Public Partnership Projects
Visit some of the spaces TLC has protected!
One way Triangle Land Conservancy protects land is by acquiring it with the intention of transferring it to another organization or public agency that can provide long-term stewardship and management.
These transfers are designed to guarantee the land’s permanent protection while also allowing for public access, ecological restoration, and other community benefits. To maintain the land’s conservation goals, TLC often uses legal tools such as conservation easements or deed restrictions, which place binding limits on development and ensure that the land remains protected regardless of ownership changes.
Many of these properties are open to the public, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, wildlife observation, and a variety of outdoor recreational activities, fostering a strong connection between the community and the natural environment.
Little River Regional Park
Little River Regional Park, a joint project of Durham and Orange counties, offers 391 acres of natural space with 7 miles each of hiking and mountain biking trails, picnic areas, a playground, group camping, event space, and accessible walking paths.
Amenities also include a bird trail, butterfly garden, meadows, and restrooms.
Lower Haw River State Natural Area
The Lower Haw River State Natural Area is part of the NC State Parks system, focused on conservation rather than recreation, and is currently undeveloped with no official trails or paddle launches.
Visitors can explore unofficial footpaths and paddle sections of the river, but should follow all state park rules (e.g., no camping, fires, or off-leash dogs). The area offers opportunities for hiking, paddling, birding, wildlife viewing, and fishing.
Hollow Rock Nature Park
Hollow Rock Nature Park is a scenic and historically significant section of the New Hope Preserve, located near the boundary of Orange and Durham counties.
Known for its striking sandstone bluff—Hollow Rock—this area features steep, undercut formations along New Hope Creek and is one of the most scenic spots in the area, especially during spring when rhododendrons bloom.
The area includes natural surface trails and open meadows and is part of a broader conservation effort involving Orange County, Durham County, the City of Durham, and the Town of Chapel Hill.
Turnipseed Nature Preserve
The 265-acre Turnipseed Preserve in Wake County is recognized for its ecological and geological importance within the larger Marks Creek area.
The preserve features granite rock outcrops, large boulders, and diverse native plant life. Visitors can enjoy hiking and walking trails, interpretive exhibits, open play areas, gardens, and a picnic area.
Wildlife sightings may include beavers, otters, wood ducks, hawks, warblers, frogs, and reptiles
Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park
Sugg Farm at Bass Lake in Holly Springs offers 117 acres of scenic pastures and woodlands, ideal for special events, festivals, and outdoor recreation.
Once farmland, the area now features amenities such as an archery field, dog park, RC field for radio-controlled aircraft, greenway trail access, and parking fields.
A community garden is under construction that will feature raised beds for rent, educational plots, and accessibility features like paved parking and walkways.
Bluestem Conservation Cemetery
Bluestem, Central North Carolina’s first conservation cemetery and nature preserve, is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk.
Visitors can enjoy wide open skies, birdsong, native wildflowers and grasses, and approximately 3.5 miles of hiking trails through fields, woods, and grasslands—all maintained by volunteers. Visitors are encouraged to walk, meditate, pray, and remember loved ones in this natural sanctuary.
Parking is available near the Barn, where maps and information are provided. Trails are natural surfaces.
