‘Rare habitat’ on historic NC farm saved from development in fast-growing region
“Rare and sensitive” habitat on a historic North Carolina family farm has been saved from development in a fast-growing region of the state, conservationists said.
Three environmental groups permanently protected 150 acres on part of the Mundy farm that is tied to the founding of present-day Denver in eastern Lincoln County, Catawba Lands Conservancy officials said last week.
Fragile habitat
The site includes ecologically significant granitic flatrock, which supports rare plants adapted to thin soils and harsh growing conditions, according to a conservancy statement.
Located about five miles west of Lake Norman, the property includes about 1,800 feet of Wingate Creek, part of the Dutchmans Creek watershed, officials said.
Plants in the flatrock area are found “in few places in our region,” said Will Ruark, land conservation director for the conservancy.
Because the habitats are fragile, the site remains closed to the public.
The conservancy protected the property in perpetuity with Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina and The Conservation Fund.
The effort not only preserves “distinctive” granitic flatrock but vegetation along Wingate Creek and a tributary, “as development continues across the state,” Amanda Byrum of The Conservation Fund said.