Perhaps it was the fact that WLOS-TVs Meteorologist and Environmental Reporter Karen Wynne served as the official starter and 2010 Leader of the PACWalk. Maybe the luck was in her Go Green start flag. Whatever the reason, the only things that rained on this years PACWalk were good will and generosity. The clouds held their moisture long enough to allow everyone to finish, and PACWalk for Preservation was bigger and better than ever this year, according to Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) Development Chair Carole Bartol.

The May 1 event was hosted for the second consecutive year by Tryon Estates in Columbus, where well over a hundred participants walked around the scenic lake and along well-maintained woodland pathways to raise money for the natural resource protection work of The Pacolet Area Conservancy.

Entrants chose between the shorter Sam White Stroll or the two-mile PACWalk, which began up a short hill and continued along moderately undulating trails. Many participants came from outside Tryon Estates to enjoy the venue.

A record number of teams walked this year to represent community support for the event.&bsp; Having adopted PACWalk as its annual event, Tryon Estates raised $5,000 from its walkers, rooters, and supporters of conservation. Former Chair Bob Dockendorf had passed the Tryon Estates PACWalk 2010 Chairmanship to Larry Poe, who spearheaded the successful fundraising and organizational aspects of the event. &bsp;

Other teams walking for conservation included the Rotary Club of Tryon (which was awarded Biggest Visiting Team), Hunting Country ( Most Enthusiastic), Kiwanis Club, Unitarians, Save Our Slopes, and Tryon Downtown Development Association. The Family Award was given to the Dockendorf and Geddings children.

In addition to Tryon Estates, Main Sponsors for PACWalk included Natures Storehouse of Tryon (a six-time sponsor), Edward Jones of Columbus and Lynn, Owens Pharmacy of Tryon and Tryon Estates, First Citizens Bank of Tryon and Tryon Estates,&bsp; Pro Physical Therapy Health & Fitness of Columbus, and Mast General Store of Hendersonville. Day Sponsors included Bonnie Brae Veterinary Hospital of Columbus and Costco Wholesale of Spartanburg.

Thanks to our sponsors and a number of generous individual sponsors, PAC met its pledge to match the amount raised by Tryon Estates, said Bartol. We are grateful for this broad-based community support for such a positive fundraising event to benefit the ongoing conservation work of your local land trust.

The Pacolet Area Conservancy, located at 850 N. Trade St. in Tryon, is a non-profit land trust charged with the responsibility of protecting and conserving the areas natural resources. To date, PAC has helped protect more than 8,000 acres of irreplaceable waterways, forests, greenspace, mountains and farm land. To learn more about PAC, go to www.pacolet.org. To contact PAC, call 828.859-5060 or email info@pacolet.org.