North Carolina
North Carolina Zoo adds more wildlife conservation lands
The North Carolina Zoo expanded its lands for local wildlife conservation by adding 139 acres to Ridges Mountain Nature Preserve, increasing it to 423 acres. This addition was a gift from The Conservation Fund made possible by the North Carolina Land and Water Fund and private donors Fred, Alice, Brad and Shelli Stanback.
Ridges Mountain Nature Preserve was established in 2000 when the original property was protected in partnership with the Piedmont Land Conservancy. The latest addition permanently protects the entire mountain as one nature preserve managed by the North Carolina Zoo. This addition brings the total acreage the North Carolina Zoo oversees to 2,805, which includes the 512 developed acres of the North Carolina Zoo’s animal habitats and infrastructure.
“Over 20 years ago, when I served on the North Carolina Natural Heritage Trust Fund board, this portion of Ridges Mountain, with dramatic 40-foot-high boulders, was a top priority for the Piedmont Land Conservancy, the state of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Zoo,” said Mike Leonard of The Conservation Fund. “The Conservation Fund is now very pleased to work with the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, the Carolina Climbers Coalition and donors across the state to add this property to the Ridges Mountain Nature Preserve. The Fund also appreciates the former owner, Ben Crotts, who made the land available for conservation.”
Reaching 840 feet in elevation, Ridges Mountain occurs in the ancient Uwharrie Mountains, approximately 10 miles west of Asheboro, N.C. Ridges Mountain has long been recognized as an important site for the protection of wildlife and unique geological features due to the high-quality natural communities within a large, unfragmented area. This provides an excellent habitat for many plants and animals, such as bobcats, deer, box turtles, and numerous birds. Ridges Mountain is unique because of its massive granitic boulders and basic soils that support uncommon plants in the region, such as fragrant sumac and southern shagbark hickory. Several wetlands provide important breeding habitat for amphibians, such as spotted salamanders.
“I am truly excited to see this property permanently protected,” said Will Summer, executive director of the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, one of the funding sources for this acquisition. “This addition will result in nearly complete protection of the Ridges Mountain natural area, rated exceptional by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program because it contains a collection of rare plants and natural habitats, including a globally rare type of Upland Pool. I would like to thank The Conservation Fund for championing this project and the North Carolina Zoo for managing and stewarding this property.”
With this addition to Ridges Mountain Nature Preserve, the North Carolina Zoo plans to expand opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation at the preserve, including hiking trails and guided hikes. The existing two-mile hiking trail follows the mountain’s ridgeline to the summit and then loops back down, highlighting interesting rock formations and massive boulders up to 50 feet tall.
“This acquisition helps the North Carolina Zoo reach its broader vision of natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation,” says Pat Simmons, director and chief executive officer of the North Carolina Zoo. “Ridges Mountain is an exceptional natural space inhabited by unique plant and animal life deserving of appreciation and protection. We could not achieve our vision without partnerships like those we share with The Conservation Fund, and we are grateful to the North Carolina Land and Water Fund and other donors for furthering our mission of saving wildlife and wild places.”
The Ridges trail is available to the public by reservation. Please call 336-879-7711 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to make a hiking reservation.
To learn more about the North Carolina Zoo’s local conservation programs, visit NCZoo.org/conservation/regional.
Contributed.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Waste Management is providing up to $18 million in grants to help clean up additional debris from Hurricane Helene in the western region, state officials said Friday.
According to NCDEQ, applications are being accepted for the Debris Recovery & Disposal grant program, which is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the American Relief Act of 2025.
The program provides up to $18 million in grants to local governments, councils of government, and nongovernment organizations, according to NCDEQ.
State officials said applications are being accepted through Sept. 14. The maximum award is $3 million. The grants may be used for up to three years.
Counties, municipalities, councils of government, and nongovernmental organizations in FEMA-declared disaster areas due to Helene are eligible for the grants, according to NCDEQ.
According to NCDEQ, eligible projects include collecting and disposing of non-hazardous debris from private or public properties, clearing and managing debris at streambanks, floodplains, farmland, and local park lands, and removing debris to improve solid waste and recycling infrastructure.
Applications may be emailed to Chris Hollinger with the Division of Waste Management at chris.hollinger@deq.nc.gov.
State officials advise applicants to email or call Hollinger at 919-707-8284 or contact Jason Watkins at jason.watkins@deq.nc.gov or 336-776-9674 to discuss the eligibility of their project before applying.
More information about applying can be found on the NCDEQ website.
North Carolina
‘Infuriating, heartbreaking’: Raccoon recovering after getting caught in leg trap at Mecklenburg County park
The video above is a live stream of WBTV and affiliated programming, and may not be directly related to the article below.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A raccoon is fighting for its life after it got caught in a leg trap at a Mecklenburg County park this week.
North Carolina Wildlife Rehab said a group of children found the raccoon stuck in a leg trap at a Mecklenburg County park on Thursday, June 18, but did not specify which park.
“This is absurd, infuriating, and heartbreaking,” a spokesperson said. “Just think about how many animals may have already been harmed—and how many babies may have been orphaned because of this.”
Raccoon had heat stroke, front legs trapped
Wildlife Rehab said it’s unclear how long the raccoon was trapped, but both of his front legs were caught.
Thankfully, his legs were not broken; however, he suffered heat stroke and had a body temperature of 105.4 degrees.
“Please keep this sweet boy in your thoughts and prayers as he fights to recover,” a spokesperson said.
Multiple traps found on property
The children reportedly found the trap attached to a fence on an adjoining property, and investigators said officers found several more during their search.
“Thankfully, the kids did not attempt to free the raccoon themselves, though that easily could have happened,” a spokesperson said. “Instead, they immediately got their parents, who then contacted Animal Control.”
Officials said the raccoon was the second animal caught in a leg trap, and both incidents occurred at parks in Mecklenburg County.
Wildlife Rehab said the traps are illegal and cited animal cruelty. In North Carolina, however, foothold traps aren’t entirely illegal, but they’re strictly regulated by state law. They can be used in Mecklenburg County if they comply with state guidelines for trap size, jaw type, and proper tagging.
–> Also read: Trio stole donated blankets, beds from Cabarrus County animal shelter, director says
As of this writing, no arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed.
Copyright 2026 WBTV. All rights reserved.
CHARLOTTE, NC (WCNC) – North Carolina is becoming a leader in artificial intelligence adoption among businesses – ranking ninth in the nation, according to a new LendingTree report. Over 22% of businesses in the state already utilize AI, with many more planning to incorporate it in the near future.
“I’m not surprised at all that North Carolina ranks high on the list in part because it’s a tech-forward state,” said Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst with LendingTree. “There is a lot of financial institutions in that state and no one should be surprised that NC is on the cutting edge with using AI in businesses.”
The report also sheds light on the implications of AI for the workforce. Generative AI usage makes up around 85% of overall AI business usage. Most companies are using the technology for repetitive tasks such as summarizing information, analyzing data, drafting content, or assisting with customer service.
Large companies are leading the way in AI usage. Businesses with over 250 employees use AI at a rate of 37.3% while companies with fewer than five employees use AI at a rate of 19%.
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