Our Mission Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy helps landowners protect local land and water resources vital to our natural heritage and quality of life. As a local nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the places you love, CMLC is helping to create a regional network of protected farm, forest, park and natural lands.

What's new at CMLC?

We Live in a Special Place

The service area of CMLC includes some of the world's most beautiful, ancient mountains and historic rural landscapes. We all treasure and hold dear the natural features, the forested wilderness, rolling farmlands and precious waterways, of the places we call home.

Tragically, there have been changes to the region's landscape. Each year, 140,000 acres, over 400 acres a day, of working farms, forests and other natural areas are lost to unplanned development in North Carolina. In the past 20 years, 52% of cropland in rural North Carolina mountain counties has been lost to development the fastest rate of decline in the state. In 2007, there were 14 developing subdivisions between Hendersonville and Chimney Rock. In Henderson County nearly 2,700 acres of green space was approved for new development in the first few months of 2007.

Conserving and preserving land is in the interest of everyone. CMLC's staff, board, volunteers, supporters and advocates work tirelessly to establish and enhance conservation opportunities and incentives for landowners, thereby offsetting the threat of poorly planned development and land management. As neighbors serving neighbors we care just as you do about preserving the natural character and wonder of our mountain homes.

Time is running out. We hope you will seriously consider joining and supporting us. We need your help to protect the special places that remain.

Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy

is a local nonprofit organization creating a regional network of permanently protected farm, forest, and natural land. CMLC...

• Provides technical resources that help landowners tailor conservation easements that suit individual needs.
• Serves Henderson, Transylvania, and parts of neighboring counties.
• Protects forested wilderness, working farms, clean drinking water, healthy fishing streams, native wildlife, and sweeping views.
• Partners with private landowners, community visionaries, and estate management professionals, to conserve land and maximize financial benefits through the use of voluntary land protection agreements, land donations and purchases.
• Monitors protected properties to ensure that the conservation values of the land are forever maintained.
• Raises awareness about the practice of land conservation for future generations.

CMLC has an impressive track record of Saving the Places You Love  over 20,000 acres of farm, forest, and natural lands in more than 100 projects are under CMLC's care. This has been made possible through generous donations of time and money from CMLC members, landowners, local businesses and community visionaries like you. 

Be A Part of Our Mission

Our region is rich in natural features, but we must work quickly to safeguard them. Join us in shaping a future for our region that ensures our local rural character is saved for future generations. Help us continue to save the places you love. Learn how you can help.

See the land we have conserved
Learn about CMLC's programs and projects