South Raleigh News

Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) Secretary Reid Wilson marked Earth Day by visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway in Buncombe County. They were accompanied by the National Park Service and state conservation leaders.

“The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of our state’s most prominent places to experience our natural beauty, and an excellent place to celebrate Earth Day,” Governor Cooper expressed during the visit. “We are more committed than ever to leave North Carolina better than we found it and to preserve and protect the planet for our children, grandchildren and the generations to come.”

Secretary Wilson also highlighted the significance of North Carolina's public lands, stating, “North Carolina’s public lands, including our incredible state and national parks, are worth celebrating today and every day. This Earth Day, we honor our state’s commitment to environmental protection under the leadership of Governor Cooper with the help of our strong conservation community.”

The event at Craggy Gardens included the presence of Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout and coincided with National Park Week, running from April 20 to April 28. The Blue Ridge Parkway, which welcomed nearly 16 million visitors in 2023, holds a substantial economic impact of $1.3 billion on local economies.

Governor Cooper's dedication to environmental efforts was emphasized during the celebration. Through initiatives such as the purchase of 120,000 acres for natural and working lands preservation and the signing of Executive Order 305 in February, which sets goals for conserving and restoring forests and wetlands, North Carolina is advancing towards a clean energy economy while safeguarding the environment.