A large swath of valuable wildlife habitat with a long history of public access is now at risk in North Carolina.
Nearly 4,700 acres within the Yadkin River Game Lands, privately owned by Alcoa but historically open to the public through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), have been listed for sale. For decades, these lands have provided public access for hunting, fishing and recreation while supporting high-quality wildlife habitat across the Yadkin River corridor.
If sold for development, this landscape could be permanently closed to the public, fragmenting habitat and eliminating a rare conservation opportunity in one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing regions.
In response, Three Rivers Land Trust is leading Save Tuckertown! campaign, an effort to secure the property and transfer them to NCWRC to ensure the land remains publicly accessible for generations to come.
Why This Conservation Effort Matters
The landscape includes actively managed forests that provide the kinds of diverse, high-quality habitats for wildlife that are central to the mission of RGS & AWS. The Yadkin River Game Lands, totaling 11,698 acres including Alcoa property, supports a mosaic of hardwoods, pine systems and bottomland habitats that benefit a wide range of wildlife, including American woodcock.
These lands fall within the core of the Atlantic Flyway wintering region, where forest structure, moist soils and early successional cover are essential for woodcock feeding, roosting and survival. Beyond woodcock, these forests support wild turkey, northern bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer and countless other species that depend on actively managed, diverse forest conditions.
Equally important, the property sits within reach of nearly 80% of North Carolina’s population, making it a critical access point for hunters, anglers, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts. Protecting this landscape not only conserves public land, but also sustains forest health, wildlife habitat, watershed integrity and opportunities for people to stay connected to the outdoors.
Help Protect Tuckertown
Conservation success often comes down to moments like this – when partners, members and the broader outdoor community come together to protect what matters most.
To help jumpstart the effort, MeatEater and onX Hunt have each committed $200,000 toward a 30-day matching campaign supporting the Save Tuckertown! initiative led by Three Rivers Land Trust. The campaign ends May 14, 2026.
Now, the future of these lands depends on public support.
Whether you hunt, fish, birdwatch or simply value public access and healthy forests, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact. Learn more about the campaign, share the effort with fellow conservationists and consider contributing to help keep these lands open and accessible.
Take Action Today
Visit the Save Tuckertown! campaign page to learn more and support the effort to protect these important public lands before they are lost forever.
