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ReVenture Park™ and Catawba Lands Conservancy Partner to Protect Additional 175 Acres Along the Catawba River in North Carolina

Charlotte, NC, December 30, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The developers of ReVenture Park™ and the Catawba Lands Conservancy (CLC) announced today that they closed on a transaction creating a 175-acre conservation easement within the ReVenture Park 667 acre site. The easement will forever protect a wide swath of natural area on both sides of Long Creek and nearly 1.4 miles of Catawba River frontage. The easement will also connect the Carolina Thread Trail to the US National White Water Center.

“Environmental responsibility is a core element of the ReVenture Park Eco-Industrial Park development plan. This easement will ensure the substantial water frontage areas are protected and parts of it will be able to be enjoyed by the public.” -Tom McKittrick, President, Forsite Development Inc.

The acreage of the conservation easement consists of nearly 30% of the ReVenture Park project. This newly conserved property, called Long Creek Conservation Area, is located in southwestern Mecklenburg County along Long Creek (a tributary of the Catawba River) near the U.S. Whitewater Center. Earlier this year, ReVenture Park secured a Wildlife and Industry Together Certification (W.A.I.T) with the NC Wildlife Federation. This collaboration will include multiple wildlife habitat enhancement projects that are established on the easement and throughout Eco-Industrial Park.

“We are pleased this project preserves important natural land within an area that is experiencing residential and industrial development,” said Tom Okel, Executive Director for CLC. “Long Creek Conservation Area will also provide a key leg of the Carolina Thread Trail, which will make an important connection to the trails and amenities of the U.S. Whitewater Center. This project would not have been possible without the generous support and vision of our corporate partners.”

The Clariant Corporation was also a key partner in making this project possible. The area around the preserve is a Brownfield redevelopment site at which both Clariant and Forsite Development are supporting environmental and conservation stewardship efforts.

“We are committed to conservation efforts near our sites and throughout the region,” said Ken Golder, head of Clariant's North American region. “We understand the importance of preserving our waterways and conserving the lands that will benefit our communities now and in the future.”

Clariant Corporation has supported local land conservation through past generous donations to CLC, including a 1997 conservation easement donation involving 17 acres at Long Creek Bluff.

About ReVenture Park™
ReVenture Park™ is an ambitious plan to transform a former 667 acre Superfund Site along the Catawba River in Charlotte, NC into the region's largest Eco-Industrial Park. This project will create one of the most dynamic and multi-faceted renewable energy developments currently being developed in the United States. Featuring multiple clean-energy projects, ReVenture Park will advance the Charlotte, NC region's environmental goals and economic growth by attracting a myriad of renewable energy and alternative fuel projects. For more information: www.reventurepark.com.

About Catawba Lands Conservancy
Catawba Lands Conservancy (CLC) is dedicated to saving land and connecting lives to nature. CLC protects more than 11,000 acres in Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg and Union counties and is one of 24 land trusts serving North Carolina. CLC focuses its efforts in four key areas: clean water, local farms, wildlife habitat and providing public access to nature. Catawba Lands Conservancy is the lead agency for the Carolina Thread Trail, an initiative that would link more than two million citizens with hundreds of miles of trails that connect communities within 15 counties in North and South Carolina. For more information: www.catawbalands.org.

About The Carolina Thread Trail
The Carolina Thread Trail (The Thread) is a 15-county, two state initiative designed to inspire and facilitate the creation and development of a regional network of trails, blueways and conservation corridors that would link more than 2.3 million citizens. With technical resources and catalytic funding from The Thread, local communities will plan and implement their portions of this greenway-interstate system. Catawba Lands Conservancy is the lead agency for The Thread, which is working in partnership with Foundation For The Carolinas and many local partners. For more information: www.carolinathreadtrail.org.

Contact Information:
ReVenture Park
Terri Bennett
704-953-6570
Contact via Email
www.reventurepark.com

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