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Newsroom
Mitchell News Journal (Spruce Pine,NC)
November 2, 2005 (Nathan Hall)
It's one part of Little Switzerland that will never change.
A 26.5 acre lot adjoining the Blue Ridge Parkway was recently sold to the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, an organization that gives landowners the option of preserving their land - even if they decide to sell it.
Samson Gross, previous owner of the land on Bear Wallow Road, said he is glad the land will become a permanent border to the Parkway.
Gross has been a member of the Conservancy for 15 years, and said the decision was easy.
"It's just like selling to anyone else " he said. "The advantage is, the area remains relatively pristine."
According to Gross, the densely wooded land is second or third generation over growth, and has been farmed in the past.
Gross said there were several parties interested in buying the land, including developers, one of which wanted the land for condominiums.
Gross, a retired Duke University professor, lives in Mitchell County from May through October. He returns to his home in Durham for the winter and early spring.
Jann Godwin with Timberline Properties helped to arrange the sale.
"We were thrilled," she said. "We couldn't have been happier."
The Conservation Trust for North Carolina is a non-profit statewide conservation organization. Our mission is to protect our state's land and water through statewide conservation and cooperative work with land trusts to preserve our natural resources as a legacy for future generations. The Conservation Trust works directly with landowners, local land trusts, and government agencies to protect land and water resources most important to local communities throughout the state.
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