Lake Norman Publications

DLC celebrates successes, salutes conservation partners


Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox accepts the Outstanding Community Partner Award on the towns’ behalf. /Courtesy of DLC

DAVIDSON ― Davidson Lands Conservancy (DLC) hosted a Conservation Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 7, at Davidson College’s Hurt Hub.

The event was a gathering of about 100 Conservancy supporters and interested community members. The celebration party included food, drink and music by Mike Orlando and Gene McIntosh along with a raffle of artisan gifts contributed to support the DLC event vibe.

DLC Board President Paul Freestone conducted the organization’s annual meeting and reported on advances in four conservation programs or pillars: land conservation; greenways; urban forestry; and wildlife habitat.

During the meeting, Pay Hay was voted in for a second term on the Conservancy’s Board of Directors. Hay, a longtime Conservancy supporter, co-chairs DLC’s Education & Engagement Committee and serves as chair of the Wildlife Enhancement Collaborative, a community effort to enhance the wildlife habitat at Fisher Farm and Abersham Parks.

John Griffith, board member and Development Committee chair, announced the public launch of the Now & Forever Campaign, the Conservancy’s capital drive for high impact and sustainability. The campaign has raised a total of $850,000 to date in the quiet phase toward a total goal of $1,750,000. The organization will now reach out to the broader community to secure funding to ensure the continuation of its conservation work. 

DLC Executive Director Dave Cable summarized the goals for the coming year and shared his emotional connection to conservation efforts in expressing deep appreciation for the community’s extraordinary support. 

In the program, Davidson-based Trane Technologies was recognized as an outstanding corporate partner, with the award accepted by DLC Board member and Trane executive Scott Tew.

The town, represented by Mayor Rusty Knox, was presented with DLC’s outstanding community partner award, and Brent Evans, DLC Board member, treasurer and TreesDavidson co-chair, was awarded DLC’s 2022 Volunteer of the Year award.  

There was a gathering of about 100 DLC supporters and interested community members at the Hurt Hub.

“What we saw and experienced at the gathering was a transformation of the DLC – new supporters, civic and business partners, and partnerships all focused on the mission of DLC,” one of the gathering’s participants said about the gathering. “This meeting showed very positive growth and interest in conservation that will continue to benefit Davidson.”

The celebration, meeting and awards program provided the chance to reference local conservation achievements and outline a realistic summary of the challenges and importance of the Conservancy’s work.

In the last two years, DLC achievements and activities included:

  • Securing permanently conservation status for 120 acres, and advancing numerous local land conservation projects
  • Meeting all land stewardship requirements
  • Leading community review of the proposed West Branch Stream Restoration resulting in significant project improvements and cost savings
  • The planting of 266 15-gallon containerized trees with community volunteers
  • Launching a town Treasure Tree program with underwriting from Trane Technologies
  • Establishing and leading the Davidson Tree Council 
  • Completing a comprehensive organization review and establishing a DLC 3-year strategic plan
  • Developing and advancing the Now & Forever Campaign
  • Securing $700,000 in grant funding for various land, tree and greenway projects
  • Launching a Wildlife Enhancement Collaborative for Fisher Farm / Abersham 
  • Completing the corridor plan for the West Branch Greenway
  • Meeting operational targets, completing clean audits and maintaining a budget surplus
  • Successfully hosting Run For Green, NatureFest, three stream clean-ups, 17 community  and student events and numerous collaborative children’s events with World of Wonder
  • Leading a conservation education summer program at the Freedom School at Ada Jenkins
  • Partnering with eight Davidson College student interns
  • Receiving Davidson College Community Partner of the Year designation
  • And transferring Cook Preserve to State of North Carolina as part of a nature preserve

The DLC is an accredited land trust with the mission to conserve local lands and natural resources, and connect lives to nature. Growth pressures on Davidson are high and, while economic development benefits the community, balancing growth with well-stewarded and conserved natural lands is critical to quality of life and efforts to keep Davidson special, attractive and healthy.

For more details and information about DLC programs, visit davidsonlands.org.

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