index.jpg

Land protection gets a boost from Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation

Release Date: January 30, 2007
Contacts: Valerie True, Blue Ridge Forever, 828.253.0095 x213

ASHEVILLE - Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has given land protection in Western North Carolina a boost by continuing to support the Blue Ridge Forever coalition’s campaign. The $475,000, three-year grant will help fund the operational costs of land conservation organizations in Western North Carolina, as well as facilitate the collaboration of the organizations to protect more endangered lands through the Blue Ridge Forever campaign. All thirteen land conservation organizations serving Western North Carolina are participating in the Blue Ridge Forever campaign to protect 50,000 acres of the Southern Blue Ridge by 2010.

"Z. Smith Reynolds has been a strong supporter of the Blue Ridge Forever coalition’s campaign since its inception in 2004," Phyllis Stiles, campaign director for Blue Ridge Forever, stated. "They recognize that loss of our scenic vistas, natural areas, and working farms to development in Western North Carolina is far too great of a problem for any one land conservation organization to tackle. By collaborating, the groups can more effectively safeguard land and water in Western North Carolina for present and future generations."

In its history Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has made grants totaling more than $414 million to recipients in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties. The Foundation currently gives special attention to certain focus areas: community economic development; the environment; democracy and civil engagement; pre-collegiate education and social justice and equity.

# # #

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. For more information, see www.blueridgeforever.info.

PARTNERS OF BLUE RIDGE FOREVER
Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, High Country Conservancy, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Land Trust for the Little Tennessee, National Committee for the New River, Pacolet Area Conservancy, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Conservation Trust for North Carolina, The Trust for Public Land
Advisors: The Conservation Fund and The Nature Conservancy - North Carolina Chapter







	Land protection gets a boost from Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Release Date: January 30, 2007 Contacts: Valerie True, Blue Ridge Forever, 828.253.0095 x213 ASHEVILLE - Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has given land protection in Western North Carolina a boost by continuing to support the Blue Ridge Forever coalition’s campaign. The $475,000, three-year grant will help fund the operational costs of land conservation organizations in Western North Carolina, as well as facilitate the collaboration of the organizations to protect more endangered lands through the Blue Ridge Forever campaign. All thirteen land conservation organizations serving Western North Carolina are participating in the Blue Ridge Forever campaign to protect 50,000 acres of the Southern Blue Ridge by 2010. "Z. Smith Reynolds has been a strong supporter of the Blue Ridge Forever coalition’s campaign since its inception in 2004," Phyllis Stiles, campaign director for Blue Ridge Forever, stated. "They recognize that loss of our scenic vistas, natural areas, and working farms to development in Western North Carolina is far too great of a problem for any one land conservation organization to tackle. By collaborating, the groups can more effectively safeguard land and water in Western North Carolina for present and future generations." In its history Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has made grants totaling more than $414 million to recipients in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties. The Foundation currently gives special attention to certain focus areas: community economic development; the environment; democracy and civil engagement; pre-collegiate education and social justice and equity. # # # 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. For more information, see www.blueridgeforever.info. PARTNERS OF BLUE RIDGE FOREVER Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, High Country Conservancy, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Land Trust for the Little Tennessee, National Committee for the New River, Pacolet Area Conservancy, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Conservation Trust for North Carolina, The Trust for Public Land Advisors: The Conservation Fund and The Nature Conservancy - North Carolina Chapter