACRES PROTECTED! TRLC ended 2015 by receiving three generous gifts of land. TRLC will manage all UPCOMING NATURE HIKE! three tracts as part of its stewardship program to protect wildlife habitat, streams, and wetlands. Two of the properties adjoin other land owned by TRLC along Rob- TAR RIVER September 24, 2016 ertson Creek in Creedmoor. Anthony and Jamie Dilweg of Durham donated three acres of woodland located along Robertson Creek near NC Highway 56. Deuard 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Bowden and Gregory Ferrell of Granville County donated 4.8 acres of wetlands Twelve Hawks-Hasty Tract and forest also adjoining Robertson Creek and the Golden Pond Subdivision. LAND CONSERVANCY Fishing Creek Long-time TRLC member Jack Norwood of Raleigh do- Murray Loop Road, Nash County Annual Report 2015-2016 News for Members and Friends nated a 29.7-acre woodland property in Franklin County located near US-401 between the communities of Royal and Harris Crossroads. October 29, 2016 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 155 MORE ACRES PRESERVED ALONG ROBERTSON CREEK “We are honored to receive these land gifts,” expressed TRLC Executive Director Derek Halberg. “How wonder- Outparcels Tract Future Trails and Greenways Envisioned on the Property Located in Granville County ful that these properties will forever remain in conserva- Robertson Creek Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC) recently tion thanks to the foresight and thoughtfulness of each NC Highway 56, Creedmoor, acquired 155 acres along Robertson Creek donor.” Granville County near Creedmoor in Granville County. The site If you are considering a gift of land to TRLC, please con- adjoins the north side of NC Highway 56 to the east of the Creedmoor Commons tact Derek at 919-496-5902 or [email protected]. For more information or to reserve a Shopping Center. Over half of the newly Photo: TRLC General Counsel Amy Edge with a towering spot in the hike, please contact purchased land is located in the floodplains of cherrybark oak on 4.8 acres donated to TRLC by Deuard Sheryl Munt at 919-496-5902 or Robertson and Cedar Creeks, which Bowden and Gregory Ferrell along Robertson Creek in 2015. [email protected]. converge on the property. “This property is a wonderful mix of hardwood forest areas that buffer over 70 acres of Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TarRiverLandConservancy wetlands and two miles of streams that form to keep up with the latest news, events, and projects! the core of the property,” said TRLC Executive Director Derek Halberg. “Beavers have been active on this property for several decades. As a result, the site has become a wildlife refuge for ducks, geese, and songbirds that frequent the wetlands.” TRLC received generous funding from the Creedmoor Board of Commissioners, the City of Raleigh’s Watershed Protection Program, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, and the NC Attorney General’s Environmental Enhancement Grant Program to purchase the land. Including this latest purchase, TRLC has acquired five tracts totaling 317 acres along Robertson Creek since May 2014. Robertson Creek flows southward from Creedmoor before converging with the Falls Lake Reservoir, which supplies drinking water to Raleigh and other Wake County communities. “Our long-term plan is to build walking trails and greenway paths on TRLC’s Robertson Creek properties,” Mr. Halberg noted. “We want the residents of adjoining neighborhoods to have direct access to this open space for exercise and to enjoy nature. We are eager to work with the City of Creedmoor and community leaders to achieve this vision.” TRLC expects the Creedmoor Board of Commissioners to approve a request this summer to annex the property into the City’s corporate limits. TRLC plans to offer a guided hike on its newest Robertson Creek property this fall. If you would like to receive the announcement about the hike, please send an email with your contact information to [email protected]. Photos: Wetlands (top) and cherrybark oak (bottom) on 155 acres preserved by