What We Do

A land trust is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with private landowners to help protect the natural or historic character of their property. By working closely with the landowner, a land trust can offer insight and expertise on planning for future usage of the property to help insure that it remains a part of the family’s heritage.

Rural Land Conservation

LTLT helps to conserve the landscape of the upper Little Tennessee and Hiwassee River valleys by protecting private lands from inappropriate development. We do this by working with private landowners to place conservation easements on their property, by accepting gifts of land, and by purchasing at-risk properties. As of September 2009, LTLT has protected 3564 acres through conservation easements (see Easement Examples), and another 1278 acres through acquisition (see LTLT Properties). LTLT also played an important role in the State of North Carolina's acquisition of the Needmore Tract.

Land Stewardship

LTLT promotes active stewardship of land, both for restoration and maintenance of ecosystem integrity and for providing goods and services desired by landowners and society. LTLT works to restore the landscape through technical advice and the demonstration of sustainable forestry and agriculture, stream side reforestation, stream bank stabilization, invasive exotic plant control, and wetland restoration.

Outreach and Education

In cooperation with various partners and agencies, LTLT provides outreach and education to landowners, natural resources professionals, public officials, students, and the general public on issues related to land protection and land stewardship. Besides providing people with improved knowledge and skills, LTLT believes that such efforts serve to increase our membership support and our organization's long-term sustainability.

State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP)

LTLT and nine other land trusts that comprise the Blue Ridge Forever coalition are sharing a $125,000 grant from The Conservation Fund, a national land conservation organization. This grant helps the land trusts educate the public about North Carolina's State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) and how it plays into land protection projects in the mountains.