Shortly after the vegetation was removed, a new partnership formed in the community. Representatives from Macon County Schools, Macon County Soil and Water, Coweeta Long-Term Ecological Research Program, Mainspring Conservation Trust, Penland Construction, Winding Stair Nursery, Duke Energy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Highlands Biological Station, and members of the school and community joined together to rekindle the vision of the full restoration of the Cove Branch.

It was understood that a vital portion of this project needed to be education of the community about the importance of stream buffers and vegetation that provides shade along stream channels. It was also understood that recognizing the design aesthetic for the new plans needed to include both maintained spaces and wild spaces. It was important that we show the community that the space could support native plants and wildlife, protect stream buffers, shade stream channels, and be beautiful. The team began the work of writing grants, re-surveying the space, and working on the vision of Research, Restoration, and Education. Please check the project updates section to see where we are in this process.  If you would like more information about the project, please contact Jennifer Love