This summer, Fisher Farm Park has been buzzing with energy and purpose as the Davidson Lands Conservancy (DLC) joined forces with the Conservation Corps of North Carolina (CCNC) to hire six local high school students to enhance the park’s forested walking trails. With guidance from two experienced CCNC staff members, these students spent three weeks improving trail conditions, learning conservation skills, and making a lasting impact on the Davidson community.

This initiative is part of the Wildlife Enhancement Collaborative at Fisher Farm which works on habitat restoration and enhancement at the park. Various other projects underway include managing invasive species, rewilding five acres of fields with native plants, scientific studies led by Davidson College, native tree planting, and bird tracking efforts to name a few. The support for this work on the two forested hiking trail areas was made possible through the generous support of Williams Companies and other DLC donors. These efforts helped make the trails more resistant to erosion and safer and easier to navigate. A special project included building some cedar stairs along a steep portion of the trail. DLC was excited to bring the students here to provide hands-on learning experiences for young people interested in conservation careers.

Meet the Trail Crew

The student team includes:

  • James Upton, 17, Lake Norman Charter
  • Sujwol Khanal, 15, Cox Mill High School
  • Eli Crandall, 16, Cannon School
  • Audrey Penman, 18, William Amos Hough High School
  • Khushi Sharma, 15, Cox Mill High School
  • Karma Compton, 18, Mallard Creek High School

Each student brought a unique perspective and passion to the project. Audrey Penman shared, “My time with CCNC has not only taught me about trail maintenance but was also fun! From debarking trees to making drains, I’ll always remember what I learned and take it into my future career as an environmental scientist.”

James Upton echoed that sentiment, saying, “I wish to go into natural resource conservation, and this was a great way to get into the world of conservation.”

Other students reflected on the teamwork, problem-solving, and sense of accomplishment they experienced. Khushi Sharma noted, “Working on the trails was a great way for me to have an impact and be out in nature. I truly enjoyed watching people walk by in the trails in the morning and seeing the progress through the weeks.”

About DLC

Davidson Lands Conservancy is a local nonprofit that has been serving the Davidson community for 25 years. The mission is to protect land and natural resources, connect lives to nature, and promote a conservation ethic. DLC delivers its mission through the protection of land and water, enhancing trails and greenways, restoring wildlife habitat and tree canopy, and creating nature focused educational and service opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Learn more about DLC here.

About CCNC

Conservation Corps North Carolina is a program of Conservation Legacy, partnering with public land agencies and community organizations to provide young adults and veterans with meaningful service opportunities. Through trail building, habitat restoration, and public land improvement projects, CCNC empowers the next generation of environmental stewards while increasing access to the outdoors.

Learn more at www.corpsnc.org.