Between July and December 2020, TLC’s Conservation team has worked diligently to protect an additional…
Along a quiet tributary to Marks Creek, a beautiful stretch of pine and hardwood forest is now safeguarded for future generations. Wake County and Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) have finalized conservation easements that permanently protect 28 acres of forestland and streambanks—adding another vital piece to a growing network of protected open space in eastern Wake County.
This project marks a milestone: it’s the first time Wake County’s Farmland Preservation Program and its Open Space Preservation Program have combined funding to protect a property. The land, though privately owned, sits directly beside existing county-owned open space. Together, they form one continuous block of forest that strengthens wildlife habitat, protects water quality, and lays the foundation for future public access.
A Step Toward a Connected Greenway Network
One exciting feature of this conservation agreement is its potential to expand local trail networks. The protected land includes a corridor where a future greenway could be built, creating the possibility of connecting Wake County’s Turnipseed Nature Preserve with TLC’s 447-acre Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve and its 17 miles of hiking and multi-use trails in eastern Wake County.
“Conservation isn’t just about protecting land, it’s about creating spaces where people, farms, forests, wildlife and the environment can thrive together,” said Donald Mial, chair, Wake County Board of Commissioners. “These properties help us do just that and create new opportunities for people to experience the benefits of nature close to home.”
A Partnership Years in the Making
The landowners, Wake County and TLC worked closely to bring the project to life. TLC will hold a conservation easement over the entire 28 acres. Wake County will also hold a separate conservation easement on 4.5 acres of the property allowing for the construction of a future greenway.
“This property is located in the heart of the Marks Creek Rural Landscape, which has been a high-priority conservation area for more than 30 years,” said TLC’s Senior Land Protection Manager East Brenna Thompson. “We are thrilled to add this 28-acre property to the more than 2,500 acres that Triangle Land Conservancy, Wake County, and other partners have protected in Marks Creek. We are immensely grateful to the landowners for deciding to permanently protect their property and to Wake County for funding this important land protection project."
Why This Land Matters
The newly protected property is almost entirely mature pine and mixed hardwood forest and includes about 3,150 feet of stream flowing into Marks Creek. This land provides ecological value, safeguards clean water, and preserves the rural character of the Marks Creek region.
Conservation easements like this one are voluntary, binding legal agreements that permanently protect natural resources, including farms and forests, by limiting development, subdivision, and other incompatible land uses. Though the land remains privately owned and is not currently open to the public, its protection contributes significantly to countywide conservation goals.
Wake County invested $670,500—about 75% of the easement value—while the landowners generously contributed the remaining 25%. This work directly supports Wake County’s Growth, Land Use and Environment Goal 3: protecting 1,000 acres of green space, including open space, parks, greenways, farmland and forests by 2029.
