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Environment


Land | Water | Ecosystems | Land Management

autumn overlooking a field

To talk about the “environment” of the Catawba Valley entails discussing rocks and soil, plants and animals, water and air, and how they all work together and affect each other. We like to think that these systems are natural and outside of human influence, but in reality, human decisions and actions impact all of them. This understanding of the environment as a complex system that is interwoven with human activity, is the basis for landcare.

Land

The land we see and work with in the Catawba Valley is the result of millions of years of environmental and climatic forces. When we talk about land, we are talking about land formations and soil. Learn about how the land in theis valley was formed, what some of the features that make it unique, and some of the environmental concerns about this sort of land.
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Water

The word “Catawba” comes from a Sioun dialect, translating to “people of the river.” The Catawba Valley spans two major watersheds — so what happens to water in this valley affects people, wildlife, and livelihoods for hundreds of miles downstream. Learn more about these watersheds and rivers, and how we can make a difference right here.
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Ecosystems

The Appalachian region is home to a very rich ecosystem that supports a great diversity of plants and animals. Learn more about this diversity and some of the issues threatening it.
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Land Management

Sustainable land management meets the needs of the landowner or manager, the needs of the environment, and the needs of the larger community. Land management should reflect the goals of the landowner and the values of the larger landscape.
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