---
title: Starker | Conservation Mitigation Easement | Unique Places to Save
description: The Starker Conservation Easement Mitigation Site improves water quality and habitat functions through stream restoration and riparian buffer rehabilitation
image: https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/Starker2.jpg
---
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# Starker | Conservation Mitigation Easement
Michael Scisco - February 2024
### Total Acres
29.9
### Project Year
2022
##### Located in the Catawba River Basin of Catawba County NC
[](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/our-values#badge)The Starker Conservation Easement Mitigation Site will result in a higher functioning aquatic ecosystem. The project goals and objectives address water quality stressors by reducing nutrient and sediment inputs through stream restoration, riparian buffer restoration, and riparian wetland rehabilitation.
Hydrologic functions will be improved by raising the local water table. The biologic and habitat functions will be improved by the revegetation of the riparian buffers.
Starker protects 29.9 acres in the Catawba River Basin, under easement since 2022, with the stream restoration and enhancement work carried out by Naturion. The project pairs restored streams with revegetated buffers and rehabilitated wetlands, so the same ground improves water quality and habitat at once. Unique Places to Save is the conservation easement grantee, so those streams, buffers and wetlands are protected permanently.
##### Mitigation Partner
[](https://naturion.com)
Our Role
### Conservation Easement Grantee
Mitigation Type
### Stream Restoration & Enhancement
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- 
- 
- 
About the Author
Michael brings nearly 20 years of experience to his role as Trusted Conservation Advisor at Unique Places to Save. He has worked to conserve over 200,000 acres across the U.S. while securing over $200M in funding and transacting $500M in land and other real estate.
[Learn More](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/michael-scisco-conservation-expert)
#### We are a trusted non-profit partner for mitigation banks seeking high-quality conservation projects
[Learn More](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/conservation-mitigation)
[Mitigation Banking](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/mitigation-banking), [North Carolina](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/north-carolina), [Projects](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/projects)
Michael Scisco, September 2026
### [What Happens After a Mitigation Bank is Complete?](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/mitigation-bank-long-term-management)
Regulatory closeout is a major milestone for a mitigation bank. It confirms that the required restoration or enhancement work has been completed, performance standards have been met, and the formal monitoring and maintenance period can end....
[Mitigation Banking](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/mitigation-banking), [North Carolina](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/north-carolina), [Projects](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/projects)
Mandi Taylor, September 2026
### [The Impossibility of Capturing Nature in a PDF](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/baseline-documentation-report)
Every profession has the gap between what the job looks like on paper and what actually happens on the ground. In land conservation, that divide can be neatly summarized by one specific, legal document: the Baseline Documentation Report (BD...
[Mitigation Banking](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/mitigation-banking), [North Carolina](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/north-carolina), [Projects](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/projects)
Mandi Taylor, September 2026
### [Behind the Scenes of Land Stewardship](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/what-does-a-land-steward-do)
When people think of land conservation wins, they usually picture all the work and coordination required to place land with rich ecological, historical, or cultural value into a conservation easement. And they are right to celebrate those e...
[Mitigation Banking](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/mitigation-banking), [North Carolina](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/north-carolina), [Projects](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/projects)
Sam Warnock, August 2026
### [The River That Built a Town: Ramseur’s Past Shapes Future Conservation (Part Two)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/the-river-that-built-a-town-ramseurs-past-shapes-future-conservation-part-two)
This is the second installment in a two-part series on the Deep River restoration project in Ramseur, North Carolina. For this series, I sat down with Mayor Hampton Spivey and Town Clerk Carol Akers to hear how growing up alongside the Deep...
[](https://app.candid.org/profile/9341350/unique-places-to-save-46-2076094/?pkId=e9b6f29d-825a-42e5-88cd-e7520d3fe801)
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