Protecting What Matters
Safeguarding Clean Water & Recreation at a newly Expanded Elkin Creek Headwaters Preserve
December 2025
On December 19, 2025 Piedmont Land Conservancy officially transferred 150 acres of land to the Town of Elkin to add to the future Elkin Creek Headwaters Preserve, increasing the preserve’s size to 400 acres!
A conservation easement held by PLC ensures protection of the natural features of the property to allow space for wildlife while also allowing trails for public access.
Over the past several years, PLC has conserved key tracts along the Blue Ridge Escarpment stretching from Elkin Creek Headwaters Preserve to Fisher Peak, including the headwaters of the Mitchell River. The Escarpment is one of North Carolina’s most ecologically significant landscapes, with unfragmented forests, headwater streams, and vital wildlife habitat.
This 150 acres was first acquired by Piedmont Land Conservancy in January 2023, with a NC Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant.
Transferring this land to the Town of Elkin helps the town protect its drinking water supply, while the easement ensures it will be permanently protected and managed as a preserve.
Planning for the Future
A new master plan for the preserve, completed by Nature Trails, Inc., in collaboration with Elkin Valley Trails Association (EVTA), the Town of Elkin, and Piedmont Land Conservancy, emphasizes “Conservation through Recreation.” The plan maps out 21 miles of multi-use trails, including sections of the historic Elkin & Alleghany Railroad grade.
The Town of Elkin was recently awarded $377,988 from the Great Trails State Program to begin the first phase of the project. This funding was made possible through advocacy by the Great Trails State Coalition, led by PLC’s Palmer McIntyre. EVTA and the Town continue to pursue additional funding to bring the full vision to life.
A Lasting Partnership
Though not yet open to the public, the preserve is on its way to becoming a remarkable conservation and recreation resource. Creating a preserve of this scale takes time, but each step shows how supporting PLC protects nature, creates trails, and builds healthier communities.