Upper Neuse initiative honored for regional leadership

February 25, 2009

Friday, December 12, 2008

Coalition protects water by protecting land

A coalition of conservation groups, facilitated by the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, has been honored for its efforts to protect the quality and quantity of clean water in the Triangle.

The Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative (UNCWI) received the Goodmon Award for an exemplary regional partnership serving the Triangle. The Goodmon Awards were established by Leadership Triangle in honor of James F. Goodmon to recognize individuals and organizations that exhibit outstanding regional leadership.

This year's seventh annual awards were given out Dec. 11 at a dinner presented by Leadership Triangle in Durham. CTNC executive director Reid Wilson accepted on behalf of the UNCWI partners.

The Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative is a partnership effort by seven non-profit organizations that seek to protect the lands that are most critical for ensuring the long-term health of drinking water sources in the basin, including Falls Lake and eight other reservoirs. The Conservation Trust for North Carolina coordinates the collective efforts of Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association, Eno River Association, Tar River Land Conservancy, Triangle Greenways Council, Triangle Land Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land.

UNCWI helps provide safe, abundant drinking water supplies by conserving undeveloped land that channels rain into rivers and reservoirs. Protecting these properties helps reduce the flow of polluted runoff from hard surfaces and allows natural filtration of the water. Land conservation also helps to naturally regulate water quantity. Forested buffers, intact wetlands, fields and floodplains absorb rainwater and store it, recharging both groundwater and surface waters during dry periods.

With the generous support of the City of Raleigh; the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund; Wake, Durham and Orange counties; and other government funding partners across the basin, the coalition has protected more than 17 miles of stream buffer and 1,700 acres in the Upper Neuse Basin, valued at more than $19 million. Another 39 miles are in the process of being protected.

Click here to download the news release from Leadership Triangle]http://www.ctnc.org/site/DocServer/GoodmonWinners_Press_Release_1205008_230pm.pdf?docID=841

Comments

No comments have been posted.

View all news from Conservation Trust for North Carolina

Return to the overview page for Conservation Trust for North Carolina