The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee has launched a business membership program that emphasizes the benefit of protecting mountain, farm and rivers landscapes to businesses operating in the region.

“The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee is a partner with all of us who do business in Macon County as they are protecting the very values that make living here desirable — a beautiful rural landscape, clean water and a way of life,” said Bill Dyar, Chairman of the land trust.

The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee is a community based organization that works through voluntary, non-regulatory solutions — such as facilitating conservation easements with landowners or the outright purchase of important tracts threatened by development.

“Conserving rural lands and clean water is good for our community and is good business,” said Paul Carlson, Executive Director of LTLT. “Protecting our community assets of clean water, rural land, and beautiful mountains insures that Macon County will continue to be a place where we most want to live and grow our businesses.”

Business memberships vary in cost and size. Business that join at the basic Business Bronze membership level are listed in LTLT’s Annual Report, which is distributed to almost 2,000 members and friends.

Business Platinum membership is limited to only three businesses this year. Benefits include sponsorship of LTLT’s Annual Fall Celebration, publication of business information and logo in LTLT’s annual full color calendar, and a listing in LTLT’s Annual Report. All business members receive a copy of LTLS’ popular full color calendar.

Since its inception in 1997, LTLT has succeeded in protecting one-third of the river frontage and floodplain lands along the river in Macon and Swain Counties upstream of Fontana Reservoir.

For more information about a business membership, contact 828.524.2711, or email Brent Martin at bmartin@ltlt.org.