Almost 4,000 Acres in Great Balsam Mountains Permanently Protected

WNC --  About 3,850 acres in Western North Carolina's Great Balsam Mountains have been permanently conserved in a historic

 conserved effort.  

Aiming to protect the natural beauty and biological integrity of the area, this project is the outcome of cooperation among The Conservation Fund, Mainspring Conservation Trust, the North Carolina Forest Service, and private benefactors.  ​

Property Characteristics and Significance

Comprising about 3,850 acres, the Balsam Gap property links to 670,000 acres of already protected territory.  Especially, it has roughly four miles of boundary with the Blue Ridge Parkway, safeguarding five viewpoints along a 17-mile stretch.  ​​

Over 12,000 acres of working forest, wildlife habitat, watersheds, and leisure property in the region are being preserved thanks to ongoing federal, state, and private investment under this conservation project.  MainstreamConserves.org

Cooperative Efforts and Conservation Easement

Mainspring Conservation Trust holds and maintains a 1,147-acre easement extending an existing no-cut buffer next to the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

Oversaw a 2,703-acre working forest easement under North Carolina Forest Service to guarantee sustainable timber supplies while preserving the natural beauty of the area. 

Environmental and Financial Returns

There are several advantages from the preservation of the Balsam Gap area: ​​

Tourism and leisure:

For Jackson and Haywood counties alone, nature-based leisure and tourism provide thousands of employment and approximately $400 million in yearly income, therefore driving a major portion of the local economy.  MainstreamConserves.org

The conserved acreage protects water quality from several headwaters and maintains important habitats and migration routes for species.  

Contextual Historical Background and Future Vision

There have been 25 years of endeavor toward the preservation of this land.  Notwithstanding early challenges, constant cooperation among private sponsors and conservation groups resulted in this positive result, therefore highlighting the strength of cooperation and patience in land preservation.  ​

This success guarantees that the natural beauties of Western North Carolina will keep enhancing the quality of life for both locals and tourists, therefore safeguarding the special settings of the area for the next generations. 

WNCTimes

Image: WNCTimes

Source: Mainstream.org