Mainspring Conservation Trust

Stewards of the Southern Blue Ridge

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Taylor to Retire as Executive Director

Mainspring Executive Director Sharon Taylor speaks at an event earlier this year. Credit: John MacLean

Mainspring Conservation Trust announces that Sharon Fouts Taylor will retire as its executive director, effective February 29, 2020.

Taylor began her career at the nonprofit in February, 2001, in time to assist in the successful effort to conserve what are now the 5,000-acre Needmore Game Lands, Mainspring’s flagship project. During Taylor’s tenure, Mainspring has conserved more than 28,000 acres of land and over 36 miles of Little Tennessee River frontage. 

Taylor became the organization’s second executive director in January, 2015. She currently directs a staff of 11 and an annual operating budget of $1.5 million.  During her tenure, Taylor successfully led an organizational rebranding from the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee to Mainspring Conservation Trust that better reflected the nonprofit’s seven-county project area and broad conservation mission, which includes a robust environmental education program, and established satellite offices in Murphy and Sylva. Under Taylor’s leadership, Mainspring’s annual fund now exceeds $600,000, and its internal Land Protection Fund that supports land conservation projects has grown to more than $2 million.

“It has been an extraordinary blessing and opportunity to be part of this organization’s growth and success,” Taylor says. “Mainspring’s conservation mission is critical – to know I’ve helped contribute to it is a joy. And, while I feel nostalgic about leaving, I am excited and confident about Mainspring’s future; it is bright and wide open.”

“Sharon’s passion for this region is unparalleled and she will be greatly missed,” says Connie Haire, chair of Mainspring’s board of directors. “But Sharon is leaving an organization that is healthy and strong. One of her strengths was building a great staff, and we are confident that the new leader will be able to step in to this role with an excellent foundation.”

Mainspring board of directors’ treasurer Rita Salain will chair the selection committee, which has already started the national search. Click here for information on the executive director job posting, or email Molly Phillips.

Smoky Mountain News: Communities celebrate new future of Nikwasi

By: Jessi Stone, August 28, 2019

As Cherokee children joined hands with Macon County residents and led them in a traditional friendship dance in the shadow of the historic Nikwasi Mound in downtown Franklin, it became clear the vision set forth by the Nikwasi Initiative was already playing out before everyone’s eyes. 

The present

“What a great day that has been a long time coming,” Bob McCollum, a Nikwasi Initiative board member, said to the crowd gathered at Big Bear Shelter Saturday morning. 

The day many thought would never come finally arrived in early May when the Franklin Town Council unanimously approved signing over the Nikwasi Mound deed to Nikwasi Initiative — a nonprofit entity representing the town, Macon County, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Mainspring Conservation Trust.

“Think about for a few minutes the history that has taken place on this small patch of earth here, the culture that has been here for thousands of years, all of the events that have transpired right here at Nikwasi,” McCollum said. “And where we are today and where we will go in the future.”

Read the rest of the story here.

Donated Family Land to Regional Nonprofit Holds Many Memories

When Kip McVay hikes the 48-acre property on Buck Creek Road that her parents, Birch and Hilda McVay, purchased in 1967, she is flooded with memories. “After the house was built in the mid-1980’s, I would come up with my late husband, Bob Stubbs, at least four times a year to visit my parents, helping mom with her flower garden and my father with outside chores. They loved this land, and I am so proud to be able to donate it for conservation in honor of them and their memory.”

Sitting at 3,720 feet, the parcel rests along Buck Water and Hogback Mountains, with Buck Creek running through the wooded forest. Among the many conservation values, the high elevation protects rare plant and animal habitat.

McVay, who lives in Cherokee County, Georgia, speaks fondly of life in Macon County. “This place was a blessing to us “flatlanders.”  My late husband liked to comment that the Bible never said anything about going to the flatland to find God, but to the mountains! My parents and I enjoyed supporting local endeavors, like the Cullasaja Gorge Fire and Rescue. Over the years, we established great friendships and visited with neighbors. It is my desire that they learn of this donation and know that the beautiful piece of property that we enjoyed so much is in safe hands with Mainspring Conservation Trust.”

“Mainspring is pleased to honor Kip’s parents’ memory by conserving this special place that brought their family so much enjoyment,” says executive director Sharon Taylor. “Her donation benefits all of us who live and visit this area by allowing Mainspring to further our conservation mission of protecting the region’s beauty and unique natural and cultural resources.” 

Attorney Ken Fromknecht goes over closing papers with Kip McVay, as Mainspring’s land conservation director Jordan Smith looks on.

Mainspring will place a conservation easement on the property to protect the rare plant life and pristine water resources.  The conservation easement will allow one sensitively placed homesite on the 48 acres, as well as recreational enjoyment of Buck Creek and the forested property.  Mainspring will market the property through a local realtor to find a conservation buyer, and will use the proceeds from the sale of the property to support its land, water and cultural heritage programs.

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