Southeast Success Stories
Up one levelCarolina Mountain Land Conservancy Acquires 1,527 Acres on Weed Patch Mountain
NC - The Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC) announced its purchase of 1,527 acres on Weed Patch Mountain, north of Lake Lure in Rutherford County.
100 Years of Conservation
NC - In 1909, the citizens of the Town of Highlands gathered their pennies and dollars and for $500 purchased the summit of Satulah Mountain to protect it from development for all time. The organization born from that first effort, known today as the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, has gone on to conserve nearly 1,700 acres.
Planting the Seed of Conservation
NC - A farm that helped a family through the Depression is permanently protected with a conservation easement. The Gilliams believe that "if you take care of the land, it’ll take care of you."
510 Acres Protected on Bluff Mountain
TN - Marian E. Oates recently celebrated her love of the land by donating a conservation easement on her property.
Farrow Family Protects Farm in Collegedale
TN - Years ago on Tallant Road in Collegedale, there was little but the Farrow family and a few farms dotted with cows. Today, the Farrow family remains – but with a lot fewer cows. Much of that pastureland has been replaced by subdivisions in this rapidly growing area of Hamilton County. But a Collegedale businessman has found a way to keep his family farm around and add to the character of the area.
Preserving Kentucky’s Largest Old Growth Forest
KY - Kentucky Natural Lands Trust recently purchased 400 acres in the old growth Blanton Forest, which provides critical habitat for the federally listed Indian bat.
Western View-Shed of Chattanooga Protected
TN - The Tennessee River Gorge Trust has been working with heirs of the Leo Stolphmann family to acquire a 308-acre conservation easement which protects, in perpetuity, the western view-shed of the City of Chattanooga. This brings the total preserved land to more than 16,700 acres or 62% of the Gorge in only 27 years.
High Country Conservancy Completes 97-acre Oliver Hill Project
NC - Oliver Hill, located atop a prominent knoll in the Matney Community, features more than 97 acres of woodlands, grasslands, wildlife habitat, scenic views and a tributary to Craborchard Creek.
Oakland Plantation Protected
SC - The Gregorie family and the Mount Pleasant Open Space Foundation have helped protect 133 acres of land rich in both nature and history.
Preserving Land and a Legacy in Alabama
AL - The Harvard-educated lawyer deeply cared for his Alabama hometown – one of steel and historic social change. He played a major role in the integration of Birmingham’s steel mills and was lauded for his commitment to civil rights with honors during his lifetime and after his passing. But during and after fighting the good fight, his heart and mind often found solace in the lovely mountains and rivers of North Alabama near Mentone.
Sea Green Turtles, Peregrine Falcons and Piping Plovers Homes’ Protected on Masonboro Island
NC - Masonboro Island is home to threatened and endangered species such as loggerhead sea turtles, sea green turtles, peregrine falcons, piping plovers, and seabeach amaranth. The largest privately-held parcel of land left on Masonboro Island will now be under permanent protection.
Expanded Easement Tax Incentives Help Sustain A Local North Carolina Farmer
NC - Curtis Holbert wanted to keep his land the way it is. But Mr. Holbert knew that his current income was not sufficient enough to care for his farm and pay income taxes at the same time.
Broad River Headwaters Protected Forever
NC - The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy recently protected 235 acres on Dill Knob in eastern Buncombe County, safeguarding the headwater streams of the Broad River Watershed. Elizabeth and Terry Simmonds signed a conservation agreement with SAHC, protecting their property in the Swannanoa Mountains, just south of Black Mountain.
History Lives in North Carolina
NC - "One of the only ways to leave a legacy after we’re gone is to permanently protect a piece of property. Horseshoe Farm will be just the way it is now for perpetuity,” says Terry Reeves.
A Heritage of Loving the Land Saves Stewart Farms
VA - 1,600 acres of the farmland and river corridors that Joe Stewart acquired piece by piece over a lifetime are forever protected by conservation easements.
11,000 Acres in Western Virginia Conserved in One Evening
VA - The city of Roanoke donated the largest-ever conservation easement in Virginia, 6,185 acres of Carvins Cove, to the Western Virginia Land Trust and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. American Electric Power (AEP) donated an easement on 5,000 acres on Smith Mountain to Virginia Outdoors Foundation and Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
A Sense of Place
WV - Many people may think that having a conservation easement on your property means that you sit there and watch the trees grow, and that the land is normally not used for economic benefit. This is not the case with North River Retreat, my 437-acre property near Delray (Hampshire County).
A Swath of Undisturbed Forest
The 998 acres of undisturbed forest in Hardy and Hampshire counties has been in the family of Carlton Mills for 53 years.
Leaving a Family Legacy
GA - Brothers Leland and Jeffrey Reynolds have a lot in common. Besides their shared heritage, the two oversee their second-generation family business, enjoy hobbies including hunting and fishing, and have a love of flying, and volunteer to demonstrate a deep, long standing commitment to their community’s shared future.
Tennesseans partner to expand Cumberland Trail State Park
TN- In what beautiful park can you fish, hike, whitewater paddle, swim or rock climb? The answer is the Cumberland Trail State Park, and the Land Trust for Tennessee recently helped to add 3,200 acres and 10 linear miles to this important area.
Tourists Keep Enjoying the View
NC- A brilliant fall day and the bright hues of peak leaf season provided a fitting backdrop as the Conservation Trust for North Carolina announced a major and long-sought conservation success – the protection of 1,488 acres of prime Blue Ridge Parkway landscapes.
Family and Fund Conserve 132-Acre Buffalo Ridge Farm
NC- A family’s love of farming and funding from the Triangle Land Conservancy’s Our Water, Our Land campaign and Johnston County collaboratively conserved the Moore’s 132-acre family farm — Buffalo Ridge Farm.
Resting Acres Angus Farm Protected
KY- The lifelong dream of Bart McFarland was to be a cattle farm owner. As a child, he showed cattle and his cattle judging classes allowed him to participate in selecting sires.
Rare Conservation Gem
NC- Belying its humble name, Weed Patch Mountain north of Lake Lure in Rutherford County North Carolina, is a place of uncommon beauty and natural diversity.
East Tennesseans Donate 25,000 Acres in 25 Years
TN- The beauty, heritage, and people of East Tennessee are truly one of a kind. Stretching through the band of counties that extends from the Cumberland Plateau to the Appalachian Mountains - this diverse landscape has been enjoyed by generations of families.
