While a storm may redefine the contours of our terrain, it doesn’t redefine our values. A natural disaster, such as the one we lived through, only reaffirms why the land we call home deserves our respect and requires our protection. 

Land is a finite resource, and, as extreme weather events prove, it’s a crucial component of our environment. The health of our land directly correlates to the health of our planet. Organizations called land trusts preserve the health of our land as well as that of the multitudes of ecosystems, elements, flora and fauna it sustains. In this way, lands trusts play a key role in guiding not only the delicately balanced wellbeing of our land but also of our planet. 

For these reasons and many others, Mast General Store celebrates local partnering agencies on Land Trust Day, and, this year especially, we honor, support, and thank them for the hard work they’ve done to revive our natural landscapes. 

How Do Land Trusts Work? 

Land trusts are non-profit organizations that work with landowners and other associations to help safeguard our land heritage, create open spaces, protect wetlands and wildlife habitats, and provide recreational opportunities everyone can enjoy. 

Also known as conservancies, land trusts accomplish their goals through a number of avenues. They may purchase land from or negotiate easements with private property owners. They may ensure that a small family farm is passed down to the next generation through covenants that lead to financial help through tax breaks. They may assist in expanding the boundaries of state and national parks or help a small town extend its community greenway. 

Mast Store has a long history of partnering with local land trusts. The store’s co-founders John and Faye Cooper saw their benefit soon after they purchased and re-opened the Original Store in 1980. For them, land trusts’ work maintains the beauty that first drew them to North Carolina’s mountains. 

“We began to see, as owners of the Mast Store, how important the preservation of the wonderful scenery of our area was both to making it a special place to live and to bringing tourists who appreciated the natural wonders of the High Country,” the Coopers said. 

With the help of a new neighbor, Michael Leonard, John and Faye gained a knowledge of land trusts, including how an arrangement set up through one could mutually benefit them, as property owners, and their new home for the long run. 

“With Michael’s help we learned how we could enter into an agreement with our local conservancy to help the land around the Mast Store maintain its rural character in perpetuity. We retained ownership of the land, but should we decide to sell it, the easement will carry forward to future owners to enforce the same restrictions,” the Coopers elaborated.  

Almost exactly 45 years after purchasing the Original Mast Store, the Coopers remain involved with Valle Crucis’s local land trust, Blue Ridge Conservancy, and advocate for other land trusts throughout the Mast Store region.  

As they describe it, “The work of land trusts and conservancies benefits everyone – maybe in ways you may not have considered. By protecting wetlands and open spaces, the damage caused by flood waters can be lessened, and when wildlife has preserved habitats, native plants are saved to continue contributing to the biodiversity of the area, and WE have recreational spaces to enjoy.” 

John and Faye’s daughter, Lisa Cooper, proudly carries on her parents’ legacy of partnering the family- and employee-owned business with land trusts in her role as president of Mast General Store. She serves with and advocates for land trusts, including Blue Ridge Conservancy. 

“We are so thankful to have been able to give back to our local land trust organizations over the years,” Lisa said. “With all that Western North Carolina has dealt with since last fall, it makes it even more important to protect our lands.” 

Lisa concluded, “Supporting organizations that help preserve our open spaces and land traditions for future generations is a top priority in each of our Mast Store communities.” 

As both responsible stewards and fortunate beneficiaries of the land that sustains us, we join these local agencies in their ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the natural, irreplaceable places that make our communities more livable, generate local economic opportunities, and tell the story of our home.  

Mast Store’s Annual Land Trust Day Event 

On Saturday, June 7, all Mast Store locations will host representatives from a community land trust partner. To support the important work that they do, each store will donate 20% of that day’s sales to its respective conservancy. 

Here’s a list of our land trust partners and a bit about who they are: 

Blue Ridge Conservancy, Original Store and Annex – Formed in 2010 with the merger of two land trusts, Blue Ridge Conservancy protects more than 22,000 acres in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties. Since then, it has created the 3,600-acre State Game Land Preserve, helped Elk Knob and Grandfather Mountain state parks expand their borders, protected biodiversity with the establishment of several state natural sites, and maintains working farmland. 

New River Conservancy, Boone – For 50 years, the New River Conservancy has protected the waters, woodlands, and wildlife within the New River Watershed. The group emphasizes educating those who live in communities along the river’s 360-mile course about the importance of water quality in maintaining the river’s health and expanding economic and recreational opportunities. 

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Asheville and Waynesville – Established in 1974, the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy today protects more than 90,000 acres in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. In doing so, it’s saving unique plant and animal habitats, such as the Highlands of Roan along the Appalachian Trail, freshwater sources, farmland, and pristine, natural landscapes.  

Conserving Carolina, Hendersonville – This group protects 49,000 acres in Western North Carolina – from the waterfalls of DuPont State Recreational Forest to the rock cliffs of Hickory Nut Gorge. Conserving Carolina’s work has created new greenways, parks, and trails while restoring woods, meadows, and wetlands. At the present time, all Conserving Carolina trails remain closed due to the damage they incurred during Hurricane Helene. Learn more about Conserving Carolina’s response to Helene and how you can pitch in the cleanup effort by volunteering HERE. 

Upstate Forever, Greenville – Since 1998, the mission of Upstate Forever has been to maintain the critical, natural lands, and waters of Upstate South Carolina. The group has played a key role in securing and opening Greenville’s Swamp Rabbit Trail, encouraging ecological activism and responsible community growth, and, today, protecting more than 30,000 acres on 150 properties across its region. 

Foothills Land Conservancy, Knoxville – Since 1985, Foothills Land Conservancy has preserved more than 200,000 acres of land in 47 Tennessee counties and across six states in the southern Appalachian region through upwards of 500 conservation partnerships. The agency works primarily with landowners who seek to preserve their property as a natural state or a working farm, but it has also preserved the rural character of more than 10,000 acres of land designated for public use. 

Congaree Land Trust, Columbia – The Congaree Land Trust protects 99,000 acres of scenic lands, open spaces, farms, forests, and natural habitats across 15 counties in central South Carolina. For 33 years, this agency has promoted voluntary conservation efforts that support the regional economy, promote healthy lifestyles, safeguard clean air and water sources, and improve the local quality of life. 

Piedmont Land Conservancy, Winston-Salem – Founded in 1990, the Piedmont Land Conservancy protects more than 31,000 acres of land in a nine-county region of the North Carolina Piedmont Triad. Through over 200 land protection projects, the group has helped create nature preserves and spaces for outdoor recreation, added significant acreage to state parks, saved Piedmont farmland and historic sites from development, and preserved more than 10,000 acres of land adjacent to vital waterways. 

Blue Ridge Land Conservancy, Roanoke – This agency protects 21,000 acres of land in Southwest Virginia, including areas containing the Appalachian Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Smith Mountain Lake. The Blue Ridge Land Conservancy also hosts events on preserved headwater lands to educate local students about the interconnectedness of Virginia’s waterways, which run from their mountainous backyards to the Chesapeake Bay. 

Land Trust Day serves as a reminder that a vital function of conservancies is to preserve landscapes and scenic areas that boost tourism and drive local economies. The mountains are OPEN for business, and, following a peak tourist season lost to Helene, our neighbors, small business owners, and Main Streets need your support! Learn more about how you can help to an even greater extent by devoting a day of your mountain vacation to volunteering with one of these land trusts – or another local agency of your choice – HERE.  

Drop by the Mast Store nearest you on Saturday, June 7, to meet representatives from your local land trust and discover more about the outdoor spaces it has conserved in your community! It’s a great opportunity to say thanks to these organizations for their important work that helps us all enjoy nature, breathe fresh air, and drink clean water every day.