All ages are invited to PACWalk for Preservation, which will be held Saturday morning, May 4, around the pastoral Tryon Estates lake and woodlands. The event offers three options for PACWalkers: a mile-long amble around the lake, a more challenging 2-mile hike around the lake and through the woods or you can choose to support PAC/PACWalk and walk in spirit by becoming a “phantom walker.”

“This year’s course is extremely beautiful,” comments PAC President Elizabeth “Dibbit” Lamb. “PAC is grateful to Tryon Estates for hosting this event.”

This will be the ninth year the ACTS retirement community has mounted a full-fledged, grass roots campaign to make the Pacolet Area Conservancy’s spring fundraiser a success. The staff and residents of Tryon Estates have raised more than $5,000 PACWalk dollars each of the past several years, “putting PACWalk over the top,” according to Lamb.

“These dedicated citizens have ‘owned’ conservation, and PACWalk is the event to provide the forum for that.”

“The altruistic spirit embraced by both staff and residents of Tryon Estates is inspiring and amazing,” emphasizes Pam Torlina, land protection specialist for the Pacolet Area Conservancy.

The relationship between PAC and Tryon Estates started in 2004 when resident Bob Dockendorf called PAC to see if the organization would be receptive to having Tryon Estates take up the cause of conservation through the very first PACWalk.

“Of course we were thrilled,” says Carole Bartol, immediate past president of the board of directors of PAC, “but we had no idea that they would turn out by the busload to walk, to cheer others, and to make a visible statement that our natural environment is important to preserve for future generations.”

Since the inception of PACWalk, three years ago another event was added, PACRun, a 5K Trail Run on the Tryon Estates grounds.  The run has increased in popularity and promises a challenging, yet beautiful run on the property.
“PACRun is a fun, challenging course, with lots of twists, turns, and hills. Everyone is always surprised at the level of difficulty. The race course was designed by Tryon Estates resident and former runner, Tryon Lindabury.  I think the beauty of Tryon Estates is best seen through our trails,” said Caroline Eller, recreation coordinator for WillowBrooke court at Tryon Estates and a runner herself.

Check-in for PACRun begins at 7:15 a.m., and the race starts at 8 a.m.  PACWalk registration will open at 9 a.m., and the walk begins at 10 a.m. Tryon Estates has invited all PACWalk and PACRun participants to a free lunch during the awards ceremony in the formal dining room, beginning at 11 a.m.

All tax deductible proceeds will go toward protecting and conserving this area’s natural resources.

Runners may register online at strictlyrunning.com, or runners and walkers can visit the PAC website, www.pacolet.org, to download and print registration forms for either the run or the walk.

Forms are also available at the PAC office, at 850 N. Trade St. in Tryon.  For more information please call the PAC office at 828-859-5060, visit the website, www.pacolet.org, or come by the office.  After May 3rd, there will be a late registration fee for PACRun only.

PAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization (land trust) founded in 1989 to protect and conserve the area’s natural resources (PAC’s mission).  PAC works with area landowners to ensure the long-term protection of their property through voluntary conservation easements (agreements) which enable landowners to maintain ownership of their property, preserving precious natural resources (open lands, forests, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, farmland, stream banks, etc.), and potentially obtain significant federal, state and local tax benefits.

PAC’s vision is a community living and growing in harmony with our natural resources and or goal is to provide a legacy that will endure and be valued by generations to come. PAC works diligently to provide leadership to encourage conservation and provide education programs emphasizing native species appreciation and responsible land use practices to help – save the places you love.

– article submitted by Pam Torlina