stream enters thevalley it wooded slopes. As thesmall flat valley that isflanked by ed canopy andinto awideand from aspringthrough aforest Here, cool groundwater flows Gaston County’s bog turtles. the rest ofthepopulation. stayed inareas isolated from right, plants andanimals when conditionswere just Although, incertaininstances, and upinto higherelevations. retreated, plants andanimals began moving north to avoid theice sheet. As theicesheet andglaciers animals were forced southandoutofthemountains populations. Duringthelasticeage, many plants and Gaston County ishometooneoftherare Piedmont found highupinthe Appalachian Mountains, but inviting forthebog turtles. Normally, bog turtlesare is oneofthemany things that makes thisarea so protect thestream andbog theseturtlescall home. (NCWRC), theUSFWS andaprivate landowner to worked withtheNC Wildlife Resources Commission and since2006, Catawba LandsConservancy has ened by theUSFish and Wildlife Service(USFWS), in North America. These turtlesare listedas Threat T CATAWBA LANDSCONSERVANCY TO Such isthecasewith The clean andcool water entering thebog PROTECT MOREOF REGION’S RAREHABITAT CATAWBA LANDSCONSERVANCY muhlenbergii), thesmallest turtles the adorable bog turtles(Glyptemys flick, butit’s really nothingmore than It may soundlike aB-movie horror emerge from themuck andmire. County, slime-covered creatures will his spring,inasmall pocket ofGaston 2017 ANNUAL REPORT - PART OF THEBOGCURRENTLY PROTECTEDBYCLC - USFWS toensure thebog stays wet andmucky. also recently supervisedabog restoration withthe and surrounding land,butthestewardship teamhas can benefitthespeciesat large.” can beimportant reservoirs ofgenetic diversity which Davidson College, “isolated populations, like thisbog, survival. According toProfessor ShannonPittmanof Just right forthelittlebog turtles! Goldilocks environment; nottoocold andnottoohot. shaded, wooded slopes andsunny, openbog create a a Wildlife Diversity Biologist withtheNCWRC. The cool, which iskey forthesebog turtles,” says Jeff Hall, the cold groundwater flowing into thebog, keeping it too warm inthe long,hotPiedmont summers. “It is forested slopes helpshieldthebog below from getting a sunny bog. slows andwidensoutacross thevalley floor, creating Not only hastheConservancy protected thebog This population issignificant forthespecies’ While thebog itselfisopenandnotshaded,the turtles. the clear, cool water anideal habitat forthebog well asthetrees which provide theshadethat makes the Conservancy willprotect thestream andbog as development. Byconservingtheadjoiningproperty, ters forthebog, isforsale andslated tobecleared for An adjoiningproperty, which surrounds theheadwa- hard toprotect over thelast10 years isnow at risk. THE BOGISINTROUBLE By SeanBloom,CLC GIS Director andBiologist The bog that theConservancy hasworked so make adonation towards thebog! Please visitcatawbalands.org/bog to closer tosaving thisfragile ecosystem. reach thisgoal andputsusonestep chase theadjoiningproperty by May 1. the remaining $50,000 neededtopur Catawba Lands Conservancy must raise the smallest turtleinNorth America. the bog andprotect thehabitat of TURTLE’S HOME! SAVE THEBOG Every dollar donated helpsus With your help, we cansave HELP US -

Photo by Crystal Cockman CLC & CTT STAFF

Tom Okel – Executive Director Bret Baronak - Carolina Thread Trail Community LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIR Coordinator Sean Bloom – GIS Director and Biologist Robin Buckler – Finance Director Saxby Chaplin – Legal Counsel 2017 was another year of unprecedented conservation Matt Covington – Land Acquisition Director growth in our region. In the midst of contin- areas, where the Vanessa Covington – Engagement and Volunteer ued significant development, Catawba Lands effects of our Manager Alesia DiCosola – Development Director Conservancy conserved seven properties total- region’s explo- Lynda Hunley – Land Protection Legal Assistant ing almost 447 acres of permanently protected sive growth and Andy Kane – Carolina Thread Trail Senior Director land. These projects reflect all aspects of our development on Sam Kirk - Stewardship Associate strategic vision to protect land that impacts our river basin Sena McCrory - Program Coordinator water quality, quality of life, wildlife habitat and our water Elizabeth Miller - Executive Team Assistant and local farms, and to advance the Carolina quality are Tammy Pfaff - Land Protection Paralegal Caitlin Reilly – Carolina Thread Trail Davidson Impact Thread Trail. being studied. Fellow It is more clear than ever that we are a You will also Allison Schwartz – Marketing and Communications pivotal part of our region’s growth story. There learn about a rare species of turtle and the Director is still a tremendous opportunity to protect work we are doing to ensure the survival of a Sharon Wilson – Land Stewardship Director and conserve in our region. We are positioned bog they call home. Work like this would not to take advantage of that opportunity in the be possible without donors like you who make CLC BOARD OF DIRECTORS way that will impact the quality of life for it possible for us to protect these properties, so Jonathan Mangels — Chair and Chair, Audit & everyone in this region, today and in the as always, I am grateful for all that you have Finance Committee Partner, Greer Walker future. Completing new projects is a small part done and continue to do to make it possible to CT Anderson of our work; the real impact as an organization carry out our mission to save land and connect Former Director of Sustainability, Belk is how we manage our properties for public lives to nature. Phillips Bragg benefit. Vice President of Planning, Bragg Financial Advisors In this issue, read about research that is JONATHAN MANGELS Jessica Braswell being conducted at Redlair, one of our largest PARTNER, GREER WALKER Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Queens University of Charlotte Nathan Clark Partner, Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLC Dan Clodfelter Community Leader, Former Mayor of Charlotte Jarred Cochran nearly 2 million people with water, will no longer be Vice President, Wells Fargo Securities able to meet our water needs by 2065. Thank you John Culbertson FIELD for helping us protect our region’s water supply! Owner, Cardinal Real Estate Partners, LLC SHARE Charlotte created #GivingTuesdayCLT Ralph Falls in 2014 as a local, annual campaign that leverag- President, Pace Commercial LLC es the global Giving Tuesday movement. It’s an Tom Gates NOTES Attorney, Tilman Thomas Gates, PLC unprecedented collaboration of 230 nonprofits and 117 businesses working together for the greater Claudia Heath Owner, Claudia Heath Fine Art good. SHARE’s mission is to create a more engaged #GIVINGTUESDAYCLT RAISES Lud Hodges $73,370 FOR CONSERVATION community by connecting individuals with local Senior Vice President, Crescent Communities nonprofit organizations. This is CLC’s third year Jim Hovis — Chair, Land Acquisition Committee participating in SHARE Charlotte’s #GivingTuesday- Attorney at Law, Moore & Van Allen, PLLC Thank you to everyone who donated during #Giv- CLT campaign. ingTuesdayCLT! More than 230 local nonprofits raised Dean Jones Senior Vice President of Financial Development, YMCA $7 million during SHARE Charlotte’s local Giving Kelly Katterhagen Tuesday campaign from Nov. 14-28. Founder and Managing Director, BlackArch Partners CLC’s #GivingTuesdayCLT campaign focused CLC WELCOMES NEW PROGRAM Tommy Lee — Chair, Land Stewardship Committee on protecting and sustaining our drinking water, and President, Appian Textiles raised more than $73,000. A 2006 water supply study COORDINATOR SENA MCCRORY John Mader — Chair, Marketing/Outreach Committee projected that with our region’s continuing growth, Vice President, Director of Connections, Wray Ward the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, which sustains Sena McCrory Julianne McCollum joined the Ca- Principal, Yellow Duck Marketing tawba Lands Robert McLean Conservan- Vice President & General Counsel, EnPro Industries cy team in Bill Mumford Vice President, Development, Newland Communities January 2018. Nancy Paschall As program Attorney, Mullen Holland & Cooper P.A. coordinator, Scott Phillips she plans Community Leader and leads Laurie Smith — Chair, Nominating & Governance recreational Committee and educational events along our growing network Counsel, Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A of greenways and blueways, exposing the public to Jenny Ward — Vice Chair, Executive Committee Senior Vice President, HR-Organizational Health, Bank of the wonders and the importance of connecting with America nature. Sena is a Charlotte native who spent several years exploring other parts of the country and world CONTACT before returning to her hometown. Office: Her college studies took her to Houston’s 4530 Park Road Rice University where she majored in ecology and Suite 420 she served as a sustainable farm intern in Virginia, Charlotte, N.C. 28209 Maine, Pennsylvania and southern France. Before [email protected] 704-342-3330 joining CLC, Sena worked as an afterschool teacher catawbalands.org at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, S.C. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, hiking and daydreaming about her future farm. This position is supported by a grant from the Women’s Gum Branch Preserve

Photo by Nancy Pierce Nancy by Photo Impact Fund.

- 2 - CLC WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS Catawba Lands Conservancy is pleased to welcome TOM GATES NATHAN CLARKE Dean Jones, Tom Gates and Nathan Clarke to its Board of Directors. Tom is a founder and Nathan is a partner with Dixon Hughes Goodman, managing partner of leading its tax reform efforts. He has 19 years of Mirador Real Estate public accounting experience, including 15 years DEAN JONES Advisors, a real estate with Big Four and national firms, with a deep focus Dean is a 1982 graduate advisory firm offering on accounting method changes. Additionally, he is of Davidson College and research-based real a national resource for tax issues and has spoken has experience working estate solutions to at AICPA conferences, state CPA societies and other in the commercial lend- regional, national and continuing education ing division of Wachovia TOM GATES international clients. events. His community in Winston-Salem. In He is also the founder involvement includes 1986, he joined the De- and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Tilman serving as commis- DEAN JONES velopment Office at Da- Thomas Gates PLLC, where he represents a select sioner for the Charlotte vidson College, serving group of real estate development and corporate clients Mecklenburg Historic as the Director of Development in conjunction with both in the United States and abroad. He earned his Landmarks Commission. the College’s $150 million comprehensive campaign undergraduate and law degrees from Duke University A Mountaineer, Nathan and the leadership gift phase of a subsequent $250 and received a graduate degree in real estate at The graduated from Appala- million effort. Dean currently serves as the senior vice Johns Hopkins University. Tom’s community involve- chian State University NATHAN CLARKE president of financial development and chief develop- ment includes two prior terms on the CLC board and with a bachelor’s degree ment officer at YMCA of Greater Charlotte. Dean and work with Queens University, the Charlotte Bilingual in accounting. his wife, Jane, have three children: Tanner, Nate and Preschool and the Charlotte Preschool Partnership. Sarah Grace.

THANK YOU! CLC would like to congratulate Jonathan Mangels on his new position as Board Chair, and thank Jenny Ward for her service as previous board chair. Additional thanks to Walter Fisher, Jr., 2016 board chair, and Lat Purser III, who rolled off the board at the end of 2017.

STUDYING URBANIZATION’S EFFECT ON WATER CLC participates in long-term study of Gaston County’s Redlair Preserve

By Mary Newsom, UNCC Urban Institute

harlotte’s increasing to collect a large swath of baseline Smith Graham by Photo urbanization is bound data from the small watersheds of granite rocks at the site have been and identify what is truly important. to cause changes in the Catawba Basin and study the exposed to the surface of the earth The study will track how water sys- the region’s water influence of invasive species’ removal and how quickly they are eroding into tems change with time, factoring in C supply. With a grant on water. David said Redlair contains the water. Martha said people who are variations in land use, and, when they from the Duke Energy highly intact watersheds, especially interested in sediment that runs off are able to combine in several land Foundation, two for the Charlotte region, which is so construction sites into water sources sites at different stages of urbaniza- researchers from UNC Charlotte are highly developed. should be able to read their data to tion, how a city’s sprawl affects water about to explore exactly what sort of The goal of the watershed understand what the effects of such sources, too. changes to expect. Their $76,521 grant observatory will be to focus on the runoff might be. The researchers will also study from the Duke Energy Water Resourc- small tributaries to the South Fork. In order to conduct hydrologic invasive plants in Redlair, ones that es Fund allows Professor Martha Cary First, the researchers will study the sampling, David said they will look at are completely common in the Pied- Eppes and Assistant Professor David big watershed and then focus on a stream water levels and groundwater mont now but were not native to the Vinson of UNC Charlotte’s Geology few of the smaller tributaries. They’ll levels, while also catching precipi- Carolinas. Examples include privet, and Earth Sciences Department to install wells to measure the levels of tation. Additionally, they will collect autumn olive or Japanese stiltgrass. develop a series of monitoring sites at groundwater and take samples from samples at the watershed outlets Like kudzu, these plants were brought Redlair Preserve, particularly near its it to gauge chemical levels, as well where the smaller streams join the in for decoration or erosion control small creeks and watersheds. as place surface water monitoring larger ones. Over the long term, they but tend to take over and outcompete The preserve encompasses 1,200 stations along the river to measure will monitor water temperature, pH native plants. Redlair is full of these contiguous acres of permanently surface water flow. The team will also levels to track acidity, nutrient pollu- types of plants, and Martha wants preserved land in Gaston County along install six weather stations to detect tion and baseline chemistry. to know how removing them will the South Fork River, a prominent trib- the micro-climatology of Redlair from Martha said they want to give influence the quality of water in the utary of the Catawba River. Martha its valley bottom to its hilltops, track- people a broader look at how urban preserve. describes Redlair as a beautiful place ing weather changes across the area. development is affecting streams The project will last for a year, with rolling hills, farmland and a Martha said the team plans to mea- in Charlotte, and this project will with the sites opening up for study in typical deciduous forest full of maples, sure soil moisture and soil tempera- provide researchers with a database mid-2018. They plan to open up their sweet gums, oaks, pines and bigleaf ture, too. Part of their grant money to compare an urban-impacted stream data to others as it becomes available magnolias. will pay for baseline data analysis, like to a more “natural” one in Gaston through a public website. City man- CLC is partnering with the one-time analyses of soil composition County. Although the team cannot agers and policymakers will be able North Carolina Plant Conservation and sediment size. control all variables simultaneously to use the research for future urban Program, which owns the land, as Furthermore, the scientists in a natural system to know with planning. well as the professors to establish the propose to measure the accumula- complete certainty what is affecting Catawba Basin Watershed Observatory tion of beryllium 10, a cosmogenic the water supply, the goal is to unravel reference: http://plancharlotte.org/story/uncc- through the project. Its larger aim is radionuclide, to discover how long the as much of the complexity as possible hydrogeological-research-gaston-county-redlair

- 3 - ENSURING THE FUTURE OF PLANT SPECIES SMAWLEY II CONSERVATION EASEMENT 24 ACRES / MECKLENBURG COUNTY CONSERVATION VALUES: WILDLIFE HABITAT, CLEAN WATER, CONNECTION TO NATURE SAVING CLC partnered with the City of Charlotte and landowners Tracy and Chris Smawley to permanently protect 24 acres of forest on the western side of Moun- tain Island Lake, the source of Charlotte’s drinking water supply. This project expands CLC’s first protected property, the Catawba Wildflower Glen, a significant natural area and home to many rare plant species, including Georgia aster and LAND Georgia holly. Land protection successes in 2017 SUSTAINING WATER QUALITY FOR AQUATIC SPECIES GEORGE CLARK CONSERVATION EASEMENT 125 ACRES / LINCOLN COUNTY CONSERVATION VALUES: WILDLIFE HABITAT, CLEAN WATER, CONNECTION TO NATURE ith your support, CLC permanently George and Barbara Clark agreed to work with CLC to conserve their 125- acre property in eastern Lincoln County. Located along Anderson Creek and Killian protected seven new properties in Creek, the property provides watershed protection to maintain the water quality 2017. Totaling 447 acres of land, these of both creeks. It also provides a natural habitat for wildlife which includes the W conserved areas are vital to our region’s Seagreen Darter, a species of fish listed as significantly rare by the NC Natural wildlife habitat and water quality. Three Heritage Program. will be open to the public for outdoor recreation via future segments of the Carolina Thread Trail and the SAFEGUARDING AGRICULTURAL LAND Mecklenburg County Greenway System. In 2017, CLC EAKER FARM CONSERVATION EASEMENT monitored 176 properties and now protects 15,761 93 ACRES / GASTON COUNTY acres of natural land across the Southern Piedmont of CONSERVATION VALUES: WILDLIFE HABITAT, CONNECTION TO NATURE North Carolina. CLC preserved 93 acres of farmland in northwestern Gaston County known as Eaker Farm. The donated conservation easement protects agricultural land and 3,400 linear feet along the southern bank of Indian Creek.

PROTECTING FORESTED LANDS AND THE URBAN CANOPY DOE CREEK CONSERVATION EASEMENT 93 ACRES / MECKLENBURG COUNTY CONSERVATION VALUES: WILDLIFE HABITAT, CONNECTION TO NATURE CLC and the City of Charlotte’s Tree Canopy Preservation Program (TCPP) worked together to protect 93 acres of timbered and forested lands along Doe Creek, a tributary of Reedy Creek, in east Mecklenburg County near Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve. The TCPP is part of the city’s tree ordinance, which allows developers and property owners to make a payment into the fund when they are not able to save the required percentage of tree canopy on a specific property. The program is structured to help the City obtain its goal of achieving 50 percent tree canopy cov- er by 2050. Doe Creek complements the 48 acres along Reedy Creek that Meck- lenburg County previously acquired to develop a greenway through the 880-acre park and nature preserve.

CONSERVING FLOODPLAINS AND WETLANDS Coley Preserve

GUM BRANCH CONSERVATION EASEMENT ADDITION Pierce Nancy by Photo 13 ACRES / MECKLENBURG COUNTY CONSERVATION VALUES: WILDLIFE HABITAT, CLEAN WATER, CONNECTION TO NATURE The City of Charlotte donated a conservation easement on this forestland FROM FARMLAND TO NATURAL SANCTUARY along Gum Branch Creek in northwest Mecklenburg County to CLC. The property COLEY PRESERVE is adjacent to a 45-acre property CLC conserved in 2016. 75 ACRES / LINCOLN COUNTY CONSERVATION VALUES: CLEAN WATER, WILDLIFE HABITAT, CONNECTION TO NATURE CLC purchased this parcel of farm and forestland in a bargain sale from Bondi Coley using a grant from the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund. The property is located in the River Bend Conservation Area, which protects 890 acres along 6.5 miles of the South Fork Catawba River. The preserve protects a high-quality, mesic mixed hardwood forest bluff, as well as a segment of wetlands. The property is also located on a planned corridor of the Carolina Thread Trail. The preservation of the property protects important natural habitat for fish, wildlife and plants. The land will also provide watershed protection to shield and maintain the water quality of Pott Creek and the South Fork Catawba River. CONNECTING HIKERS TO NATURE TRAILS JACKSON BLACKJACK PRESERVE 23.5 ACRES / UNION COUNTY CONSERVATION VALUES: WILDLIFE HABITAT, CONNECTION TO NATURE David Simonini donated a 23.5-acre property to CLC which was perma- Gum Branch Preserve nently protected in partnership with the Nation Ford Land Trust in Fort Mill, SC. Photo by Nancy Pierce Nancy by Photo Located on South Potter Road in Union County, the property was identified as a significant natural area by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program in 2012. The two properties create an almost 58-acre conservation corridor along the This preserve is home to a population of Carolina Prairie-trefoil, a species creek, which will safeguard water quality and eventually host the Gum Branch of concern according to the North Carolina Plant Conservation Program, as well Greenway. This latest addition protects approximately 2,020 feet of the creek as Heller’s rabbit tobacco, which the NCNHP identifies as significantly rare. A along with floodplains and wetlands that are critical to filter runoff and flood future segment of the Carolina Thread Trail is planned for South Potter Road, and waters. Jackson Blackjack Preserve will host a connector to the trail.

- 4 - Volunteers helping plant the pollinator garden at Seven Oaks Preserve

Nicknamed “the butcher bird” after its carnivorous tendencies, Loggerhead shrikes consume prey such as amphibians, insects, lizards, small mammals and other small birds. Because of its small size and weak talons, the STEWARDSHIP bird often impales its prey on thorns or barbed-wire fences. CLC’s Biologist and GIS Director Sean Bloom was the first to FOR THE FUTURE become aware of the birds’ presence when he noticed small rodents and bugs that had been impaled on a fence. Grace Farm sits on approximately 107 acres along the Highlights of how we cared for the land Upper South Fork River. The permanently protected, work- ing cattle farm provides natural habitats for fish, wildlife and plants. The property and waterways in 2017 also protects water quality through riparian buffers, wetlands and floodplains. The fields on the farm are managed with native warm season grasses. RARE LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES FLYING NEAR GRACE FARM POLLINATOR GARDEN WILL SOON BLOOM During the summer of 2017, CLC’s stewardship team devised a plan to con- Although Loggerhead shrikes have vert the grass along Seven Oaks Preserve’s trailhead in Belmont into a pollinator not been officially spotted at Grace Farm garden. After securing a grant from the Community Foundation of Gaston County, in Lincoln County, CLC staff suspects CLC and volunteers planted 340 plugs of native wildflowers and grasses. The that they are around the farm. garden now includes Purple Loggerhead shrikes have been on Cone Flower, Black-eyed Susan, the decline since the 1960s due to hab- Blazing Star, Cardinal Flower, itat loss. Their most common habitat is Joe-Pye Weed, Sweet Grass, open countryside with scattered shrubs Butterfly Weed and Broom- and trees. The rare gray bird has a black sedge. Visit the unique garden mask and white flashes on its back at the trailhead entrance at wings, which stand out against its black 6900 South New Hope Road in tail and mostly black wings. The term late spring and early summer “loggerhead” refers to the relatively large and admire our handiwork! size of its head in relation to the rest of its body.

CLAYS FOR CONSERVATION A SMASHING SUCCESS

Our second annual Clays for Conservation event in September 2017 was a major success! Held at the idyllic Fork Farm and Stables, CLC’s largest conserved property located at the confluence of the Rocky and Pee Dee rivers, the event raised more than $38,000 for land conservation efforts. We were thrilled to wel- come more than 120 participants for a day of sporting clays, wonderful food and conversation. During lunch, Tim Gestwicki, executive director of the NC Wildlife Federation, gave an inspirational talk on the importance of conservation for our state’s wildlife habitats. We hope you enjoyed the event as much as we did and look forward to this year’s event on Thursday, September 20.

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

LUNCH: Appian Textiles GIFT SPONSORS: McKim and Creed Sides Erosion Control Services

- 5 - BY 2017 THE NUMBERS

27 48

PROGRAM, OUTREACH AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES WORKDAY NONPROFIT PARTNERS

176 PROPERTIES MONITORED

7,727 PEOPLE CONNECTED

THROUGH SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDING THE SOUTHERN SPRING HOME + GARDEN SHOW, POP- UP PICNIC, NATIONAL TRAILS DAY, CLAYS FOR CONSERVATION, TASTE FOR THE LAND, FALL INTO THE THREAD AND TRAIL FORUM

447 1,425

TOTAL ACRES PROTECTED VOLUNTEER HOURS

7 NEW PERMANENTLY 407 VOLUNTEERS PRESERVED PROPERTIES

920 PEOPLE ATTENDED PROGRAMS 1,251 MEMBERS

- 6 - professor, may bethetrail’s biggest fan.He also swinging bridge leadstoanisland withapicnictable. bridges –aswinging oneandacovered one. The do. Lambert’s kids, ages 5and7, especially love the enough forkidsandseniors toenjoy it. And they during theirlunchbreak.” faculty andadministration canget outonthetrail “It’sLambert. agreat assetforthem. And Pfeiffer 2016. “Students cannow walk tothepark,” said Richfield Park until thistrail openedinSeptember connector between Pfeiffer’s Merner Gymnasium and place towalk, runandmountain bike. There wasn’t a tremendously from having easy accesstoanidyllic of prey. named tohonorPfeiffer University andnotthebird University’s mascotcostume. The trail, itseems, is one: Freddie theFalcon, ahuman dressed inPfeiffer wish Icouldtellyou Ihad.” he’d ever seenafalcon onthetrail, hesaid,“Boy, I of theStanly County Convention & Visitors Bureau if connect toNew London. Misenheimer andRichfield,willeventually D

Dr. Mike Riemann,aretired Pfeiffer chemistry It’s aneasy-to-moderate hike –relaxed And Pfeiffer students have benefitted A few secondslater, herecalled hehadseen When Iasked executive ChrisLambert, director LINKING TOWNSTOONEANOTHER the Stanly County communities of Carolina Thread Trail –that connects on the2.7-mile trail –partofthe Trail.” on’t beconfusedby the name“Falcon You’re notlikely toseeafalcon Stanly County’s Falcon Trail isaconnectorinmore ways thanone AND PEOPLE TO NATURE CAROLINA THREADTRAIL 2017 ANNUAL REPORT maintenance falls under thepurview ofthenonprofit could tripon. They enjoy buttrail doingtheirpart, could get inacyclist’s way or“root loops” hikers every day andcan’t helpbutlookoutforrocks that Riemann andhiswife, Theda. They walk itnearly subsided.” trail hadtostopwork andcomebackwhen therain one month,” Riemannsaid.“Thepeople buildingthe years. “We got ayear’s worth ofrain –40inchesin rainfall –thekindithadn’t seeninmore than50 construction ofthefirst section,thearea hadheavy trail andmakingitareality wasn’t easy. Duringthe in.” nine we want,” hesaid.“We’ve stillgot holes tofill work isn’t over yet.“We acquired seven milesofthe invested inthis.” cooperation. All three ofourcommunities now feel “Nothing happensbetween communities without the ideaoflinkingtheirtowns viaatrail system: Misenheimer’s mayor. He saidhisfellow mayors liked goals ofweaving communities together.” towns were ideally suitedtomeetthe Thread Trail’s Thread Trail forumandcouldseethesethree little link anumber of towns intheregion. Iwent toa Trail was promoting thisideaofatrail that would recreation. At thesametime,Carolina Thread committee that was working onamasterplan for for things todo,” herecalled. “Igot involved …ona helped make itareality. “Iwas retired andlooking Keeping the trail clean isalaboroflove for The process ofassembling thelandfor The formermayor isquick topoint outthat Riemann would eventually become - 7 are usingit.” into atrail, andbam!Suddenly, hundreds ofpeople just grass forthelongest timeandthenyou make it brought totheregion: “You canhave thisplace that’s Academy (once an1890sschoolhouse) isamongthem. access toanumber ofhistoricbuildings. Gladstone the trail, which offers lake andfarmland views and bike ride. canopied area, soit’s apicturesque place forawalk or they’re leashed. The trail meanders through aheavily There’s anddogs nocost, are welcome, aslong crushed stone,natural surfaceormowed grass. and use.Its surfacearea iscovered withgravel, and lookingitsbest. corps ofvolunteers working hard tokeep thetrail safe Friends ofNorth Stanly Trails andParks, adedicated Lambert marvels at theenergy thetrail has You canalso take inalittlehistorywhile outon For users, though,thetrail iseasy toaccess By Page Leggett

Photo by Nancy Pierce Photo by Nancy Pierce Photo by Nancy Pierce our website formore places tobuy it! be foundat locations throughout Charlotte. Checkout Aside from Blue Blaze Brewing, thebeverage canalso donates 10 percent ofprofits backtothe Thread Trail. and Stewart Creek greenway segments oftheCTT, of production! has sold outandthere hasnow beenasecondround Pale Ale. It’s beensopopularthat theinitial inventory to create arefreshing beer, theCarolina Thread Trail Last summer, CTT partnered withBlue Blaze Brewing connect you totheoutdoors! region’s water supply. Thank you forhelpingus access tooutdoorrecreation andhelpedprotect our that runalong waterways. Your supporthasprovided now includes 150ofthe744 milesofplanned trails in turnprotect ourwater. The Carolina Thread Trail natural landbuffers along creeks andrivers, which demand forwater. Trails helppreserve corridors of people withwater, willsoonbeunable tosupportour River Basin,which currently supplies nearly 2million region’s continuing growth, theCatawba-Wateree supply study donein2006projected that withour Trail. This year’s campaignfocusedonwater. A water campaign raised $53,528 fortheCarolina Thread We’re excited toshare that theGiving Tuesday CLT NOTES FIELD #GIVINGTUESDAYCLT FORCTT RAISES$53,528 their handsdirty puttingmilesontheground, partners, more than2000volunteers who got supporters –donors, members, community come! And itisall duetoouractive andinvolved visible thanever. What alongway we have communities throughout ourregion ismore blueways todate. public use260milesoftrails and170 milesof been able tocomplete andmake accessible for Trail, inconjunctionwithlocal communities, has greenways. Buildingonthat demand,the Thread value local communities place ontrails and the system to1,600 miles, highlighting the That process oflocal inputmore thantripled vet thetrail system withintheirjurisdiction. Trail’s first stepwas toaskeachcommunity to network oftrails totaling 500miles, the Thread region. Originally conceived asaregion-wide and hasbeenenthusiastically embraced by our that single decadeithasgrown dramatically beginning oftheCarolina Thread Trail, butin Blue Blaze Brewing, located ontheIrwinCreek Today thepositive effects ofthetrail on It hasonly been10 years sincethe PALE ALERETURNSINCANS CAROLINA THREADTRAIL Buffalo Creek Preserve THE BOARDCHAIR LETTER FROM parks andneighborhoods.” connects ourcommunity andlinkstogether schools, a way forpeople toget outside andexercise, butit said. “Not only doestheCarolina Thread Trail provide in GastonCounty,” ErnestSumner, CFGC president, continued expansion oftheCarolina Thread Trail support toCatawba LandsConservancy, andthe County. over thenext three years toexpand trails inGaston recently granted the Thread Trail $100,000 tobeused The Community Foundation ofGastonCounty (CFGC) transforming communities. Thread Trailis the Carolina your support, how, through one example of This isjust Meisenheimer. Richfield and the towns of Trail connects the Falcon County, where progress we’ve madeinplaces like Stanly five milesoftrail ineachofour15counties. mile North-South Spineandconnectingat least which include completing 70 milesofthe143- funders who launched theeffort. AND especially, theseven original corporate CESI, PRESIDENT ALEX RANKIN,III SALISBURY GREENWAY HECTOR HENRY IIGREENWAY 2018. shoes andexplore trails we are addingtotheCTT in and travel tonew locations, laceupyour walking When you needtoreconnect withnatural greenery mile Salisbury Greenway system. Alexander Boulevard. This segment ispartofthe5.5- 1-mile trail that willlink Kelsey ScottPark andJake the City ofConcord. summer 2018. The trail isowned andmaintained by A parking area andtrailhead are planned forearly Rocky River development off ofRocky River Road. 2.4-mile natural surfacetrail located at The Millsat FUNDS RECEIVEDFROMCOMMUNITYFOUNDATION NEW TRAILPROJECTSSTARTING IN2018 “The Community Foundation isproud toprovide I hopeyou enjoy reading aboutthe We have bigplans forthenext five years GRANT OFGASTONCOUNTY –Salisbury, NC. A nearly - 8 –Concord, NC. A to North Morgan Street. paved greenway connectingtheFirst Broad River Trail town. Park toMount Holly Municipal Complex neardown- Holly, NC. A 1.7-mile paved trail linking Tuckaseegee Masons BendsectionoftheCatawba River Trail. the Piedmont Medical Center Riverwalk Trail tothe face trail additionalong theCatawba River connecting Founders Federal Credit Union, a2.3-milenatural sur GROVER STREETPATHWAY CATAWBA RIVER TRAIL STATESVILLE GREENWAY AVON/CATAWBA GREENWAY GREENWAYLAKEWOOD MOUNT HOLLY RIVERFRONT GREENWAY MOUNTAIN PARK ISLAND TRAIL LITTLE SUGARCREEKGREENWAY son Boulevard. the SouthFork River toSouthFork Village at Wilkin- paved greenway connectingGoat Island Park along through Ferguson Park to MariettaStreet. mile paved greenway extending theexisting greenway Catawba River. A 1.5-milenatural surfacetrail extension along the creating acontinuous 5-milegreenway. Fourth Creek andGregory Creek sectionsofthetrail .25-mile paved greenway connectingthe existing Farms. la Roadtotheexisting greenway inHuntingtowne 1.5-mile paved greenway additionconnecting Tyvo- Equipment Co., Retired President Retired Co., Equipment Former Executive Director Executive Former Associates Health, Assistant Professor Assistant Health, Leader Systems, Sr. VP & General Counsel General & VP Sr. Systems, Market Risk Oversight Risk Market President and CEO and President Jennifer DeWitt, Donna de Molina, Sally Daley, John Collett, Angela T. Bower, William B. Allen, Shuford Abernathy, Alex Rankin,III, GOVERNING BOARD CAROLINA THREADTRAIL carolinathreadtrail.org 704-376-2556 [email protected] Charlotte, N.C. 28209 Suite 420 4530 Park Road Office: CONTACT Edward Weisiger, Jr., H. Thomas Webb, III, Keith A. Smith, Marshall Rogers, Lat Purser, Bailey Patrick, Jamie McLawhorn, Dana Maness, Christine Li, Jim Lawton, Kelly Katterhagen, Dehler Hart, Sherri Gregory, Dr. Michael Goodman, Holding LLC, Retired LLC, Holding Founder and Managing Director Managing and Founder President Community Affairs at Duke Energy Corporation Energy Duke at Affairs Community Managing Partner Managing Chief Executive Officer, Lat Purser and and Purser Lat Officer, Executive Chief Girl Scouts Hornets’ Nest Council, Nest Hornets’ Scouts Girl Wells Fargo, Head of Corporate of Head Fargo, Wells Springland Inc., President Inc., Springland Community Leader Community Collett Real Estate, Partner Estate, Real Collett MPV Properties, LLC, Properties, MPV First Bank, Vice President Vice Bank, First Atrium HealthCare Atrium Lindsay Pettus Greenway Pettus Lindsay – – Director, Foundation Programs and and Programs Foundation Director, Republic Crane and Crane Republic Union County Community County Union Owner of TWOROG of Owner Board Chair Community Leader Community BlackArch Partners, BlackArch Abingdon Glen Village, Glen Abingdon President, Marsh Properties Marsh President, Carolina CAT, Carolina Faison, President and CEO and President Faison, Wake Forest Baptist Forest Wake –Fort Mill,SC. Sponsored by –Cramerton, NC. A 1-mile –Statesville, NC. A critical –Shelby, NC. A 1.5-mile –Gastonia,NC. A half- – CESI, President CESI, – –Mount Holly, NC. –Charlotte, NC. A –Mount - TRAIL FORUMKEYNOTESPEAKERJEFFOLSON TALKSOBSTACLESOVERCOMING IMPORTANCE AND THE OF THETHREADTRAIL tremendous progress oftheCarolina Thread Trail. his thoughts oninspiration, challenges andthe kindly slowed down forus). Duringourtalk heoffered December 7, that we caught upwithJeff (or rather, he during the Thread Trail’s 10th Trail Forum on projects. communities need todevelop theirown greenway country sharing theinspiration andinformation local through green design. And asaspeaker, Jeff tours the is aprescription forbuildingbettercommunities in thenation. As anauthor,Mode hisbookTheThird at theUniversity at Albany isthefirst suchcourse integrity ofwhat makes theplace sospecial. visitors traversed thepark while maintaining the position helpedshapetheway more than7million Jeff steppedinasa Team Leader. Hisinfluenceinthe retool thefacilitiesat Grand Canyon National Park, City. system which connects people throughout New York Hudson River Greenway, anda350-milegreenway state-wide bike route system, theErieCanal Trail and Jeff supportedthecreation ofanincredible 1,000-mile Pedestrian Program Manager inthemidtolate ‘90s, Alta Planning. beyond. Jeff currently serves asacertifiedarchitect at alternative transportation projects intheU.S. and travel madeaprofound impression ontheyoung man. walk tothetheater. The dependence onautomobile drive them,asthere was nosafeway torideabike or driver’s license,young Jeff hadtorely onhisdadto his girlfriend tothemovies. Just shy ofgetting his greenway designandconstruction? What inspired you toget involved with F It was aftersuchatalk, thekeynote address His class onpedestrianandbicycle planning When theNational Park Serviceneededto Serving astheNew York State DOT Bicycle and When Jeff was ateenager hewanted totake in someofthemostprestigious greenways, hehasbeeninvolved and planner ofopenspacesand Duringhiscareer asarchitectbuilt. has changed theway theworld is or more than25years, Jeff Olson trail projects like the Thread Trail? What isthebiggest obstacle you seefacing whole different thing.” place toplace while spendingtimeoutdoors, it’s this them timeaway from that. Just thisideaofgoing says. “Or that we were doing something that provides spending somuch timeinfront ofscreens,” Olsen unexpected, results. these projects are having even more profound, if live inplaces that are sustainable. Insomeways, where people want tobemore independent and to get theirdriver’s license.It’s hesays, ashift, bikeable greenways have leftpeople waiting longer of travel suchasridesharing,public transit, and neighborhoods ontheirwalkability. Alternate modes to live. Real estate agents, forexample, now grade a shiftinhow people thinkaboutwhere they want built,” saidJeff. design andliterally change theway theworld was not really aboutthemoney. resources tobedoingthis.” we live inavery wealthy country. We have the unfortunately,” saidJeff. “Isay unfortunately because teams, “Money onestandsout. isthebiggest threat, the obstacles that standintheway oftrail building planner, theseprojects are challenging. Amongst all RANKED #1AND#2RESPECTIVELY ROBERT CHARLESLESSER&CO. RECENT STUDY OFPOTENTIAL AS THEMOSTSOUGHT-AFTER COMMUNITY FEATURESCOMMUNITY INA ESTATE ADVISING COMPANY “We didn’t know that ourkidswould be Over theyears, Jeff saidhe’s beeninspired by “That experience mademewant togo into “It’s very commontoseehighway projects in It’s important, hesays, toremember that it’s Jeff admitsthat, even foranexperienced HOMEBUYERS BY THE REAL GREEN SPACES AND TRAILS - 9 That by itselfwillhelpchange theworld.” time tofind10 more people. Get people connected. person here got 10 more people involved. Just take the Thread Trail coulddoright now. action every person currently involved intheCarolina something good fortheircommunity.” “It’s justpeople withbig heartswho want todo about makingmoney andinvestment,” hecontinued. powerful.” “Having 200people at aconference like this. That’s makes the Thread Trail sospecial isthepeople. city can’t beoverlooked. regionalized trail system inarapidly growing, newer relatively new. Jeff says thechallenge ofbuildinga grassroots success, herecalls. handful ofprojects that have hadsuchlong-term, stories intrail building.It’s only oneofasmall Thread Trail hasgarnered asoneoftheexceptional points tothe10 years ofphilanthropic seeding the one ofthetrendsetting projects inthecountry.” Jeff intricate web oftrails. led developers toconnectlakes andparks withan And inMinneapolis, agenerous donation ofland with anexpansive, interconnecting trail system. the Olmstedera ofthelate 1800shas leftthecity where acentury oftrail buildingdating backto economic development tohappen.” “They’re buildingacore trail andit’s encouraging from onesectionofthetrail ispaying forthenext. interesting fundingstrategy where increased revenue developing trail systems intheUS? How doesthe Thread Trail compare toother value decision of what we choose to spend money on.” skeptical. The obstacle isn’t themoney itself, it’s our funding foraregional trail network, many are time. And yet when people talk aboutprioritizing the hundreds ofmillionsdollars. It happensall the “If you coulddoonethingthisyear, ifeach According toJeff, there isavery meaningful “The heartandsoulofthetrail movement isn’t But forJeff, thebiggest differentiator that Also, unlike Boston,Charlotte’s urban core is But the Thread Trail, Jeff says, isdifferent. “It’s He calls outtheEmerald Necklace inBoston, The Atlanta Beltline,hesaid,isusingan By RobGlover

Photo of Jeff Olson by Nancy Pierce NEW EXPERIENCES ON THE THREAD TRAIL In 2017, five new segments of the Thread Trail opened across the region, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to spot a diverse array of wildlife while venturing into uptown Charlotte, parks, the town of Troutman and even a farmers market.

TOBY CREEK GREENWAY: PHASE 2 1 CHARLOTTE, NC 1.5 MILES / WALKING, RUNNING, BIKING

This new 1.5-mile section creates a paved greenway trail that 3 branches off of Mallard Creek Greenway and allows visitors to walk, jog or bike through the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The trail also serves as a connector to Clark’s Creek Greenway. The addi- tion of the Toby Creek Greenway to the Clark’s-Mallard Greenway system provides a total of nine miles of greenway connectivity and a connector trail to North Tryon Street. A stream flows alongside the quiet trail, and butterflies as well as a canopy of blooming tulip poplars, sycamores and box elder trees can be seen in the summer months.

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Toby Creek Greenway Photo by Nancy Pierce Nancy by Photo

2 LITTLE SUGAR CREEK GREENWAY SEGMENT AT CORDELIA PARK CHARLOTTE, NC 1 MILE / WALKING, RUNNING, BIKING

This paved segment of Little Sugar Green Greenway passes through residential areas and connects Alex- ander Street Park to Cordelia Park near uptown Charlotte. Views of uptown are available near the 12th Street entrance of this segment of the greenway. In the summer months, visitors may also catch glimpses of a few species of turtles that make their homes in the restored creek, including the Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle, a flat turtle with a nose shaped like a snorkel. Part of the Cross Charlotte Trail, it provides a great way to reach the sports fields and playgrounds of both parks by foot.

- 10 - RICHARDSON GREENWAY 3 TROUTMAN, NC .25 MILES / WALKING, RUNNING, BIKING

This now 2-mile rail-to-trail conversion runs through the center of the town of Troutman and community of Barium Springs from Frazier Loop to Rumple Street. The greenway links the heart of Troutman, including downtown, Town Hall, Troutman Elementary and Middle schools, as well as a mix of offices, civic buildings, residences and commercial properties to the Troutman Village Shopping Center. This segment of the Thread Trail is also part of the Lake Norman Bicycle Route. One major trail highlight is the Troutman Depot, home to a THREAD TRAIL farmers market on Saturdays during the summer. MASTER PLAN 4 CATAWBA RIVER TRAIL – MASONS BEND SECTION FORT MILL, SC 1.5 MILES / WALKING, RUNNING, BIKING

This shared-use natural surface trail along the Catawba provides scenic river overlooks and wildlife viewing. 3 The trail was built in conjunction with the Masons Bend residential community and serves as a coveted amenity for residents and the general public. For visitors living outside of the development, two small parking areas are provided for trail access. The Masons Bend segment will soon link to the Piedmont Medical Center Trail at Riverwalk via construction of another 2.3 mile section along the river to be completed in late summer 2018. This will give trail users access to over 6 miles of continuous Thread Trail.

1 Masons Bend Photo by Bret Baronak Bret by Photo 2

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Rocky River Blueway at RROPP Park

ROCKY RIVER BLUEWAY 5 MIDLAND, NORWOOD, OAKBORO, WADESBORO, NC 49.5 MILES / PADDLING

The Rocky River Blueway starts at Pharr Family Preserve in the town of Midland and continues for about 49.5 miles, where it flows into the Pee Dee River for another 19 miles to the Blewett Falls Lake Access in Liles- ville. This undammed water path provides long-distance flatwater kayaking and canoeing opportunities. There are seven canoe and kayak launch points located along the course. More than 50 species of birds call the area home, including the prairie warbler, prothonotary warbler, redheaded woodpecker, great blue heron, eastern meadowlark, pileated woodpecker and kingfisher. Those with a keen eye may spot butterfly species like the Carolina satyr and floodplain trees such as the bitternut hickory, sourwood, cottonwood, swamp chestnut oak and black walnut along the route.

- 11 - SPOTLIGHT: VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR WHIT STRUNK

volunteer for CLC and CTT since 2015, Whit is a Trail Master, Thread Trail Ambassador and Land Stewardship Committee mem- ber. He’s donated more than 300 hours of service to advance the Whit Strunk with Stewardship Director Sharon Wilson at Trail Forum Thread Trail, as well as supported strategic activities to ensure Photo by Nancy Pierce Nancy by Photo A conserved properties managed by CLC are maintained properly. “I believe conserving land and providing activities where people can enjoy nature is more important than ever,” Whit said. “Catawba Land Conservancy and Carolina Thread Trail provide me with a number of opportunities to work with others holding a similar belief. Volunteering is also good for my spirit, mind and body. John Muir reflected my experience when he said, ‘In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.’” Whit always offers to lead projects, whether they are creek crossings, managing kayak rentals during National Trails Day, doing trail construction work with volunteers or tracking trail maintenance issues. He strives to get to know other volunteers and naturally builds a team during workdays. His warm personality and ambitious attitude creates a fun and gratifying environment for everyone around him! VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS HOW YOU’VE HELPED US ADVANCE THE THREAD TRAIL IN 2017

We recruit and train volunteers to help build and maintain segments of the Thread Trail across the region. In addition to nine workdays throughout the year, we also hosted 11 corporate teams. In 2017, we cleared the Scott Preserve Trail, hosted National Trails Day, sponsored by REI, at the South Fork Trail and River and co-hosted National Public Lands Day at Ridgeline Trail with Crowders Mountain State Park.

Seven Oaks Preserve Trail workday with Husqvarna Group

2017 CORPORATE WORKDAYS • April 14 – Forney Creek Trail with Heartwood Tree Service – Removal of Emerald Ash Borer trees. • May 19 – South Fork Trail with Carolinas HealthCare System – Eliminated invasive species. • June 9 – Seven Oaks Preserve Trail with Husqvarna Group – Took down 46 trees that were diseased, dead or dangerous, as well as clearing invasive Merrill Lynch workday at Long Creek Preserve Trail species.

THE 10TH ANNUAL TRAIL FORUM Thank You to Our Sponsors!

REFLECTING ON 10 YEARS OF TRAIL FORUMS For a decade, more than 200 professionals and community leaders have been coming together to advance this region’s trail and river network during the annual Trail Forum. Through collaboration and cross-municipal partnerships, the Carolina Thread Trail is getting closer to a connected 1,590-mile reality. We’re grateful to the presenters for sharing their expertise, the exhibitors for offering their services to Thread Trail projects, the sponsors for helping us host the confer- ence and the volunteers for assisting in running this daylong event. Most of all, we’re thankful for the continued efforts of our attendees as practitioners and advocates to expand trails in this community! We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our lead sponsors Arborguard and REI for the 10th annual Trail Forum.

- 12 - CAROLINA THREAD TRAIL 2017 GRANTS TO THE COMMUNITY

Prescribed burn at Buffalo Creek Preserve To date, the Thread Trail has granted more than $5.7 million to local communities as a catalyst for putting miles of trails on the ground. Local communities and nonprofits with adopted master plans can apply for grants to support trail planning, building or maintenance. Often these funds are leveraged into matching funds from state and federal funding sources. In 2017, the Thread Trail awarded 11 grants totaling $304,390! Congratulations to all of this year’s grant recipients:

BROAD RIVER GREENWAY CITY OF SHELBY $26,500 to construct a canoe launch on the $35,000 for the detailed corridor plan to Broad River. evaluate the corridor in anticipation of development of the Shelby Rail Trail. IREDELL COUNTY PARKS AND TOWN OF HUNTERSVILLE RECREATION $15,000 for the Trail Corridor Study to 2017 GRANTS RECEIVED for a planning study to determine the $9,440 determine the appropriate route, feasibility route for Fourth Creek Trail. and property ownership status for the Torrence Creek – Rosedale Greenway connector segment CITY OF CONOVER from I-77 east to downtown Huntersville. DUKE ENERGY HABITAT $19,850 to purchase trail easements to ENHANCEMENT GRANT extend Lyle Creek Greenway to Newton- TOWN OF MATTHEWS PARKS, Conover Elementary School. $16,000 to support native plant resto- RECREATION AND CULTURAL RESOURCE ration and increase biodiversity on eight CITY OF ROCK HILL DEPARTMENT acres of the Seven Oaks Preserve property $30,000 to fund the engineering and design $50,000 to design and construct Manchester along Lake Wylie adjoining Daniel Stowe cost for the 1.25-mile Sam Newell Pathway. Botanical Garden. Trail, which will connect the existing Catawba River Trail at River Park to Manchester Park. TOWN OF MCADENVILLE THE CARRIE E. AND LENA V. GLENN $1,100 to cover a portion of trail easement FOUNDATION GRANT HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF CATAWBA survey costs on three contiguous properties in COUNTY McAdenville. $12,000 to fund enhancements along the South Fork Trail in McAdenville including $15,000 for the acquisition of the Carson-Rose LINCOLN COUNTY PLANNING Property. trailhead improvement, native tree resto- $2,500 to construct a wooden bridge that will ration, invasive species removal, graffiti CITY OF SALISBURY span the creek on the southern portion of the removal and treating trees against the Rock Springs Nature Preserve. emerald ash borer. $100,000 to cover the remaining cost of construction of trail connecting Kelsey Scott Park to Jake Alexander Boulevard. CARDINAL FOUNDATION $3,000 for Buffalo Creek Preserve habitat restoration, including a herbicide spray and burn in 2018.

AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM (UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE): Future trail connecting the South Fork Rail Trail to the Marcia Cloninger Rail Trail $346,000 toward protecting Piedmont Jerseys farm (Eaker Farm) in Lincolnton.

NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURE CAROLINA THREAD TRAIL DEPARTMENT AND FARMLAND 2017 GRANTS RECEIVED PRESERVATION TRUST FUND $187,000 toward protecting Piedmont Jersey farm (Eaker Farm) in Lincolnton. Community Foundation of Gaston County $100,000 to expand trails in Gaston County.

NORTH CAROLINA CLEAN WATER Lincoln County Community Foundation $5,000 for trail development to connect South Fork Rail Trail to Marcia H. Cloninger Rail Trail in Lincolnton. MANAGEMENT TRUST FUND $143,000 for purchase of 28 acres for a $10,000 in underwriting for Trail Forum. segment of Thread Trail in Lincoln County. REI

- 13 - CATAWBA LANDS CONSERVANCY FINANCIAL REPORT

OPERATING BUDGET SUMMARY 2016-2017 GENERAL FUND1 2017 FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES* 2017 REVENUE UNAUDITED UNAUDITED $5,200,000 2016 2017 Donors $1,020,308 $520,811 4.1% Foundations & Govt. $153,614 $87,280 3.0% Corp. Partners $263,159 $286,451 21% Other $7,335 $36,865 19% $25,000 $25,000

REVENUE Stewardship Transfer

Total Revenue $1,469,416 $956,407

Compensation $533,723 $521,998 Office/Administrative $159,783 $160,410 Outreach & Development $144,870 $132,988 92.9% 60%

EXPENSES Total Expenses $838,376 $815,396

Operating Net $631,040 $141,011 PROGRAM* LAND ACQUISITION FUNDRAISING PROGRAM REVENUE

ADMIN OPERATING REVENUE 1. Unaudited. Excludes restricted project revenue and costs, including land acquisitions and Carolina Thread Trail. 2. 2016 Includes one-time $536,000 gift. *As reported in the Form 990. All expenses, including CTT and land acquisition costs

CASH BALANCES STEWARDSHIP & LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

$6,000,000 $3,000 $5.3M $4.9M $2,527 $5,000,000 $2,500 $2,132 $1,912 $4,000,000 $2,000 $1,824 $3.3M $1,652 $3,000,000 $1,500 $2.5M $1,273 $2.2M $2M $2.1M $1,041 $1,092 $2,000,000 $1.9M $1,000 $885 $708

$871K $1,000,000 $716K $500 $566K $635K $0 $0 GENERAL FUND COMMITED FUNDS STEWARDSHIP TOTAL 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

2015 2016 2017

GENERAL FUND REVENUE & EXPENSES LEVERAGING CAPITAL FOR CONSERVATION

$1,469,416 $1,500,000

$1,200,000

$956,407 $815,396 $70,000,000 $873,513 $859,712 $838,376 $900,000 $60,000,000 $50,000,000 $600,000 $40,000,000 $30,000,000 $300,000 $20,000,000 $10,000,000 $0 $0 2015 2016 2017 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 AVERAGE REVENUE EXPENSES 10 YEAR LAND AND 10 YEAR CUMULATIVE EASEMENT INVESTMENT OPERATING COST

- 14 - CLC 2017 DONORS Our donors’ generous support each year enables us to pursue our mission of saving land and connecting lives to nature. This list includes gifts that were made during the 2017 calendar year. *Donor for 10 consecutive years

In honor of our 25th anniversary, this giving circle of passionate supporters has committed five-year pledges that provide for operational stability and dedicated funding for land acquisition during this critical period of growth. Named for the bigleaf magnolia, CLC’s most impressive protected plant species, this group represents the greatest commitment to our mission.

CT and Dante Anderson Walter and Michele Fisher Jonathan and Marianne Mangels Richard J. Osborne Chet and Christine Walker Philip and Amy Blumenthal D. Scott Pyle and Eileen Friars Tom and Robin McCoy Tim and Nancy Paschall Henry and Jenny Ward Phillips and Leslie Bragg Andy and Claudia Heath Tim and Julianne McCollum Lat and Kathy Purser Kathryn Heath and Tom Webb Ann and Ric Browning Jim and Becky Hovis Bob and Sally Miller Laurie Smith Jarred and Emily Cochran Kelly Katterhagen and Larry Nabatoff Bill and Katharina Mumford Jack and Melissa Sullivan Nancy and Ralph Falls Jud and Deborah Little Tom and Amy Okel Bill and Rita Vandiver

Catawba Society was formed in 2007 as a giving circle of CLC’s most generous donors. Through leadership gifts of $1,500 and more, members provide significant financial resources to support CLC’s operating fund. To learn more, visit catawbalands.org/membership.

$10,000+ Alice and Benton Bragg* $1,500+ Deborah and John Dohan Don and Jill Olmstead Leslie and Phillips Bragg* Charles and Mary Edwards Harlee and Gary Palmer Philip and Amy Blumenthal Bill and Veronica Clark* Dale and Nancy Allison Doug and Patricia Faris* Charles Peach and Pamela Pearson Kathryn Heath and Tom Webb* Peter and Nancy Covington Vernon and Gloria Anderson* William and Linda Farthing John and Ann Porter Jud and Deborah Little* Anne Davidson Bill M. and Harriet Barnhardt* Jill and Smitty Flynn Michael Ranson Sally and Bob Miller Nancy and Ralph Falls* Alison and Bradford Barry Alex and Patty Funderburg Mr. Rednecheck* Amy and Tom Okel Walter and Michele Fisher Raymond and Mary Boardman* Tom and Sherard Anne Gates Joseph and Linda Roberts* Ruth and Colin Shaw Anne and Peter Gilchrist* Chris Bolling Mark and Liza Gosnell Patricia Rodgers Charlton K. Torrence, III* Libby Griffin and Lee Chambers* Crandall and Erskine Bowles John and Lisa Hairr* Chris and Vickie Rolfe Rita and Bill Vandiver* Jim and Becky Hovis Catherine and John Bragg* Carol and Watts Hamrick Ed and Carla Rose Julie and Howard Levine Kathy and Frank Bragg* Bill and Linda Hodges Katie and Steve Scruggs* Nancy and Nick Bragg* $5,000+ Jonathan and Marianne Mangels Kim V. Hombs Lisa and Glenn Sherrill* Julianne and Tim McCollum Robin and Bill Branstrom Martin and Page Hull Mark Stanback and Nancy Popkin* Anonymous Kenneth and Jean McCoy Charles and Margot Brinley John and Maria Huson* Paul and Dia Steiger Ann and Ric Browning* Sinclair and Robert McLean Thomas Bunn Bob and Mindy Jones Lucy and Louis Stephens Teddy Chapman Richard and Dorothy Metzler Greg and Mary Lou Cagle* Adam and Margaux Karagosian* Glenn and Deb Stewart Dr. and Mrs. Clay Harrell Bill and Katharina Mumford Robert P. Caldwell, Jr. Charlotte Kidd Becky Stoever Andy and Claudia Heath Richard J. Osborne Curtis and Dudley Carlson* Philip and Susan Kuttner* Richard M. Stowe, Jr.* Jeff and Mimi Kane Tim and Nancy Paschall Saxby and Elizabeth Chaplin John and Michelle Mader Lillian and Chris Teigland Kelly Katterhagen and Larry Nabatoff Eddie and Joyce Poe* Kathryn V. Clancy Dr. Marie-Claire Marroum, M.D.* Carla and Larry Vitez* James and Sandra Keffer D. Scott Pyle and Eileen Friars* Nathan and Laura Clark Tomas Mathews Christopher and Lauren Walker Robert and Esten Mason Robert and Anne Schleusner Dan Clodfelter and Elizabeth Bevan David and Kate Maynard H. Allan and Joyce White Tom and Robin McCoy* Allen and Sarah Shifflet Emily and Jarred Cochran Susan and Martin McCoy Mike and Prince Witt Lat W. and Kathy Purser Laurie Smith Robin Cochran Dan and Laura McCready James B. Wolf and Mark Propst* Ken Samuelson Laura Stanley-Duffy and Don Duffy William J. Craemer Arrington and Burch Mixon Dr. T. Price and Mrs. Margaret Jack and Melissa Sullivan Rush and Kenneth Coe Ron and Amy Nason Zimmermann* Chet and Christine Walker Peter and Sandra Conway Anna and Tom Nelson* $2,500+ Jenny and Henry Ward Hal and Cynthia Curry* Lisa and Mike North* Daila Allen Edward Weisiger, Jr. and Betsy Fleming Alvaro and Donna de Molina

Jean C. Boggs David and Rebecca Klepser James and Kelly Trexler* Katherine Boyd Rankin Harry Lancaster and Jane Henderson* Donald Tyson and Katherine Sparrow Doris Anne Bradley* Paula Lombardi John and Kate Vassallo Robbie Branstrom Michael Lucente Peter and Vivian Vogt* Angela and Ralph Breeden Gus and Geary Mandrapilias Ellen Wagoner William and Elaine Brooks John McGee Debra and George Warren* Gary and Elizabeth Broome Richard I. McHenry Charlie and Lydia Williams* J. Doug Buchanan Jack and Pat Meckler* Beverly and Joel Wissing MaryAnn Mueller and Diana Travis $1,000+ Cindy Caldwell Mark and Midge Miller Scott Phillips Rebecca Canady Jeff Lemons and Deborah Murphey Melvin Andersen John Pickett David and Jo Clark Rolfe Neill $250+ Weston and Marty Andress Sally and Russell Robinson Mary I. Council Tom and Kathleen O’Bannon David M. Alexander Dan Bodien Steve and Anne Schmitt John Crosland, III Mr. Jim Parker Judy and Jim Allison Ginny and John Collett Dr. and Mrs. John B. Schug* Leslie and John Culbertson Bailey and Mildred Patrick Amanda and Bob Anders Susan and Charles Dalton Donna Thrasher* Patrice Ebert Sonia and Adam Perillo CT Anderson Marie Ann and Eugene Daniels* Ronald and Gayle Underwood Leonard Fumi and Lucy Quintilliano* Henry Pharr Jay and Sylvia Bajorek Jennie and Leigh Derby Mary Virginia White Clay Gaitskill Haywood and Sabine Rankin* Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Barger Walt and Trudy Donham* Robert and Sarah Yavorski Jon Dressler Gastonia Medical Specialty Clinic, P.A. Karin Rankin Dale and Ann Bass J. Porter and Vicki Durham John and Alicia Gaul Richard and Sarah Park Rankin Kim and John Belk Travis and Lise Hain $500+ Charles and Sylvia Gill Tom and Susan Ross Andrew and Christine Beloni Barry and Karen Greenblatt Elaine Scott and Gerald Tylman Anita and Jeb Blackwell Kim Harwell David Accipiter and Elaine Corvidae* Dale F. Halton and Fred Wagner* Stephanie Schwarz William J. Blair, IV Barnes and Cammie Hauptfuhrer Michael and Anne-Mari Alexander Maxwell Hanks and Belinda Butler Donna and Chip Sell Nancy Blue Pamela and Herrick Hay Chris Alexander Sasha and Grant Harbrecht Fern Shierson William and Betsy Blue Terry Katon Laura R. Allen Peggy Harrington Bonnie Stafford John and Jennifer Blumer Bill Keenan and Mary Barry Charles Allison Mark Heitbrink Mr. and Mrs. Verner E. Stanley, Jr. Barry Bobrow and Karen Knoble William and Kathryn Kirk Stanley and Judy August Andre Hester Brenda Stevens Gay Boswell Bonnie and Eric Krempa Mary Lou and Jim Babb Barbara B. Hiestand* Arthur and Lisbeth Stockman* Charles and Mary Bowman Andrew and Sarah Kromer* William and Patricia Barnes Johanna Hvitfelt Whit Strunk Kristi and Jason Brannon Nicholas Langrall John and Anne Barry Michael and Cynthia Jones* Erik Tolsma Jan and Jim Brittain* Barbara Laughlin Tim and Sarah Belk William and Jenny Joyner Samuel Towne William and Robin Buckler Pete and Page McEachern* Scott and Betsy Bodien* Chuck and Lindsay Meakin* Andy and Florence Kane* Dr. and Mrs. Steven L. Tracy* Matthew and Suzanne Churchill

- 15 - Barbara and George Climer Glen and Blenda Singletary* Jane Gorman* Dr. Joseph Steiner Mary Hovis Heath Ceasar Cone, III* Bob and Caroline Sink Robert and Molly Griffin* Robert Stevens* Steven Hedberg* Marion and Norma Cowell Morris and Pattie Spearman James Haden C.D. Stroup, III Dana and Nancy Hershey Richard Crenshaw Taylor and Jessica Stanfield Henry Haithcox, Jr. Bill and Teresa Sturges* Van and Katherine Hill Rennie Cuthbertson* Mary and Peter Stauble* William Harrison Ray Stutzman Amy Hockett Sally and Michael Daley Caroline and David Stedman Rodger and Karen Hartwig* Charles and Mary Sugg Dorothy D. Hodges Joe Davant* James and Martha Stenhouse* Mr. and Mrs. John B. Haynes Brenda Summers Jack and Rita Horan Scott and Catherine Denham Patrick and Sally Stout Bill and Linda Hefner Mark and Debbie Taylor Doug and Lanier Hoy Alesia Dicosola Frank Stroupe Rebecca and Mark Hefner Barry and Leslie Teague Jane and David Hoyle Miriam A. Dixon Claudia and Wes Sturges Sharon L. Heinrich Chris and Fran Teter Karen Humphrey* Elyn and Mike Dortch Jean M. Sullivan Carmen D. Henderson Frank and Harriet Thompson Andrew Huneycutt Carol and Mike Dzvonik Charles and Leighann Swanson David L. Henderson Jane and Rixey Todd* Edith Irons Louis Eubanks Scott and LynnErin Tyler Megan and Miles Highsmith Alice and Brent Torstrick Mikell and Elaine Jarratt Donald and Frances Evans Harald and Barbara Vaher Charles and Pamela Hodge Roberta M. Tremain Cheryl Johnson Mary Brook Ewing Jeff and Noelle Vandiver Raymond and Sylvia Holmes* John and Jenkins Trotter Jean and Carl Johnson* Henry and Anne Flint Jim and Linda Wallace Mr. and Mrs. Robert C Hord, Jr.* Sally S. Van Allen* B.J. and Emily Jones Shirley Frank John Watson Damon Houghton* Mitchell and Kathleen Varner* Camille Kanofsky Jeanne and Robert Fuller Cathy and Mike Weaver Robert and Ann Howard Timothy and Cynthia Von Der Embse Matthew Karahalios Jim Garges Lynn Weis Erma Deen Hoyle Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin L Wade* Stephanie and James Kimball Don and Kathy Gately Jackie Wells William and Katharine Hubbard Mr. Clarence and Mrs. Heathy Walker Benjamin and Rosemary Klein David and Sinclair Gillespie Gerald and Nancy White Frank and Colleen Huber* Dr. and Mrs. John T. Walsh Kevin and Julia Kline Wilson Glasgow Mrs. Eugenia N White Charles Huff Dr. Thomas D Walsh Arthur Kohn and Priscilla Laula Rosemary and Richard Goodall Sharon Wilson* Michael and Jodie Iagnocco Mary T. Wannamaker* Janice A. Koppenhaver John Gregory Gary N. Wirth* Karen and John Jacob Frank Warren Becky Kuhn Amy Grissom Gaenel Witherspoon Brian and Sarah Jenest Tom Watson Laura Laye Deidre and Clay Grubb Emily and Jenner Wood Edward and Leslie Jenkins* Dr. and Mrs. John C. Watts Elizabeth and Haynes Lea Karen Hales Joe Hamrick and Phyllis Woods* Todd Jenkins Michael and Marlene Way Nancy Leach David and Mary Hall* Amy and Julian H. Wright Patrick and Elizabeth Kelly John and Cam Wester Eva Lee John and Irina Hamrick* Anne and Fletcher Wright Hatcher and Linda Kincheloe Suzanne and Kevin Whalen Lee and Mark Leggett Lora Hamrick Eric Kjellberg Harriett M. Whitsett Roger M. Lewis Steve and Suzy Hannon Patricia Korn Lawrence A. Wilson Samuel Long, III John and June Harrison Jeffrey and Liza Kravis* Jennie and Ry Winston James F. and Donna Love Robert Hayes Mary Ann Lawler John and Kate Worm $100+ Lucinda Lucas Anne and Perrin Henderson Jim and Lynn Lawton Laura Yaeger Scott Lurie Janet F. Hince* Mary W. Adams David and Janet Layne Andrew Yavorski Richard and Carol Luttrell* Amy and Johnny Hines Charles W. Allison, III Diana Leathers and Charles Hedrick Melinda Yelton Vi Lyles Steven and Christie Hinshaw Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson, II Lou and Tamara Lesesne Pamela Mahony Barbara A. Huffman* Bill and Ellen Archer Jonathan Levin $50+ Allison Malter* Courtney Hyder Candace Armstrong Christine Li Thomas W. Mangum Abigail Jennings David W. Arone Inta and Bob Lidz Bryan and Candace Abinanti Sterling and Mary Martin Aprill Jones Stephen and Jeanne Bailey Prescott and Maria Little John Alday and Rebecca Fant James and Barbara Masson Chuck Jones Cathy Barnette Chris and Terry Loeb James Alderman Blair and Patricia Mauney Jennifer Jones Brooks and Jane Barnhardt Harriet Long Jennifer Aldridge Michael and Susan McCoy Kevin Kelly William B and Elsie Barnhardt Mary and Bill Lunsford Trevor Aldridge William and Civil McGowan Kent and Bess Kercher Julia H. Barringer Robin and Neil Mara Betsy Alexander* Deanna McRorie Lorraine Kieffer Edwin Bartine and Elizabeth Gwynn Walter Marcin Jean Anderson Larry and Audrey Mellichamp* Kay Killian Richard M. Bell Steve and Diane Marsfelder* Beth Armour* Lindsay and Mark Merritt Dr. and Mrs. David R. Kirlin* Barbara and Mike Bernath* Ann Marsh Sarah and Hugh Ashcraft Kemp and Cindy Michael Charles and Patricia Klapheke Bob and Sandra Bisanar Gary Marshall Lamar and Brenda Ashe Edgar M. Miller Addison and Jason Kon Robert and Alice Bischoff Vickie and Charles Martin* Luz Maria Aveleyra Will and Missy Miller Henry A. LaBrun Paula Black Heather McCullough Kate Baillon Rebecca Mitchem* Kylan Lamont Robert Blanton* Barbara and Charlie McRee Ann Ballard* Albert and Sarah Mitchener Mr. and Mrs. David L. Lawing* Alan and Rosalie Blumenthal* Kiran Mehta Harold and Carol Bankirer Theresa Morr Gary and Donna Lerner Douglas Bollerman Dr. and Mrs. George R. Miller* Gordon Barber Fred and Kay Moss Lin and Gary Leslie Elissa Bolling Jonathan and Kim Miller* Elizabeth Birch Jeanne M. Neumann Janet E. Levy* Bob Blichmann and Betsy Bond Diana Mitchell Dr. and Mrs. T.R. Blackburn* John H. Niles Jon and Lisa Lindvall Amy Brooks and Chris Paradise Amy Montague Sean and Mandy Bloom Mary Lou P. Norcross Deborah Majewski Katie and Bill Brown Tom and Jackie Mooney Wayne and Nora Bolick Kerry and Timothy O’Connor Mara Malakoff* Nancy and Al Brown Al Mullen* John Bonestell* David and Kathy Oliver Scott Mansfield Mr. and Mrs. Herbert H. Browne, Jr. Cynthia L Mynatt Bill and Alice Brafford Pat and Frank O’Neill Ed and Wendy Matthews* Pat Brugh Richard and Barbara Neidinger* Isabel and Thomas Brantley Kristen O’Reilly James and Betsy Matthews* Harry and Ruby Bryant* John and Alison Nolting Judy Breault William and Sandra Palmer Alice B. Mauney* George and Mary Lou Buck* John Northey Alfred M. Brown, Jr. Dennis and Susan Patterson Bill and DeeDee Maxwell* Buffalo Exchange Marsha J. O’Brien Ron and Nancy Bryant Betty and Rod Peck Brandon and Rob Mayo Roger and Joyce Burt John and Michelle Ong Christopher and Amanda Buchanan James J. Pittman Andy and Donna McClure Sally H. Byrd Thomas J. Orr* Donald and Michele Burton Thomas and LeDayne Polaski Bill and Bonne McCoy* William and Nena Cahill* Ray Owens and Sally Higgins Keith Camburn Tim Porter James R and Ashby McDonald David and Lynn Caldwell Raymond L. Ozmore* John Campbell Jack and Karen Rhyne Elizabeth and William McKee Robert C. Carpenter* Mr. and Mrs. H. William Palmer, Jr.* T. Kern and Nancy Carlton Michael and Heidi Rotberg Patrick and Jocelyn McLaughlin Chuck and Becky Cheney Ronald I. Parker Robert Carr Mr. and Mrs. Dalton Ruffin Mr. and Mrs. Steve McLeod* Milt and Carol Childress John Paschal Doris Chevalier and Cem Saydam Stacie Salisbury Phillip McMillan* Dr. and Mrs. Alan B Clark Philip and Mary Ruth Payne* George W. Clark Elizabeth Samples Mark and Posey Mealy John Collier Charles and Helene Pearson Gwen and Charles Cook Robert Sigmon Kevin and Laura Mikeworth Nancy Conrad Sue Peck Steve Copulsky M.B. Somerall* Caton and Charlie Morris Robert W. Cook* Robert Peet James and Susan Cunningham Dr. Lynn and Mrs. JoAnn Spees Gena Morris Ernest and Georgianna Cox Randel and Emily Phillips* Mary Anne Curlee Tex and Grace Squires Kimbrel and Trip Morris William and Susan Coxe* Nancy Pierce Dr. William A Current, Sr. Richard and Nancy Stark* Rebecca Morris Charles O. and Suzanna Dalton Dr. and Mrs. James A Pressly Clayton S. Curry, Jr. John Stedman Lori and Randall Mountcastle Christopher and Elizabeth Daly Mrs. William H. Price, III* Robert Dalley Jacqueline Stegner Lee and Gwynne Movius* Davidson Garden Club Dr. and Mrs. James E. Pugh* Leslie Davis Lisa Stewart John and Meredith Murchison John Michael Davis Lynn and Preston Purdum Beth Davis Bonnie Stewart J. Brandon Neal Thomas and Nancy De Vries Mary Purvis Rick and Shari Deitchman Joseph and Janice Stowe Margaret Newbold Dr. David J. Deas Forrest Ranson Andrew and Nikki DeVillers Nick and Angela Street William Noonan Bryan Denton Judie R. Ratcliffe* Richard and Nancy Dietz Steve Strother Katie Oates Ann Depta Scott and Matti Reider* Ginny Dodd and Fan Watson Frank and Shelley Sturges* Catharine Pappas Fred DeVore Dr. and Mrs. David A. Rinehart Alyssa Dodd Thor and Dana Svendsen Jim and Callender Patterson* Dr. Donald Dickmann Robert and Liz Rittase Ann Dunnam Maha Swede Eric Pedersen Jean G. Dixon Bill and Sandy Roork* Mark Eckert Phyllis Tarrant* Carla and Eric Pence Dr. G.H. Dornblazer Eliot and Shirley Rosen* Ron Eubanks Sue B. Taylor Lisa and Mark Perkins Virginia Dulaney Donna Roth* Amy Farrell F. Boyce Thies Tammy Pfaff Jim Dumser Carmen and Nancy Sarno* Greg and Beth Fidler Terry Thirion Birshal E. Poole Benjamin Ellis William and Patricia Satterfield* Dan and Pam Frese Gail L. Thomas Randy and Jeanne Poole* Mr. Pat Ellison, II* Louis A. Schmitt, Jr. Jack A. Fulbright William and Parker Thomas Natalie Pope Tere and Doug Ey Greg Schneider Garden Club of Weddington Cynthia Thomson and Michael Murphy Rich and Woods Potts* H. McDonald Felder* Patricia and Michael Schober Brett and Nancy Gilbert Richard and Theo Thomson Sara L. Pressly Carol Fogarty* William Scullin Jean P. Gilland Bradley Touma Heidi and Alan Pruess Frank and Janet Fortner Benjamin and Ann Seagle Carol Golden Dr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Uhlan* Michael and Kay Rankin Kristin Foster Marion and Chris Sekerak Ruth Ann Grissom and Marcus Plescia Greg Urban Max and Fran Redic Roberta Fox and Mark Ostrander Mary Setzer Gary and Pushpa Gross June M. Vasoll Al and June Rhyne Brad and Diana Freeman Joe and Lori Siman Adam Guerino Martha Walters Mr. and Mrs. David R. Rogers Anne B. Furr Roy and Mary Smart David Guseman Scott and Sherry Webb Ann and Ed Rowell Buddy and Cheryl Furr Dorothy and Harold Smith Marc Gustafson Anna B. Weil Kathryn Sain Carol Gallant Thomas H. Smith, Jr.* Michael and Claire Gwyn Jonathan R. Wells Robert and Sally Saussy Sarah and Frank Gentry Norfleet N. Smith* Paul F. Haddock, III Michael and Lois West Jason and Molly Schugel Thomas and Debra George Janice and Kurt Sposta Donald and Amy Hardin Debbie White Steve and Gale Schwartz Donald S. Gillespie, Jr.* Harvey and Donna Spurr Karen and Herb Harriss John Whitlock Jay and Rebecca Scroggins Mary May and Richard Gillespie William and Nancy Stanback Samuel H. Hay* Neill Wilkinson

- 16 - Diane Willis Anthony and Sarah Lathrop June and Kenneth Winston Betty D. Lee Dr. and Mrs. James H. Woodward Kathryn Long CORPORATE, FOUNDATION AND GOVERNMENT Andrew and Lisa Zerkle* Jane C. and Wayne Lowe Michael Macintyre Howard C. Martin, Jr. We greatly appreciate the generosity and strong commitment to conservation shown by the UP TO $49 Graham and Susan Mason foundation and corporations that made gifts during the 2017 calendar year. Jeff Abbood David May Laura Adams Mary McKenzie David Ballenger Melissa Millette $20,000+ Eleanor and James Barnhardt Foundation J. Donald and Jean-Marie Bass Nicole Morris Ernst & Young LLP Michele and Thomas Battle Nancy E Nicholson Clean Water Management Trust Fund First Gaston Foundation, Inc. Emilie R. Booker Pauline Nilend US Fish and Wildlife Service Forsite Development Inc. Jeana Neal Borman Dawn P. Patterson South State Bank Grandbridge Real Estate Capital Mary Bruno Sarah B. Perry Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. Great Outdoor Provision Co. Amy and Dee Bumgardner Melinda Petrimoulx Wells Fargo Foundation GVA Lat Purser & Associates Jerry and Peggy Busby Patricia Pietersen Mecklenburg County Hart & Hickman PC Catherine H. Castro Diane and Richard Podolsky Harper’s Restaurant Group John and Ann Chalk Bruce and MaryRose Randall* $10,000+ Horizon Investments Robert Chandler Mary and Nathan Rantala Howard Construction Co. of Lincolnton Vanessa Clarke Thomas and Joanna Roberts BlackArch Partners Jones Lang LaSalle Alexandra Colello Wendy Roberts Crescent Communities Laurel Market Douglas L. Cummins James Scanlon Duke Energy Foundation Lumiere Richard Farmer Gail Sifford Harris Teeter McPhail Denise Finck-Rothman Michael E. Sullivan Regions Bank Mecklenburg Audubon Society Catherine Friedenreich and Alan Black Marilyn and Frank Sutterlin Page and George Bradham Family Foundation Justine George Frances and Bill Thompson $5,000+ Piedmont Natural Gas Foundation Nathan and Carman Gillis Sharon Thompson Pilkington Akers Foundation Anne Graham Gary and Pennie Thrower Red Bird Advisors Appian Group, LLC George and Elizabeth Guzynski Michael Thuemmel Reid’s Fine Foods Community Foundation of Gaston County Emmie Hancock Tom Torkildsen S&ME Cogentrix Energy Power Management John and Christina Hanna Mollie Trosper Sanford Contractors Faison Catherine H. Hart Tim Turton Southeastern Architectural Systems InterCon Building Co., LLC Nathaniel W. Hatch Dr. and Mrs. Van Vagianos The Shaw Tate Group K&L Gates LLP Dr. Karen O. Hodges Catherine L. and Michael Vowell Trexler Foundation Marsh Properties Kathleen A. Jackson Kiera Whalen Trinity Partners, LLC The Carrie E. and Lena V. Glenn Foundation Walter and Eileen Joyce Bobby G Whisnant Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Troutman Sanders LLP Terry Kerr Maragaret Willoughby Yellow Duck Marketing Patricia Klein Nancy Yudell Barbara S Lake $2,500+ $500+ Balfour Beatty Construction Arthur’s Wine Shop Brasfield & Gorrie Albemarle Foundation C Design Inc. Barrington’s MEMORIALS CBRE Blue Blaze Brewery Cato Corporation Earl’s Grocery Cardinal Foundation Wayne Bolick in memory of Carl and Mildred Bolick Mecklenburg Audubon Society in memory of David ESP Associates, PA Clariant Corporation George Buck in memory of Vernita Coxe Wright FR Custom Catering Collier Law, PLLC. Roger Burt in memory of Glenn Wallace Rebecca Mitchem in memory of Wade Mitchem Harker GreerWalker, LLP Cindy Caldwell in memory of Ruth Samuelson Nicole Morris in memory of Lois Hill Kent Companies Southeast Integra Realty Resources Charlotte Curtis Carlson in memory of Elmer E. and Clara S. John Paschal in memory of Mary Lou Paschal Lenny Boy Brewing Co. Keffer Autogroup Brown Sue Peck in memory of Roy Alexander Mac’s Speed Shop Little Bryan Denton in memory of Daniel Bain Karin Rankin in memory of Charles Rankin Napa on Providence McKim & Creed Inc. G.H. Dornblazer in memory of Robert Solow Karin Rankin in memory of Charles Rankin Porcupine Provisions Moore & Van Allen, PLLC Ann Dunnam in memory of Douglas Dunnam Mary Setzer in memory of Bob Setzer RuRu’s Tacos and Tequila Myatt Landscaping Concepts, Inc. Gastonia Medical Specialty Clinic, P.A. in memory Brenda Stevens in memory of Paul Stevens The Howe Foundation PNC Financial Services Group of Thomas Murphy Bill Thompson in memory of Toby Webb The Stowe Foundation RES Anne Henderson in memory of David Henderson Diana Travis in memory of Laura Ann Travis The Turnhouse Grille Robinson Bradshaw Kim Hombs in memory of Dzidra Hombs Grossman Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Edith Irons in memory of Ruth Samuelson Suzanne and Kevin Whalen in memory of David Shelco, LLC Bonnie Krempa in memory of Cory Moore Wright Sides Erosion Control Services, Inc. Alice Mauney in memory of M.L. Mauney Nancy Yudell in memory of William Gupton Town of Mineral Springs $200+ Chambers Real Estate Investments $1,000+ Dubya Creative H.W. Culp Lumber Company Aqua e Vino Rinehart Wealth Management HONORARIUMS Babalu Tapas & Tacos Tabor Blythe Development Company Betsy Alexander in honor of Jon Reed Pamela Mahony in honor of Elizabeth Bradford Bohler Engineering Dale Allison in honor of Ben Boswell Deanna McRorie in honor of Barbara Alexander Bonterra $50+ Jean Anderson in honor of David Anderson Arrington Mixon in honor of Kelly Katterhagen Catawba County Charlotte Agenda J. David Barnhardt in honor of Addison Shonts Judie Ratcliffe in honor of David Anderson DPR Construction H2H Ventures LLC. Robert Blanton in honor of Steve and Suzy Hannon Greg Schneider in honor of Charles Carter Rare Roots Hospitality Jesse Brown’s Outdoors David Caldwell in honor of Doug Caldwell Patricia Schober in honor of Ruth Dickey ECS Carolinas, LLP Chuck Cheney in honor of Brad Gatehouse Allen Shifflet in honor of Mike and Minna Elliott William Craemer in honor of Dana and Robert Allen Shifflet in honor of Milt and Carol Childress Servatius Allen Shifflet in honor of Mike and Catherine Donald Dickmann in honor of Marc Dickmann Fischer Denise Finck-Rothman in honor of Jill McLaughlin Allen Shifflet in honor of Leslie and Bill Stevenson Carol Gallant in honor of Pete and Gertrude Gallant Robert Sigmon in honor of Mary Ann Lawler Don Gately in honor of Tom Okel Robert Sigmon in honor of Neal Sigmon Amy Hockett in honor of Dan Hockett Kurt Sposta in honor of John and Constance William Hubbard in honor of Margaret Brantley and Lapointe Donations from individual supporters David Taylor John Stedman in honor of James Connor Edward Jenkins in honor of Kaye and William Martha Walters in honor of Scott Bodien make up about one-third of the McMullen Jonathan Wells in honor of Dave Cable Janice Koppenhaver in honor of Anne Davidson John Whitlock in honor of James and Cynthia Conservancy’s operating budget, Becky Kuhn in honor of Erik Tolsma Whitlock Betty Lee in honor of Tommy Lee Charlie Williams in honor of Sean Bloom making our work possible. Please consider making a difference today STEWARDSHIP FUND DONORS DONATING LANDOWNERS by assisting with our conservation

Elizabeth and Dave Cable Bondilyn V. Coley efforts. Visit our website for more City of Charlotte George and Barbara Clark George and Barbara Clark City of Charlotte information on how you can donate. Bondilyn V. Coley Cameron and Rusty Eaker Cameron and Rusty Eaker David Simonini Chuck and Lindsay Meakin Chris and Tracy Smawley David Simonini WWW.CATAWBALANDS.ORG

KETNER LAND ACQUISITION FUND DONORS

Robert Stein

- 17 - CAROLINA THREAD TRAIL FINANCIAL REPORT OPERATING EXPENSE BY PROGRAM FUND BALANCES

2016 ACTUAL 2017* ACTUAL 2018 BUDGET ASSETS FUND BALANCE: 12/31/2017

Personnel Cost $572,247 $578,075 $575,000 Cash $1,680,319

Office/Admin $68,523 $82,206 $93,250 Outstanding Pledges $1,716,316

Outreach & Development $94,469 $117,141 $150,000 Endowment Fund $3,207,313

Operations $19,661 $19,127 $29,750 Total Assets, Net $6,603,948

Total Operating Expense $754,900 $796,549 $848,000

*Unaudited CTT 2017 DONORS Your generous support enables us to advance trails throughout a 15-county region in North and South Carolina. This list includes corporate and individual gifts to the Carolina Thread Trail made in the 2017 calendar year.

Tom and Robin McCoy Cynthia Ferguson $50+ TREKKER Liza Pratt DONORS J. Wriley McKeown Joe Fisher Connie Puckett Daila Allen $10,000+ Larry and Audrey Mellichamp Shirley Frank Greg Richardson Kristen Nause Janet Frederick Ethan Altmire Elizabeth Samples Bill and Sharon Allen Wanda Rosa Joe Frey Janett and Mark Anderson Michael Sandy Amy and Robert Brinkley Karen and Thomas Schmitt Frank Gammon Brooke Ayscue Lara Saunders Judith T. Carpenter Craig and Devona Wyant John Ghent Christopher Baldwin Heather Schoonover Kathryn Heath and Tom Webb Larry Hamrick Luther Barringer Jessica and Jason Schroeder Kelly Katterhagen and Larry Nabatoff GREENWAY GALS Bjorn and Lisa Hansen David and Vickie Basri Mark Sergeant Lara Hawkins Christopher Besler Kiersten Shelton Clay $5,000+ $250+ Matthew Hedrick Emily Blackwell Colleen Simmons Margaret Herdegen Dianne K Blanke Scott Smith Suzanne Adams Ruth and Colin Shaw Erma Deen Hoyle Sean and Mandy Bloom Mary and Peter Stauble Ingrid Amols Keith Smith Family Charitable Fund Anne and Bill Ireton Beckey and Donald Boshell Dr. Joseph Steiner Deborah Bradbury-Duniec Nancy Jacobsen Jennifer Boswell Crystal Sundaramoorthy Sylvia Brydon Virginia Kern and Bradna Bowers Gordon Buckingham Krista Swartz $1,000+ Sallie Close Debbie Kiggans Erin Burris Benson Taylor Olivia Cohen Shuford Abernethy Mark Kincaid Roxette Busani Robin Underwood Virginia Columna Ric and Ann Browning Kings Mountain Gateway Trails, Inc. Anthony Casanova Barbara Vargochik Lori Couick Sally and Michael Daley Gerry Kingsley Molly Clune Susan Wade Donna de Molina Jennifer DeWitt Eric Kjellberg Christina Collins Bryant and Susan Waldkirch Miriam Dixon Anne and Peter Gilchrist Arthur Kohn and Priscilla Laula William and Susan Coxe Diane Watson Elizabeth Fender Greg and Sherri Gregory Jeffrey and Liza Kravis Lauren Cranford Martie Weatherman Anne Flint Dehler Hart June and Ken Lambla Eileen Effinger Cathy and Mike Weaver Rebecca Giblin Jim and Lynn Lawton Kenda Laughey Anne Elam Kelly Webber Jane Green Julie Lerner Levine Thomas Lawson Bonnie Foulds Anna B. Weil Karen Harris Christine Li Christine Li Johnathan Fournier Richard Whitt Lauren Hatcher Jud and Deborah Little Erin Livingston Mike Furr Dan Wray Mollie Henninger Bailey and Mildred Patrick Nancy Lopez Calvin Gaddy Laurie Wright Mary Beth Hollett Sharon and Alex Rankin Lucinda Lucas Janet and Jeff Ganoung Christy Howey Patricia Rodgers Mara Malakoff Maria Gelabert Jennifer Jones Marshall Rogers Brian Malec Sarah Genay $25+ HIKER Stephanie Kimball Lydia Matthews Gail Gillies Jessica Allen Nelida Lopez J. Wriley McKeown Andrea Glassberg Brenda Anderson $500+ Catherine Luckenbaugh Phillip McMillan Madison Gobbell Howard Baker Jennifer Mattox Kelvin and Tammy Anderson Kevin and Laura Mikeworth Annie Gray John Beale Susan McDonough Dr. and Mrs. Edward and Angela Bower Tyrel Moore Bill Gray Elizabeth Birch Susan McKeithen William and Robin Buckler Joseph A. Morris Steven Gray Dennis Brown Lorraine Mulligan Amy and Tom Okel Andrea Mueller Paul Gustafson Amy and Dee Bumgardner Stephanie Nolan Adam Purser Mrs. Bianca Muller Barbara Hastings Sharon Campbell Susan Porter Ron and Amy Nason Sherry Henderson Catherine H. Castro Carla Rose Kristen Nause Kristy Jackson Roger Coates $250+ Susan Scherer Jennifer Neurohr Emily Johnson Barbara Conrad Melissa Cornwell Sonia Scholl Billy and Sharon Nguyen Karen Ulrich Jones Gwen and Charles Cook Fred and Janet Jackson Marjorie Serralles-Russell William Niven Camille Kanofsky Alex Cotton Michael and Leslie Marsicano Winnie Simmons Mervil Paylor Penelope Karagounis Adis Delic Mark Miller Margaret Sowden Christopher Petrik Leslie Keena Roger Diedrich David Reitz Anne Stolz Nancy Pierce Laura Kenkel Paul and Christine Drain Lana Truong Elaine Powell David Kern Clarinda Fox Cydne Watterson Abizar and Lubaina Rangwala Melissa Kinbery-Blair Sandy Francis UP TO $249 Anja Zimmerman Elizabeth Raspanti Kevin Kruse Dr. Catherine Freedberg Mark and Linda Allen Stacy Raynor Barbara S. Lake Kyle Frost Bob and Kaye Amos TRAILHEADS Justin Rollins Nancy Leach Stephanie Fuqua Anonymous Robert Ross Marlene Leone Nancy Furry Luz Maria Aveleyra $100+ TRAILBLAZER John and Erin Russell Dorothy Lodge Dale Gentle Bret Baronak Patricia Major Bryan Alsop Stacie Salisbury Paul Gettys Scott and Betsy Bodien Robert Manross Bob and Kaye Amos Doug Satterfield Kathy Goodman Christopher and Amanda Buchanan Debbie Martin Jill and Brent Andersen Bill Schiffli Martha Griffin James Carlevatti, Jr. Blair and Patricia Mauney Holly Angevine Neal Sigmon Cathy Hart Alesia Dicosola Lisa McCarter David W. Arone Richard Snyder Brandi Herold Lisa K. Eanes Sharon McCarthy Dan Aronson Donna Sofsky Jacob Higdon Leonard Fumi and Lucy Quintilliano Gary and Karen McDougal Stephen Bassett Stephen Spooner Rachel G Hill Carol Golden Greg McKenna Philip and Amy Blumenthal Eric and Ellen Stenstrom Elinor Hiltz Krista Harvey Elizabeth McNulty Emily Buehrer Steve Strother Jim Hinkle Andrew Huneycutt Maureen Mitchell Nathan and Laura Clark Whit Strunk Andrew Hoxie Kelly Jamison Sarah and Albert Mitchener Tod Creech Dr. Becka Tait Lynda Hunley Cheryl Johnson Janet and Lowell Nelson Leonard and Tanya DeGrace Chandra Torrence Cameron Icard Barbara Kalinski Jeanne M. Neumann Bryan Denton Polly Trammell Brantley Johnston Kings Mountain Gateway Trails, Inc. Karel Newton Amy Diamond Daphne Traywick Denise Johnston Indu and Andrew Ladd Alison and John Nolting Elyn and Mike Dortch Mrs. Rebecca Walters Thomas Keaverny Leah Martin Jeffrey Pinnow Jim Dumser Bill and Stephanie Whitesides Scott Killoran Jennifer Mattox Steven Powers Lisa K. Eanes Sue and Russ Knight

- 18 - CAPITAL $1,000,000+ Sally and Lane Ormand Nancy F. Johnson CAMPAIGN DONORS Richard J. Osborne Penelope Karagounis The Bank of America Foundation The Outdoor Foundation Susan Kearney C.D. Spangler Foundation Capital Campaign Donors were the original funders who Bailey and Mildred Patrick Laura Kenkel The Duke Energy Foundation Positec Group Virginia Kern and Bradna helped kick off the Carolina Thread Trail 10 years ago. Foundation For The Carolinas Sharon and Alex Rankin Bowers John S. & James L. Knight Foundation SCBT Stephanie and James Kimball Turner Family Foundation Kellie and Jeff Scott Mark Kincaid The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation Susanne and Jerry Sellers John and April Kinley TRAILHEADS CONT. Mr. and Mrs. Carl M. Spangler, Jr. Elaine Kirby $100,000-$999,999 The Tin Kitchen Ryan and Shannon Klar Hayley Kozma Isabel Shankle Joye Thomas Mabel Koo Advantage Carolina Foundation Jeff and Victoria Landon Harold Shapiro Thorlo Louise Laganiere Bill and Sharon Allen Lou and Tamara Lesesne Joshua Smith Turner Construction Company LandDesign Anonymous Jane C and Wayne Lowe Keith and Heather Sorensen U.S National Whitewater Center Kathy Langley Mr. and Mrs. Philip Blumenthal Joe Mader Linda Sprague Uwharrie Capital Corp. Leaf and Petal Garden Club Blumenthal Foundation Richard Malcolm Geoff Steele Wells Fargo Insurance Services, USA Mr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Leary Amy and Robert Brinkley Leila Manship Robert Stein Tammy Whaley Kate Lee Carolinas HealthCare System Jennifer Marquardt-Leach Nick and Angela Street Whole Foods Market Charlotte Stacy Leff The Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Robert May Leslee Temple Gregory Wolf Shawn Lemond Foundation Bill McCarter Missy Thomas Lenny Boy Brewing Co. Dickson Foundation, Inc. David McGinnis Lauren Thomas Daniel Love Founders Federal Credit Union UP TO $999 Dick and Grier McMillan Brenneman Thompson Allison Ludwig Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Will Medlin Sharon Thompson All About the Pipes Plumbing, Inc. Brian Malec Foundation Don Miller Dr. and Mrs. Van Vagianos Bob and Kaye Amos Mrs. Johanna D. Maness Piedmont Natural Gas Foundation Mike Moore Kelly Walls Amanda Anderson Robert Manross Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Richardson John Northey Mark Watson Attitude Nation Henry Martinat Ruth and Colin Shaw Monroe Pannell Todd Watson B and B Distributors, Inc. Kathy McAllister W. Duke Kimbrell Family Foundation Ellen Parrish Lynn Weis Rebecca Bahn Roline H. McGinnis Neil Patel Christy Wilhelm Dianne and Brian Bailey Phillip McMillan Jason Philbin Derek Williams $50,000-99,999 Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Baucom Lindsay and Chuck Meakin Mike Riemann Kelsey Willis Baxter Town Center Diane Meirowitz Crandall and Erskine Bowles Robert and Liz Rittase Reese M. Wilson Rob Bierregaard and Cathy Dolan Merri Mint Garden Club Mr. and Mrs. Harry and Rebecca Dalton Joseph Sass Sharon Wilson Birdsong Brewing Co. Suzanne M. Merritt REI Greg Schneider Nancy Yudell Sean and Mandy Bloom Debbie Mijatovic Southwood Corporation Barbara Schreiber Blue Ridge Trail Works, Inc. Mimi Nichols William and Nancy Stanback Jill Blumenthal Palmetto Conservation James Whitton Carl A. Boggs Foundation Women’s Impact Fund MEMORIALS Lynda Boozer Jagruti Patel Dr. and Mrs. Edward and Angela Bower Pamela and Franklin $10,000-49,999 John and Kristin Hills Bradberry Pendleton Jill Blumenthal in memory of David Kings Mountain Gateway Trails, Inc. in Mr. J.D. Bricken Bernard N. Ackerman PermaTrak Lowrance memory of Carl Spangler Brixx Wood Fired Pizza Akers Foundation Anne and Scott Perper Sandy Bradford in memory of Agnes Nancy Yudell in memory of Harry and Kelly Brooks Blum, Inc. Piedmont Patriots Chapter Bradford Barbara Warshbale Geoff Brown Peggy and Bob Culbertson NSDAR Sandy Bradford in memory of Gene Ann and Ric Browning David Belk Cannon Foundation Rhonda Poppen Mason Gretchen Caldwell Herbert Doss Selina Pradhan Jeannette K. Campbell Anonymous Premier Carmel Country Gardeners Lynne and John Ford Betsy Prichard Carolina Title Company, LLC HONORARIUMS Kathie and Bill Grigg Katherine Rabun Carolina Wetland Services Julie and Howard Levine Judie R. Ratcliffe Eric Caruthers Mike Mabry Jane S. Ratteree Charlene Columna in honor of Helen Kerry Helms in honor of Ann Helms Catawba Valley Outing Club Monsanto Fund Mr. and Mrs. William G. Faris Indu Ladd in honor of Shawn Harris Centered Wellness Carolinas, LLC Ben Rudisill Reynolds Chiquita Classic Charlene Controne in honor of Lucinda Lucas in honor of Patricia Tonya and Stoney Sellars Jo Ann Rodgers Rich Coleman Bernard Ackerman Ciccone Pam and Andy Warlick Joanne Empey Rodriguez Barbara Conrad Rufus M. Dalton in honor of Philip Judie Ratcliffe in honor of Judith York County Council Carla Rose Elizabeth Cook Blumenthal Ratcliffe Elizabeth B. Yost Trust Jessica Rossi Shane Cooper Kenneth Davis in honor of Ann and Janet Zick in honor of Unitarian Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Rotary Club of Cabarrus Bruce and Debbie Darden County Scott Withrow Universalist Church SGM Davidson Garden Club Michael and Heidi Rotberg Lisa Eanes in honor of Cathy Trotter $1,000-$9,999 Alvaro and Donna de Molina Chris and Robin Sanford Julia Grefenstette in honor of Anne Springs Close Greenway Jennifer Dillon Terry Satterwhite Bernard Ackerman Anson Bank and Trust Co. The Dodd Studio Marjorie Serralles-Russell Arborguard Tree Specialists Elyn and Mike Dortch Paul Shealy Bank of Stanly Down Home Baking Company Marcia Simon Benchmark Trails Inc. Earth Fare Site Solutions CORPORATE, FOUNDATION & BlackArch Partners East Lincoln Good Fellows Laura and Grady Smith Jane W. Bolick Sam Erwin Gregory Sobieski GOVERNMENT Cabarrus Bank and Trust Company Anne Essaye South Carolina Horseman’s Carolinas Medical Center Jonathan Evans Council Charity Games Leila Evans Southward Solar Designs, Inc. Nancy and Ralph Falls C. Marie Spearman McAdams Derek and Sallie Close $100,000+ Elizabeth Fender Statesville Women’s Club McAdenville Women’s Club CMH Space Flooring Products, Inc. Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Renee Fiott-Mitchell Kim and Dale Stewart Pharr Yarns Rufus M. Dalton Foundation Four Friends Brewing LLC Stewart REI Glenn DeGeorge Maria Frey William Stokes Sun’s Up Scuba Susan DeVore $50,000+ Roger and Sally Dick Charles and Frances Furr Ta’Liah Massage Rebecca Giblin Dickson Foundation Domtar Corporation Tarheel Trailblazers Ruth Ellen and Kenneth Gill James Turner Jr. Family Endowment $500+ Michelle and Kelly Frenzel Jerry Taylor Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council Fund Belmont Realty Karl and Sandy Froelich Annette Telljohann Melissa Girt Blue Blaze Brewery Ann Gaither Mrs. Emily M. Thomas Kristy Goelzer Citizen’s Bank Anne and Peter Gilchrist Ellen Thomas $25,000+ Bari Gorelick Huron Consulting Group INC Greg and Sherri Gregory Town of Earl Community Foundation of Gaston Jane Green LandDesign Dale F. Halton and Fred Wagner TrySports County Green Gardeners Club Lenny Boy Brewing Co. James Boyce Garland Memorial Fund Susan Tuttle Founders Federal Credit Union C. Greenwald McLean Homes Jesse Brown’s Outdoors Kristine Vaden Nancy Grimm PermaTrak Johnston, Allison and Hord Walmart Distribution Center Lorin Hamilton $5,000+ Stewart Ed and Page Kizer 6070 Katherine L. Hardwick Akers Foundation Whole Foods Market Legacy Shares, LLC Amanda Walrath Suzanne M. Harnois Pacific Life Foundation Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lipe Linda K. Warner Little Janie Hatchell J.B. Watson, Jr. Lowe’s of Belmont and Gastonia Peter R. Herran Bob Webb $2,500+ $250+ Sallie and Fred Lowrance Hikers of Iredell Club Wells Fargo Sylvia and Raymond Holmes Arborguard Tree Specialists Alpine Towers Luquire George Andrews, LLC Solange Werner Cornelia and Roderick P. Hoover Morehead Group Alta Planning + Design Mervil Paylor Design Dorothea West Hornwood Benesch Mountain Khakis Leslie Westmoreland Ken and Marilee Huntley Bungalow Picnic Company Natural Resource Group Wickcraft Company $1,000+ Lori A. Jennings Contech Engineered Solutions N.C. Department of Transportation Withers & Ravenel Inc. Arete Structures Landeavor Blum, Inc. Renu Energy Solutions Gastonia Jeep Simply Yoga and Wellness Great Outdoor Provision Co. WithersRavenel Jesse Brown’s Outdoors

- 19 - NON-PROFIT U.S. Postage PAID Charlotte, NC Permit No. 1967C Change Service 4530 Park Road, Suite 420 Requested Charlotte, N.C. 28209

704.342.3330 catawbalands.org carolinathreadtrail.org

Catawba Lands Conservancy is part of a network of land trusts that collectively have protected more than 400,000 acres of the places you love in North Carolina. OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Join us on one of our upcoming FREE events! Visit carolinathreadtrail.org/events-calendar for more information and registration. Pre-registration is required for all programs.

THURSDAY, APRIL 5: FITNESS WALK AT FRIDAY, MAY 4: BIG-LEAF RIVERWALK PIEDMONT MEDICAL CENTER TRAIL MAGNOLIA NATURE HIKE 6-7 p.m. • Rock Hill, SC 1-4 p.m. • Gastonia, NC JOIN US AT 3 miles. Easy, paved trail. 4+ miles. Moderate to strenuous hike. NATIONAL TRAILS DAY SATURDAY, APRIL 7: FAMILY TREE PLANTING 9 a.m.-12 p.m. • Denver, NC THURSDAY, MAY 17: SUNSET Tools, work gloves lunch, snacks and drinks BIKE RIDE AT KINGS MOUNTAIN provided. Closed-toed shoes required. Children GATEWAY TRAIL welcome. 6:30-8:30 p.m. • Kings Mountain, NC 10 miles. Easy to moderate, crushed THURSDAY, APRIL 19: SUNSET BIKE RIDE AT gravel trail ride. FORNEY CREEK TRAIL 6-7:30 p.m. • Denver, NC THURSDAY, MAY 24: BEGINNER 7 miles. Intermediate mountain bike trail ride. TRAIL RUN AT TWELVE MILE CREEK 6-7 p.m. • Waxhaw, NC FRIDAY, APRIL 27: STAR PARTY AT PHARR FAMILY 2.5 miles. Moderate difficulty. PRESERVE 7-10 p.m. • Concord, NC SATURDAY, JUNE 2 10AM - 2PM GOAT ISLAND CRAMERTON, NC UPCOMING MEMBER PROGRAMS Member programs are open to members of CLC and CTT. Visit carolinathreadtrail.org/ member-programs for details and registration. Pre-registration is required for all programs.

SATURDAY, MAY 19: MEMBER BIKE FRIDAY, MAY 25 & FRIDAY, JUNE 8: RIDE – QUEEN CITY BIKE TOUR. GREENWAY GALS – SPIDER LILY 8-11 a.m. Charlotte,NC. PADDLE AT LANDSFORD CANAL STATE 20 miles. Advanced, on-road group ride. PARK. 9 a.m -12 p.m. Catawba, SC Breakfast provided. 5 miles. Moderate difficulty. All gear provided. SATURDAY, MAY 19: MEMBER PADDLE – SOUTH FORK RIVER BLUEWAY. THURSDAY, JULY 14: MEMBER HIKE: 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. McAdenville, NC MUSHROOM FORAY AT LAUREL HILL WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MEMBERSHIP? 5.5 miles. Moderate difficulty. All gear PRESERVE. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Gastonia, NC provided. 3+ miles. Moderate hike. Visit catawbalands.org

Not sure of your membership level? Call Elizabeth Miller at 704-342-3330 x 210