|
Eslick and Annie Daniel: In Our View Natchez Trace Parkway travelers will always see the unspoiled rural landscape of Sweet Easy Farm at the Water Valley Overlook in Maury County. Eslick and Annie Daniel's love of the land led them to donate a permanent conservation easement to the Land Trust for Tennessee. The easement will allow the Daniel family to retain ownership of the 220-acre farm while legally restricting any development or subdivision of the property in the future. As a result, a significant part of the view from the Water Valley overlook on the Natchez Trace Parkway will always be conserved.
Down in Water Valley, visitors to Sweet Easy Farm can see the Daniels' stewardship, from the walls of their home to the carefully tended pastures and hills. Annie is a painter, capturing the landscape on canvas. Eslick maintains their cattle operation. "I feel there is a lot of momentum in the area for conservation," said Daniel. "The beauty and character of this area means so much to all of us, we want to protect it for future generations to enjoy as we have." Eslick and Annie Daniel are leading by example. By protecting their farm in Water Valley, not only will the landowners continue to enjoy its beauty and tranquility, future visitors on the Natchez Trace Parkway will get a breathtaking view. This is an incredible gift to all Tennesseans. |
The conservation of Sweet Easy Farm is a milestone in The Land Trust's Natchez Trace Corridor Initiative, an effort among The Land Trust for Tennessee, the National Park Service and others to protect special views and overlooks on the Natchez Trace Parkway. According to Stennis Young, the acting superintendent of the Natchez Trace Parkway, "the conservation easement on this property will have a lasting benefit to the nation; maintaining the southern agrarian landscape for which the Parkway is famous.
