“There is no greater gift we leave than to help ensure the preservation of nature and our wildlife for future generations.”
—Earl Worsham

The life of a conservationist can take many different paths. For some, it’s a life of advocacy and education to influence the people and laws that shape environmental policy. It might mean a deep commitment to the strategies and projects that address challenges in our natural world, like protecting endangered species or managing forest lands. For other people, it’s conducting or funding research on wildlife and wild ecosystems to understand what they need for long-term survival. For Earl Worsham and his late wife Margit, conservation encompasses aspects of all these things; and, more specifically, two wildlife species in Sevier County, Tennessee.

The Worshams protected 340 acres of land in Sevier County under two different conservation easements with Foothills Land Conservancy.  The properties are mature hardwood and pine-hardwood habitats, and open space with forest, streams, diverse plants and wildlife (including birds of conservation concern). Both are in close proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) and other protected areas, and their story continues beyond the easements.

Fishing was a passion for the Worshams and the foundation of their relationship after meeting many years ago fishing a Norwegian salmon river. It is a fitting tribute that they’ve received the Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Conservationist of the Year award, for their efforts to establish a project that protects the native Appalachian Brook Trout – the only trout species indigenous to this part of the world. It is the result of a unique partnership between the Worshams, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), and GSMNP. Typically, these agencies do not get involved in a project on privately owned land, but made an exception since the easement with FLC protects it in perpetuity from any outside development or unnatural disturbance. The effort was a huge success, and today the trout population is thriving.

The Worsham property is also home to another natural wonder – the synchronous fireflies. For a very small window in the summer, these flying beetles (they aren’t really flies!) are a different kind of “star” in the Smoky Mountains landscape. While over 2000 different species of fireflies are documented, only two exhibit the fantastic behavior of being able to synchronize their light flashes. The opportunity to experience the fireflies first-hand is both fleeting and rare, at only a handful of sites in the United States. Thanks to the Worshams, more people can see them while also benefitting a worthy cause.  For several years, they have hosted “Fireflies at Norton Creek,” a special viewing experience and fundraiser for Discover Life in America (DLiA), a small non-profit in the Smokies working to discover, understand, and conserve biological diversity.

The Worshams’ vision to preserve and protect our natural world is a rare gift and legacy, and one that FLC is proud to be a small part of.