“Our children and grandchildren were not interested in inheriting the property,” said Judy Grove, who owns the land with her husband Bob. “They knew how much the property meant to us and encouraged the conservation easement and life estate. When Bob and I discussed our goals, we knew we didn’t want it being subdivided, so it was a relief to know there is a local organization like Mainspring, willing to take the responsibility of maintaining the conservation values of it forever.”

The property in Brasstown includes a small forested watershed where three springs merge to provide the majority of flow into Jenkins Branch. Over the last 15 years, the Groves have used a forest management plan that calls for selective harvest to promote the growth of healthier trees in the low mountain pine forest portion of the property, which also includes rock outcroppings and a small wetland that harbor unique plant and animal species.