Lake Norman across the state is known for its beauty. We are genuinely lucky to live here with such a stunning backyard. And we have to preserve and keep it as great as we found it. Even if you’re visiting from out of town, we would love your help in keeping Lake Norman beautiful. Whether you’re out boating, fishing, hiking, or camping, together we can protect nature's space from impacts created by trash, overuse, or harming wildlife. Read on to see what's happening in Lake Norman and how you can help!
Davidson Land Conservancy
Davidson Land Conservancy (DLC) is a non-profit organization with the goal to conserve local lands and natural resources while connecting lives to nature and promoting conservation. The Four Pillars of Conservation focus on: Conserving Land, Preserving Trees, Trails & Greenways, and Wildlife & Habitats. DLC has conserved about 350 acres and they also partner with Mecklenburg County and the Town of Davidson to permanently conserve and steward Fisher Farm (200 acres).
We all have a choice to help protect the land that sustains and delights us..or just hope that someone else does. To get involved, you can: volunteer, donate, set up group/corporate outings, join in on the annual event 'Run for Green' or just by planting native trees and shrubs in your garden and removing invasive plants. DLC also hosts many in-person and virtual events designed to thrill nature lovers of all kinds. From participating in a clean-up to taking a class to joining a walk and much more.
Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation
Catawba Riverkeeper has been serving our community since 1997 after it was founded by the Lakes Norman and Wylie Marine Commissions following a 1995 study on the Catawba River corridor. The Catawba Riverkeeper organization has a mission to preserve and sustain clean water in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin for future generations by preserving, protecting and restoring the community’s water quality.
In its mission to preserve the pure water of the river, the Catawba Riverkeeper puts a focus on diversity and inclusion to achieve its mission as they realize it will take all of us doing our part and putting in the work for our community and preserving our land and water for them to accomplish their mission.
There are several opportunities for you to help the Catawba Riverkeeper cleanup the river. You can help on the “Riversweep” taking place on October 7th, 2023, or you can do a individual cleanup on your own. Whenever you are walking or jogging, you can help do your part by picking up any type of litter you may see. Also, if you are interested in a group or corporate cleanup with your business, just contact them and they will provide supplies and any other type of help they can offer so your river cleanup can be successful.
Carolina Raptor Center
The Carolina Raptor Center is all about connecting humans to wildlife in a safe habitat. The three-quarter mile Raptor Trail and zoological facility permanently houses 30 birds of prey where guests can get some walking in while seeing some beautiful wildlife. The Carolina Raptor Center puts forward its mission to ignite imagination and inspire engagement in the natural world through the exploration and rehabilitation of birds of prey.
Carolina Raptor Center's medical facility treats 800-1000 raptors every year. For the ones that gain their health back, they are released back into their natural habitats for a second chance at life.
To help, CRC offers youth and adult volunteer programs or you can simply support them by making a donation. They also have internship positions open on their Rehabilitation and Resident Bird Care teams. To see these birds yourself and all the work the organization is doing, be sure to plan your trip to the Carolina Raptor Center today!
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is a statewide initiative to guide its residents to practice safety in the wildlife for themselves and their surroundings. This advocacy program with the slogan “leave no trace” is all about enjoying yourself but going in with a plan to practice safety and treating the area likes it's your home. After all, it is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. Leave No Trace has seven principles in place that are simple things we all can do to take care of our community.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Water Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
These seven principles really pay dividends and have a massive effect on our community. All of these principles relay back to the underlying mission of Leave No Trace which is to minimize the impact we have on the land. To get involved, you can participate in their events, trainings & courses, and volunteer.
We encourage all of our visitors to do what they can in leaving no trace in our parks, water, and campsites. We can learn and implement a lot of what they teach and preach in our own community and keep Lake Norman safe, beautiful and better than we found it.
