Guthrie Farm

Approximately 233 acres, Tally Ho Township, Granville County

Randall and Barbara Lee Guthrie placed permanent conservation easements on their farm just west of Oxford in Granville County. The conservation easement preserves the “prime,” statewide important farmlands as well as riparian buffers along Shelton Creek at its confluence with the Tar River. These conservation measures will preserve the exceptional wildlife habitat this property provides to a variety of terrestrial and aquatic species that are of great importance to the Tar River Basin.

This project was made possible, in part, though support from the Federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program, the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program and the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.

Approximately 400 acres, Walnut Grove Township, Granville County

Henry and Mary Ellen Thorp donated a conservation easement on their 400 acre property west of Oxford. The conservation easement area covers both sides of Fox Creek and several tributaries, protecting approximately 6000 feet of stream. Fox Creek empties into a significant natural area—the Shelton Creek Aquatic Habitat Natural Area— designated by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program.

Aycock Easement

Approximately 79 acres, Sassafras Fork Township, Granville County

Mahlon Aycock donated a conservation easement on this property at the intersection of NC State Roads 1501 and 1503. The conservation easement permanently protects open space as well as 50-foot riparian buffers along intermittent streams that flow into the Roanoke River Basin. The property lies between two regionally significant Natural Heritage Areas – Beaver Pond Creek Upland Forests and Townsville Road Xeric Hardwood Forests. Protection of the forestland on this property will ensure the maintenance of the wildlife habitat.

Finkel Easement

Approximately 42 acres, Fishing Creek Township, Granville County

Alan and Martha Finkel donated a conservation easement on this property. The easement permanently protects 600-foot wide riparian buffers along the Tar River and Fishing Creek. The buffer area lies within the Wilton Slopes Natural Heritage Site and contains 1,400 feet of frontage along the Nationally Significant Tar River Aquatic Habitat. This easement will ensure the protection of water quality and substantial natural habitat for the plants and animals, both terrestrial and aquatic, that inhabit these communities.

This project was also made possible, in part, through support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Wilder Easement

Approximately 134 acres, Sassafras Fork Township, Granville County

Wilders Farms donated a conservation easement on this property along Island Creek in Granville County. The easement permanently safeguards this forested land and provides for both sustainable management of the resource while protecting significant areas within no-harvest zones. These zones include 50-foot buffers along intermittent streams, an aesthetic buffer along State Road 1501 and a railroad fill buffer which protects a historic pre-civil war railroad fill trestle. A significant portion of both xeric and mesic mature hardwood forests are protected.

Sigmon Easement

245 acres, Berea Township, Granville County

This conservation easement was donated to the Conservancy in 2002 by John and Linda Sigmon. With the exception of a 30 acre "farm envelope" where additional farm related structures can be built or repaired, the easement preserves the entire tract from development. It also permanently protects a historic home, several old tobacco barns, and a three hundred foot riparian buffer along the North Fork of the Tar River and other streams.

This project was also made possible, in part, through support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Wilton Slopes Nature Park

Approximately 15 acres, Wilton, Granville County

With generous support from The Nature Conservancy, Grady White Boats, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Granville County Commissioners, TRLC purchased and placed permanent conservation easements on 15 acres on the Tar River at the Hwy 96 Bridge in Wilton, Granville County. The area is significant because it provides riparian buffers along the river and is habitat for the rare plant species Harperella. Future plans for the site include a low-impact public canoe access.

This project was also made possible, in part, through support from the The Nature Conservancy, Grady White Boats, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Granville County Commissioners.

Approximately 40.5 acres, Walnut Grove Township, Granville County

Kathleen Peterson and Scott Flanders placed a permanent conservation easement along Shelton Creek. Shelton Creek is home to several rare and endangered freshwater mussels and has excellent water quality. The easement area will protect approximately 3,900 feet of frontage along the east side of Shelton Creek and will provide protection for portions of two additional tributaries on the property.

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

Averett Easement

Approximately 12 acres, Fishing Creek Township, Granville County

In August 2005, the Averett Family placed a permanent conservation easement along the Tar River in Granville County. The easement will protect water quality in the Tar River by restricting development and timber harvest adjacent to the river. This easement is adjacent to the Smitherman Easement.

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

Smitherman Easement

Approximately 20 acres, Fishing Creek Township, Granville County

In August 2005, the Smitherman Family placed a permanent conservation easement along the Tar River in Granville County. The easement will also, protect portions of a small unnamed tributary to the Tar River.

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

Harris-Daniel Easement

Approximately 33.5 acres, Granville County

In August 2005, Shirley and Benjamin Harris and Jean Daniel placed a permanent conservation easement along The Upper Tar River in Granville County. This easement will help protect water quality in the Tar River, which is a Nationally Significant Aquatic Habitat Area in this portion of the river, and provides habitat for several rare and endangered species.

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

Turpentine Easement

Approximately 211 acres, Brassfield Township, Granville County

Turpentine, LLC placed three conservation easements, totaling 211 acres, on property just south of Oxford. These easements protect portions of the Tar River, Aycock Creek, and three unnamed tributaries. Wilton Slopes, a State Significant area, lies immediately downstream from the Turpentine property, so these easements are important for improving water quality in this area.

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

T. Daniel Easement 1

Approximately 19 acres, Walnut Grove Township, Granville County

In January 2006, Tucker Daniel placed a conservation easement on 19 acres in the Upper Tar River Basin. This easement protects 515 feet of Shelton Creek and 1060 feet of an unnamed tributary. The portion of Shelton Creek on this tract is classified as a Significant Aquatic Habitat by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. There are documented occurrences of rare and endangered species in the easement area, including the Federally Endangered dwarf wedgemussel and the State Threatened creeper.

This project was made possible, in part, by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

T. Daniel Easement 2

Approximately acres, Walnut Grove Township, Granville County

Tucker Daniel placed 3.4 acre-easement on another tract of land, also in Granville County. This easement includes approximately 1,250 feet of frontage on Shelton Creek. The portion of Shelton Creek protected by this easement is classified as a Significant Aquatic Habitat, known as the Shelton Creek Aquatic Habitat. Despite the small acreage of the property, this easement contains a very healthy and mature forest that provides habitat for a diversity of wildlife.

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

Winslow Easement

Approximately 67.5 acres, Tally Ho and Walnut Grove Townships, Granville County

In December 2005, Evelyn and Dan Winslow placed two conservation easements on their property. They placed one easement on 36.9 acres along the North Fork Creek, and donated a second easement on their entire 67.5-acre tract of land (which includes area covered by the other easement). These easements protect 2,000 stream feet on the North Fork Creek and an additional 1,600 stream feet along a major tributary.

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

Dean Easement

Approximately 91.3 acres, Tally Ho Township, Granville County

In July 2006, Alfred and Mildred Dean placed three conservation easements on their property. They placed one easement on 30.85 acres along theTar River and an unnamed tributary, a second easement on the Tar River and other side of the same unnamed tributary and donated a third easement on 60.38-acres (which includes the area covered by easement #2). These easements protect 6,900 stream feet of the Tar River and an unnamed tributary to the Tar.

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

Betty Crews Easement

Approximately 31.58 acres, Fishing Creek Township, Granville County

In April 2006, Betty Crews and Family placed a riparian buffer conservation easement on their property. The easement protects frontage along the Tar River. This portion of the Tar River is classified as Nationally Significant Aquatic Habitat and much of the floodplain of the Tar River is classified as Regionally Significant according to the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. This easement is adjacent to the Crews Farm LLC Conservation Easement.

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

Crews Farm LLC Easement

Approximately 10..07 acres, Fishing Creek Township, Granville County

In April 2006, Roy Crews of Crews Farm LLC placed a riparian buffer conservation easement on his property. The easement protects frontage along the Tar River. This portion of the Tar River is classified as Nationally Significant Aquatic Habitat and much of the floodplain of the Tar River is classified as Regionally Significant according to the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. This conservation easement is located adjacent to the Betty Crews Easement.

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

Approximately 5.89 acres, Walnut Grove Township, Granville County

In June 2006, the Morton Family placed a riparian buffer conservation easement on their property. The easement protects frontage along Shelton Creek. Shelton Creek is identified as a Significant Aquatic Habitat by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program due to it's excellent water quality and the abundance of rare and endangered mussels that inhabit the stream. This conservation easement is adjacent to the Thorp Easement. TRLC is fortunate to have worked with several other landowners along Shelton Creek to help preserve this beautiful and healthy stream.

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

Easement #1 approximately 15.84 acres, Walnut Grove Township, Granville County
Easement #2 approximately 19.41 acres, Walnut Grove Township, Granville County

The Slaughter Family completed two conservation easements with TRLC in July 2006. The easements are located on adjacent tracts that share Shelton Creek as their boundary. Each easement protects 1,700 feet along Shelton Creek and frontage along two unnamed perennial streams. The easements are adjacent to an existing conservation easement along Shelton Creek. The Slaughter Easement will protect the water quality and wildlife habitat of Shelton Creek by restricting future development or timber harvest within a 300 foot wide corridor along the stream.

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

Easement #1 approximately 14.4 acres, Fishing Creek Township, Granville County
Easement #2 approximately 13.67 acres, Brassfield Township, Granville County

The Pitts Family completed two conservation easements with TRLC in June 2006. The easements are located along the Tar River downstream of the Kearney Tract. Both easements provide water quality and wildlife protection for the Tar River. .

This project was made possible by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.