Governor Bill Haslam and TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau present Henry “Woody” McLaughlin with the 2016 Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award
Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau presented Henry “Woody” McLaughlin with the Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards on June 15.
“Woody’s tireless, good-natured approach to fostering positive working relationships while achieving real conservation results has been essential to preserving priority lands and protecting some of the most special places we enjoy today at South Cumberland State Park,” TDEC Commissioner Martineau said.
“We are grateful for his personal commitment and quiet leadership, and we salute the dedicated teamwork demonstrated by the Friends of South Cumberland that have made a real and lasting difference for that state park and those who love it.”
Mr. McLaughlin received the award for his decades of devotion to the land and people of South Cumberland State Park, especially the Fiery Gizzard Trail. His love of the park – dating back to his days as a student at the nearby University of the South – his knowledge of real estate, and his ties to Nashville made him a leading voice on the Friends of South Cumberland board of directors when it was established in 1993. He would serve on the board for 18 years.
"In 2002, when the South Cumberland State Park master plan identified several nearby parcels and natural features that were worthy of protection but under threat of development or sale to timber companies, the Friends Group decided to launch the Saving Great Spaces Campaign with a goal of raising $500,000 to preserve the beauty of the park. Mr. McLaughlin's business acumen, his range of contacts, and his determination were major factors in the board’s decision to take on this challenge.
"During this multi-year campaign, he served as president of the Friends group, and he worked tirelessly to encourage others to join the effort. He made personal donations to the campaign and was invaluable in contacting local, state, and federal leaders to secure their help. In the end, more than $600,000 was raised by the Friends, and Mr. McLaughlin was instrumental in helping to obtain an additional $2 million in federal funding, $3.5 million in grant funding from the Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund and $2.5 million from the State Lands Acquisition Fund. Under his leadership, this multi-year, concerted conservation campaign leveraged nearly $8 million in total resources making it possible to add 5,495 acres of priority land at Savage Gulf and the Fiery Gizzard.
"Mr. McLaughlin was also instrumental in smaller, but critical, additions to South Cumberland State Park. When a 100-acre priority tract of land that included the most visible line of bluffs seen from the renowned Stone Door Overlook went onto the market, it was Mr. McLaughlin that used his 30 years as a real estate broker and experience in handling complex land transactions to deliver a positive result for all parties – and to ensure those sightlines and vistas are preserved for ourselves and future generations," officials said.