The Facts: The clock is ticking -- our way of life is at stake. Nothing is more important than clean water to drink. By protecting land around rivers, lakes, estuaries, and streams, we can prevent polluted runoff from flowing into North Carolina's water supply. More than 3,300 miles of our rivers and streams do not meet water quality standards (pdf, 2.75 MB) Each year, North Carolina loses 100,000 acres to development.   In 2007, North Carolina surpassed New Jersey as the 10th most populous state. In 2005, we tied for first with Florida and Tennessee for losing the most prime farmland. As our population grows, the clock is ticking: we must make the investments now to protect our natural and economic resources. A coalition called Land for Tomorrow is educating North Carolinians about the need for land and water conservation now. North Carolina was wise in establishing four conservation trust funds so local governments and organizations have financial support to protect places that matter. In this way, the state makes great invesments: for every dollar the trust funds invest, $1.40 is invested by private organizations, local governments, or the Federal government. Find out how much money the conservation trust funds have invested in your county. Our children and grandchildren deserve to know a North Carolina as beautiful and full of promise as the one we enjoy.