Conservation easements are one of the most successful preservation tools to protect East Tennessee’s precious natural and cultural resources. On Thursday, November 5, the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance (ETPA) and Friends of Wears Valley will co-host the third Preservation Toolbox educational workshop at the Wears Valley United Methodist Church (3110 Wears Valley Road) at 6:30 pm. Bill Clabough, Executive Director of Foothills Land Conservancy, will speak about conservation easements. Specifically, Mr. Clabough will explain the wide range of conservation easements and their significance as a preservation resource.
The Foothills Land Conservancy (FLC) is a non-profit organization that works for the protection and preservation of conservation values and natural and productive landscapes in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and their surroundings. They accomplish this through the acquisition of interests in real property whose values include, but may not be limited to, agricultural productivity, ecological integrity, historic character, or managed public access by gift, purchase, or other lawful means. For almost 25 years, FLC has helped individuals and families protect land ranging from more than 1,000 acres of mountain land to 5 acres for a city park.
“Foothills Land Conservancy is here to help landowners make decisions about what they want to do with their property. We always take into account what is in their best interest as well as that of the community and future generations,” says Clabough.
The plight of Cove Mountain became the catalyst for the formation of the Friends of Wears Valley (FOWV), a non-profit group begun in 2005 by the residents of Wears Valley. FOWV also works to promote the principles of “Smart Growth.” An all-volunteer leadership committee conducts the meetings and works with all residents of the valley towards the goals of responsible planning and supporting the purchase of Cove Mountain by the conservancies.
Light refreshments will be served. Please call or email Ethiel Garlington at 865-523-8008 or egarlington@knoxheritage.org by November 3 to RSVP for the event.