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.