New state natural area now totals 6,000 acres
The Bobs Creek State Natural Area in McDowell County now totals more than 6,000 acres following completion of the third and final phase of property acquisition March 30.
The 2,249-acre purchase by Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina and the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation follows a pair of 2019 purchases totaling 3,700 acres. The land’s former owner Tim Sweeney donated about one-third of the property’s value in the sale.
Ultimately, the property will be open to the public and managed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation for low-impact recreation, water quality and preservation of rare plants and diverse natural ecosystems. Hiking, mountain biking, wildlife observation and scenic enjoyment could all be offered on the property. Bobs Creek State Natural Area protects water quality along 5 miles of source streams draining to Muddy Creek, the Catawba River and the Second Broad River.
Funding included $1.2 million in grants from the N.C. Land and Water Fund, $1.5 million from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, and grants from Fred and Alice Stanback and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
