Overview

In June 2000, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the goal of protecting 1 million acres into law (G.S. 113A-241). This law says it will be the goal of the state of North Carolina to protect an additional million acres of farmland, open space and other conservation land by Dec. 31, 2009. The law directs the secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to oversee the realization of the million acre goal.

With an end goal of preserving one million additional acres of open space in North Carolina this decade, the Million Acre Initiative coordinates preservation efforts between a number of organizations — federal, state and local governments, conservation groups and citizens. While supporting existing programs, the initiative also encourages cooperation by providing technical assistance and information to people interested in helping our state meet its goal. Funding provided through North Carolina's conservation trust funds has been critical for the implementation of the goal of protecting 1 million acres. Significant federal contributions have come from Farm Bill program management through the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Land For Tomorrow, a statewide partnership of concerned citizens, businesses, interest groups and local governments, was formed to encourage the General Assembly to provide the necessary funding to protect the state's land and water resources before they are lost.

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