“It has been an extraordinary blessing and opportunity to be part of this organization’s growth and success,” said Taylor. “Mainspring’s conservation mission is critical — to know I’ve helped contribute to it is a joy. And, while I feel nostalgic about leaving, I am excited and confident about Mainspring’s future; it is bright and wide open.”

Taylor began her career at the nonprofit in February 2001, helping with the effort to conserve what is now the 5,000-acre Needmore Game Lands, Mainspring’s flagship project. During Taylor’s tenure, Mainspring has conserved more than 28,000 acres of land and more than 36 miles of Little Tennessee River frontage.

She became the organization’s second executive director in January 2015 and currently directs a staff of 11 with an annual operating budget of $1.5 million. Taylor led the nonprofit’s rebranding from Land Trust for the Little Tennessee to Mainspring Conservation Trust and established satellite offices in Murphy and Sylva. Under her leadership, Mainspring’s annual fund now exceeds $600,000, and its internal Land Protection Fund that supports land conservation projects exceeds $2 million. 

Rita Salain, treasurer for Mainspring’s board of directors, will chair the selection committee, which has already launched a national search for Taylor’s replacement. The job posting is available at mainspringconserves.org under the “Be a Mainspring” tab.