Latta Plantation Nature Preserve

Latta Plantation Nature Preserve forms a green peninsula extending into Mountain Island Lake, the drinking water source for over 600,000 residents in Mecklenburg and Gaston counties. Its diversity of natural communities includes upland and bottomland hardwood forests, open fields, streams, and a Piedmont Prairie restoration site protecting the federally endangered Schweinitz's sunflower and Michaux's sumac. The Preserve is part of the Mountain Island Lake Important Bird Area, designated by the National Audubon Society due to its diversity of wintering waterfowl, breeding and migratory songbird species, and protection of bottomland hardwood forests, a threatened natural community in North Carolina.

Latta Plantation Nature Preserve preserves habitat for 97 species of birds, 17 species of mammals, 14 species of reptiles, and 9 species of amphibians. Among the unusual species that have been found at the Preserve are: bald eagle, wild turkey, bobcat, red fox, gray fox, mink, and red-spotted newt. The Preserve also protects two federally endangered plants (Schweinitz's sunflower and Michaux's sumac), a federal candidate species (Georgia's aster), and the largest population of puttyroot orchid in Mecklenburg County.

In addition to Carolina Raptor Center, there are three other entities located in Latta:

Latta Equestrian Center

The Latta Equestrian Center is a 25-acre facility that features show grounds, lighted arenas, horse rentals, trail rides, horseback riding lessons, and a tack shop.

Historic Latta Plantation

Historic Latta Plantation is the restored 19th century federal-style home and living history farm of James Latta, open to public tours and interpretive programs.

Latta Plantation Nature Center

The Latta Plantation Nature Center consists of a discovery hall with live animals, an outdoor amphitheater, and a gift shop. Outside, visitors can observe nature in action at the National Wildlife Federation certified Backyard Habitat Garden, which includes bird feeding stations, butterfly gardens, garden pond, and demonstration compost area.