Three Rivers Land Trust recently received a $100,000 grant from the National Wild Turkey Federation to go toward conservation of 4,700 acres and 76 miles of shoreline along the Yadkin River.

The funding brings the total amount of money raised for the purchase of the Alcoa lands on High Rock Lake to $5.7 million. That leaves another $2 million needed to purchase the first 2,300 acres.

Land Trust, in partnership with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, is raising money for the conservation of the land. It will be owned by the wildlife commission and stay in the game lands program.

The public has had access to the land for more than 30 years for hiking, hunting, fishing and paddling. Land Trust and the wildlife commission intend to maintain public access.

The property must be acquired by September 2019, according to a relicensing settlement agreement signed by Alcoa and other parties. If the purchase is successful, Land Trust will have two more years to buy 2,400 acres on Tuckertown Lake from Alcoa.

“We are extremely excited about our continued partnership with the North Carolina State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. The state NWTF board saw how important the conservation of these lands is and stepped up in a big way,” says Executive Director Travis Morehead. “We are hopeful that other national conservation organizations will follow NWTF’s lead in conserving these important lands and preserving our shared hunting heritage.”

The acquisition of these lands conserves critical habitat, connects conserved areas and wild places, provides access for the public, and helps sustain the local outdoor recreation, tourism and forestry economies.

“The NCNWTF board of directors is truly honored for this opportunity to partner with Three Rivers Land Trust to ensure the conservation of these lands for generations to come. This is what the NWTF is about,” says Robert Smith, president of the organization’s state board. “This acquisition fits perfectly with our ‘Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt’ initiative, and it’s what our dedicated volunteers across North Carolina so generously support.”

To contribute to this conservation project, contact Three Rivers Land Trust at 704-647-0302 or donate online at www.threeriverslandtrust.org/alcoa-lands-conservation/.

For more information about this project or to learn how to support Three Rivers Land Trust, visit www.threeriverslandtrust.org or contact Crystal Cockman at crystal@threeriverslandtrust.org or by phone at 704-647-0302.