Katawba Valley Land Trust

06/10/2026

What a great time was had by all who attended last week's speaker series presentation! SCDNR's Ericah Beason-Williams led a fantastic talk about the critically endangered Carolina Heelsplitter and the conservation challenges facing this remarkable species.

Katawba Valley Land Trust works hard to conserve and protect land in and around the Catawba River Valley; and by doing so, we also help to protect wildlife habitat, preserve water quality, and strengthen the biodiversity and ecological resilience of the entire watershed.

Thank you to all who attended, and especially to Ericah Beason-Williams! Stay tuned for details on our next event!

06/05/2026

Today on World Environment Day, we’re celebrating the lands, waters, and wildlife that make the Catawba River Valley such a remarkable place. At Katawba Valley Land Trust, our mission is simple and urgent: protect the natural spaces that sustain our communities.
Every acre conserved is a promise to future generations — and we’re proud to continue that work with the support of people who care deeply about this landscape.
Here’s to protecting the places that protect us.

Interested in becoming a member? Go to https://kvlt.org/become-a-member/

06/04/2026

TONIGHT! Come see Ericah Beason-Williams of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), whose work focuses on conservation and habitat protection across the region, including research and recovery initiatives for the critically endangered Carolina Heelsplitter. Beason will share an inside look at the challenges facing the species, the science behind its decline, and the hands-on efforts she and her team are leading to protect remaining populations in the Catawba River Basin.

Thursday, June 4th at 7:00 p.m.
Carole Ray Dowling Center on the USC Lancaster campus
509 Hubbard Drive, Lancaster, SC 29720

This is a free event open to all! For questions, please reach out to Tina Worden at 803-804-5065 or [email protected].

05/29/2026

South Carolina’s new state migratory bird, the Prothonotary Warbler, is here for the season! These vibrant birds remind us just how vital healthy wetlands and bottomland forests are — and yet another reason why land conservation is essential.

Have you heard the news? South Carolina now has a state migratory bird!

The Prothonotary Warbler, aka the "swamp warbler," is a common breeder in our state where they pass through on their migrations to Central and South America.

Prothonotary Warblers like to spend their days in swamps and bottomland forests where they tend to stay low in the understory, foraging above the water and along shorelines. While most warbler species construct their nests in dense bushes, the Prothonotary Warbler is one of only two wood warbler species that uses tree cavities for nesting.

Want to spot one for yourself? You're in luck! These vibrant birds are currently in South Carolina for the breeding season! The best time to see them in our state is April-July each year.

05/28/2026

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! Reach out to Tina Worden with any questions. 803-804-5065 or [email protected].

05/23/2026

🐢 Happy World Turtle Day!

Today we’re celebrating the turtles that quietly wander through our forests, fields, and waterways — ancient, resilient creatures that have been part of our landscape far longer than we have. Their slow, steady presence is a reminder of the importance of patience, balance, and healthy natural spaces.

Turtles depend on intact habitats to nest, feed, and find shelter. When wetlands, stream corridors, and woodlands are protected, these species have the safe, connected environments they need to survive and thrive.

At Katawba Valley Land Trust, our work is focused on conserving the lands and waters that support the full diversity of life in the Catawba River Valley. Protecting habitat ensures that turtles — along with countless other species — can continue to thrive in the places they call home.

Here’s to the turtles, and to the landscapes that keep them going. 💚🌿

05/22/2026

Today is International Day for Biodiversity! It's a day to highlight the importance of protecting the full web of life — from native plants and pollinators to fish, birds, and the landscapes they depend on.

Katawba Valley Land Trust is committed to safeguarding these natural spaces so that biodiversity can flourish here in the Catawba River Valley for generations to come.

05/20/2026

Happy World Sparrow Day!
Today we celebrate the small but mighty birds that bring life to our backyards, forests, and fields. At Katawba Valley Land Trust, we’re especially grateful for the chance to experience that magic firsthand during our recent annual bird counts with Bill Rogers. It was a beautiful morning at Landsford Canal State Park, filled with active birds all around us — a reminder of how vibrant and important our local habitats truly are.
Let’s keep working together to protect the places these birds call home.

05/19/2026

We had such a wonderful time on Saturday at Lilyfest at Landsford Canal State Park! We feel that this year's event was bigger and better than ever, with a steady crowd all morning and afternoon long. Paul Gettys led an incredible history hike, and our Land Management Specialist took a crowd on a nature walk in the afternoon. The lilies were definitely the star of the show, though. I mean, look at these pictures! How could they not be?!

Photo credit: Eric Worden

05/18/2026

Want to learn what lasagna gardening is all about? Interested in knowing how the medicinal plants growing in our Medicine Wheel Garden can be used? Ready to dig your hands in the soil? Then we have good news for you- our Cultivating Connections Garden Series has been extended this summer and fall!

Designed to be a living classroom, the program bridges traditional Indigenous ecological wisdom with modern sustainable gardening.

Make plans to join us on the 3rd Saturday of each month (Note: there will be no Cultivating Connections programs in August or November). Stay tuned to learn what our monthly topics will cover!

Registration is strongly encouraged for this program; email [email protected] or call (803) 313-7172 to sign up.