Grant Supports Wake County Conservation (NC)

RALEIGH, NC, 11/20/2003 – The Progress Energy Foundation has announced a $50,000 grant to the Trust for Public Land (TPL) to support the organization’s efforts to help implement the Wake County Consolidated Open Space Protection Plan and ongoing water quality protection efforts in Wake County.

“The grant will facilitate the protection of critical water resources along a number of priority stream corridors in Wake County,” said Chuck Wakild, executive director of Progress Energy’s Environment, Health and Safety Department. “TPL’s extraordinary expertise and focus on land and water quality preservation make us proud to be a part of the effort.”

Wake County’s Open Space Plan is a blueprint initiative designed to strategically acquire key parcels of land and lay the groundwork for a countywide public finance initiative. Wake County has asked for TPL’s assistance in the implementation phase of the plan. With this grant, TPL will work to acquire key parcels, identify and secure sources of capital funds for land acquisition and work with county officials to develop a permanent source of funding for land acquisition.

“This project is key to balancing growth and the protection of open space in Wake County,” said Dale Allen, director of the Trust for Public Land’s southeastern region. “With the rapid development of the Triangle region, one acre every hour is being turned into office parks, shopping malls or other commercial uses.

“The staff in our Raleigh office is committed to permanently protect Wake County’s open space for parks, greenways and the preservation of water quality and wildlife habitat,” said Allen. “With the support of the Progress Energy Foundation and the citizens of Wake County, our goal is to preserve 30 percent of the county’s remaining open space.”

A top priority for preservation is 250-300 acres along White Oak Creek in the Town of Cary. The resulting protected corridor will create critical buffer to protect water quality in the creek and in Jordan Reservoir, the major source of drinking water for Cary and western Wake County.

“Protecting the corridor will also establish a recreational greenway connecting Cary and other towns to the American Tobacco Trail in western Wake County,” said Allen.

TPL and the Town of Cary have begun the process by securing more than 120 acres and identifying the remaining acquisitions needed to permanently protect the White Oak Creek corridor.

“Community support for TPL’s work is essential,” said Tammy Brown, Progress Energy’s corporate community relations manager. “We are pleased to be part of these projects that will make the town of Cary and Wake County better places to live.”

To help support this effort, tax-deductible contributions maybe sent to the Trust for Public Land, 118 South Person Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601. For more information about making a gift, contact David Proper at (919) 836-0571.

Based in Raleigh, the Progress Energy Foundation was formed in November 2000, following the merger of CP&L and the Florida Progress Corporation. The foundation partners with non-profits in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina to improve the lives of citizens. Grants focus on education, the environment and economic development. During 2002, the foundation invested over $7.9 million in the communities served. Progress Energy Foundation’s Internet address is http://www.progress-energy.com/index.asp.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Since its founding in 1972, TPL has helped protect more than 1.6 million acres of land in 45 states. Across North and South Carolina alone, TPL has permanently protected over 11,200 acres. ?The Trust for Public Land depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve its land for people mission. For more information please contact TPL at (919) 836-0571 or (704) 376-1839. ?Visit them on the web at www.tpl.org.