LAKE DAVIDSON NATURE PRESERVE 

In 2011, Davidson Lands Conservancy received a grant from REI to build an access trail and canoe/kayak launch on Lake Davidson. This project was supported by a collaboration of the Town of Davidson, Davidson Day School, and DLC. 

Access to the trail is located at 750 Jetton Street by the Davidson Day athletic fields and winds through a mature hardwood forest until it reaches the launch point at Lake Davidson.  

Benches in the Park are in the style made famous by environmentalist Aldo Leopold (1887 – 1948), an American author, philosopher, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and environmentalist. He is best known for his book A Sand County Almanac (1949), which sold more than two million copies. The Leopold-designed bench is simple to construct and surprisingly sturdy. 

The benches feature sketched or photographic plaques of wildlife in honor of a select group of the Conservancy’s founding members, presidents, and board members. Whether you wish to canoe or kayak or just enjoy a stroll in the woods, we encourage you to enjoy the beauty of Lake Davidson Nature Preserve along the Sterling Martin Trail. 

For more information on the Lake Davidson Nature Preserve, visit the Town of Davidson website. Information about permanent canoe/kayak rack-storage is also available from The Town of Davidson.  

Lake Davidson is a pristine body of water adjacent to Lake Norman, separated from its larger neighbor by the I-77 causeway and regulations that prohibit the motor craft commonly populating Lake Norman. It is a favorite for those who canoe or kayak. Davidson Lands Conservancy manages The Lake Norman Nature Preserve in conjunction with the Town of Davidson, which holds a conservation easement on the property through its department of Parks and Recreation. 

In 2011, Davidson Lands Conservancy received a grant from REI to build an access trail and canoe/kayak launch on Lake Davidson. This project was realized in cooperation with the Town of Davidson and Davidson Day School.

You can access the trail at 750 Jetton Street by the Davidson Day athletic fields. It winds about 900 feet through a mature hardwood forest until it reaches the launch point at Lake Davidson. At the midway point along the trail, those carrying a canoe or kayak will be happy to find a rack – perfect for literally taking a load off!

Along the way, rest at benches constructed in the style made famous by environmentalist Aldo Leopold.

Aldo Leopold (January 11, 1887 – April 21, 1948) was an American author, philosopher, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and environmentalist. He is best known for his book A Sand County Almanac (1949), which sold more than two million copies. The Leopold-designed bench is simple to construct and surprisingly sturdy.

The benches feature sketched or photographic plaques of wildlife in honor of a select group of the Conservancy’s founding members, presidents, and board members. Whether you wish to canoe or kayak or just enjoy a stroll in the woods, we encourage you to enjoy the beauty of Lake Davidson Nature Preserve.

For more information on the Lake Davidson Nature Preserve, visit the Town of Davidson website. Information about permanent canoe/kayak rack-storage is also available from The Town of Davidson. Learn how to enter the lottery for available storage space.

Lake Davidson is a pristine body of water adjacent to Lake Norman, separated from its larger neighbor by the I-77 causeway and regulations that prohibit the motorcraft commonly populating Lake Norman. It is a favorite for those who canoe or kayak. Davidson Lands Conservancy manages The Lake Norman Nature Preserve in conjunction with the Town of Davidson, which holds a conservation easement on the property through its department of Parks and Recreation.

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