Fun Stories About Our Lands 2017

Cox Point easement in SC

The Cox Point property dates back to an original King’s Grant and is part of a 5th generation family farm, with the 6th generation now working it as well. The family got to a point where they felt the only choice was to put the tract up for sale. A Chinese investor quickly made a full-price offer to buy it, in order to build a high-density subdivision. The family decided they just couldn’t do this to their land. Then they learned about conservation easements. Instead of becoming paved over for a subdivision, this heirloom will continue to be a part of the natural landscape. They still continue to help the local economy by farming, including growing clams and the best shrimp you’ll ever taste. The land will remain in natural condition and is expected to be used in the future by a camp planned to adjoin it that will be set up for kids with terminal cancer to experience the out of doors.

Tanbark easement in NC

Near Asheville, the Tanbark easement is helping to keep land below the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Mountains to Sea Trail natural and forested. This is beneficial both for hikers and for rare species such as the cerulean warbler.

Big creek easement in GA

This easement in the north Georgia mountains has a beautiful trout stream as well as ponds and mountain slopes. The owners have opened the land to a group helping disabled veterans in their recovery, called Project Healing Waters  ( http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/  ).

Birch River easement in GA

The forested slopes of the Property rise from the Chestatee River and provide the public with scenic views in a number of ways, as documented in this report both in photographs and viewshed analysis maps. The Property provides scenic beauty for people in recreational pursuit on the river, such as canoeing, kayaking, tubing, fishing or swimming. The views are also present for the public while driving on the busy Highway 60/19 (see photos). Long range views are also supported for an extensive area within several miles of the Property (see viewshed maps).

The Chestatee River provides the public with recreational uses. Thus the easement provides scenic value for tourism and the many members of the public that use the river.

There is a narrow strip of private land between the Property and the river itself. It is too narrow to build structures. However, many tourists use this location to get in and out of the river while floating in inner tubes or kayaks. The easement provides a scenic backdrop and greenspace for these recreational activities.

Boone Creek easement in GA

The property was donated to a church who will use it for taking inner city kids into the woods to try to turn their lives around. Interesting carnivorous plants are thriving.

Lake Myra easement in NC

Managed by Wake County Parks & Recreation, this site helps to protect the forests and wetland between the lake and an elementary school. It is open to the public and an environmental education center is in the plan.

Kentucky Lake easement in Tennessee

Part of the scenery for Kentucky Lake, various highways, and Paris Landing State Park is enhanced by this easement. In addition, it adds beneficial habitat nearly joining the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Category V Protected Landscape / seascape. The area is home to healthy populations of elk and bison. It is also the largest inland peninsula in the United States. According to its website information, it receives 1.5 million visitors annually.

Snapping Shoals easement in GA

Just outside of the perimeter of Atlanta, this easement boasts large trees and a long river frontage protecting uncommon shoals.  It will make scenic vistas for the proposed South River Water Trail that will be used for stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, tubes or rafts. The trail will be 60 miles in length, running from the boundary of the City all the way down to Jackson Lake. The vision is that within ten years, it will become a nature and recreation destination for the region. The easement is on the edge of one of the proposed access points, so its natural beauty will be especially appreciated by those on the river. SERLC added more protected land downstream, which will not only add to the paddling trail scenery but also protects Native American burial mounds.