The Daily Times

The Blount County-based Foothills Land Conservancy is the Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Conservation Organization of the Year.

The award was presented at the 46th annual TWF Conservation Achievement Awards ceremony April 19 in Nashville.

FLC, whose office is in Maryville, was recognized as Conservation Organization of the Year for the protection of 25,000 acres of rural landscapes around Great Smoky Mountains National Park, according to a news release announcing the awards.

“These awards recognize those individuals and organizations that have made truly meaningful contributions to conservation in Tennessee and to TWF,” said Michael Butler, TWF’s chief executive officer.

“The great work of our past winners lives on today, and the current generation is building upon those successes. Without their willingness to take action, we would have failed in our mission, and we are proud to honor their contributions.”

The year 2010 was a milestone for FLC, which celebrated completion of the “25 in 25” campaign signifying preservation of 25,000 East Tennessee acres by the organization’s 25th year of service.

Ernie Blankenship, FLC board member, and Elise Eustace, FLC communication and development director, accepted the award on behalf of Foothills Land Conservancy.

Bill Clabough, FLC executive director, said Wednesday the award reflects the support of the FLC board, staff and the people of Blount County. The recognition also shows the conservancy has demonstrated adaptability to change and flexibility to move in different directions as opportunities arise.

“The significance for me and for the board is how we’ve shifted with economic times. We used to buy property and turn it over to the government. Now we’ve gone to conservation easements that do not come off the tax rolls.”

This is the second time FLC has been named Conservation Organization of the Year. Clabough said the conservancy previously was honored after it donated 400 acres in 1995 to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and 4,300 acres to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

TWRA created the Foothills Wildlife Management Area from that donation. Today the Foothills Management Area includes more than 11,000 acres in south Blount County.

“As the conservation movement has changed, we’ve adapted to what we can to protect property,” Clabough said. “We’re now truly an East Tennessee land trust. We’ve got projects in Greene County and Cumberland County. We did one in Polk County last year.”

That does not mean the Foothills Land Conservancy is loosening its Blount County roots, according to the executive director.

“We understand our base is right here in Blount County, and this is where we’ll continue to work,” Clabough said. “We understand what our main focus is. But it is good to spread our wings and help other folks with their conservation efforts when we can.”

Presenting sponsors for the awards were Bridgestone Americas, the National Wildlife Federation and Packaging Corporation of America.

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