News

Conserving Carolina donations will be matched through Sept. 20

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 8, 2025

Nearly one year after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, Conserving Carolina will host its annual Conservation Celebration on Sept. 20, with the theme of Growing Resilience.

This year, the event comes with a powerful opportunity to make twice the impact. Thanks to a generous $35,000 matching gift from Greg and Shannon McFayden, donations to the Future Fund made now through Sept. 20 will be doubled, up to the $35,000 match.

The Growing Resilience theme reflects the strength and recovery of both our natural spaces and our communities. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, habitat restoration and land protection are more critical than ever before. Healthy forests, wetlands, and native plant habitats don’t just provide beauty and biodiversity, they buffer floods, clean our water, store carbon, and create a foundation for resilient communities.

“The Future Fund is essential for ensuring that our natural places can bounce back stronger,” said Kieran Roe, executive director of Conserving Carolina. “By protecting land and restoring habitat, we’re building resilience into our landscapes, which in turn safeguards the well-being of our communities for generations to come. This matching gift means every contribution will have double the power to create a better future for all.”

“This is a chance to invest in the health and resilience of a beautiful area that we are fortunate enough to call home,” said Greg McFayden, who made the matching challenge possible, along with his wife Shannon. “We invite everyone who loves these mountains, rivers, and forests to step up and be part of the solution.”

Donations to the Future Fund support Conserving Carolina’s three-part mission:

• Protecting over 49,000 acres of cherished lands, from working farms and forests to iconic parks and trails.
• Restoring habitats to bring back wetlands, meadows, and biodiversity lost to storms, invasive plants, and development.
• Inspiring people of all ages to connect with and care for the natural world through education, volunteerism, and outdoor experiences.

Supporters can contribute at weblink.donorperfect.com/ffmatchinggift, send a check with “Matching Gift” in the memo to Conserving Carolina, 847 Case St., Hendersonville, NC 28792, or in person at the Conservation Celebration on Sept. 20 (you must already have a ticket to the sold-out event).

Lead sponsors of the Conservation Celebration are Larry and Nancy Pellegrini, Pat and Eileen Cafferty, Hunter Subaru and Jerry McAninch.