|
About
Us |
The
Land Trust for the
Little Tennessee
88 East Main Street
P. O. Box 1148
Franklin, NC 28744-1148
Phone: 828-524-2711
Fax: 828-524-4741
Email: LTLT
 |
The
Franklin Press November 3 , 2006 |
Land Trust and public have much to celebrate “Nothing
happens unless first a dream.” On Saturday the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee invites the public to its annual Fall Celebration. In the wake of LTLT's announcement of a deal to protect the ancient mound and town site of Cowee, there will be plenty to celebrate. The Land Trust began in the early 1990s with a few people talking over breakfast about ways to conserve land in the vitally important Little Tennessee River valley. In 1995, the group decided to create the Nikwasi Land Trust, which initially operated under the umbrella of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. The trust began with literally nothing but a dream. It might have remained a small, special interest group except for the extraordinary vision brought by founder Paul Carlson. In his quiet, self-effacing way, Carlson communicated his vision of the valley's great human and natural history to anyone who would listen - property owners, funders, business people, local politicians, state officials, environmentalists, community groups, descendants of old Macon County families and newcomers. It was - and is - a spellbinding story. It caught the imaginations of people looking for ways to save their farms, and of people who wanted to save the river. It drew in lovers of heritage who worried about so much history being lost to progress, and folks who mourned the passing of the rural landscape. The Land Trust began to gain momentum. It took its present name and made its first conservation purchase, the Tessentee Farm, in 1999. That same year, the Land Trust helped put together the successful National Register nomination for Cowee-West Mill as rural historic district. Then what had seemed an impossible dream suddenly came into reach: Public ownership of the Needmore tract. LTLT thrust itself into the effort to acquire this remarkable river property from Duke Power Company. Working closely with local governments, regional and state agencies, other conservation organizations, residents and Duke, the young land trust took a pivotal role in raising funds and shaping the eventual outcome of the deal. Since then, the Land Trust has continued its remarkable success story. Today, two-thirds of the river frontage downstream of Franklin is in some form of protection. And now, the icing on the cake - protection for the Cowee town site, one of the most important historical properties in Western North Carolina. Through a unique property transaction, the 71-acre site will be acquired by the Cherokee and preserved as a heritage area. In just 11 years, the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee has achieved a truly amazing record. But there is much more to be accomplished. And Carlson is still dreaming. The Fall Celebration will be held at the LTLT's Queen Branch tract on the Little Tennessee River north of Franklin, just off Highway 28. Events, including entertainment, demonstrations, an awards ceremony, hikes and canoe trips, run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everything is free except the barbecue lunch. |
