Since 1985, The Conservation Fund has worked to protect and restore vital natural resources across all 50 states. We have protected nearly 8.5 million acres nationwide, including more than 236,000 acres across North Carolina. Since 2018, our Parks With Purpose initiative has focused on delivering equitable conservation outcomes to people living in the Biltmore Hills and Rochester Heights neighborhoods in Raleigh, North Carolina’s capital city.

The Walnut Creek Wetland Community Partnership (WCWCP) enables local residents, community stakeholders and academic and government leaders to collaborate on sustainable management of the wetlands and the development of opportunities that benefit those who live, work and play in the Walnut Creek community and watershed.

The WCWCP, North Carolina’s Water Resources Research Institute, Design Workshop and TCF are working alongside local residents and a variety of partners through the Parks With Purpose initiative to identify, protect and restore land for a new green space at Bailey Drive Gateway. Our goal is that this space will provide a variety of social, economic and environmental benefits for the communities adjacent to the Walnut Creek wetlands. Part of our community engagement efforts have included a workforce development training program in partnership with American Conservation Experience.

A Comprehensive Approach to Conservation

In Raleigh, TCF has been investing in the Rochester Heights neighborhood, where we are working with community stakeholders and city officials to develop Bailey Drive Gateway to Walnut Creek Wetland Park. This work builds on the city’s Walnut Creek Master Plan, which identified the Gateway project as an important connector to the Rochester Heights and Biltmore Hills neighborhoods, whose residents lack direct access to the park despite their proximity to it.

Wetlands provide many ecological benefits, such as absorbing and filtering sediment, nutrients and pollutants. They also recharge groundwater resources and provide habitat for many animals and plants. Despite their importance, wetlands are increasingly threatened by development and pollution. That’s why increasing opportunities to get community members recreating and protecting their wetlands is integral to the Parks With Purpose approach to supporting the resilience of the environment and community.

Why This Project Matters

Through the Parks With Purpose program, The Conservation Fund is providing support and capacity building to local nonprofits and youth leaders committed to environmental science, stewardship and advocacy. Organizations such as the Partnership for Environmental Justice and St. Ambrose Episcopal Church are collaborating on the WCWCP Task Force to inspire broader community participation and support for enhancing green-space development south of Walnut Creek Wetland Park. Historically underserved, southeast Raleigh still faces the economic and environmental challenges that are the legacy of racial inequities. As an environmental justice campaign, the WCWCP and TCF are working to generate positive economic, social and environmental outcomes through a community-driven Parks With Purpose project in southeast Raleigh.

We also supported Tiffany Baker’s “Reflective History” art installation at Bailey Drive Gateway as part of our unique approach to cultural conservation through community art projects. Using glass and portraits as her storytelling medium, Tiffany’s artwork — installed as part of the project’s community engagement process — helped establish the future park as a place for gathering, reflection, interaction and learning.

Additional Community Partners

American Conservation Experience
American Rivers
Bourne to Film
Carolina Wetland Association
Center for Human and Earth Restoration
City of Raleigh
Design Workshop
Duke Energy Foundation
Fuller Elementary
Institute for Landscape Art and Sustainable Spaces
Kris Bass Engineering
Natural Learning Initiative NCSU College of Design
NCSU College of Natural Resources
Partners for Environmental Justice
St. Ambrose Episcopal Church
Step Up Ministries
Tiffany Baker Artistry
Triangle Community Foundation
Triangle Greenway Council
Walnut Creek Wetland Center
Walnut Creek Wetland Community Partnership
Water Resources Research Institute