Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina Purchases 117 Acres Adjoining Johns River and Wilson Creek Confluence

MORGANTON, N.C. — On August 29 Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC), a nonprofit land trust dedicated to preserving and protecting the natural resources and scenic beauty of Western North Carolina, purchased 117 acres today adjoining the confluence of Wilson Creek and the Johns River in Caldwell County. 

With the completion of this acquisition, FCNC has permanently protected over 1,777 acres in the Wilson Creek and Johns River watersheds.  FCNC also participated in the process and negotiations leading to the establishment of the nearby 6,480-acre Johns River Game Land, administered by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 

The 117-acre property includes frontage along the Johns River and a large tributary stream, as well as forested uplands offering views of the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Area, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and other conservation lands along Wilson Creek. 

The transaction was made possible through a combination of FCNC's own revolving land acquisition funds and donations from conservationists Brad and Shelli Stanback, Martha and Chip Whitfield and Tim Sweeney. A private conservation buyer simultaneously purchased an additional 77 acres of the tract, and will work with FCNC to place a conservation easement on most of their land at a later date, which will lead to the permanent protection of the entire 194-acre parcel. 

"When Foothills Conservancy first learned about this important tract of land on the real estate market, we knew we had to act quickly to raise the funds for a conservation acquisition,” said Tom Kenney, Land Protection Director for FCNC. He added, “Our conservation-minded partner in this project was interested in owning a portion of the property and permanently protecting that area with a conservation easement in the near future. The partnership lowered the overall project cost for FCNC and allowed our land trust to raise the funds necessary to make the purchase possible."  

"Conserving this prominent land along the Johns River and its rugged, scenic forested slopes at the confluence with Wilson Creek in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains helps shelter native fish, rare freshwater mussels and other animals of conservation concern that depend on high-quality habitat and well-vegetated streamside buffers,” continued Kenney. “This acquisition would not have happened without crucial support from some key Foothills Conservancy supporters.” 

The property features a 0.7-mile stretch along the Johns River that is designated by the State of North Carolina as "High Quality" for "Water Supply IV" uses, which highlights this property’s importance to local ecosystems and water resources.

The Johns River originates in Blowing Rock, on a 326-acre tract of land that FCNC acquired for permanent conservation in February 2024. From its inception point to the confluence with Wilson Creek, much of the Johns River flows through Pisgah National Forest. It is a vital freshwater source for the region, being one of the largest and lengthiest tributaries of the Catawba River in its mountainous headwaters. The river is designated by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program as a Significant Aquatic Habitat or Natural Area due to its natural communities, at-risk freshwater mussels, noteworthy native fish and crayfish species and high quality scenic vistas accessible to the public for paddling, wading and fishing.

The context of the property among nearby conservation land is significant. Across the Johns River from FCNC's acquisition is a small N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission tract on Playmore Beach Road. The property is also 1,800 feet south and downstream from FCNC's existing 93-acre preserve on Wilson Creek, acquired in 2022. Downstream in Burke County lies over 6,400 acres of the Johns River Game Land, administered by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, further emphasizing the importance of this conservation effort.

"We are thrilled to be able to protect such a significant and biologically diverse area," said Andrew Kota, Executive Director of FCNC. He continued, "Our hope is that by working with other private landowners in the region, we can create a continuous corridor of protected lands between our new conservation acquisition and other protected land in the immediate vicinity, including our 93-acre preserve upstream on Wilson Creek."

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is a nationally accredited regional land trust that inspires conservation in Western North Carolina by permanently protecting land and water for the benefit of people and all living things. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Foothills Conservancy has permanently protected over 70,600 acres across eight counties: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell, and Rutherford, and in three major river basins: the Broad, Catawba, and Yadkin. Information about Foothills Conservancy, including ways to support its work, can be found online at www.foothillsconservancy.org or by calling 828-437-9930.