KNOXVILLE, TN – On Land Trust Day, Saturday, June 6, the Knoxville Mast General Store will donate 20% of its sales to Foothills Land Conservancy. Representatives of the group will be present from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. to meet store guests, explain the vital initiatives their agency takes to protect local land and waterways, and plant native wildflowers in a special in-store event.
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.
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.
“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 Knoxville 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 Foothills Land Conservancy, visit its website, www.foothillsland.org/.
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