Tag Archives: land conservation

Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc., Purchases Mill Hole Cave and Surrounding Lands

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Feb. 14, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) announced today the successful acquisition of Mill Hole Cave, along with 76 acres of surrounding land. Located in Jackson County, Alabama, the Mill Hole Preserve adjoins the Skyline Wildlife Management Area, marking SCCi’s 39th preserve.

Image caption: Mill Hole Preserve.

The preserve features Mill Hole Cave, which is known for its stunning decorations, and boasts 5,880 feet of surveyed passage, making it a significant cave system. The Mill Hole Preserve offers beautiful distant views and a waterfall that was historically used for milling corn. The preserve is scheduled to open in March 2026.

“When we say we’re saving caves, what we’re really doing is protecting connections — between people, water, wildlife, and wonder,” stated Ray Knott, Executive Director of SCCi.

SCCi would like to express gratitude to the Open Space Institute (OSI) and the RiverView Foundation for their generous grants, as well as to Ms. Anne Wiley for her support. Thanks to their assistance, SCCi has raised $175,000 towards the total purchase price of $300,000. For those interested in supporting this acquisition, additional information is available at https://millhole.scci.org/.

“The Open Space Institute is proud to have supported the Southeastern Cave Conservancy’s protection of Mill Hole Cave,” said Joel Houser, OSI’s Director of Capital Grants. “This effort reflects exactly the type of project we seek to advance—safeguarding wildlife and communities while creating welcoming, responsible access to the outdoors. We value our partnership with the Southeastern Cave Conservancy and the tremendous benefit they bring to the region.”

Image caption: Mill Hole Preserve.

OSI’s Appalachian Landscapes Protection Fund is made possible with a lead grant from the Doris Duke Foundation and with significant support from the Lyndhurst Foundation, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Riverview Foundation, Tucker Foundation, Lookout Foundation, Footprint Foundation, Anonymous Foundation (2), as well as other foundations and individuals.

About Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.:

SCCi currently protects more than 170 caves on 38 preserves in 7 states. Founded in 1991, SCCi is the world’s largest land conservancy dedicated solely to cave conservation. SCCi conserves some of the Southeast’s most significant wild caves while protecting the habitat of many endangered animals, preserving historic artifacts, and providing some of the country’s best recreational caving. Learn more: https://saveyourcaves.org/

About RiverView Foundation

The Riverview Foundation seeks to enrich the livability and stewardship of select communities and natural areas located within the Buffalo Bayou, Broad, Horsepasture, Lower Tennessee, Medina, and Oconee River watersheds.

The foundation’s grantmaking priorities include the performing (musical) arts, habitat and wildlife conservation, parks and greenways, and other projects of interest to the Trustees.

About Open Space Institute

The Open Space Institute is a national leader in land conservation and efforts to make parks and other protected land more welcoming for all. Since 1974, OSI has partnered in the protection of more than 2.5 million at-risk and environmentally sensitive acres in the eastern U.S. OSI’s land protection promotes clean air and water, improves access to recreation, provides wildlife habitat, strengthens communities, and combats the devastating impacts of extreme weather.

SCCI logo for media: https://www.saveyourcaves.org/data/syc.svg

NEWS SOURCE: Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/southeastern-cave-conservancy-inc-purchases-mill-hole-cave-and-surrounding-lands/

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Announces Summit to Conserve North America’s Central Grasslands

FORT COLLINS, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- More than 200 organizations across eight sectors representing Mexico, Canada, the U.S., and Indigenous Nations, came together for two days in May for a multi-national summit to commit to conserve North America's Central Grasslands. Hosted by the Grasslands Roadmap Planning Committee, the announcement comes from Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, one of the convening summit partners.

More than 50 million acres of grassland have been lost in the last 10 years alone and the tension between conserving and developing grasslands to meet the needs of a growing population has only increased, exacerbated further by the impacts of climate change.

Birds are good indicators of environmental health and since 1970, grassland bird species have seen a 53-percent reduction in their populations - that's more than 720 million birds. This early warning sign reveals that these diminishing grasslands are being so severely impacted by human activities that they no longer support the same robust wildlife populations they once did.

The Central Grasslands span hundreds of millions of acres across the continent's interior and are one of North America's largest and most vital ecosystems. These Grasslands support crucial environmental functions like water supply, soil health and biodiversity, and are essential for agriculture, food security and supporting rural communities and economies. And, as these grasslands disappear, many benefits they provide are lost.

For example, healthy grasslands filter sediment, nutrients, and bacteria that otherwise end up in waterways, threatening fish and drinking water. Grasslands improve air quality and help mitigate the effects of climate change by sequestering carbon and increasing resilience against drought, fire and wind erosion.

So, what can be done to reverse the trends? That was the main driver behind the Central Grasslands Roadmap and recent summit meeting.

"Many are working to conserve our grasslands, but our disparate efforts are not adding up to change the trajectory and ensure resilient grasslands for the future. We have to prioritize what needs to happen, from funding and policy to partnerships and engagement, to science and conservation delivery - all aligned for the future," Tammy VerCauteren, Roadmap convener and executive director at Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, says.

Collectively, they're working to make a movement to save the grasslands and the people and wildlife that depend on them.

"Together we can ensure access, opportunities and dedicated resources that are relevant and honor cultural values and knowledge across our three countries and the traditional landscapes of Indigenous/Tribal Sovereign Nations," VerCauteren says.

Graeme Patterson, director, JV8 Central Grasslands Conservation Initiative explains that The Central Grasslands Roadmap has been a model exercise in bringing diverse sectors together to chart a path for conservation.

"The complex and painstaking process of giving everyone voice in the Roadmap development will pay huge dividends as all stakeholders will see themselves in the process and be ready to act," Patterson says. "Successful conservation is dependent on true collaboration and thoughtful planning. Together, we will succeed."

About The Central Grasslands Roadmap:

The Central Grasslands Roadmap was launched in 2020 to guide and inform innovative and connected conservation for the benefit of grassland birds, pollinators and mammals, as well as to ensure viable human communities across the landscape of one of North America's most biogeographically unique areas.

The Roadmap community includes a cross-section of leaders and experts that live and work in the Central Grasslands - including producers on working land, Indigenous/First Nations, federal, state and provincial agencies, foundations, industry, and nongovernmental organizations including land trusts, tribal representatives and academia.

About Bird Conservancy of the Rockies:

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is one of 25 Roadmap planning committee member organizations. The Colorado-based nonprofit works to conserve birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of science, education and land stewardship. Their work extends from the Rockies to the Great Plains, Mexico and beyond.

MORE INFORMATION:

The Grasslands Roadmap: https://www.grasslandsroadmap.org/

Photos (more available on request): https://www.grasslandsroadmap.org/digitalmediaresources

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies: https://www.birdconservancy.org/

More than 200 organizations across eight sectors representing Mexico, Canada, the U.S., and Indigenous Nations, came together for two days in May for a multi-national summit to commit to conserve North America's Central Grasslands. Hosted by the Grasslands Roadmap Planning Committee, the announcement comes from Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, one of the convening summit partners.

Related link: https://www.birdconservancy.org/

Partnering Together to Preserve the Western Colorado Experience

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Four distinct Western Slope Land Trust organizations have formed an alliance to help preserve our western Colorado natural resources and open space. West Slope Conservation Partners is a new collective group, spanning the southwestern corner of Colorado that includes conservation efforts from the following organizations: Colorado West Land Trust, Crested Butte Land Trust, Montezuma Land Conservancy and La Plata Open Space Conservancy.

Combined with the support of great local communities, the West Slope Conservation Partners have been successful in conserving 193,238 acres of land in western Colorado.

The State of Colorado ranks #7 in population growth nationwide, gaining over 700,000 people over the last nine years. As a result of this continued growth, Western Slope areas are recognizing increasing pressures that threaten the land, agriculture, wildlife, and our quintessential lifestyle.

"We hope to address these profound challenges by working together to discover new opportunities and expand our public outreach efforts," said Rob Bleiberg, Colorado West Land Trust Executive Director. "It is our common goal to protect the lands where we live, work and play in western Colorado. Together we can preserve these priceless landscapes for future generations to enjoy."

The West Slope Conservation Partners just released its first collaborative report for the purpose of conservation and stewardship education. Together, these organizations have conserved 462 miles of rivers, creeks and streams, 75,971 agricultural acres, and 120,037 of elk habitat and migration corridors. These lands are now guaranteed sustainable for future use due to a total of 867 conservation easements and additional efforts from area municipalities and donors.

2019 West Slope Report: https://www.westslopeconservationpartners.org/report

To review the full report including area specific stories, recreational land preserved, stewardship efforts and upcoming projects, visit westslopeconservationpartners.org.

As a private, non-profit alliance, the West Slope Conservation Partners relies on public support. Visit https://www.westslopeconservationpartners.org/ to learn how you can help preserve our Western Slope experience.

Media Contact:
Bridgett Gutierrez
Ryan/Sawyer Marketing
Bridgett@ryansawyermarketing.com
970-257-4583

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-1126s2p-west-slope-conservation-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: West Slope Conservation Partners.

Four distinct Western Slope Land Trust organizations have formed an alliance to help preserve our western Colorado natural resources and open space. West Slope Conservation Partners is a new collective group, spanning the southwestern corner of Colorado that includes conservation efforts from the following organizations: Colorado West Land Trust, Crested Butte Land Trust, Montezuma Land Conservancy and La Plata Open Space Conservancy.