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TLC President's MessageDeep River Deservedly RecognizedNovember 2007 The North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation this year that named the Deep River as the site of one of our newest state parks. This action culminates efforts by Triangle Land Conservancy to officially recognize the river’s unique natural and cultural history. Special thanks go to Senator Bob Atwater and Representative Verla Insko for serving as primary sponsors of the legislation. It did not take an act of the General Assembly for TLC members to recognize the unique nature of the Deep River. We already knew that the river and its watershed are home to endangered species (Cape Fear Shiner, a minnow, and Harperella, a plant), a forest community unique in the North Carolina Piedmont (white pines) and rare wetlands (diabase seepage bog). As well, remnants of a rich history (House in the Horseshoe, Endor Iron Furnace and Deep River Camelback Truss Bridge) dot the landscape. A perfect Saturday morning for my family is to head to TLC’s White Pines Preserve at the confluence of the Rocky and Deep rivers in Chatham County and hike through mature upland forests and wildflower-blanketed floodplains. One visit we watched a trio of river otters play in the current. The Deep River state park will be different from parks like Umstead and Raven Rock. Formally known as the Deep River State Trail, it will be a series of state-held and managed lands linked by the river. Think of it as a blueway as compared to a terrestrial greenway. Visitors could spend a few hours exploring one parcel of the state trail, or they could take a whole day and paddle the river, visiting multiple places along the way. Legislation for the trail is just the beginning of the process. Now TLC will work with the North Carolina Division of State Parks as well as Chatham and Lee counties to develop a park master plan. Recognizing TLC’s 24-year commitment to conservation of the Deep River and the 2,000 acres TLC already acquired along it, the Division of Parks and Recreation entrusted us with the responsibility of reaching out to private landowners who are interested in donating or selling important conservation land that could be part of the state trail. Stay tuned for exciting progress on the Deep River State Trail, made possible by your generous support. Kevin Brice, President and CEO, Triangle Land Conservancy
TLC President's Message Archive
February 2008 Time to celebrate
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