Dedicated Nature Preserves
Publicly and privately-owned natural areas identified by the Natural Heritage Program can be dedicated as State Nature Preserves to establish a lasting conservation commitment.
Our Data Download page features a shapefile of Dedicated Nature Preserves.
As of November 2022, 199 conservation areas are managed as Dedicated Nature Preserves. These areas are indicated in green on the map below.
![A map showing the distribution of dedicated nature preserves across the state of North Carolina.](https://files.nc.gov/nhp/styles/_inline_extra_large_/public/images/2022-11/DNPs_Nov2022.jpg?VersionId=pAKcSBEaEFzUa0bEH4iavVE9LRl2KhEK&itok=fzWRFfff)
Dedication of State Nature Preserves is authorized by G.S. 143B-135.250.
View An Example Dedication Agreement
For more information about dedications, contact Scott Pohlman.