Broadhead Easement ~
2,875 acres, Surry County
NC Land Company. Donation of
Conservation Easement.
A regionally significant
natural heritage site due to its size, excellent exampl
es
of
Chestnut Oak Forest and Low Elevation Rocky Summit community types, and presence
of the NC threatened Wehrle’s salamander (Plethodon wehrlei) the Broadhead Tract was a high priority
for protection in the Mitchell River Watershed. In 1984, the North Carolina
Nature Conservancy had the opportunity to protect this valuable ecological site
through a donated conservation easement. As the original donor was interested
in maximizing potential tax benefits through the donation of the easement, the
terms of this easement are extremely restrictive allowing only one home site and
prohibiting all timber harvesting. As PLC’s work and presence in the Mitchell
River Watershed continued to grow, the North Carolina Nature Conservancy
decided to transfer the long-term
stewardship responsibilities of this conservation easement to PLC.
This easement lies adjacent
to several other protected properties including
Wolfe Creek Preserve,
Hanes
Forest, and
Low Gap Wildlife Club. Prior to transferring the easement to PLC in
2003, the NC Nature Conservancy and the current owners amended the easement to
enable the use of trails for access and management purposes and the use of
prescribed burning for wildlife habitat enhancement. PLC is honored to be
playing a role in the long-term protection and management of this valuable
ecological site. 
Project funding
provided by the landowner and the NC Nature Conservancy.
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