About PAC
2009 marks The Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC)’s 20th year as a land trust. PAC has dedicated itself to protecting the land and water which makes up the beauty and health of Polk County and surrounding areas in North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina as a land trust. PAC is a 501 ( c) (3) organization with a solid grass roots base throughout the community and a mailing list of supporters numbering 1,500.
Since its inception, PAC has been ahead of its time in the proactive protection of this region’s natural environment. Through the organization’s conservation efforts, more than 7,000 acres have been placed under permanent protection in the immediate area. PAC monitors 5 properties annually for the State of North Carolina.
For 15 years, PAC volunteers took water quality samples from the Pacolet River for analysis by The University of North Carolina at Asheville’s Environmental Quality Institute.
Regionally, PAC is a member of the North Carolina Land Trust Council and the Blue Ridge Forever 50,000 acre collaborative initiative. Nationally, PAC is a member of The Land Trust Alliance. PAC has dedicated itself to creating alliances and working relationships with like-minded groups, such as Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE), The Nature Conservancy, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, Polk County Soil & Water, The Clean Water Management Trust Fund, The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & CS Plant Conservation Program, Save Our Slopes, and the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission, as well as local schools, realtors, Rotary clubs and other civic organizations, among others.
Based in Tryon, PAC focuses on the thoughtful conservation of mountains, watersheds, forests, farms and greenspace. The land trust helps protect habitat for flora and fauna, as well as scenic and agricultural resources. PAC works with landowners to help decide what happens to their land in the future and how best to protect their properties’ natural resources in perpetuity. As water has become a critical issue, PAC is working to protect not only actual waterways, but also the buffers protecting them.
Highlights of PAC’s conservation work in the past 3 years include:
2008: PAC’s Wilder Forest and Shuford Trails are awarded NC Birding Trail status, along with FENCE trails.
2008: PAC Executive Director becomes member of North Carolina Land Trust Council Steering Committee, as well as Public Relations Co-Chair of Blue Ridge Forever, helping determine collaborative initiatives.
2008: PAC partners with The Nature Conservancy and NCDA & CS Plant Conservation Program to place Foster Creek Preserve in the state system for possible purchase for protection.
2008: PAC begins the process to prepare for Land Trust Alliance accreditation.
2007: PAC places permanent conservation agreements on a record 1,247 acres.
2007: Permanent protection placed on the 380-acre Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, an accomplishment that culminated an 8-year process.
2007: Creation and opening of the Shuford Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary Trail (with help from PCCF grant)
2007: PAC permanently protects 518 acres of farmland on 12 farms. 11 of these farms did not qualify for North Carolina farmland grants and would otherwise have been unprotected.
2006- PAC completes NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund Riparian Corridor Conservation Plan.
2006- The State of North Carolina conveys the Childers property to PAC, helping Pacolet River linkage.
2006- PAC Ecosystem Enhancement Program properties (protecting water) total 6.
PAC's Board Members and Officers:
Board Officers:
Rebecca Kemp, President
Carole Bartol, Vice President & Development Committee Chair
Roberta Ratterree, Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair
Flo Sommerich, Secretary
Board Members:
Larry D. Boyd
John Gargiulo
Lorraine(Rainey) Greaves
Elizabeth “Dibbit” B. Lamb, Land Committee Chair
Suzanne Metcalf
Elizabeth (Betsy) Miner, Nominating Committee Chair
Gerald Pack
Christel Walter
Staff:
Sally Walker, Executive Director execdir@pacolet.org
Brenda Brock, Office Administrator info@pacolet.org
Pam Torlina, Land Protection Specialist landprotection@pacolet.org
Under Contract:
Debra Hansborough, Accreditation Facilitator accreditation@pacolet.org
Office Volunteer:
Susan Kelley, 828.859.5060