February 19, 2009 Issue
Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust Protects 10,000 Acres in Western North Carolina
By all accounts, 2008 ranks as the most successful year in Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust’s land conservation history. The land trust, based in Ashe County, protected 2,780 acres of agricultural and forested land last year, bringing its total land protected to 10,317 acres. According to Walter Clark, executive director, BRRLT’s success is directly related to its mission of “preserving rural communities and culture in northwestern North Carolina through the protection of the land resource upon which they depend.” BRRLT follows a voluntary, low-key approach to land conservation working mostly with farmers who wish to protect the rural character of their land and community. Since its creation in 1997, the organization has protected 85 properties in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties.
Although every project represents a significant contribution to protecting the state’s rural landscape, two projects stood out in 2008, according to Clark. In November, BRRLT protected 712 acres of the Herring Ridge YMCA Camp in Wilkes County. This project is an example of two nonprofit organizations working together to conserve land, said “B” Townes, board president. “Because of our protection efforts, Herring Ridge will continue to serve as a natural laboratory and recreation area for thousands of young people.”
Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust is leading the effort to protect Pond Mountain, a 5,000-foot high peak in northwestern Ashe County.
The Herring Ridge project was made possible by a grant to BRRLT for $876,550 from North Carolina’s Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
BRRLT is also leading the effort to protect Pond Mountain, a beautiful 5,000-foot high peak in northwestern Ashe County. The Pond Mountain project protects 1,800 acres of beautiful ridgeline that offers a 360-degree view of peaks and wilderness in three states. Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust put together the nearly $14 million deal from various funding sources including a private donation from the Foundation for the Carolinas and public funding from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund.
Although BRRLT has cause to celebrate, 2008 also brought sadness and loss to the organization. James Coman, the organization’s founder and executive director, retired due to failing health. Coman passed away at his Alleghany County farm on January 21 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. One of the primary goals of his professional life was to see Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust protect 10,000 acres of northwestern North Carolina, added Clark.
“It is wonderful to know that he lived to reach this goal,” he said.
For more information, call 336-846-2758 or email info@brrlt.org.
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