Our Mission
Our mission is to protect the Richland Natural Area by educating citizens about its natural and recreational assets.

What We Do
The Richland Initiative is dedicated to preserving the natural environment, recreational opportunities, and heritage of the lands comprising the Richland Natural Area--NC Museum of Art, Museum of Natural Sciences' Prairie Ridge Ecostation for Wildlife and Learning, Schenck Memorial Forest, NCSU Equine Educational Unit, and Umstead State Park. A majority of the 7,000 acres of open space is owned by the State. However, we recognize that with the increasing development pressures in the area, action needs to be taken in order to protect this land for the future. To accomplish our goal we provide up-to-date information on this website and inform citizens about upcoming events and threats in the area.

Partnerships
The Richland Initiative works cooperatively with the Umstead Coalition (http://www.umsteadcoalition.org/).

Thanks to…
The Richland Initiative greatly acknowledges the generous help provided by:

Website Development:
Les and Jay Stewart with Seamless Web Design and Graphics (http://www.seamless-design.com/).

Guidance:
Kevin Brice, Triangle Land Conservancy
Jean Spooner, Umstead Coalition

Website Writers and Editors:
Kelly Corrigan
Sally Fry
Max Gongaware
Jean Gross
Dr. Erica Kosal
Jason McMahon
Dr. Amy Marschall
Andrew Meyer
Sally Migliore
Don Miller
Laura Reinhard
Becky Schmitz
Brooke Triplett

Letter from Adam Migliore Meyer:
Welcome to the Richland Initiative’s site. Since you’re here, you’ve probably ran, biked, hiked, or horseback rode the trails in the Richland Natural Area (RNA). Or maybe you haven’t, but you’ve come here to learn more. Regardless of your interest, I believe that we all share one unifying sentiment—a love for this land. And from that love, comes the desire to protect it—not only for ourselves, but for future generations.

History
Ever since I moved to a home near the RNA with my family when I was eight, I’ve enjoyed hiking, biking, and running in the area’s parks. When I first moved in, I’d stomp through the creeks building dams and then later monitoring water quality.

Then in my middle school years, I’d venture a little further out with friends exploring Schenck Memorial Forest and Umstead State Park. Throughout high school I’d bike and run further on the trails. Now as I enjoy the last year of my high school career, I fondly look back on those times well spent in the outdoors.

For me, the land gave and continues to give me so much from a getaway from school work to a challenging network of biking and running trails. But I am not the only one who finds refuge and recreation in the area. Many others enjoy the region’s forests and lakes. It’s the value of the region and its beauty that gives me inspiration for this initiative.

The Initiative began a few years ago, or at least the idea of one began to evolve then. After personally witnessing the environmental impacts of the Edwards Mill Extension in 2001, I realized that this area was not immune to the challenges of growth. But I felt like I had to do something. I felt like I needed to raise awareness of how unique and important this natural area is. I remember that I was biking home one crisp fall day when spontaneously the concept of an initiative aimed at promoting the land and protecting it came to me.

In the few years that have passed since that bike ride, I’ve been working along with many others in writing the content for this site. Les and Jay Stewart have generously contributed their web talent. Kevin Brice and Jean Spooner have been instrumental in providing guidance. These efforts have helped in making this site a place to organize and share information about the area.

The Initiative’s work will not end with this site. This initiative will continue to be active in education and protection of this vital natural area. Please join us.

See you on the trails,
Adam