The Gaston County Piedmont Area Wildlife Stewards (Gaston Co. P.A.W.S.) was founded by a group of local sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts with the goal of concentrating more of their conservation efforts in our area. We are a chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 corporation.

Gaston Co. P.A.W.S. is currently active in creating, improving, and preserving all types of wildlife habit in Gaston County and the surrounding communities, with successful projects including wood duck box and game plot installation on the property of Carolina By-Products and other locations, soil stabilization and erosion control at the Bit of Hope Ranch, and fish attractor and Osprey nesting structure placement on Lake Wylie.

Our chapter activities include the Wildlife Benefit Banquet, Youth Day Event, project work days, various shooting events, hosting the NC Hunter Safety Course in conjunction with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, as well as participating in events of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and our sister chapters.

Gaston County P.A.W.S. was proud to receive the award as the North Carolina Wildlife Federation Chapter of the Year at the 2011 Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards Banquet.

Participation and membership in Gaston Co. P.A.W.S. is open to anyone interested in the conservation, preservation, and protection of our area wildlife and their habitat, and only requires membership in The North Carolina Wildlife Federation.