Triangle Greenways Council

2009 - Durham 

The Triangle Greenways Council completed its first conservation project within the Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative (UNCWI) service area.  The UNCWI is a collaborative effort among several land trusts and government agencies to improve the protection of long-term water quality within the upper Neuse River Basin through conservation and/or restoration initiatives.  Ultimately these efforts will assist in stabilizing water quality and quantity within Falls Lake and eight other upstream water supply reservoirs that provide drinking water to the growing urban population served by local governments in five counties. 

This first conservation property is 2.5 acres and it was donated by its owner.  Located in the upper watershed of Little Lick Creek, it was identified among High Priority Lands for water quality protection in the Upper Neuse River Basin.  For more than a decade, water quality in Little Lick Creek has been recognized as impaired for biological integrity.  With its conservation, the bottomland hardwood forest, small wetlands, and emergent vegetation found on this property will continue to provide their natural buffering and ecological functions. 

The property is also across Little Lick Creek from 3.1 acres held by the Birchwood Heights Homeowners Association, and just upstream of the City's Birchwood Park.  Cumulative they contribute to the eventual realization of Durham's designated greenway corridor proposed along the creek.  A greenway trail will be constructed after a continuous corridor of sufficient length is secured. 

This transaction begins the TGC's commitment to the conservation and possible restoration of properties in the upper Neuse River Basin.  Through the UNCWI program collaboration, the TGC's focus will be on designated greenway corridors and other riparian properties that provide water quality and other environmental and ecological benefits to the greater urban area.