Buffalo Creek Preserve, a 393-acre preserve in Cabarrus County. Acquired by the Catawba Lands Conservancy in 2011, this location serves as a home to a restored piedmont oak savanna, several ground-nesting birds and prairie species, and a stop along the NC Wildlife Federation’s Butterfly Highway.
Two developments you should be aware of hiking Buffalo Creek Preserve in rural Cabarrus County. The first you encounter right off: an effort by the Catawba Lands Conservancy to restore a piedmont oak-savannah forest. Once prominent throughout the Piedmont, such forests have been on the decline. They’re important for various reasons, not the least of which is that they are home to numerous ground-nesting birds and prairie species. What you’ll find when exploring the beautiful forests of the Buffalo Creek Preserve is a concerted effort made by the Catawba Lands Conservancy and their collaboration with the NC Forest Service, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and US Fish and Wildlife Service to restore and protect the natural habitats and species that exist in this environment.
Hike a little farther and you’ll encounter another disappearing habitat: farmland. The trail skirts a field leased to a local farmer using Best Management Practices to benefit both farming and wildlife. This is a fully functioning farm, growing hay and grains to feed the local cattle, so you’re encouraged to be mindful of the work at hand to make this experience possible.
Not to spoil all the surprises, but the preserve is also part of the NC Wildlife Federation’s Butterfly Highway. This project is in place to restore native pollinator habitats in our state that have been diminished due to development. This is not a title that comes easy. We could continue on with all the beauty and wildlife in store, but nothing beats checking it out for yourself! It’s no wonder this site landed a spot on the 25 Top Hikes in the Charlotte Area. This is one educational out-and-back.
Expert Picks
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