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?

CMLC is grateful to our esteemed group of trustees and advisors. Their hard work and dedication provide CMLC with top level expertise and guidance.

 

Thoughts from our trustees

"We owe CMLC, its hard working and dedicated staff and many volunteers much more than we will ever know. Conservation truly is a once in our lifetime opportunity. It is so satisfying to be a part of an organization that truly believes that.\" David Efird

"I have enjoyed being part of an organization that functions so well to protect local and regional forests, rivers, and farmland while bringing smiles and tax advantages to those interested in land preservation.\" Bob Wald

"I became involved in CMLC because I am a true believer in their work and their cause. In high school I spent most of my free time hiking, camping, & fishing in western North Carolina. I want to do all that I can to preserve what I had, for my children and their children.\" Mark Tooley

"If not for CMLC the beautiful woods, streams, and mountains around my home would not have been saved in its incomparably rich biodiversity and wildlife, and we would not have the scope of the amazing new state park of Hickory Nut Gorge, as well as several other magnificent nature preserves to be hiked and savored.\" Diana Richards

 

OFFICERS

Rick Merrill 
President, Accredited Land Consultant, Beverly-Hanks

Lynn Carnes Pitt
Vice President, President, Carnes & Associates, Inc

Melanie Johnson
Treasurer, Dixon Hughes Wealth Advisors LLC CPA

David Efird
Secretary, Realtor, Unique Mountain Properties

Dr. Bob Wald
Past President, Retired Physician, Current Mayor Pro-Tem Chimney Rock Village

BOARD MEMBERS

Ruth Birge
Retired Publisher, the Times News

Abby Cain 
Personal Finance Consultant

Genien Carlson
Retired Banking Professional

Billy Joyner
Investment Analyst

Meredith Keever
Paralegal

Bill McAninch
Retired Professor University of South Carolina Law School

Harrison Metzger
Freelance Writer/Editor

Mary Jo Padgett
Self-employed

Dr. Diana Richards
Clinical Psychologist

Mike Tate
Retired-Engineering and Construction Industry

Mark Tooley
General Contractor

John Witherspoon
Land Consultant

ADVISORY BOARD

Katie Breckheimer
Environmental Consultant

Beverly Burns
Retired Teacher

Bob Carter, Retired
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service

David Keller
Healthcare Business Consultant & Financial Planner, Doctor\'s Management

William Leatherwood
Retired NC Forest Service District Ranger

Chuck McGrady
Clean Water Management Trust Fund & Henderson County Board of Commissioners

Rev. Jim McKinley
Minister, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville

Larry Ragsdale
Retired Professor of Environmental Studies, Brevard College

Luther Smith
Land Planner, Luther Smith & Associates, P.A.

Hilliard Staton
Retired Investment Counselor, Merrill Lynch

Bill Thomas
Retired - Dupont, Inc.

Anne Valentine
Land Planner, Luther Smith & Associates, P.A.

Bob Youngerman
Retired Healthcare Administrator