When Kyle Roney was searching for property in North Georgia last year, he found something special: a beautiful tract in Pickens County that perfectly matched his vision for the land, with a conservation easement already in place.

“I am a strong believer in preserving the natural beauty of the land, especially as development across the eastern United States continues at a rapid pace,” he shares. “It was ideal to purchase the property with the conservation easement already on it.”

The property features dramatic elevation changes, marble-studded bedrock glistening along Fisher Creek, mesic hardwood forests, and habitat for rare species like the Coosawattee Crayfish. It’s also a vital stepping-stone that connects other protected lands near Chattahoochee National Forest.

For this landowner, the conditions of the easement aligned perfectly with his vision: a beautiful place to hunt, recreate, and create lasting memories with his family – just as he did grow up in the outdoors.

In Kyle’s words, “We only get one chance to keep nature natural. If organizations like Foothills Land Conservancy are not actively protecting it, much of it will be lost forever.”