Piedmont Land Conservancy gains 127 acres for nature preserve near Pfafftown

The Piedmont Land Conservancy has acquired 127 acres of historic farmland in Forsyth County for preservation.

The land was somewhat of a surprise gift. Husband and wife biologists Peter and Ann Weigl bought the property late last year with plans to donate it to the Conservancy. 

The move keeps the land out of the hands of developers in a growing part of the county near a leg of the planned western loop of the Northern Beltway. 

Bashavia Creek Preserve will be named for the stream that meanders through on its way to the Yadkin River. The lot was formerly owned by the Needham family and includes a farmhouse dating to the 1850s. 

Kevin Redding is the executive director of the Piedmont Land Conservancy. He says the organization has a goal of putting a public nature preserve in all nine of the counties it serves. This opportunity in Forsyth was unexpected. 

“Probably 40 percent of the property is in hayfields that we will decide whether to keep in agriculture or convert to more wildlife-friendly management," he says. "And then the rest is really pretty oak-hickory forest with some bluffs on it, some beautiful beech trees, lots of wildflowers in the springtime. So there’s a real mix.”

Redding says the property is not yet open to the public but when it is it will include hiking trails among its offerings.