Land conservation is not just for nature but also for affordable housing.
Little White Oak Mountain in western North Carolina is a prominent peak that can be seen from points throughout rural Polk County, which sits on the South Carolina border.
The 1,060-acre parcel, nestled between the 14,000-acre Green River Game Land and the town of Columbus, was recently purchased for $2.38 million by the Hendersonville-based Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy.
The transaction was ostensibly made to protect the scenic views, rare plant species and wildlife habitat. But in an unusual move, this land conservation purchase served not only to protect space for biodiversity, bears and birds, but for a human dimension. A parcel of the coveted land will be set aside for much-needed housing affordable to the middle-income workforce.
Read more about the movement of land trusts using conservation easement for affordable housing and about the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy.
Photo Credit: Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy
