The Protected Lands geospatial dataset contains the boundaries of lands acquired and/or protected through NCLWF grant funding projects. The dataset contains properties in which the State acquired an interest including fee simple ownership, conservation agreement, or third-party rights of enforcement. Protected lands resulting from restoration, mini-grants, innovative stormwater, and legacy grant programs are not included in their entirety. Project polygons are broken down by conservation agreement boundaries and tracts. Please see feature layer’s metadata for more information.

The dataset does not contain property boundaries for projects that have been awarded but have not closed or been completed.

The North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF), also known by its previous name The Clean Water Management Trust Fund, is established as a special revenue fund to be administered by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The purpose of the NLCWF is to help finance projects that enhance or restore degraded surface waters; protect and conserve surface waters, including drinking supplies, and contribute toward a network of riparian buffers and greenways for environmental, educational, and recreational benefits; provide buffers around military bases to protect the military mission; acquire land that represents the ecological diversity of North Carolina; and acquire land that contributes to the development of a balanced State program of historic properties (N.C.G.S. 143B-135.230). The NCLWF achieves this purpose through the acquisition, planning, restoration, mini-grant, and innovative stormwater grant programs. For more information about available grants and timelines visit https://nclwf.nc.gov/apply.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Some protected lands on this dataset are located on private property and are not open to the public.