In 2023, TennGreen Land Conservancy partnered with Van Bunch and Corinne Giagnorio to permanently protect 65 acres with a conservation easement. The property, known as “Laurel Trace,” is directly adjacent to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and part of a large protection corridor, including Pickett State Forest and State Park, Pogue Creek State Natural Area, and Twin Arches.
Running along the southern border of Laurel Trace is Crooked Branch, a Tennessee Exceptional Waters area. This designation is attributed to waterways that provide habitat for ecologically significant species, provide recreational opportunities, possess outstanding scenic or geological values, or have above-average water quality standards.
The property is peppered with rockhouses, shallow cave-like openings found at the base of bluffs. This unique habitat allows a wide variety of wildlife to thrive. As of 2023, 27 rare or endangered species are known to occur within a five-mile radius of the property.
The Laurel Trace conservation easement will allow Mr. Branch and Mrs. Giagnorio to continue to enjoy their home and the land recreationally, with no further development permitted.
Click here to read more about Laurel Trace.
Our place grew out of our love for the area. We decided to ‘close off’ the end of the road by buying all of the lots in the back in hopes of limiting the amount of disturbance back there. To ensure that the area stays protected, we placed our property in a conservation easement. So, as the sign says, it will be ‘Protected Forever.’