The most important part of Foothills Land Conservancy’s mission is simple:
Protect land for future generations.

This is a commitment we reinforce with every conservation easement we put in place with our landowner partners, whether their wishes are to keep the land in their families, protect sensitive habitats, or preserve unique beauty that risks being lost forever to development.

40 years ago, FLC grew out of an effort in Blount County to prevent a 1200-acre amusement park from being built in a beautiful cove and historic community on the western slopes of the Great Smoky Mountains. Today, located close to the Foothills Parkway in the Top of the World Community, two other tracts of property also in Blount County with outstanding views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) are permanently protected, thanks to the foresight Doug Cox had ten years ago.

The tracts are part of the Chestnut Tops Community that has a goal to maintain the region’s natural landscape, keeping forest fragmentation to a minimum. In addition to proximity to GSMNP and other natural areas, they offers mature trees, creeks, and stream habitats. Flats Creek crosses the property and was classified as having “regional significance” in 1998 by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.  Notably, FLC has ten other conservations easements within ten miles of these properties, totaling over 2,500 acres.

Doug says, “It’s a beautiful thing to be part of a community that respects and appreciates the beauty of their surroundings. To know that my properties are protected in perpetuity with Foothills brings me a sense of real peace, because I know that generations will continue to experience all I’ve come to treasure.”