As we push for a greener Chatham County, it’s important to set and understand our intentions. In having a firm understanding of our purpose in conservation work, our community’s efforts can be unified and more impactful.

Read below to learn more about why Chatham County values conservation and about all the benefits our community can reap from these projects.

What's the point? 

Chatham County is the 2nd fastest growing county in the state of North Carolina. As growth occurs, farms and forests are giving way to subdivisions.

Mature forests and habitats are being fragmented with roadways and residential development, and water quality is impacted as impervious surfaces increase. More than 2,500 vital natural areas have been identified in North Carolina by the Natural Heritage Program, and 52 have been identified in Chatham County. These represent natural habitats that, in combination with other green spaces in the county, harbor at least 49 rare, threatened, or endangered species. Preserving these resources and the benefits they provide, while addressing other land use and economic needs, will be a defining challenge in the future.

What are the benefits? 

Conserving natural spaces has proven to provide vast environmental, social, and economic benefits. Promoting conservation in Chatham has the opportunity to:

• Increase...
  • Property values.
  • Economic activity and competitiveness.
  • Tourism.
  • Safety.
  • Social interaction within the community.
  • Public health.
• Reduce...
  • Development costs.
  • Cost to municipalities.
  • Air pollution.
  • Stormwater runoff.
• Preserve...
  • Natural wildlife habitats.
  • Food-producing farmlands.
  • Ecosystem services, such as water filtration, crop pollination, and climate adaptation.

Learn more about the benefits of integrating conservation in land use planning and design in the Chatham County Big Woods Conservation Design Guide.