OUR MISSION
Carolina Land & Lakes
Carolina Land & Lakes serves as a bridge between local communities, federal and state agencies, and other stakeholders to preserve, protect, and provide responsible stewardship and utilization of local and environmental resources.
We create a collaborative environment to benefit North Carolina counties by providing economic development and resource protection and utilization, while strategically strengthening the local community. We work in three areas: agriculture, water, and wildfire — all supported through education, advocacy, and innovative programs.
OUR PROGRAMS
What We Do
We work across three key areas to protect and preserve North Carolina’s natural resources.
Agriculture
Supporting local farmers and small businesses with energy efficiency programs, conservation easements, and innovative agricultural solutions that reduce costs and protect the land.
Water
Protecting clean water and high water quality for local economies, safe environments, and thriving communities through restoration, nutrient studies, and dam removal projects.
Wildfire
Linking key stakeholders around wildfire prevention and preparedness, developing Community Wildfire Protection Plans, and educating communities about wildfire risk reduction.
Community Developement
Building partnerships that bring results by connecting communities, government, and industry to create lasting change for North Carolina’s rural counties.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Help Us Protect North Carolina’s Natural Resources
Your support funds wildfire preparedness, water quality initiatives, agricultural conservation, and community resilience programs across our region.
In loving memory of Jim Hallman, Carolina Land & Lakes Board member since 2015.
We are grateful for everything you gave to help preserve and protect North Carolina. You are missed.
Latest News
Community Wildfire Mitigation Best Practices Training
August 17-19, 2026, Asheville, NC The Community Wildfire Mitigation Best Practices (CW-MBP) in-person short course focuses on the science, methods, and tools needed to engage communities, eliminate ineffective practices, and turn wildfire adaptation plans into meaningful action. This national-level training is designed for current and future mitigation specialists, wildfire program leads, nonprofit practitioners, and federal, state, county, and community professionals who work with residents to implement wildfire mitigation efforts. Participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of effective methods, tools, and techniques for increasing on-the-ground wildfire mitigation and addressing real-world challenges. There is no fee to attend, and lunch will…
Portable Sawmill Workshop
Forestry Extension offered a workshop for landowners and forestry professionals interested in producing firewood and lumber using a portable sawmill. The workshop went for the day and ended with a field trip. Forestry Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) credits have been approved. For more information visit: https://wilkes.ces.ncsu.edu/news/wood-for-you-and-your-community-workshop/
BlueSky Playground Workshop
May 27, 2026 -Huntersville, NC Carolina Land and Lakes and the Piedmont Prescribed Burn Association hosted a BlueSky Playground Workshop: a hands-on training opportunity designed for land managers, prescribed burn practitioners, and conservation professionals looking to strengthen their planning and smoke modeling skills.This interactive workshop provided participants with practical experience using the BlueSky Playground system to better understand fire behavior, smoke dispersion, and burn planning tools. Attendees participated in both field and classroom instruction, including outdoor exercises and computer-based training.Workshops like this help build safer, more informed land stewardship practices while supporting collaboration and education across the conservation and prescribed fire community.
Women’s Chainsaw Workshop
May 4, 2026 | Daniel Stowe Conservancy – Belmont, NC Carolina Land and Lakes was proud to support the Women’s Chainsaw Workshop held at Daniel Stowe Conservancy, bringing together participants for a full day of hands-on learning, skill-building, and confidence-building in the field. Attendees learned essential chainsaw safety practices, including proper PPE use, chainsaw maintenance, and cutting techniques, while gaining practical, real-world experience in a safe and supportive environment. A special thank you to Husqvarna for helping make this training possible, along with all of the partners, instructors, and participants who contributed to a successful event. Workshops like these help empower more people with…
Wilson Creek Action Plan
The Wilson Creek Action Plan was released today, marking the completion of a six-month long collaborative planning effort for the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River! The plan reflects input from over 600 public comments, dozens of community meetings, and a diverse coalition of partner organizations. The Wilson Creek Action Plan provides a path forward for outdoor recreation infrastructure development along Wilson Creek. Our collective goal is to protect the river by better managing use. Check out the full plan (or the shorter plan summary) at the link below:
Wilson Creek 2024
A diverse partnership is leading an effort to create a more sustainable future for Wilson Creek. The Wilson Creek Action Plan will provide a vision for outdoor recreation infrastructure development along Wilson Creek and present recommendations for parking areas, river accesses, and support facilities such as restrooms and picnic areas. Over the past three years, the community has come together to support better stewardship of the Wild and Scenic River located in Pisgah National Forest in Caldwell County, North Carolina. As part of this partnership, the U.S. Forest Service is moving forward with plans to improve parking and river access.
