Our Story
In 1995, a group of visionaries began meeting informally in Franklin, North Carolina to discuss the rapid pace of development in western North Carolina. Over coffee, they shared concerns about what that growth could mean for the mountains, streams and working farmlands they knew so well. Two years later, those conversations led to the creation of the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee, the nonprofit now known as Mainspring Conservation Trust.
Since then, Mainspring has worked alongside landowners and communities to conserve the vital landscapes that define the Southern Blue Ridge. Through voluntary conservation easements, streambank restorations, and the stewardship of our public preserves, we protect clean water, working lands, and wildlife habitat. while creating opportunities for people to connect with the outdoors. Additionally, our education and outreach programs create opportunities for adults and kids of all ages to connect with the outdoors and understand the importance of caring for the lands and waters that sustain us.
To date, Mainspring has helped conserve more than 31,000 acres in the Southern Blue Ridge – from native trout streams and family farms to wildlife habitat and culturally significant landscapes.
