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Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy seeks LCAB funds for donated 43‑acre Sandy Mush easement
Summary
SHC presented a donated 43‑acre conservation easement in the Sandy Mush area, described as a buffer to adjacent conserved land; SHC requested roughly $37,000 toward transaction costs and estimated the easement value around $300,000.
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SHC) presented a fully donated conservation easement known as Kennicle House Slopes, a 43‑acre parcel in the Sandy Mush area, and asked the Land Conservation Advisory Board for a contribution toward transaction costs.
SHC said the property, owned by Diana Stone, sits adjacent to SHC’s Pinnacle Knob Preserve and provides a wildlife‑connectivity buffer. SHC staff described a mix of small fields and steep wooded slopes, several tributaries feeding into North Central Creek, and above‑average resilience scores in Nature Conservancy data overlays.
The landowner intends to donate the easement; SHC told the board it will not purchase the easement value but expects the landowner to obtain an appraisal for federal tax purposes. SHC estimated the easement value at around $300,000 based on recent comparable projects in the area and said total transaction costs (survey, title, stewardship allowance and related items) are modest because much of the property’s survey work already exists.
SHC said it was seeking approximately $37,000 from LCAB to cover remaining transaction costs; staff characterized this as roughly 10% of total project costs and said other philanthropic support will cover stewardship contributions and administrative expenses.
SHC said the easement will allow agricultural uses and commercial timber management subject to a forest management plan, and that a small portion near the owner’s house would be excluded to preserve an existing garage/house footprint and a backup septic easement for a neighbor. SHC staff emphasized the conservation benefit of securing a donated easement adjacent to an existing protected core.
