easement

Couple Plays Role in Protecting Parkway View

February 12, 2019

When George Rector and Joan Byrd bought their most recent property in Jackson County, the couple already had a plan. “We purchased the 50 acres for the specific purpose of protecting it with a conservation easement,” George says. “The added tract forms a contiguous block with conserved land we already own, so this tract enhances the conservation value of the entire acreage.”

The forested land is visible from Richland Balsam and other overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway and from neighboring Nantahala National Forest Lands. Protecting this property also conserves water quality and aquatic habitat, as its intermittent and perennial streams feed into Bryson Branch and eventually into the Tuckasegee River.

This is the third conservation easement George and Joan have donated to Mainspring in the last five years. “Our two prior experiences with Mainspring were very positive,” Joan says. “We appreciate the fact that they recognize that each tract of land and its owners are unique. Mainspring tailors each easement to fit the land’s conservation values and the owners’ desire to retain specified development rights.”

George and Joan are motivated to do what they can to conserve important areas in Jackson County. “The fact that North Carolina has a rapidly growing population is putting increasing pressure on the remaining natural areas of the state,” George says. “We believe that future generations deserve the same access to clean air, clean water and healthy forests that we enjoy in western North Carolina today.”

Hayesville Family Conserves Farm

January 30, 2018

*Brothers Jim and John Tiger on their family farm in Clay County*

January 30, 2018 – When Peggy Tiger passed away in 2012 at the age of 84, the lifelong Clay County resident had a particular request for her sons: that their family farm, the only farm within Hayesville city limits, be placed in a conservation easement with Mainspring Conservation Trust.

Monday, January 29, her request was fulfilled, and 30 acres is now forever protected.

Owned by a member of the Tiger family since 1938, the land is bordered by 1,300 feet of the Hiwassee River. It is believed to have been part of the Cherokee Town-site of Quanassee, one of the major trading hubs between the British and Cherokee from the early 1700s to 1725. Two of the four main soil types found on the property are classified as prime farmland soils, while the other two are classified as being of local importance.

Jim Tiger is glad to see his mother’s request finalized. “Mom’s wishes were to preserve the property as a farm and prevent it from being divided and developed. She had looked at conserving it in a farm easement and we are seeing that her intentions are carried out. Mainspring was her choice and, after talking with other conservation trusts, it was our choice as well. They are great folks to deal with and have been a huge help in making a complicated decision easier.”

Sara Posey, Mainspring’s Hiwassee Programs Manager, says this project embodies what the regional land trust’s work is all about. “This picturesque farm showcases our mission in so many ways: conserving a working farm that contains prime farm soil, river frontage, cultural significance, and scenic view shed. It’s been great working with landowners who have employed best management practices such as fencing livestock out of surface water and allowing woody vegetation to shade their streams. We’re proud of this project, and so happy Mrs. Tiger’s farm will be conserved forever.”

Mainspring Partners With Two Families to Conserve More Than 340 Acres

February 14, 2017

January 23, 2017 – Mainspring Conservation Trust recently conserved more than 340 acres from two private properties at each end of their service area, capping off a successful year for the local land trust. Each property is conserved through a conservation easement, a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and land trust that permanently limits the uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values.

*McGuire property (see arrow), as seen from the WCU campus*

Patrick and Jeanne McGuire chose to conserve 202 acres in Jackson County, protecting a prominent ridgeline visible from Sylva, Webster, Cullowhee and Western Carolina University (WCU). Located less than a half-mile from Roy Taylor Forest, a large unit of the Nantahala National Forest, the forested property contains a diversity of plant communities and unique habitats. There are at least eight headwater springs and approximately 3,440 feet of first-order streams. These streams feed into larger creeks that flow into the Tuckaseigee River which provides drinking water for WCU.

“For most of my life I have dreamed of conserving land that has been in our family for six decades,” says Patrick McGuire. “With the help of Mainspring, 2016 was the year to donate a conservation easement.” McGuire is glad others will benefit from his decision. “Jeanne and I are so grateful that through this gift we have been able to protect the view shed for WCU, some of the head water springs of Wayehutta and Cane Creeks, and countless wildlife and timber concerns.”

*The forested Jensen property is great for habitat to thrive.*

At the other end of Mainspring’s service area sits Fishermare Branch in Cherokee County. The 141-acre property, owned by George and Linda Jensen, is adjacent to more than 28,000 contiguous acres of conserved National Forest System lands in the Snowbird Mountains. The entire forested property contains the uppermost headwaters of Fishermare Branch. Visible from numerous locations in the Valley River valley, including US Hwy 74, the land has rich old-growth forest features and fosters a wide diversity of plant and wildlife species.

Hiwassee Programs Manager Sara Ruth Posey says the Cherokee County easement project is meaningful both personally and professionally. “As a new employee of Mainspring, this is my first conservation easement project, and I couldn’t be more pleased. The Jensen’s decision to conserve their forested land means the property will forever provide ideal habitat for wildlife, including stream habitat for salamanders. It will be a blessing to see this hardwood forest mature through time.”

Jordan Smith, Land Conservation Manager, says closing on projects at each end of Mainspring’s service area exemplifies the commitment to be a regional land trust. “Partnering with folks from completely different backgrounds, who share a common interest of conserving their properties, is amazing,” he says. “Being able to customize a conservation easement that satisfies the needs of the landowners while protecting the conservation values of the properties gives me hope for future conservation work across our region.”

Celebrating 20 years in 2017, Mainspring has conserved more than 25,000 acres over six counties in western North Carolina and Rabun County, Georgia. The Franklin-based non-profit also works to restore natural and cultural resources and connects people to those treasures.