TCF’s Partner In Conservation Named Conservation Hero Of The Year By Field And Stream Magazine

Rex Boner, Vice President, Southeast Region Congratulates David Ramsey For Recognition Of His Conservation Leadership At Rocky Fork, Tennessee

October 13, 2011

Contact:

Ann Barrett, The Conservation Fund, (703) 908-5809, abarrett@conservationfund.org

On behalf of The Conservation Fund, I would like to congratulate David Ramsey of Unicoi, Tenn., for being named Field & Stream’s 2011 Conservation Hero of the Year.

David’s steadfast work over the past 15 years to ensure the protection of one of the largest unprotected tracts of mountain land in the eastern U.S., known as Rocky Fork, has set him apart as a true champion of conservation. His ties to this rugged habitat—a critical in-holding within the Cherokee National Forest in eastern Tennessee—run deep. He and a number of other local citizens have faithfully led the call for federal funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, helping the U.S. Forest Service secure more than 75 percent of Rocky Fork.

With the finish line in sight, approximately 1,200 acres remain unprotected. Together with David, the Forest Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Trout Unlimited and other dedicated groups and citizens, we support the full funding of the President’s FY12 budget proposal, which includes $5,000,000 needed to preserve this final tract and complete the protection of a world-class haven for wildlife, ensure water quality and support economic opportunities for neighboring communities.

Thank you Field & Stream for recognizing David’s devoted efforts to saving this national treasure for generations to come.

Watch this great video of David talking about why he's worked so hard to save Rocky Fork:

About The Conservation Fund

At The Conservation Fund, we combine a passion for conservation with an entrepreneurial spirit to protect your favorite places before they become just a memory. A hallmark of our work is our deep, unwavering understanding that for conservation solutions to last, they need to make economic sense. Top-ranked, we have protected more than 7 million acres across America.