This land, known as the Hickory Creek Expansion, was originally purchased and protected by PLC in December 2022. The land is nestled along the Mayo River and its tributaries, these forested acres safeguard clean drinking water, provide vital wildlife habitat, and support endangered fish and rare aquatic species.

Now, as part of Mayo River State Park, they will offer future opportunities for recreation and conservation stewardship.

PLC plays a key role in expanding North Carolina’s state parks in the region by acting quickly to secure and protect important natural areas before they are lost to development.

The transfer marks another step in PLC’s longstanding commitment to growing the park. Since the early 2000s, PLC has added nearly 2,350 acres to Mayo River State Park in North Carolina and 216 acres to Virginia’s Mayo River State Park.