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James Coman Wins Governor’s Award for Conservationist of the Year

Story by David Brewer

On February 23, the tireless efforts of Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust Executive Director James Coman were rewarded at the highest state level when the longtime farmer traveled to Raleigh to receive the Governor’s Award for Conservationist of the Year for 2007.

In the absence of Governor Mike Easley because of a scheduling conflict, the award was presented by T. Edward Nickens, Chair of the N.C. Wildlife Federation Governor’s Award Committee at the Annual Awards Banquet of the N. C. Wildlife Federation at the Hilton RTP.

“It was quite a surprise and quite a significant honor for the Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust,” said Coman. “I’m really, really honored to get this. It’s sort of a bookend for 30 years of conservation work.”

Coman’s tenure in land conservation has been extraordinary and his tenacious ability to protect the state’s farm and forestlands will be his lasting legacy. The Allegheny County resident was nominated for the Conservationist of the Year by the BRRLT’s board of directors.

The award comes on the heels of what Coman calls a “phenomenal year.” In 2007 alone, BRHLT completed 17 projects and adding nearly 2,000 acres to its already impressive cache of protected lands.

BRRLT was formed in early 1997 by the Watauga County League of Women Voters and the Blue Ridge Resource Conservation and Development Council with the primary mission of preserving farm and forest land in northwestern North Carolina. Coman served as Chair of the steering committee that created BRRLT before going on to become the organization’s executive director.

“I think overall our best achievement has been our ability to work with rural landowners here in this corner of North Carolina,” said Coman, who noted the group’s ability to succeed because of their basic understanding of the people, the land and their needs as farmers in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Coman added, “We’re a farmer-friendly organization.”

Under Coman’s direction, BRRLT has grown from an all-volunteer group to one of the leading organizations in farm and forestland conservation in North Carolina.

By the time of his pending retirement in late 2008, BRRLT will have protected nearly 10,000 acres through conservation easement and direct purchase. This accomplishment includes the creation of two new state parks—Bullhead Mountain and Beech Creek Bog, and the protection of nearly 70 other properties—all protected in perpetuity by a stewardship fund of nearly $500,000.

“We certainly reach the 10,000 acre threshold this year,” said Coman. “We have a lot of good stuff going on. We’re going to have an extra-busy year.”

This accomplishment is even more remarkable when one realizes it was achieved primarily through Coman’s individual effort. However, the Hillsborough native was quick to praise the efforts of Deputy Director Walter Clark and all the executive board members.

“This group has outgrown me running this operation out of my basement with a secretary,” said Coman.

In addition to his tenure with BRRLT, Coman has a long history of other accomplishments in land conservation. From 1994 to 1997, he served as executive director of the National Committee for the New River (NCNR), a nonprofit regional river advocacy organization that functions as a land trust in North Carolina and Virginia. During his tenure at NCNR, the organization grew in stature and respectability. In three short years Coman grew NCNR’s membership from 217 members to 871 members, creating a land trust in fact rather than just in name.

In addition to running two farms and his tremendous contribution to land conservancy, Coman served as a founding member of such organizations as Blue Ridge Birders, High Country Audubon Chapter, New Hope Audubon Chapter, and is an active member of North Carolina Sheep Producer’s Association and the Alleghany County Chamber of Commerce.

The Conservationist of the Year Award is not Coman’s first such honor. In 1986, the farmer was awarded the prestigious Order of the Longleaf Pine by Governor James Hunt for his work on Melrose Farm in Caswell County and his service as a founding member of the Caswell County Chamber of Commerce.

Coman received a Master of Forestry from Duke University in 1971 and a Bachelor of Science from Duke in 1969.