ECOLOGY

Every lush local landscape presents a unique glimpse into the ecology of the wetlands and woodlands of the Piedmont region. The remaining wild spaces in our area are habitats for many important native animals and plants. As natural spaces throughout our region are at threat due to development, an important part of the HEARTS’ mission is to connect the public with resources for conservation and sustainable ecological practices. When we collectively possess a better understanding of the ecology around us, together we can better manage our natural resources, protect local plant and animal wildlife, and also protect human health.

HEARTS Happening events share interesting historical and scientific information about our region’s native plants and animals, as well as connections to sourcing local farm goods and best practices for landscaping resources.

The E in HEARTS also connects with the T in HEARTS, so please visit our Trails page for more ways to explore nature!

The HEARTS Ecology Collection is an assemblage of farm lands, natural spaces, and ecological organizations throughout the Piedmont region.

Reconnect with Nature

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Featured Regional Ecology


  • Freedom Spring

    Freedom Spring

    A site in Huntersville, NC locally known as the birthplace of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independance.

  • Freedom Park

    Freedom Park

    A 98-acre park centered on a 7-acre lake in Charlotte, NC between the historic Dilworth and Myers Park neighborhoods. The park has tennis and volleyball courts, sport and athletic fields, a playground, a steam engine, it’s own paved trails plus a link to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, and a massive indoor shelter building available for event rentals.

  • Sherrills Pass

    Sherrills Pass

    A c.1745 spur path located in Troutman, NC, also known as the Keowee Trail, is part of the Great Wagon Road. This bi-directional trailway also provides access to the Mountain Creek Park trail network.

Regional Farms


  • Blackberry Ridge Farm

    Blackberry Ridge Farm

    A Huntersville, NC farm using organic faming methods to produce hemp & fresh cut flowers.

  • DeepRoots CPS Farm

    DeepRoots CPS Farm

    An urban farm engaged in Deep Roots Community Planning Solutions that’s located on a family homestead in North-West Charlotte, NC.

  • Dutch Buffalo Farm

    Dutch Buffalo Farm

    Using innovative and responsible production practices to grow a healthy, high-value product, the Dutch Buffalo Farm provides produce at a quantity and price that allows fresh local food to become a meaningful addition to the diet of the community.


Regional Farmers Markets

  • Charlotte Regional Farmers Market

    Charlotte Regional Farmers Market

    Fresh and locally grown produce, plants, shops, arts, and crafts attract customers to this Charlotte market year-round.

  • Cotswold Farmers Market

    Cotswold Farmers Market

    Running from the 1st Saturday in May to the last Saturday in October, this Charlotte, NC market offers fresh produce, proteins, artisanal foods, and handcrafted goods.

  • Davidson Farmers Market

    Davidson Farmers Market

    A producer-only market in downtown Davidson, NC that offers shoppers healthy, fresh, and locally-grown foods and goods.

  • Denver Farmers Market

    Denver Farmers Market

    Local market for local growers, makers, and creators in Denver, NC.

  • Gastonia Farmers Market

    Gastonia Farmers Market

    Just minutes west of Charlotte, NC, this market opens Tuesdays and Thursdays from May through October, and on Saturdays April through November.

  • Huntersville Growers' Market

    Huntersville Growers' Market

    The Town of Huntersville, NC hosts its’ market every Saturday from May through August at Veterans Park in Downtown Huntersville offering local produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, snacks, cut flowers, artisan crafts, kids entertainment, and goodies for your four-legged friends.

  • Huntersville Hospital Farmers' Market

    Huntersville Hospital Farmers' Market

    Every Tuesday from May through August local farmers offering fresh produce, meats, artisan breads, baked goods, fresh cut flowers, and potted plants come together just outside Novant Health Hospital in The Park business complex Huntersville, NC.

  • Kannapolis Farmers Market

    Kannapolis Farmers Market

    Open Thursdays 4-7pm from May through September, this market offers a variety of fresh, local produce, as well as honey, prepared foods, spices, and crafts.

  • Lake Norman Area Farmers Market

    Lake Norman Area Farmers Market

    Farmers market in Denver, NC featuring local vendors produce, baked goods, flowers, and handmade items.

  • Lakeside Farmer's Market

    Lakeside Farmer's Market

    A local, family owned market shop and garden center in Sherrills Ford, NC.

  • Mount Holly Farmers Market

    Mount Holly Farmers Market

    A market which focuses on supporting local small farms, educating the community on the advantages of eating fresh local food, and teaching the community to grow their own food.

  • North Meck Community Farmers Market

    North Meck Community Farmers Market

    This Cornelius, NC market promotes local food producers and enhances access to healthy food options with a mission to unite the community, foster neighborhood relationships, and engage in meaningful conversations about local food systems.

  • Patterson Farm & Market

    Patterson Farm & Market

    Produce market known for strawberries, ice cream, pick-your-own options, plus a corn maze from six generations of a family farmers in Rowan County for the last 125 years.

  • Piedmont Farmers Market

    Piedmont Farmers Market

    Local farmers, producers, and artisans in Cabarrus County attract customers year-round on Saturday mornings, with two additional seasonal markets in Harrisburg and downtown Concord.

  • South End Farmers Market

    South End Farmers Market

    Local, sustainable, responsibly raised produce and proteins – along with locally sourced artisanal food products and crafts.

  • Spring Water Farms Market

    Spring Water Farms Market

    Fresh-picked produce and pasture-raised beef brought directly to customers in Huntersville, NC seven days a week.

  • Uptown Farmers Market

    Uptown Farmers Market

    Locally grown, fresh food to improve health and support a sustainable lifestyle while providing a vibrant market.

Farm and Nature Connections


  • Bicentennial Farm Program

    Bicentennial Farms are Century Farms that have maintained continuous family ownership for 200 years or more.

  • Carolina Farm Trust

    Carolina Farm Trust

    Working with farmers and growers, farms, markets, and consumers, this nonprofit strives to make our region a global leader in local food production and consumption.

  • Carolina Raptor Center

    Carolina Raptor Center

    Dedicated to the conservation of raptors, Carolina Raptor Center features more than 30 species of raptors, including eagles, owls, vultures, falcons, hawks, and more.

  • Catawba Lands Conservancy

    A land trust foundation focused on protecting and managing land for public benefit in the Southern Piedmont region of North Carolina.

  • Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation

    Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation

    The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, Inc. preserves, protects, and restores the waters of the Catawba-Wateree River basin for all through education, advocacy, and engagement.

  • Century Farm Program

    Century Farm Program

    Century Farms must be at least 100 years old according to authentic land records and in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years.

  • Charlotte Council of Garden Clubs

    Charlotte Council of Garden Clubs

    Organized and federated in 1952, this nonprofits’ purpose is to provide educational information on horticulture, conservation, and environmental topics in the Charlotte area.

  • Davidson Lands Conservancy

    Landtrust committed to conserving local lands and natural resources, connecting lives to nature, and promoting a conservation ethic.

  • NC Native Plant Society

    North Carolina native plant identification and gardening resources.

  • Three Rivers LandTrust

    We conserve local land, natural areas, rural landscapes, family farms, scenic rivers, and historic places.

Seeking a specific farm or nature connection?

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Our research is ongoing and new information is added frequently.

Please check back soon for new additions to the HEARTS Ecology Collection!

If you have a suggestion or information to share, please contact us.