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Green River landowners and local conservancy preserve watershed

Release Date: September 18, 2007
Contact: Kieran Roe, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, (828) 697-5777
Valerie True, Blue Ridge Forever, (828) 253-0095 x213

HENDERSONVILLE - The southwest corner of Henderson County is among the most pristine regions of North Carolina, and is the site of the crystal clear streams that form the Upper Green River watershed. Recently completed conservation agreements by two far-sighted local landowners and Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC) protect forever more than 3,895 acres of the Upper Green River—the largest conservation project in terms of total acreage in CMLC’s thirteen year history. Besides the numerous recreational benefits of the Green River, the projects protect a North Carolina Natural Heritage Program-identified natural area, significant for a diversity of habitat types, including granitic dome outcrops, steep cliffs, rich cove forests, Carolina hemlock bluffs, and pine-oak heath forests.

“This agreement is a great victory for all North Carolinians,” Kieran Roe, executive director of Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, stated. “As our treasured mountains are being increasingly purchased for development, saving pristine places, such as the Upper Green River, is essential for preserving the beauty and culture of Western North Carolina.”

Through the cooperation of landowners Sandy Schenck and his neighbor John Ball these protected lands conserve a dramatic swath of forest habitat connecting North Carolina’s DuPont State Forest with Jones Gap State Park and other public land in Upstate South Carolina.

Sandy Schenck and his wife, Missy, have shared their enthusiasm about the natural world with many young campers at their Green River Preserve summer camp over the years, and are now further demonstrating their environmental ethic, ensuring that their land will continue to be an inspiration for future generations of campers.

It was Schenck’s father and mother, Alexander and Laurinda Schenck, who acquired the Green River land after World War II. In describing his family’s decision to grant the conservation agreement, Schenck notes, “My father and mother have been ardent conservationists. We are carrying on that legacy and hope our children carry it on beyond us. Our family lived close to the land for so many years that it became part of the family. Developing it and harming its wildlife, woods and streams would be unthinkable. The highest value of the land is in its undeveloped state, so that it may inspire many after us.”

John Ball and his wife, Elizabeth, both native South Carolinians, purchased their Green River land in 1994. According to Ball, “We bought the place in Green River with the idea of doing very little development.” He notes, “We decided on conserving the land thirteen years ago, before that idea was popular, and hoped to encourage our neighbors. With these conservation easements completed, our hopes have been realized.”

Each landowner made a very substantial donation in granting the conservation agreements, which were purchased by CMLC for less than half of their value. Grants from the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) and a substantial gift from a private donor made CMLC’s bargain purchase of the conservation agreements possible. The Schenck easement was purchased for $7.3 million dollars – with the support of a $4.9 million grant from CWMTF and a $2.4 million gift from Fred and Alice Stanback of Salisbury, NC. The Ball easement was purchased for $2.5 million – with $1.4 million provided by a CWMTF grant and $ 1.1 million donated by the Stanbacks.

Unfragmented forests with periodic openings provide foraging habitat for a number of large mammals including black bear and bobcat. By affirming the permanent protection of a corridor of forest land connecting DuPont State Forest’s 10,000 acres to a 10,000-acre string of public lands in Upstate South Carolina, these projects help to provide the kind of links among natural areas that is vital for wildlife migration and long-term adaptability of species.

These projects also help to achieve the vision of the Blue Ridge Forever campaign to protect 50,000 acres of significant lands in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains over five years, by 2010. The Blue Ridge Forever collective campaign is led by local land trusts and national conservation organizations to engage the public and raise financial resources to safeguard land and water in the Southern Blue Ridge. Over 14,000 acres have been saved thus far toward the campaign goal.

Standing at the set of rocky outcrops known as Bald Rock (elev. 3,200 feet) one is awed by the beauty and majesty of the landscape. Thanks to their generosity and dedication to conservation, along with that of partners and supporters, the Schenck and Ball families have created a refuge that will preserve the upper Green River’s serenity and natural beauty for the delight of many generations to come.

# # #

Blue Ridge Forever is a collective campaign led by local land trusts and national conservation organizations to engage the public and raise financial resources to safeguard land and water in the Southern Blue Ridge for present and future generations. We work in local communities to ensure that critical lands are protected for clean drinking water, recreation, tourism and working farms. In all, land trusts have conserved more than 150,000 acres in Western North Carolina. To learn more, visit www.blueridgeforever.info.

Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy helps landowners protect local land and water resources vital to our natural heritage and quality of life. As a local nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the places you love, CMLC is helping to create a regional network of more than 16,200 acres of protected farm, forest, park and natural lands. To become a member or learn about other ways to support CMLC, visit www.carolinamountain.org or call 697-5777.

The Clean Water Management Trust Fund was established in 1996 to help finance projects that enhance or restore degraded waters, protect unpolluted waters, and/or contribute toward a network of riparian buffers and greenways for environmental, educational, and recreational benefits. CWMTF estimates that more than $17 billion is needed to protect and restore water quality in North Carolina.







	Green River landowners and local conservancy preserve watershed Release Date: September 18, 2007 Contact: Kieran Roe, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, (828) 697-5777 Valerie True, Blue Ridge Forever, (828) 253-0095 x213 HENDERSONVILLE - The southwest corner of Henderson County is among the most pristine regions of North Carolina, and is the site of the crystal clear streams that form the Upper Green River watershed. Recently completed conservation agreements by two far-sighted local landowners and Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC) protect forever more than 3,895 acres of the Upper Green River—the largest conservation project in terms of total acreage in CMLC’s thirteen year history. Besides the numerous recreational benefits of the Green River, the projects protect a North Carolina Natural Heritage Program-identified natural area, significant for a diversity of habitat types, including granitic dome outcrops, steep cliffs, rich cove forests, Carolina hemlock bluffs, and pine-oak heath forests. “This agreement is a great victory for all North Carolinians,” Kieran Roe, executive director of Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, stated. “As our treasured mountains are being increasingly purchased for development, saving pristine places, such as the Upper Green River, is essential for preserving the beauty and culture of Western North Carolina.” Through the cooperation of landowners Sandy Schenck and his neighbor John Ball these protected lands conserve a dramatic swath of forest habitat connecting North Carolina’s DuPont State Forest with Jones Gap State Park and other public land in Upstate South Carolina. Sandy Schenck and his wife, Missy, have shared their enthusiasm about the natural world with many young campers at their Green River Preserve summer camp over the years, and are now further demonstrating their environmental ethic, ensuring that their land will continue to be an inspiration for future generations of campers. It was Schenck’s father and mother, Alexander and Laurinda Schenck, who acquired the Green River land after World War II. In describing his family’s decision to grant the conservation agreement, Schenck notes, “My father and mother have been ardent conservationists. We are carrying on that legacy and hope our children carry it on beyond us. Our family lived close to the land for so many years that it became part of the family. Developing it and harming its wildlife, woods and streams would be unthinkable. The highest value of the land is in its undeveloped state, so that it may inspire many after us.” John Ball and his wife, Elizabeth, both native South Carolinians, purchased their Green River land in 1994. According to Ball, “We bought the place in Green River with the idea of doing very little development.” He notes, “We decided on conserving the land thirteen years ago, before that idea was popular, and hoped to encourage our neighbors. With these conservation easements completed, our hopes have been realized.” Each landowner made a very substantial donation in granting the conservation agreements, which were purchased by CMLC for less than half of their value. Grants from the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) and a substantial gift from a private donor made CMLC’s bargain purchase of the conservation agreements possible. The Schenck easement was purchased for $7.3 million dollars – with the support of a $4.9 million grant from CWMTF and a $2.4 million gift from Fred and Alice Stanback of Salisbury, NC. The Ball easement was purchased for $2.5 million – with $1.4 million provided by a CWMTF grant and $ 1.1 million donated by the Stanbacks. Unfragmented forests with periodic openings provide foraging habitat for a number of large mammals including black bear and bobcat. By affirming the permanent protection of a corridor of forest land connecting DuPont State Forest’s 10,000 acres to a 10,000-acre string of public lands in Upstate South Carolina, these projects help to provide the kind of links among natural areas that is vital for wildlife migration and long-term adaptability of species. These projects also help to achieve the vision of the Blue Ridge Forever campaign to protect 50,000 acres of significant lands in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains over five years, by 2010. The Blue Ridge Forever collective campaign is led by local land trusts and national conservation organizations to engage the public and raise financial resources to safeguard land and water in the Southern Blue Ridge. Over 14,000 acres have been saved thus far toward the campaign goal. Standing at the set of rocky outcrops known as Bald Rock (elev. 3,200 feet) one is awed by the beauty and majesty of the landscape. Thanks to their generosity and dedication to conservation, along with that of partners and supporters, the Schenck and Ball families have created a refuge that will preserve the upper Green River’s serenity and natural beauty for the delight of many generations to come. # # # Blue Ridge Forever is a collective campaign led by local land trusts and national conservation organizations to engage the public and raise financial resources to safeguard land and water in the Southern Blue Ridge for present and future generations. We work in local communities to ensure that critical lands are protected for clean drinking water, recreation, tourism and working farms. In all, land trusts have conserved more than 150,000 acres in Western North Carolina. To learn more, visit www.blueridgeforever.info. Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy helps landowners protect local land and water resources vital to our natural heritage and quality of life. As a local nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the places you love, CMLC is helping to create a regional network of more than 16,200 acres of protected farm, forest, park and natural lands. To become a member or learn about other ways to support CMLC, visit www.carolinamountain.org or call 697-5777. The Clean Water Management Trust Fund was established in 1996 to help finance projects that enhance or restore degraded waters, protect unpolluted waters, and/or contribute toward a network of riparian buffers and greenways for environmental, educational, and recreational benefits. CWMTF estimates that more than $17 billion is needed to protect and restore water quality in North Carolina.