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Who is leading the effort? <br />Two leading land conservation organizations in the area, The Catawba Lands <br />Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land, have formed a partnership to lead <br />the planning for the Carolina Thread Trail. Foundation For The Carolinas <br />provides leadership as a philanthropic partner. As Corporate Champion, Duke <br />Eneray has committed leadership, cash, land and in-kind services. Ruth Shaw, <br />retired CEO of Duke Power, is the chair of our Governing Board, which provides <br />campaign and governance leadership. The Thread's Regional Advisory Council <br />provides technical advice and community insight. The Carolina Thread Trail has <br />two full-time staff members. <br />What is the role of the Carolina Thread Trail effort? <br />The leaders of the Carolina Thread Trail play three roles. They provide a vision <br />for a system of connected trails and greenways throughout the 15-county <br />region and they facilitate getting communities together to share this connected <br />vision. <br />They provide funding by raising private capital that will be given out in grants <br />to communities for planning and building legs of The Thread. <br />Finally, they provide assistance in sourcing state and federal funding and in <br />accessing technical expertise required to build trails and greenways. <br />How long will the trail take to build? <br />The Thread will develop over time as individual trait and greenway projects, <br />guided by a regional vision, grow together. Funding and expertise from the <br />Carolina Thread Trail will accelerate individual efforts and facilitate linkages. <br />Key linkages will occur in the next few years and the network will unfold over <br />the next 10 to 20 years. <br />How safe will it be? <br />Safety along greenways and trails is of the highest importance. There is little <br />evidence to support the fear that these natural spaces encourage criminal <br />activity. In fact, evidence supports the notion that greenways, trails and <br />converted rail beds may actually discourage crime and vandalism in many <br />areas. These areas no longer serve as places for people to hang out, dump <br />G-~ <br />