54,000 Acres & Counting: Summer Fundraising Challenge Underway for Foothills Conservancy of NC

Rock Creek tract, a 303-acre property recently protected by Foothills Conservancy, with a view toward the South Mountains and other conservancy-protected land.

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina's 2018 summer matching challenge is underway with a goal of raising $80,000 by August 31.

Three generous donors, including the von Drehle Corporation, have pledged to match up to $40,000 during this campaign. Gifts made between now and August 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact of every donation.

With support from donors, Foothills Conservancy will continue to protect important outdoor spaces and wild places. Gifts will advance important land and water protection projects and ensure that the conservancy has the ability to respond to new conservation opportunities and challenges as they arise.

Thanks to funds raised during the 2017 summer challenge, Foothills Conservancy was able to carry forward its mission through projects that included preserving important agricultural lands by protecting a 192-acre Cleveland County farm, providing a long-term haven for sensitive plants and animals through a conservation easement on 1,000 acres of the Wildacres Retreat, and growing South Mountains State Park by more than 1,000 acres.

"Our matching summer challenge is an impactful way for our supporters to make a gift to land and water conservation," said Foothills Conservancy Executive Director Andrew Kota. "Gifts we receive during this time will go twice as far to help us protect natural places that are essential to a good quality of life by ensuring that we have the funds to sustain our regular land protection work. We are extremely grateful for the donors who have pledged to match up to $40,000 and we encourage our supporters take advantage of this unique opportunity."

Those who wish to support Foothills Conservancy during its summer matching challenge can make a secure, tax-deductible gift by credit card online at www.foothillsconservancy.org/donate, by check payable to Foothills Conservancy and mailed to P.O. Box 3023, Morganton, N.C. 28680, or by calling 828-437-9930.

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is a nationally accredited, non-profit regional land trust based in Morganton. The conservancy works cooperatively with landowners and public/private conservation partners to preserve and protect significant natural areas and open spaces. Focus areas include watersheds, forests and farmland across Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell, and Rutherford counties. Foothills Conservancy has protected more than 54,000 acres, including lands added to South Mountains, Lake James and Chimney Rock state parks; Wilson Creek, South Mountains and the Johns River state game lands; Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Information about Foothills Conservancy, including ways to support its work, can be found at www.foothillsconservancy.org or by calling 828-437-9930.