Mainspring Conservation Trust

Stewards of the Southern Blue Ridge

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Smoky Mountain News: Below the Pinnacle: Project seeks to protect 250 acres below Pinnacle Rock

By Holly Kays, January 20, 2021

The 3.5-mile hike to the top of Pinnacle Rock is a heart-pumping one, the old logging roads that now serve as hiking trails climbing 2,200 feet before leaving the hiker breathless before a sweeping aerial view of the Town of Sylva, cradled on all sides by forested mountain slopes.

The view is the flagship offering of Pinnacle Park, whose core area of 1,088 acres once served as Sylva’s watershed and now offers a worthy hiking challenge within minutes of town. But few people are aware that only half of the rocky outcropping known as Pinnacle Rock is actually part of town property, or that the pristine acreage below that rock is private land that could be developed at any moment. 

Scramble for protection

Now, thanks to Mainspring Conservation Trust, it won’t be. 

Read entire article.

Public Notice Announcement for Reaccreditation

January 19, 2021 – The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Mainspring Conservation Trust is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation. A public comment period is now open.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. Mainspring has been nationally accredited since 2009. This rigorous and comprehensive process demonstrates a commitment to longevity and stability, allows Mainspring to qualify for programs and grants that strengthen the conservation mission of the organization and validates to the public that Mainspring is being professionally managed.

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Mainspring complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. Click here for the full list of standards.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit this website, or email your comments here. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Comments on Mainspring’s application will be most useful by March 21, 2021.

Mainspring Awarded More Than $800,000 in State Land, Water Grants

Four of Mainspring Conservation Trust’s current projects to protect land and water have been awarded in the 2020 grant cycle from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, totaling more than $800,000.

One of the projects awarded in the grant is in southern Macon County, along the Little Tennessee River and Tessentee Creek. Photo credit: Eric Haggert

The funds will protect more than 268 acres and 26,400 feet of stream or river footage in Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, including nine acres of wetland, two cultural heritage sites, three native brook trout habitat areas and 16 rare plants, animals and natural communities.

“North Carolina is blessed with natural beauty and resources that we all share a duty to protect,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “These grants will fund key projects to safeguard our land and water, provide more opportunities for outdoor recreation and support our military and economy.”

“Mainspring submitted four applications to the North Carolina Land and Water Fund for this cycle,” said Jordan Smith, Executive Director for Mainspring. “I am thrilled that, out of 100 applications submitted, Mainspring had the 1st, 6th, 7th, and 13th highest-scoring projects in the entire state. Since project selection criteria are based on both natural resources and public benefit, these scores reiterate how significant this region is to ensuring clean water and public access for generations to come.”

Overall, 39 projects totaling $14.6 million will be awarded by the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, formerly known as the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. The NCLWF receives money to allocate for the grants primarily through specialty license plate registrations and annual appropriations through the General Assembly.

Sara Posey-Davis, Land Conservation Manager for Mainspring, said The Land and Water Fund is crucial for the successful conservation of large tracts of land in western North Carolina. “This real estate can be quite expensive. When Mainspring is able to leverage Land & Water Fund grants with private donations, often at a 50/50 ratio, that enables us to conserve important areas that may not be attainable otherwise.”

A complete list of grant awards is available on the NCLWF website. Mainspring Conservation Trust is a regional nonprofit that works to conserve the Southern Blue Ridge’s most important forests, farms, waters and cultural heritage places. Learn more at mainspringconserves.org.

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557 East Main Street
Franklin, NC 28734
828-524-2711