Hickory Nut Gorge State Park — a brand new state park near Lake Lure — got its first jump start this week with the conservation of 1,568 acres by The Nature Conservancy and the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy.

The acquired tract is known as the “World’s Edge” in the Hickory Nut Gorge, containing waterfalls, sheer cliffs, fissure caves, forested slopes and dramatic views. World’s Edge provides habitat for rare and endangered birds, bats, plants, salamanders and more. Like everywhere else in Western North Carolina, Hickory Nut Gorge is highly susceptible to the pressures of development and rapidly increasing land use.

In May, the North Carolina General Assembly authorized the creation of the new state park. The tract acquired by the Nature Conservancy is intended to become part of that state park.