+ 432 Acres Protected in Alamance
Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area nearly Doubles in Size
Recent land acquisition secured an additional 432-acres for the park
Today, Alamance County Recreation & Parks, The Conservation Fund and Piedmont Land Conservancy announced the addition of 432 acres to the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area in Snow Camp, North Carolina. The property, known as the Sizemore addition, will nearly double the size of the Natural Area, bringing it to roughly 1,000 acres of County-owned, protected, publicly accessible park land.
Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area opened to the public in May of 2020, providing access to Alamance County’s largest state-significant natural heritage area. The new Sizemore addition will expand hiking trails and opportunities for nature exploration.
“This acquisition protects one of the most unique and beautiful places in the Piedmont,” said Brian Baker, director of Alamance Parks. “Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area will be a tremendous boost to the health and happiness of Alamance County citizens as well as our local economy. We cannot wait to share this unspoiled land with the people of North Carolina.”
The Conservation Fund, a national environmental nonprofit, purchased the Sizemore addition in 2018 and held it until Alamance County could secure funding from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund to add it to their park system. The Conservation Fund also played in important role securing land and raising private fundraising dollars for the creation of Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area.
“Thousand-acre parks in the Piedmont are rare,” said Bill Holman, The Conservation Fund’s North Carolina state director. “This conservation effort at the Cane Creek Mountains not only provides new recreational opportunities, but it also protects habitat for wildlife and water quality for the community.”
Partners, including Alamance County Recreation & Parks, The Conservation Fund, and Piedmont Land Conservancy, helped establish the Natural Area and continue working to conserve the core of the Cane Creek Mountains. About halfway between the growing Piedmont Triad and Research Triangle regions, conserved open space like the Cane Creek Mountains is critical for wildlife habitat, ecological value, and water quality for local communities. The forested Sizemore addition is rich with carbon-capturing trees like Piedmont monadnock, dry oak-hickory, and longleaf pine—which was replanted on a portion of the property that had historically been longleaf pine habitat.
“Piedmont Land Conservancy’s stewardship director, Dr. Ken Bridle, was the first to recognize that the site may have once been home to longleaf pine,” said Kevin Redding, the Conservancy’s executive director. “We are thrilled to see the park created and the longleaf pine restoration as a major component.”
This project was funded by the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, formerly known as the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, which helps improve water quality, sustain ecological diversity, and protect historic sites in the state. Fred and Alice Stanback of Salisbury, North Carolina, and Brad and Shelli Stanback of Canton, North Carolina also made generous donations to make this project possible. Support from North Carolina Senator Amy Scott Galey and State Representative Dennis Riddell also help ensure park conservation projects like this one can succeed.
“This beautiful and ecologically significant park will not only provide habitat and recreational opportunities, but it will also help protect the water quality of the Haw River and Jordan Lake,” said state Sen. Amy Galey. “I am proud that the park was created without county tax dollars, instead leveraging other resources. This is an outstanding investment for our children and all future generations.”
“North Carolina’s parks are among the most popular in the United States and are growing through the legislature’s financial commitments to land, water and recreation trust funds,” said state Rep. Dennis Riddell. “It is exciting to see this funding benefit Alamance County with a new acquisition for the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area. I look forward to sharing our new outdoor recreation resources with others here in Alamance County as well as citizens from across our state.”
The North Carolina Park & Recreation Trust Fund provided matching funds to Alamance Parks to construct trails and open the park to the public. The North Carolina General Assembly appropriates funds to both the state’s Land & Water Fund and Parks & Recreation Trust Fund.
Ready to visit this beautiful spot? Check out Alamance Park’s website for all the info you need.
