Eno River Association Helps Protect Key Land Along Seven Mile Creek
In December 2025, the Eno River Association partnered with Orange County and the State of North Carolina’s Land and Water Fund to protect nearly 20 acres of high-priority conservation land along Seven Mile Creek. The property will expand Orange County’s Seven Mile Creek Natural Area and includes a planned trailhead for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
The land includes more than 1,600 linear feet of Rocky Run, a tributary of the Eno River, and is recognized as part of the State Inventory of Natural Heritage Areas. This project protects important stream habitat, supports clean water, and expands opportunities for public access and outdoor recreation in the Eno River basin.
Eno River Association Partners with Common Ground Ecovillage to Protect 64.5 Acres
In January 2026, the Eno River Association partnered with the Raleigh Watershed Protection Program to permanently protect 64.5 acres at Common Ground Ecovillage, a 112-acre community within the Eno River basin. The conservation easement safeguards 64.5 acres of woodland, including 2,753 feet of stream and 5.7 acres of floodplain flowing to McGowan Creek.
The easement ensures long-term stewardship of forest and agricultural lands, protecting water quality, wildlife habitat, and important natural and cultural resources while advancing shared conservation goals in the Eno River basin.
Hamilton Conservation Easement Protected in Orange County
The Hamilton Conservation Easement closed in January 2026 thanks to the generous donation of land by Dr. and Dr. Hamilton, and grant support from the Raleigh Watershed Protection Program and the Triangle Community Foundation.
This 55-acre easement is located in Orange County and includes Buckwater Creek, a primary tributary of the Eno River, which flows through the property. Protecting tributaries like Buckwater Creek is essential to the health of the larger river system, as these smaller waterways help sustain water quality, wildlife habitat, and ecological resilience throughout the watershed.
The Importance of Land Protection
Protecting all of these lands is a meaningful milestone for the Association and our Eno River community. Together with our partners, we are advancing long-term conservation efforts that safeguard clean water, wildlife habitat, and access to nature. Read more about our conservation efforts: www.enoriver.org/conservation/
