News

Shopping at Mast General on Saturday boosts land trust

By Lightning Reports, Published: May 31, 2026

The Hendersonville Mast General Store will donate 20 percent of its sales to Conserving Carolina on Land Trust Day, Saturday, June 6, and representatives of the group will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to meet store guests, explain the vital initiatives their agency takes to protect local land and waterways and create wildflower seed packets.

Land trusts preserve scenic landscapes, create accessible shared spaces, protect wetlands and wildlife habitats, and provide recreational opportunities for everyone. These non-profit organizations, also known as conservancies, work with landowners and other associations to purchase land and negotiate easements with private property owners, ensure a family farm is passed down to the next generation, and assist in expanding the boundaries of public, state, and national parks, among many other important roles.

Throughout Mast General Store’s region, land trusts make our communities more livable, generate local economic opportunities, and tell the story of the places we call home.

"I feel blessed that all Mast Store locations are hosting active land conservation groups. The work these partners do touches our lives every day in ways we can visibly see and in ways that we still benefit from,” said Lisa Cooper, president of Mast Store.

Conserving Carolina protects 51,000 acres in Western North Carolina – from the waterfalls of DuPont State Recreational Forest to the rock cliffs of Hickory Nut Gorge. Conserving Carolina’s work has created new greenways, parks, and trails while restoring woods, meadows, and wetlands. The group also engages residents of the area through hikes, outings, field trips, speaker series, and native plant gardening workshops.

“Most people think about pastoral views when they hear the word 'conservancy,' but much of their work is saving and reestablishing wetlands that help reduce flooding and provide fresh water, creating alternative transportation routes like greenways, or protecting wildlife habitats. That's why it's important to our Mast Store team to support the work of these organizations and to help others understand what they do. We thank you for helping support their work for all of us,” said Cooper.

Drop by the Hendersonville Mast Store on Saturday, June 6, to learn about your local land trust and the outdoor spaces it has conserved in your community. It’s a great opportunity to acknowledge how their work helps us all enjoy nature, breathe fresh air, and drink clean water every day. For more information about Conserving Carolina, visit its website, www.conservingcarolina.org.