2019
On January 23, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina and North Carolina State Parks completed the first land purchase, about 1,500 acres, for the new Bobs Creek State Natural Area in southeastern McDowell County. Located just over three miles from the Town of Marion, the new state natural area will eventually be open for public hiking and other passive recreation uses.
| Tract | Designation | County | Acres |
| Bob’s Creek State Natural Area – Phase 1 | North Carolina State Parks | McDowell | 1501 |
| Little Cedar Mountain | South Mountains Game Lands | Burke | 96 |
| Jacob Fork River Property | Future Catawba County Park | Catawba | 188 |
| Paddy’s Creek Property | Lake James State Park | McDowell | 36 |
| Cane Creek Meadow | South Mountains Gamelands | McDowell | 20 |
| Lindsay Tract | FCNC South Mountains Headwaters Preserve | Burke | 90 |
| Bailey Tract – Mineral Springs Mountain | Wilderness Gateway State Trail | Burke | 45 |
| Aho Road | Conservation Easement | Watauga | 46 |
| Misty Meadows Farm & Forest | Conservation Easement | Burke | 192 |
| Overmountain Victory Trailhead | Pisgah National Forest | McDowell | 8 |
| Bob’s Creek State Natural Area – Phase 2 | North Carolina State Parks | McDowell | 2,199 |
| Henry Fork Inholdings | South Mountain State Parks | Burke | 29 |
| Jonas Ridge Bog | Burke County Public Parks | Burke | 17 |
TOTAL: |
4,446 |