WNCA creates Founder’s Fund in honor of Esther Cunningham, David Liden, Walton Smith and other early leaders.
Without their passion, dedication, creativity, and vision, the Alliance would not be here today, continuing to protect the mountains, rivers, and forests of Western North Carolina. They created a legacy that we are proud to carry on today.
The Founders Fund will support new or important Alliance initiatives that are otherwise difficult to fund.
In its early years, to more fully honor Esther and those other early leaders, we intend to use it to support our grassroots organizing efforts in the far western part of the state.
Monroe Gilmour, one of our longtime members, said after Esther’s death, “A great oak has indeed fallen in our WNC forests, but as in the forest, Esther has already nurtured and nourished innumerable seedlings. Her work and life continue through them.”
We invite you to support the Founders Fund so that we can continue Esther’s work of nurturing more seedlings who will be there to protect the forest when we have moved on.
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