MAINSPRING CONSERVATION TRUST INC
PO Box 1148, Franklin, NC 287441148 www.mainspringconserves.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: The mission of Mainspring Conservation Trust is to conserve the waters, forests, farms and heritage of the Upper Little Tennessee and Hiwassee River Valleys. We are dedicated to three core initiatives: conserve the land, restore the water, and connect the people to these valuable resources.

Located in the heart of the Southern Blue Ridge, the mission of Mainspring Conservation Trust is to conserve the waters, forests, farms and heritage of the Upper Little Tennessee and Hiwassee River Valleys.

In 2019, Mainspring continued its work to conserve important areas in its nationally significant region, with its incredible land and water resources, overlaid with cultural heritage assets dating back thousands of years. CONSERVE: Mainspring conserved 924 acres in 14 transactions, including four conservation easements to conserve farm and forest land. Priority purchases included two acquisitions totaling 497 acres that helps preserves the unspoiled forested viewshed of the Appalachian Trail, one acquisition that conserves a 48-acre forested inholding and trout stream within Nantahala National Forest, and one acquisition of 24 acres that conserves more than 1,400 feet of critical Little Tennessee riverfront and adjacent floodplain and contains rare mountain wetland along the Indian Lakes Scenic Byway. The four conservation easements include a 32-acre working farm belonging to an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and a 205-acre forest and wetland that

adjoins Nantahala National Forest, is within the viewshed of the Appalachian Trail and the Waterfall Scenic Byway, and contains abundant aquatic resources and riparian habitat, including more than a mile of Nantahala River frontage. The property also contains a rare 53-acre bog wetland that is designated as a state-significant Natural Area, and is included in the Mountain Bogs National Wildlife Refuge. RESTORE: As part of Mainspring's restoration program, nearly 1,000 feet of streambank were stabilized by planting vegetation along the stream. Beyond stabilizing streambanks by limiting erosion, these shrubs and trees will buffer stream temperatures during warm months, provide a source of food and habitat to fish and other aquatic organisms, and soak up excess nutrients from the land.

CONNECT: Mainspring engaged 3,697 individuals through 107 education programs. Programs from 2019 include a float trip on the Little Tennessee River with leaders from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, educational snorkeling events with youth and adult groups, curriculum-based environmental education events, and cultural site tours. Mainspring documented over 2,115 hours donated by its volunteers, who assisted in activities as diverse as aquatic biomonitoring, habitat management, historic structure restoration, and legal document drafting.

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