In 2021, Epic Games co-founder Mark Rein donated 83 acres in North Carolina; how his gift helped create a 241-acre nature preserve

Mark Rein is the co-founder of video game company Epic Games. Mark and his wife, Tara Dow-Rein, donated 83 acres of land to the Tar River Land Conservancy in April 2021. The land is located along Smith Creek in southern Granville County, near Creedmoor, North Carolina. The donation was announced on April 21, 2021, ahead of Earth Day on April 22. They also made a big financial contribution to the conservancy. The amount was not publicly disclosed. The organisation said the financial gift would help it conserve additional land beyond the donated property.

How 83 acres became a 241-acre preserve

The donated 83 acres adjoined a 158-acre that the conservancy had purchased in 2018, according to reports. Combining the two parcels created a 241-acre property called the Horseshoes Road Nature Preserve.

The conservancy planned to manage the combined land as a protected natural area and keep it permanently undeveloped. The donation expanded the organisation's existing conservation property rather than creating a preserve entirely from scratch.


The property contains hardwood and pine forests, along with marshy wetlands. These habitats provide refuge for waterfowl and other waster birds. A colony of great blue herons frequents the wetlands in the area.

The property has around 0.6 miles of frontage along Smith Creek. The creek flows into Falls Lake Reservoir, which supplies water around the creek and supports efforts to protect downstream water quality.

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Why land conservation mattered in the area

The News & Observer reported that the Raleigh-Durham region was experiencing rapid growth, increasing pressure on land around Falls Lake.

New housing development and shopping centres near streams and rivers could affect water quality, particularly if development extended into floodplains.

Tar River Land Conservancy executive director Derek Halberg said conservation around Falls Lake was becoming increasingly important as the region grew. The donated property helps maintain a natural buffer along Smith Creek and protects forest and wetlands habitats.

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Mark Rein and Epic Games

Rein co-founded Epic Games with Tim Sweeney in 1991. The company is known for video games such as Fortnite.

At the time of the donation, Rein had recently become one of the Triangle region's newest billionaires because of his approximately 4% ownership stake in Epic Games, according to The News & Observer.

It was reported that he was following Sweeney's example of supporting land conservation in North Carolina.