Davidson Lands Conservancy flier about its campaign to save the land. Click to enlarge

The Davidson Lands Conservancy is in the midst of a campaign that includes fund-raising and negotiations with a developer to save a total of 56 acres near the West Branch of the Rocky River east of Davidson. Biologists consider the land, part of the Summer’s Walk development off N.C. 73 near, an ecologically significant natural resource. It is home to salamanders, turtles, beavers, and other wildlife.

The 23-acre wetland, which was the subject of a comprehensive feature story by Bruce Henderson in Sunday’s Charlotte Observer, is already slated to be preserved under a development plan approved by Davidson’s town board. But that plan allows development of what biologists considered “critical upland habitat,” conservancy director Roy Alexander told DavidsonNews.net last week.

Mr. Alexander said the conservancy is hoping to buy another 33 acres to expand the protected area. But the developer of Summer’s Walk wants about $2.8 million for the property.

The conservancy will try to raise some of the money itself and the town of Davidson and Mecklenburg County also could contribute to the purchase, using money from open space bonds that voters have already approved. Also, Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation is considering the area for a nature preserve, which could include a $5 million nature center, Mr. Alexander said.

Meanwhile, conservancy and town officials met at the site with the developer last week, along with planning expert Randall Arendt. “Randall Arendt has produced a revised sketch plan for them that gives us enough buffer surrounding the wetlands and allows the developer to have a great deal of flexibility in the number of lots he can put in there,” Mr. Alexander said.

Mr. Alexander said the developer, Forest City Land Group, would like to sell the land by April 30. It’s not clear if the conservancy and other parties can meet that deadline.

LINKS

April 6, 2008, Charlotte Observer, “Race to Save a Wetland” Reporter Bruce Henderson (of Davidson) has a lengthy feature on the wetland and the work of the lands conservancy to save it. He was there last week when planning expert Randall Arendt came to town to help look for ways to preserve the site.

April 6, 2008, Charlotte.com video report, “Saving the West Branch.”

April 2, 2008, DavidsonNews.net, “Fisher Farm 5k/fun run to aid conservancy” (Local students are planning a May 17 running event to help raise money for the conservancy’s land acquisition fund.)

Sept. 8, 2007, DavidsonNews.net, “Runoff problem cited at Summer’s Walk”

Davidson Lands Conservancy picture page with photos of the West Branch Wetland