Completed Projects

To date, the Foothills Land Conservancy has protected more than 15,000 acres in 22 projects.  Protection tools used include conservation easements, donations, fee simple purchases, bequests, revocable trusts, and green developments.  In 1995 the Foothills Land Conservancy completed its first buffer zone project.  By raising $1.2 million, the Conservancy purchased 4,700 acres along the boundary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park which were threatened with commercial development.  More than 3,500 individuals, businesses, foundations, and civic and outdoor groups from 35 states contributed to the project.  The Conservancy gave 400 acres along Abrams Creek to the National Park Service.  Abrams Creek is one of the largest and most productive streams in the Park and is home to two federally endangered fish species.  Another 4,300 acres were donated to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to establish the first unit of the “Foothills Wildlife Management Area.”

Additional completed projects include

• Kyker Bottoms (PDF map)
• Smith Bend/Yuchi Wildlife Management Area
• Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge (PDF map)

Long range plans call for the establishment of several more units along the northern boundary of the National Park.  These large tracts will provide critical fall feeding grounds for black bears and many other species of wildlife.  They will also provide much- needed public space for hiking, biking, bird watching, hunting, and camping.