Catawba Lands Conservancy
Preserving the Nature of our Community
Dave Cable
By Suzanne Bledsoe
 
Bob Culbertson introduced Davis J. ("Dave") Cable, Executive Director of the Catawba Lands Conservancy. Dave is an Ohio native and graduated from Bowdoin College and received his Masters in natural resource planning from the University of Vermont. He began his career as a real estate appraiser and consultant and in 1998 moved to Charlotte to join Wachovia Bank in their capital markets group. He left the bank about five years ago to join the Catawba Lands Conservancy, seeking an opportunity to fulfill his personal passion to make an impact on the community, preserve natural resources and work in a small, entrepreneurial business environment.
 
The Catawba Lands Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust that works with private landowners to protect natural habitats, water quality and open space. The mission of the Conservancy is clear: to preserve land and in so doing, protect the environment and its natural resources. Unlike other environmental organizations, however, the need for balance between economic growth and development and conservation is embraced. The Catawba Lands Conservancy has partnered with many of the area's large corporations, several of whom are developers, to finance and seek solutions that positively impact economic development as well as environmental conservation. They have also partnered with other local organizations and entities such as Charlotte Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation departments and the Foundation for the Carolinas. Because of the phenomenal growth in population that our area is experiencing, there is an even greater and more urgent need to focus on measures that will ultimately maintain and improve the quality of life in our area.
 
Dave reminded us that there are very favorable tax benefits to land conservation measures, many of which have been extended in recent tax legislation. A current and ongoing initiative is to build a regional structure that would connect hiking trails, state parks, and cultural and recreational destinations in a 15 county region of North Carolina and South Carolina. The "Carolina Thread Trail" would benefit the 2,000,000 people that populate this area and encompass 40 destinations, leaving a legacy for future generations to enjoy. Diverse communities would be connected, economic development would be balanced toward preservation, public health would be enhanced, and water and air quality would be improved. In short, a structure like this would greatly enhance the quality of life in our region, resulting in continued growth in our communities. In a final call to action, Dave encouraged us to support conservation measures by voting for bonds that are designed for this purpose, enjoy what we have already preserved by hiking the trails and by looking for opportunities to connect with interested landowners.
 
Head Table: Joe Penner, Darrel Stephens, Luther Moore, Bob Culbertson, Luther Fincher, Pam Syfert:
Invocation: Karen Calder
Visitors & Guests: Don Carmichael; Health & Happiness: Worth Williamson; Song & Piano: Thomas Moore

• John Lassiter has been nominated as President-Elect of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association. He will serve as president from July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009. Tony Lathrop will complete his year as President of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association on June 30, 2007.
 
• Dr. Thomas Moore was the keynote performer during the annual Barium Springs Home For Children events, addressing more than 400 students from Yadkin County, Alexander County and Iredell-Statesville Schools. Thomas also conducted a seminar at First UMC in Belmont on how to build a trusting relationship with your children.
 
• Lori Hurd provided an update on Cookies for the Troops, saying 38,324 boxes of cookies were sold, surpassing their goal of 25,000. 227 boxes were sold at Rotary, and Lori thanked everyone for the support and participation.
 
• Lee Morris returned to Rotary this week after being hospitalized for pneumonia.

• Frank Martin introduced Jim and Gloria Hintz, thanked them for their work in Alto Cayma, Peru and encouraged club members to support the sale of cards made by women in the Vocational Center. To learn more about Alto Cayma, log onto www.serving-alto-cayma.info.
 
• The Charlotte Observer's Editorial page provided a forum for Mac McCarley, Charlotte city attorney, to explain how the city's staff works within NC law in its role with the transit tax referendum; and for Ed Driggs, board chair of WTVI, who defended how the station serves the community and how the full return on the county's investment should be measured.

• Donations to support the Rotary Scholarship Fund have reached $15,920. The effort to raise $20,000 has been extended through April. Anyone wishing to make a donation should make checks payable to The Rotary Foundation DAF. Mail your check to the Rotary office.
 
• Charlotte North Rotary Club is hosting a yard sale on April 21st from 7-10 a.m. at Providence Methodist Church (intersection of Sharon Amity and Sharon Lane). If you would like to donate articles to be sold, please drop them off at the church between 2:00 and 7:00 April 20th. Proceeds will benefit Charlotte Boxing Academy, Johnston YMCA, Habitat, and International Clean Water projects.

• Check out the club's new website - www.charlotterotary.org. Many thanks to web master Jason Saunders (son of Chase & Carolyn Saunders) for his hard work and creativity.

• This past weekend's District Conference, held in Charleston, was educational and fun. Representing Charlotte Rotary were Alan Adler and guest Mindy Elgin, David & Lucy Anderson, Bill & Harriet Barnhardt, Luther & Sandra Moore, Mac & Leslie McCarley, Jim & Sandy Osborne, Chase & Carolyn Saunders, and John Snyder. Charlotte Rotary received an award for the Best Website. And 2 awards for club projects: Best Vocational and Youth Service, and the District Governor's Award of Excellence-Gold Level. The GSE Team had a ball in Charleston and expressed their deepest appreciation to District 7680 for making their stay so memorable. Dick Keefer, Charlotte South Rotary, was presented with RI's Service Above Self Award. Next year's Conference will be held the first weekend in April in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, the Rotary Club of Charlotte decided to establish a scholarship to recognize the children of our public safety officials - Police, Fire, Medic, and Sheriff. Since 2003, total proceeds have been $167,000. Alan Adler has served as the tournament's chair for the last two years. In just four years, the club has been able to renew nine scholarships and award fourteen new scholarships. Alan has demonstrated a tremendous leadership role with this tournament. The tireless work of Alan and his committee to promote and plan for this event is to be commended.