You are cordially invited to the 2026 Conservation Celebration!
Join us on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Blowing Rock’s historic and beautiful Gideon Ridge Inn, to support CTNC’s mission of building resilient, just communities across North Carolina.
Heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served compliments of our hosts, Cindy and Cobb Milner, owners of the beautiful Gideon Ridge Inn.
Contact Hallie French for more details.
Join the Conservation Celebration Host Committee
Our sponsors collectively raised over $70,000 last year. Because of this strong support, we’ve achieved the following accomplishments, together:
- Expanded land protection by 393 acres around Jeffress Park and 52 acres near Linville Falls, adding a total of 445 more acres of land permanently along the Blue Ridge Parkway,
- Restored vital brook trout habitat through an ongoing ecological enhancement project at CTNC’s Cranberry Creek Preserve in Ashe County,
- Assisted in the protection of an additional 4,790 acres of woodlands and wildlife corridors in Western North Carolina by awarding over $100,000 in small grants to 6 partner land trusts,
- Worked alongside legislators and our land trust partners to bring more ecologically significant land under permanent protection faster.
This year, we’re also celebrating an incredible milestone, Rusty Painter’s 25 years of dedicated conservation work as CTNC’s Land Protection Director. Since joining CTNC, Rusty has become a cornerstone of North Carolina’s land trust community, navigating complex land acquisition deals and cultivating strong partnerships to protect land along the Blue Ridge Parkway for generations to come. We hope you’ll join us to share in this important milestone that the CTNC community of supporters made possible!
Host Levels
Legacy Maker: $25,000: Honor the legacy of the last 25 years by helping us build for the next 25 years. This level includes a one-night stay at Gideon Ridge Inn from August 13-14 for the Conservation Celebration, an exclusive protected-property experience with CTNC staff, Conservation Celebration tickets for 4, inclusion in Executive Director’s opening remarks, print recognition at the event, special thank you gift, and name recognition in the printed invitation. (*Fair market value: $900)
Conservation Champion: $10,000: This level includes Conservation Celebration tickets for 4, inclusion in Executive Director’s opening remarks, print recognition at the event, special thank you gift, and name recognition in the printed invitation. (*Fair market value: $700)
Blue Ridge Leader: $5,000: This level includes Conservation Celebration tickets for 4, inclusion in Executive Director’s opening remarks, print recognition at the event, special thank you gift, and name recognition in the printed invitation. (*Fair market value: $700)
Patron Sponsors: $2,500: This level includes Conservation Celebration tickets for 2, print recognition at the event, special thank you gift, and name recognition in the printed invitation. (*Fair market value: $400)
Host Sponsors: $1,250: This level includes Conservation Celebration tickets for 2, print recognition at the event, thank you gift, and name recognition in the printed invitation. (*Fair market value: $350)
Supporter Sponsors: $650: This level includes Conservation Celebration tickets for 2, print recognition at the event, thank you gift, and name recognition in the printed invitation. (*Fair market value: $300)
Because we have so much to celebrate this year, we anticipate this event will sell out in sponsorships. Sponsors who commit before May 31, 2026, will have their names included in the printed invitations being mailed to CTNC’s friends and supporters. All event sponsors will be listed on signage prominently displayed at the reception.
Special thanks to the Gideon Ridge Inn and to The Blowing Rock for making this event possible!
