Raleigh, N.C. — Land conservation is becoming a more expensive proposition in North Carolina, a group reported Tuesday.

Land for Tomorrow released a study that shows the prices of land bought by the state for conservation purposes have appreciated by 285 percent in 10 years. That equates to a $100,000 home increasing in value to $385,000 between 1996 and 2006, the group said.

The average price per acre paid by state agencies in 1996 was $699. Last year, the average price per acre had risen to $2,691, according to the report.

The state is working to conserve land to protect drinking water supplies and to create state parks for a growing population. Officials have set a goal of conserving 1 million acres by 2009.

Land for Tomorrow said rising land prices will make that goal more difficult to reach.