The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, marking five decades of conservation science, partnerships and efforts to protect the state’s most significant natural areas. The Natural Heritage Program is located within the Division of Land and Water Stewardship in the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Established in June 1976 through a partnership between the State of North Carolina and The Nature Conservancy, the program began with a mission to document the state’s rare species and natural communities. Today, it provides essential scientific information that guides natural area protection and natural resource management across North Carolina.
“For the past 50 years, the Natural Heritage Program has played an important role in conserving North Carolina’s most treasured natural areas and protecting its rare plants and animals,” said N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pam Cashwell. “From our national and state parks to historic sites to the North Carolina Zoological Park, some of our most valued places are registered heritage areas or dedicated nature preserves thanks to the work of this program’s outstanding staff.”
Since its founding, NCNHP has documented more than 35,000 occurrences of rare species and exemplary natural communities, completed natural area inventories of 98 counties and guided the protection of more than 500 natural areas encompassing 1,155,698 acres in Registered Heritage Areas and Dedicated Nature Preserves.
The program’s accomplishments grew from foundational work in the 1970s and 80s, including the establishment of the North Carolina Registry of Natural Heritage Areas in 1979 and the passage of the North Carolina Nature Preserves Act in 1986. The legislation established the Dedicated Nature Preserves System and the Biennial Natural Heritage Protection Plan, strengthening the state’s framework for conservation.
Through partnerships with landowners, conservation organizations and government agencies, NCNHP has supported significant projects, including Sandhills Game Land, Grandfather Mountain State Park, the Chimney Rock State Park Wilderness Gateway conservation corridor and the Black River system. Its scientific data continues to serve as a foundation for natural resource protection and conservation planning across the state.
Today, program biologists are surveying natural communities, updating county inventories and working with the U.S. Forest Service to assess the effects of Tropical Storm Helene on rare species and natural areas. These efforts reflect the program’s ongoing commitment to understanding and protecting North Carolina’s natural heritage.
As NCNHP celebrates 50 years, it honors the scientists, landowners, conservation organizations, volunteers and partners who have helped advance conservation across the state and reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding North Carolina’s natural legacy for future generations.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.