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LCAB partners report project wins and say five requests will go to commissioners March 17
Summary
Land trusts and nonprofit partners updated the board on project funding and openings, including a March 20 grand opening for Fairview Community Forest, RiverLink stream‑restoration applications, and a March 17 county commission package that will include Duck Branch and two donation easements totaling about 95 acres.
Representatives from partner organizations told the Land Conservation Advisory Board that several conservation projects are moving forward and that the county will present multiple requests to commissioners on March 17.
Tom (identified in the meeting as representing "Southern Carolina") said his group is renewing a North Carolina Land and Water Fund application for the Duck Branch project and will host a grand opening for Fairview Community Forest on March 20; the site has a new parking lot and three miles of trails. "We're feeling good about renewing the application for the Duck Branch project," Tom said.
RiverLink (speaker identified as Anna in the meeting) described pending funding applications that could add a 5‑acre acquisition in Swannanoa through the DEQ flood‑blueprint program, two NC Land and Water Fund stream restorations (Nasty Branch in the River Arts District and a restoration at Beacon Park in Swannanoa), and progress on RiverLink’s Gateway Park design pending right‑of‑way details from NCDOT. RiverLink said Gateway Park construction is targeted for 2026 once design and NCDOT coordination finish.
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SHC) reported continued due diligence on active Buncombe County projects and no recent closings since the last monthly meeting. County staff said they will bring five items to the commissioners on March 17: the Duck Branch request, the Light Center Nature Preserve, the Light Center Farm, and two donation easements totaling about 95 acres; the submissions will be paired with Ag Awareness Day events.
County staff also previewed an updated LCAP grant process and said they will circulate an RFQ once the county completes acquisition of Deeper View Mountain. Partners discussed outreach and event timing for community engagement and noted that fall and winter months typically produce better turnout for events involving farmers and rural stakeholders.
No formal votes on the partner projects were recorded at the LCAB meeting; the board heard updates and agreed to follow up with county staff and partners ahead of the March commission agenda.
