VALLE CRUCIS and BOONE, NC – On Land Trust Day, Saturday, June 6, Mast General Store locations across the region will donate 20% of their sales to partnering local conservancies. The Original Mast Store, Mast Store Annex, and Rivercross Made in USA will partner with Blue Ridge Conservancy, and the Boone Mast Store will partner with New River Conservancy.
The Original Mast Store and Mast Store Annex will host BRC staff, while NRC reps will visit the Boone Mast Store. These land trust representatives will be available to meet Mast Store guests and explain the vital initiatives their agencies take to protect local land and waterways.
Land trusts preserve scenic landscapes, create accessible shared spaces, protect wetlands and wildlife habitats, and provide recreational opportunities for everyone. These non-profit organizations, also known as conservancies, work with landowners and other associations to purchase land and negotiate easements with private property owners, ensure a family farm is passed down to the next generation, and assist in expanding the boundaries of public, state, and national parks, among many other important roles.
Throughout Mast General Store’s region, land trusts make our communities more livable, generate local economic opportunities, and tell the story of the places we call home.
"I feel blessed that all Mast Store locations are hosting active land conservation groups. The work these partners do touches our lives every day in ways we can visibly see and in ways that we still benefit from,” said Lisa Cooper, president of Mast Store.
Formed in 2010 with the merger of two High Country land trusts, Blue Ridge Conservancy protects more than 26,000 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, conserved biodiversity with the establishment of several state natural sites, and protected working farmland.
The group recently acquired 74 acres on Boone’s Howard Knob following a three-decade effort. The parcel adjoins an existing 5-acre park maintained by Watauga County, which increases public access to the local landmark by more than 140%. BRC’s plans for Howard Knob include creating new hiking trails and reopening a historic climbing area.
For more than 50 years, the New River Conservancy has protected the waters, woodlands, and wildlife within the New River Watershed. The group educates 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.
“Most people think about pastoral views when they hear the word 'conservancy,' but much of their work is saving and reestablishing wetlands that help reduce flooding and provide fresh water, creating alternative transportation routes like greenways, or protecting wildlife habitats. That's why it's important to our Mast Store team to support the work of these organizations and to help others understand what they do. We thank you for helping support their work for all of us,” said Cooper.
Drop by the Original Mast Store, Mast Store Annex, Rivercross Made in USA, and the Boone Mast Store on Saturday, June 6, to learn about your local land trust and the outdoor spaces it has conserved in your community. It’s a great opportunity to acknowledge how their work helps us all enjoy nature, breathe fresh air, and drink clean water every day. For more information about Blue Ridge Conservancy, visit its website, www.blueridgeconservancy.org/, and to learn more about New River Conservancy, go to www.newriverconservancy.org/.
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