Alice Zawadzki Land Conservation Fund

Geographic Scope: North Carolina

Focus Areas:

• Land preservation and conservation
• Protection of natural habitats
• Preservation of rare and threatened plant species
• Protection of unique plant communities (cypress-gum swamps, Longleaf Pine savanna, hickory forests, rich coves, granite outcroppings)
• Watershed and headwater protection
• Wetland and stream buffer conservation

Program Description: Established in 2017 through a bequest from Alice Zawadzki, a longtime NCNPS member and former president (2002-2006). The fund helps land trust organizations preserve natural habitats through land purchases and conservation easements. Since 2017, the fund has awarded $42,570 in grants that have conserved over 7,389 acres of land across North Carolina.

Eligible Recipients: Land trust organizations and conservation entities

What is Conserved:

• Pristine headwaters and clear streams (Big Elkin Creek, Little Fisher River, Johns River)
• Coastal marshes and estuarine habitats
• Piedmont forests and natural habitats
• Forested mountain regions
• Rare plant habitats
• Riparian buffers and stream protection areas

Contact Information:

• North Carolina Native Plant Society
• PO Box 5907
• Greensboro, NC 27435
• Grants & Scholarships Committee Chair: Debra Murray

Background: Alice Zawadzki was passionate about protecting North Carolina's natural habitats. She worked with conservation-minded organizations including NCNPS, Friends of Plant Conservation, and Friends of State Parks. Her estate gift established this perpetual fund for land conservation.

Application Process

Detailed application procedures not specified in provided materials. Contact the NCNPS Grants & Scholarships Committee for current application information.

Submission Contact:

• Grants & Scholarships Committee
• North Carolina Native Plant Society
• PO Box 5907
• Greensboro, NC 27435