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.

Dedicated Nature Preserve boundaries can be downloaded from the link below. On the linked webpage, you must download the 'marea' shapefile and use GIS to search or filter managed areas with a name ending in 'Dedicated Nature Preserve'.

Visit Our Data Download Page

As of November 2024, 208 conservation areas are managed as Dedicated Nature Preserves. These areas are indicated in green on the map below.

Map of Dedicated Nature Preserves across North Carolina

Dedication of State Nature Preserves is authorized by G.S. 143B-135.250.

View An Example Dedication Agreement

For more information about dedications, or administrative records for dedicated areas, please contact Scott Pohlman.