“We don’t own the planet Earth, we belong to it. And we must share it with our wildlife.” – Steve Irwin
Joyner-Harris Forest Conservation started in August of 2022 as a grassroots campaign to voice concerns about the way Wake Forest was approaching new development. Of particular concern was a contract with a Raleigh-based developer, Church Street Co, who planned to rezone 68 acres of pristine forest and wetlands near E. Carroll Joyner Park for housing.
By 2024, our membership had grown to include biologists, wetland specialists, research scientists, real estate professionals, and local residents passionate in the belief that development doesn’t have to be damaging.
Finally in June of 2025, it became clear that we wanted to expand our efforts beyond the initial Joyner-Harris property. JHFC newly branded as Wake Forest Conservation Foundation , a 501c(3) non-profit dedicated to protect high-quality natural and recreational areas not only in Wake Forest but surrounding northern communities.
Our Mission
Wake Forest Conservation is guided by principles of environmental stewardship and community engagement. We aspire to safeguard biodiverse habitats and promote sustainable growth in Wake Forest and surrounding northern communities.
Our Values
Advocacy, Education, Community, Stewardship, Science
Our Community
Over 6,000 people living, working, and exploring nature in Wake County and surrounding communities support Wake Forest Conservation’s efforts to find a balance between urban growth and the preservation of wild, natural spaces. We are a voice for a future in which Wake Forest chooses to be a leader in conservation based development for North Carolina, thus ensuring a future where our residents can enjoy a healthy relationship with nature for generations to come.
