Three Rivers Land Trust, formerly The Land Trust for Central North Carolina, has partnered with the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation to add 25 acres to Morrow Mountain State Park. This property boasts mature hardwood forests and frontage along Mountain Creek.

This acquisition was made possible through funding from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

The site is part of Stony Hill Church Hardwoods, which is identified as a natural heritage area by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program due to its mature hardwood forests and rocky outcroppings. Mountain Creek is a stream home to a variety of species of rare and endangered mussels. A large population of a rare plant known as ravine sedge (Carex impressinervia) can be found on the property, as well.

“Three Rivers Land Trust is proud of our longstanding commitment to expanding public access. While adding 25 acres to Morrow Mountain will be one of our smaller conservation projects in 2019, it is one of our most important,” Executive Director Travis Morehead said. “Including this property, the Land Trust and our partners at State Parks have added 75 acres to Morrow Mountain in the past two years.”

“I am thrilled with this addition to Morrow Mountain State Park,” said Superintendent Jeff Davidson. “Mountain Creek is one of the most special features in the park, and this acquisition will allow us to protect these natural resources, provide education to our visitors about their importance, and offer opportunities to enjoy this beautiful area with low-impact recreation.”

The park will host a dedication of the new property at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the picnic shelter on top of Morrow Mountain. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be in the park’s lodge adjacent to the park office. The event is open to the public.

— Three Rivers Land Trust