SUMMERTOWN, TN—May 18, 2017, Swan Conservation Trust (SCT) and the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation (TennGreen) announce the placement of a Conservation Easement on more than 1,300 acres of forested land adjacent to “The Farm Community” in southeastern Lewis County.
SCT was founded in 1992, and beginning in 1997, began acquiring parcels of land in a heavily-forested area on the north and west sides of The Farm Community. The intention was to protect the natural heritage, water quality and biodiversity of the land due to its unique topography and significant wetland and riparian habitat.
Merging six land acquisitions and one land donation from 1997 through 2008, and paying down all loans by December 2015, was a significant accomplishment for SCT. The 1,358 acres of forest, known as the Big Swan Headwaters Preserve, contains over eight miles of streams, seven rare species, over 50 calcareous seeps (a rare wetland type), and contains several small, scenic waterfalls.
Finally, in 2017, SCT entered into a binding agreement known as a conservation easement with TennGreen on the 1,358-acre property. A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values.
Forests provide significant habitat for disappearing species of animals and plants, whose homes are lost to development and changes in the natural landscape. Forests are also important for the contribution they make in regulating the composition of earth’s atmosphere. Scientists now believe that rapid deforestation in many parts of the world is at least partially responsible for the apparent climate changes we are experiencing. Forests contribute to pristine water quality of both streams and groundwater, which are important drinking water supply sources in Tennessee.
“The Board of Swan Trust and its loyal members are proud to be in partnership with TennGreen to protect the natural treasures of Big Swan Headwaters Preserve, to ensure the security of its wildlife habitat in perpetuity, and to provide enjoyment for future generations,” said SCT’s new President, James Eagle Moore.
“TennGreen is honored to be entrusted with the permanent care of this magnificent property. We applaud SCT’s long-range vision and sustained commitment to protect this rich natural area,” remarked Steve Law, TennGreen’s Executive Director.
A dedication and celebration is planned for Saturday, July 8. Visit www.tenngreen.org or www.swantrust.org for details.
Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 that protects important natural and scenic land across Tennessee. Supported by our members, we work with private landowners and local, state and federal agencies to conserve the best of Tennessee’s natural world by creating parks, protecting buffers and corridors, and through conservation easements and outright acquisition of privately-held land.
Swan Conservation Trust is a regional 501(c)(3) land trust whose mission is to preserve, protect, and restore native hardwood forests, scenic natural areas, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and water quality on the Western Highland Rim of Tennessee
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