News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Friends of Virgin Falls are raising money to purchase two tracts of land north of Sparta’s Dog Cove.
Friends of Virgin Falls President Steve Webster said the total amount needed is $300,000 but said the goal is getting enough money to show larger grant agencies there’s interest in preserving the land. Webster said if fundraising is a success the land will go to the state park system.
“We’ve seen a lot of opportunities missed, and right now we have an opportunity to step in and secure these properties,” Webster said. “For recreation and education and conservation for the future generations.”
Webster said the land is part of a timber companies land and other private owners. Webster said the paper work process is underway with the help of the UCDD to show the potential economic and tourism impacts.
“Being able to demonstrate that we do have donors, we do have supporters out here that are voting with their money,” Webster said. “It’s a big incentive for these organizations, both the state and the other non-profits to step up and help us out.”
Webster said when it comes to fundraising there are considerations to use existing funds, trail collection boxes and private donors. However, Webster said the group will be meeting in November to decide on how to make this fundraising push.
“We should be finalizing some of those plans at that time,” Webster said. “If folks are wanting to see what’s going on, the Facebook group and the Facebook page, Friends of Virgin Falls, will be one of the places they can see what’s going on.
Currently interested citizens can visit Virginfalls.com to donate. Webster said one of the grant agencies that has helped with efforts like this in the past includes the Open Spaces Institute.
