Lots of Love for our Land Trusts: Spotlight on This Winter's Force For Nature Gala

Chuck and Molly speaking at the gala podium. Photo by Guillermo Delgado.

Triangle Land Conservancy has long been one of our most important partners. An organization devoted to preserving over 26 thousand acres of nature, the Conservancy has fought for our lands for more than 40 years. With each year, their mission becomes more and more important. As urbanization and development ramp up around the Triangle and land prices skyrocket, we're losing land faster and faster - land that we cannot un-develop, that we cannot get back. 

To combat this, back in 2023, TLC launched a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising 60 million dollars to protect Triangle lands. The Force for Nature Gala & Art Auction kicked off the final stretch of this fundraiser. On February 21st at the Umstead, folks involved in the conservation world found community with each other, enjoying performances and beautiful, nature-inspired art, provided by local artists like Mark Hewitt, Mary Rountree Moore, and the event's spotlighted artist Katie Hayes. Between the art auctions, bidding for international trips, and, audience donations, the event raised over 170,000 dollars for TLC! As the event's "Land Legacy Leader" and presenting sponsor, we were honored to be able to be a small part of this incredible event, assisting with, among other things, storing and transporting many of the beautiful art pieces. Chuck Millsaps and Molly Cherry, two of our owners, attended the gala, speaking on the importance of public lands.  

Land trusts just like TLC have long been strong recipients of GOPC's support through initiatives such as this one, as well as Land Trust Day, a long-celebrated GOPC holiday on the first Saturday in June, a percentage of our day's sales go directly to Land Trusts. To learn more about Land Trust Day, land trusts we support, and what you can do to help protect our public lands, check out the information here and here!

With more than 58 million dollars already raised, Triangle Land Conservancy has achieved remarkable success in their campaign, which runs publicly until June. We urge everyone who loves our public lands to help them in their fight to make the Triangle a better, greener place!