Active programs

ENC Sentinel Landscapes: Managing Your Land and Legacy

Purpose: The ENC Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is an innovative approach to conservation focused on collaboration and coordination between working lands owners and producers, conservationists, and the state’s military bases to provide the mutual benefits of protecting and enhancing farms and forests in geographic areas critical to military’s training mission.

Support: The Foundation’s current landowner and community activities are supported by Marine Corps Installations East and the NC Military Affairs Commission in partnership with the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the NC Department of Agriculture. A historic flagship pilot program, the Market Based Conservation Initiative, was funded through an Encroachment Protection Agreement with the US Navy. Another effort that explored ecosystem crediting opportunities in the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem was funded through a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant. To date the Foundation has raised over $3,000,000 to support the work of the partnership.

Current Work: The Foundation, in partnership with local conservation agencies, offered conservation speed dating and outreach events in Craven, Hyde, Jones, Moore, and Washington. Partners also dialogued with agriculture and forestry landowners, producers, and businesses as well as local government to help guide future efforts. A report will be released soon!

To explore if your land is located in a priority area and possibly eligible for additional funding resources visit the For Landowners section of the NC Agriculture and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.

Accomplishments: A 33 county area of Eastern North Carolina received designation at that state and federal level. To learn more about the national program visit here. The ENC Sentinel Landscapes Committee issued an Annual Report to the General Assembly and meeting announcements are posted through the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Farmland Preservation Program.