Natural and Working Lands
Natural and Working Lands Planning in North Carolina
The natural systems upon which we depend are essential to communities, economies, and ecosystems. The NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and partner agencies called upon expert stakeholders — including land management experts, nonprofit organizations, and key stakeholders representing federal, state, and local agencies and universities working in conservation, forestry, agriculture, and coastal and urban planning — to develop a Natural and Working Lands Action Plan in 2020 and update it for 2025-2030. These plans present stakeholder-informed strategies to protect, restore, and enhance the lands and coastal areas that provide vital health, social, economic, and environmental benefits:
2025-2030 Natural and Working Lands Action Plan
Organizations that participated in the development of the original and updated Natural and Working Lands Action Plans are currently working toward implementing strategies included in the plan. This will be an ongoing process that requires a focused commitment of financial and human capital.
Legacy Natural and Working Lands Action Plan products that are still relevant are included below (note that strategies have been updated based on progress since 2020):
Original 2020 North Carolina Natural and Working Lands Action Plan