Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

2020 Cynthia Pratt Laughlin Medal

In appreciation for the dedication, creativity and leadership demonstrated through land preservation and environmental stewardship in the Southern Appalachian Mountains for present and future generations.

Proposed by: The French Broad River Garden Club Foundation, Zone VII

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC), founded in 1974 and the oldest land trust in the Southeastern United States, is working to save the “spine” of the Southern Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. Totalling 75,000 acres, the SAHC protects water quality, wildlife and rare plant habitat, farmland, scenic viewsheds, and spaces for outdoor recreation. Its Farmland Preservation Program teaches aspiring farmers to create resilient rural communities, and local residents and tourists learn to appreciate the beauty and importance of the land through numerous SAHC programs. The SAHC connects people with the land through community engagement, farmer education, and volunteerism, thereby preserving the natural heritage and quality of life.

The Cynthia Pratt Laughlin Medal is awarded for outstanding achievement in environmental protection and the maintenance of the quality of life.

Cynthia Ann Pratt Laughlin (Mrs. William McKennan Laughlin: 1910–85) was a member of The Southampton Garden Club, Zone III. A former Awards Committee zone representative, known for club and community leadership and horticultural skill, she endowed the medal in 1979, which was first awarded in 1980. The medal was designed by sculptor Charles Parks.

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