The Dirt Blog

Small but mighty: Spring ephemerals in the Triangle

March 15, 2024

Spring ephemerals are a group of plants that emerge early in the spring and, as their name suggests, usually bloom and then disappear relatively quickly. As a group, these plants share a similar ecological strategy- just like the early bird might get the worm, by being the first to emerge, ephemerals are able to make the most of sunny conditions on the forest floor.

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The Language of Conservation: Easements

March 15, 2024

Triangle Land Conservancy offers a variety of conservation options for landowners who want to preserve and protect their land. This includes establishing conservation easements, a voluntary but legally binding agreement which allows the owner to remain in control of their property and use the land, sell it, or pass it on to heirs while forever protecting the land by limiting development.  

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Women Making History in Land Ownership and Conservation 

March 15, 2024

According to the Land Trust Alliance, programs and events across the country are addressing an important, and traditionally omitted or dismissed demographic: women with an active role in land conservation. This includes landowners, farmers, ranchers, foresters, as well as land trust managers and other conservation professionals. 

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Celebrate Black History Month at Catawba Trail Farm

February 16, 2024

Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN) is hosting a special Black History Month event at Catawba Trail Farm in Durham on Saturday, February 24th from 11 am to 2 pm. An open house for visitors to tour the gardens, trails, and historic structures, this celebration honors the rich African American history embedded in the land.

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Stewards in Action at Swift Creek Bluffs

February 15, 2024

Volunteers from Southern Wake Conservationists recently worked with TLC’s Patrick Boleman to remove Japanese honeysuckle at Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve to protect the beloved beech trees and other flora at this three-quarter-mile long preserve in the heart of Cary.

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Hiking with Black History at Horton Grove

February 12, 2024

Opened in 2012, Horton Grove Nature Preserve is TLC’s largest public preserve, with eight miles of walking trails and 708 acres of land. Throughout the preserve, you’ll find yourself immersed in diverse landscapes of forests and meadows, as well as a deep history from the land’s past. Horton Grove Preserve sits on land that was […]

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We are TLC – Meet Margot Lester, TLC Volunteer!

February 8, 2024

Volunteers are crucial to what we do at TLC! In 2023, volunteers contributed close to 3,000 hours of their time participating in land restoration projects, conducting educational programs, leading nature hikes, and/or assisting with administrative tasks. Margot Lester has been volunteering with TLC for the past 9 months and assists in stewardship tasks and plans […]

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TLC partners with Wake County to preserve 125 acres of farmland in Wendell

January 19, 2024

A big win for farmland happened in Wendell with a 125-acre farm, one of the last remaining large farms in the area, being permanently protected. TLC partnered with the Wake County Board of Commissioners to place the property into Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Farmland Preservation Program. This conservation easement has resulted in the single largest dedication of funds for farmland preservation in the county, state, and one of the largest in the country. 

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Announcing the 2024 TLC Photo Challenge

January 17, 2024

TLC’s photo contest is back! After a year hiatus, we’re excited to kick off 2024 with this exciting challenge and see our nature preserves through your camera lenses. This year, our photo challenge will feature four categories that represent each of TLC’s four public benefits of land protection: safeguarding clean water, protecting natural habitats, supporting […]

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