Conservancy Buys Land Along Dan River

The Piedmont Land Conservancy has bought a large tract of land along the Dan River.

The 134-acre parcel is located in Stokes County's Westfield community. It's across the river from Jessup's Mill, a historic property that dates to the early 20^th century. Kevin Redding is executive director of the non-profit Land Conservancy. He says the tract had been on the market for about a year, and during that time the organization raised the money to buy it.

The property has a diverse range of trees and plants. Redding says it's also teeming with wildlife including deer, wild turkeys and migratory birds.

Water quality on the Dan River has been a concern since a massive coal ash spill in February. But Redding says that spill was several miles downriver, too far away to have a direct impact. The Piedmont Land Conservancy paid $482,000 for the land and closed on the deal earlier this month.

The Conservancy is hosting a guided paddling event on the Dan River Saturday, July 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is more information on the event here.