Protecting Environment

Exciting efforts are underway in the community to ensure that we have a clean and beautiful environment in which to live.  Local organizations and private citizens are dedicated to ensuring that we enhance parks and greens spaces for public use; preserve the environmentally unique sites in Cumberland County; and develop the infrastructure that is essential to supporting the growth of our community.

Sustainable Sandhills is a nonprofit organization with a focus in the eight county region surrounding Fort Bragg. This region contains the entire Sandhills Longleaf Pine Ecosystem, one of the 21 most endangered ecosystems in the world.

Sustainable Sandhills is committed to raising awareness of not only our environment, but also our economy and quality of life through programs ranging from recycling to green business to eco-tourism. The programs engage both governmental and non-governmental organizations, the military, and most importantly, the residents and businesses of the region in a grassroots effort for a more Sustainable Sandhills.  Visit their website at http://www.sustainablesandhills.org/.

Click here to learn more about progress led by Sustainable Sandhills that affects your quality of life. (PDF file)

These groups are also achieving measurable results in different areas of this work.

Fayetteville Beautiful is a committee of concerned citizens dedicated to encourage others to take greater responsibility for improving their environment by changing individual behavior and attitudes about litter.  As a result of four citywide cleanups, 3822 volunteers picked up 52 tons of litter along 257 miles of roadside.  Learn more about Fayetteville Beautiful at http://www.fayettevillebeautiful.com/.

Sandhills Area Land Trust (SALT) works with private landowners to negotiate voluntary conservation agreements (Conservation Easements) on private property. Since its founding in 1991, SALT has permanently protected more than 8,200 acres of working farms, water supplies, endangered ecosystems, and urban open-space in a six-county service region. Learn more about SALT at http://www.sandhillslandtrust.org/.