RALEIGH — The board of trustees for the N.C. Natural Heritage Trust Fund is meeting to discuss grant applications and a master plan for bikes and pedestrians.

The fund is one of four state mechanisms for conserving natural areas. The board is meeting Sunday and Monday in Raleigh.

On Sunday, the board will discuss trust fund application submitted in the fall of last year. Also, a representative of the state Transportation Department will discuss progress of the DOT's bike and pedestrian statewide master plan that's being developed.

On Monday, the board will present the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to Jay Erskine Leutze, a leading voice in environmental conservation in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and author of the book "Stand Up That Mountain."