For over 40 years, Meredith Clebsch has transformed her Loudon County property into a thriving native ecosystem, seamlessly blending naturally occurring species with thoughtfully restored native plantings. Today, this property is not only beautiful – it’s also a biodiversity hotspot.
Located in the critical Sinking Creek-Tellico Lake watershed, it provides essential habitat for rare and endangered species, supports vital pollinator populations (including monarchs on their journey to Mexico!), and contributes to the health of the Little Tennessee River system. Additionally, its position within Tennessee’s Foothills Conservation Opportunity Area, and alongside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest means this conservation easement permanently protects habitat for over 200 species determined to be “of greatest conservation.”
As a former Land Director at FLC and native plant nursery owner, Meredith brought both expertise and passion to creating a landscape of extraordinary ecological integrity. Visitors to this property will notice the diversity of flora and fauna (especially birds and butterflies), native azaleas and magnolias, and American Chestnut trees. Future owners will serve as the caretakers of a beautiful ecosystem that’s a model for landscape-scale conservation. And, it already has a carefully developed land management plan. The extensive duration and consistency of this approach is uncommon among private landowners and reflects a significant investment of time, energy, knowledge and love of the land. Meredith notes in the plan that she helped create, “There is no expectation to keep things exactly as they are, only to aim to maintain high biodiversity especially for support of native wildlife such as birds and pollinators, and to keep the established shrubs and trees if at all possible. Obviously, species and uses will evolve naturally and intentionally over time, but the goal of maintaining the biodiversity should remain.”
As we conclude our 40th Anniversary year, it’s a fitting ending to announce the permanent protection of this exceptional property and a testament to what decades of dedicated ecological stewardship can achieve. FLC is grateful to Meredith Clebsch, her lifetime of conservation work and for ensuring this ecological treasure will be protected forever.
