Paul Freestone, board president of the nationally accredited Davidson Lands Conservancy (DLC), has announced that after seven years of service, including four years as Executive Director, Dave Cable will retire from his position in the coming year. His retirement follows a 20-year conservation career in the Charlotte region. DLC is a local land trust conserving land and natural resources in northern Mecklenburg, and parts of Iredell and Cabarrus Counties. DLC’s goals and mission center around four conservation pillars: conserving and stewarding land; preserving and enhancing the urban forest ..read more

TREES OF BEATY PARK American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) NAME: COMMON – American Sycamore (also known as American Plane Tree, Buttonball Tree)  BOTANICAL – Platanus occidentalis  FAMILY – Platanaceae (also listed as Acanthaceae) DERIVATION: Native to the eastern United States, the mountains of northeastern Mexico, southern Quebec and southern Ontario. USDA Zones 5a-9a. GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS:  This deciduous tree is second in height only to the Tulip Poplar, and can reach over 150 ft tall. Sycamore is also a long-lived tree, surviving at least 200 years and some exa ..read more

If you walk behind the Davidson K-8 school, you may notice a new outdoor classroom and sensory garden in the woods. This is due to the thoughtful planning and detailed project execution of Ella Landman, a sophomore at Lake Norman Charter High School. Ella recently completed this project for her Girl Scout Gold Award, in collaboration with Davidson Lands Conservancy. Ella explains the goal of her project is to help improve students’ mental health along with spreading awareness of kids and teens struggling with mental health issues.   She worked in partnership with DLC in planning an outdoo ..read more

TREES OF BEATY PARK American Elm (Ulmus americana) NAME: COMMON – American Elm BOTANICAL – Ulmus americana FAMILY – Ulmaceae DERIVATION: The American Elm is native to North America. Prior to the 20th century, American Elms were abundant in city streets and forests throughout North America. The species abundance began to decline, however, due to the introduction of ophiostoma ulm (commonly referred to as Dutch Elm disease) in 1928.  GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS:  It has an urn shape that is typical of Elms and a fibrous root system that makes it easy to transplant. It can grow 80 to 1 ..read more

In a momentous event that underscores the commitment to protecting and recognizing Davidson’s tree canopy, the Davidson Lands Conservancy’s Executive Director, Dave Cable, proudly presented certificates and tree signs to the Pines Nature Organization (PNO) for three newly awarded Treasure Trees. The event, held at The Pines, highlighted DLC’s efforts to recognize the town’s special urban canopy in the face of rapid development and growth. One facet of these efforts, the Davidson Treasure Tree program, pays tribute to some of Davidson’s oldest, largest, rarest, and culturally significant t ..read more

Davidson, NC – Davidson Lands Conservancy (DLC) hosted its highly anticipated Spring Naturefest on Saturday, May 20th, at Davidson’s Roosevelt Wilson Park. This engaging, educational event offered fifteen exhibits and activities, providing a unique opportunity for attendees of all ages to connect with the wonders of nature.   The event featured a variety of free exhibits and activities, including crafts, live animals, fishing, native plants, animals and trees, pollinators, school science projects, and other conservation attractions. Held each year, DLC’s Naturefest encourages curiosi ..read more

The most remarkable conservationist you might never have heard of spent his long working life in textile mills, fixing looms. Frank (Frankie) Chester lived humbly in a Rowan County mobile home but most days drove to the farm, five miles east of Davidson, which had been in his family for centuries. There he doted on beef cattle although he hated the final steps to sending them to market.  Frankie loved to entertain friends under a sprawling white oak. Until February, Chester also kept a secret: he had donated conservation easements to his 209 acres to the Davidson Lands Conservancy, perman ..read more

By Cindy McIntosh Saturday, March 18th wildflower lovers of all ages joined horticulturalist and garden writer Paula Gross on a beautiful winter’s hike at Fisher Farm Park. Although the weather started out chilly, the sunshine and hiking warmed our group as we trekked through the woodlands searching for spring ephemerals and native wildflowers.   Spring ephemerals are the first plants to emerge and flower in the very early spring, taking advantage of the sunlight that is abundant in our deciduous forests before they begin to leaf out. These flowers are important to the very early pol ..read more

50 eager Davidson Lands Conservancy (DLC) volunteers gathered Saturday, March 18 on the south end of Davidson’s Jackson Street in celebration of North Carolina’s Arbor Day.  The mission: plant 35 trees including southern magnolias, dogwoods, and Nuttall oaks, native species carefully selected for the site.  The planting site is owned by the Town and is located across Jackson Street from the police station. Arbor Day originated in Nebraska by J. Sterling Morton in 1872 when an estimated one million trees were planted.  NC Arbor Day, established in 1967, falls each year on the fir ..read more

The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Davidson Lands Conservancy (DLC) is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation. A public comment period is now open. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. “DLC is honored to be an accredited land trust—one of only 467 nationwide. We are currently reviewing our practic ..read more