Audubon Statement: NC General Assembly Makes Historic Investment in Farmland Conservation

GARNER, N.C. – North Carolina lawmakers included a major investment in farmland preservation in the budget passed on July 2, including a $46.9 million nonrecurring allocation to the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, and another $2 million in recurring funding, pushing the total recurring amount to $9.5 million.  

Statement from Zach Wallace, Audubon North Carolina Policy Director:  

"North Carolina is losing farmland at one of the fastest rates in the nation, and with it, important habitat for many declining grassland bird species like Northern Bobwhite and Eastern Meadowlarks. This historic $54 million investment in the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund comes at exactly the right time, helping keep working farms on the landscape while protecting the open fields, clean water, and wildlife habitat that benefit everyone. We are grateful to lawmakers for making this investment and to Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler for his leadership on this issue."

Media Contact: Brittany Salmons, brittany.salmons@audubon.org 

About Audubon North Carolina  

Audubon North Carolina, a state program of the National Audubon Society, has offices in Durham, Boone, Corolla, and Wilmington. Learn more at nc.audubon.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.