Davidson Lands Conservancy officials and members of the Runnymede Homeowners Association board gathered in the Runnymede Woods east of Davidson on May 6 to sign an agreement that permanently protects more than 50 acres of woodlands. See more in REAL ESTATE & HOME»

Residents of the Runnymede neighborhood in east Davidson have voted to protect 50 acres of nearby woodlands through a conservation easement with the Davidson Lands Conservancy. The deal allows the neighborhood to continue to own and use the land along the Rocky River and includes Whale Rock – one of the largest granite outcrops in the area. The lands conservancy will help protect the property’s natural features. See the full story in REAL ESTATE & HOME»

The event will include canoeing, paddleboarding, kayaking, storytelling and other activities.

Have you explored the Lake Davidson Nature Preserve on the shores of Lake Davidson? This little known corner of town is emerging as one of the area’s newest recreation sites. On Saturday, April 13, the Davidson Lands Conservancy and other groups are organizing PaddleFest – a day of activities to celebrate Lake Davidson and its possibilities.

Meanwhile, the lands conservancy and its partners also have organized a stargazing party on Friday night at Fisher Farm Park, in northeast Davidson. Read the full story

Local officials and organizers of the Carolina Thread Trail unveiled a stone monument Saturday marking the 100th mile of the Thread. From left: Richard Rogers, Executive Director of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund; Frank Bragg, Clean Water Trustee and former Catawba Lands Conservancy board member; Davidson Mayor John Woods; Jim Garges, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Director; Mike Mabry, Carolina Thread Trail board member; Ruth G. Shaw, Carolina Thread Trail board member and founding Chair (Amanda Anderson/Carolina Thread Trail photo)

Supporters of the Carolina Thread Trail, local officials and residents gathered at the West Branch Greenway in Davidson Saturday morning to celebrate a couple of milestones. It was the fifth anniversary of the Thread Trail, a planned network of greenways and trails that eventually could stretch 1,400 miles and link 15 counties in North and South Carolina. It also marked the 100th mile of completed trail, and organizers unveiled a stone bench monument to mark the occasion. Read the full story

Davidson Lands Conservancy’s 2nd annual Nature Festival and 2012 annual meeting are scheduled this Sunday, Nov. 11, at the former Abersham property, now a 243-acre public park. The afternoon of fun, from 1:30-3:30pm, will include hikes, hands-on activities for children, information about the natural world and photography. And there’s a history hike afterwards at 4pm to Whale Rock and a historic mill site, in partnership with the Davidson Historical Society.  Read the full story

Workers have cleared trees off N.C. 73 near Summer’s Walk and the trailer park to make way for a new natural gas pipeline. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Map shows the approximate route of the Piedmont Natural Gas Sutton Pipeline through Mecklenburg County. Click for a larger version. (Adapted from PNG map filed with N.C. Utilities Commission)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Workers with heavy equipment have begun construction of the Davidson section of a new 30-inch natural gas pipeline that will supply gas to a converted power plant near Wilmington. The route cuts northwest to southeast through the northern part of Davidson and tree clearing is already visible at major road crossings, including NC 73 near the Summers Walk neighborhood and East Rocky River Road just east of Shearers Road. Read the full story

Campers gathered around a bonfire at Saturday’s 2nd annual Davidson Lands Conservancy campout at Fisher Farm. (Rodney Graham photo)

More than 100 people joined the Davidson Lands Conservancy’s second annual Saturday in the Park family fun day and camp-out Saturday at Fisher Farm Park in Davidson. After a day of birdwatching and other activities, the crowd braved a chilly night in tents to get closer to nature. Read the full story

Photo illustration by David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net

People of all ages are invited to a night of stargazing at Fisher Farm Park on Friday, Oct. 5, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., sponsored by Davidson Lands Conservancy. Read the full story