Mountain Valleys RC&D

Mountain Valleys RC&D (Resource Conservation and Development) is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable stewardship of forest resources that operates in eight counties in Western North Carolina, inlcuding Buncombe County.  Communities near forests or other undeveloped areas are vulnerable to wildfires because they’re essentially surrounded by fuel.  Prescribed burning is a useful technique for managing forests, however, there are also many proactive steps that a community or individual homeowner can take to reduce the risk of loss; such as fuel reduction around the home, maintaining clear gutters, and fire resistant construction.  Mountain Valleys RC&D works with communities and governmental/private organizations to educate homeowners on how to best protect their property.

Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP)

Carolina Land and Lakes was awarded the USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) in FY22 and FY23 to update and create Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) in 27 Counties in NC and for the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These counties are considered to have a High to Very High Wildfire Potential, are Low Income and have experienced a natural disaster which has increased their wildfire risk. The CWPPs are developed at the fire district level to identify available resources and possible community actions to reduce fuels and structural ignitability.

Piedmont Prescribed Burn Association

We are a community-based organization dedicated to increasing access to prescribed fire on lands in the Piedmont of North Carolina. The Piedmont Prescribed Burn Association welcomes individuals who are passionate about supporting conservation initiatives, including private landowners, natural resource professionals, students, and the general public. Together, we strive to foster a collaborative environment to promote the responsible use of prescribed fire for the benefit of our local landscape.