About the Trust Funds
North Carolina’s conservation trust funds provide essential support to land and water protection projects across our state.
The North Carolina Land and Water Fund is one of the state’s most critical tools for conservation.
Established by the General Assembly in 1996, the N.C. Land and Water Fund protects the natural, cultural, and historic places that make North Carolina special. Each year, it provides grants to local governments and nonprofits to acquire land, restore streams, and implement innovative stormwater solutions — all to safeguard clean water and build climate resilience.
Thanks to sustained investment, the fund has helped protect over 500,000 acres and nearly 5,000 miles of stream buffers across the state. Continued — and expanded — funding is essential to meet the growing need for conservation and protect North Carolina’s future.
The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Protects the outdoor places North Carolinians love.
Since its creation by the General Assembly in 1994, PARTF has served as the primary source of funding for land acquisition and capital improvements across our state and local park systems — including trails, greenways, playgrounds, and public beach access.
To date, the fund has awarded over $638 million in grants — including more than $200 million for 850+ local park projects — delivering recreational opportunities, driving tourism, boosting local economies, and improving public health.
Continued — and expanded — legislative support for PARTF ensures that every North Carolinian, regardless of zip code, has access to safe, vibrant outdoor spaces that strengthen communities and preserve our natural heritage.
The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (ADFPTF) is a strategic investment in North Carolina’s agricultural future.
Created in 2005, the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (ADFPTF) helps protect the working family farms that power our state’s #1 industry — agriculture, which contributes over $91 billion to the state’s economy each year. Through conservation easements and farmland protection projects, the fund ensures that productive farmland stays in agricultural use and out of reach from unchecked development and corporate buyouts.
ADFPTF also strengthens North Carolina’s rural communities and national security by partnering with the Department of Defense to protect farmland near military bases.
To date, ADFPTF has helped preserve more than 22,000 acres of farmland across the state. Continued legislative support is essential to keep farmers on the land, protect our food supply, and preserve North Carolina’s rural heritage for future generations.
The Case for Conservation
Do North Carolinians really want lawmakers to fund conservation projects?
A statewide poll results says YES – North Carolina’s registered voters overwhelmingly support land and water conservation.
Support restoring public funding to $100 million for North Carolina's three conservation trust funds to conserve forests, working farms, parks and historic sites.