Member Spotlight - January 2008

Don Stephenson

Don Stephenson’s roots with TLC run deep, to the mid-1980s. He first heard about TLC through a 1985 ad in the News & Observer that invited the public to tour an unusual stand of white pines in Chatham County. Don had an extensive background in biology and environmental science that included stints as an environmental scientist with CP&L, a habitat biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, a wildlife biologist with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and a biology instructor at Johnston Community College.  He was certain there were no natural stands of white pines east of the Blue Ridge. But when he arrived with 100 other people for the walk he was delighted to see this isolated stand of white pines.  “I was blown away!” he said.

Soon he was giving the TLC Board their own “blown-away” experience. He had learned from some students about a bluff on the eastern edge of Johnston County covered in Catawba rhododendron. So in the spring of 1987 he organized a tour—the first tour of this oddly placed jewel in 50 years. A large contingent of TLC Board members joined more than 100 other curious souls on a field trip to Flower Hill. Afterwards, as they sat on a hillside talking, then-chair Pearson Stewart decided two things: TLC should help protect Flower Hill, and Don Stephenson should be on the TLC Board. 

Don served on the TLC Board from 1987 to 1994, during which time he led a fundraising drive to purchase Flower Hill in 1991.  He also headed up Johnston County’s Strategic Plan for Open Space Protection from 2000 to 2002.

New!  Audio Interview Feature

On October 24, 2007, TLC's Doug Nicholas interviewed Don for a new audio feature on the TLC website.  Below you can listen to the highlights from the interview.  Stay tuned for future editions of TLC's Audio Interviews. 

Q:  "How did you first get involved with TLC?"
A:   Click here to listen to Don's response.

Q: "How did you get involved with environmental studies?"
A:  Click here to listen to Don's response.

Q:  "Tell us about your work with Flower Hill?" 
A:   Click here to listen to Don's response.

Q:  "Tell me more about developing Johnston County's Strategic Plan for Open Space."
A:  Click here for the response. 

Learn more about Flower Hill by clicking here.

Member Spotlight Archives

April 2008 - Jon Stucky

March 2008 - Ken & Roz Winter

February 2008 - Pearson Stewart

January 2008 - Don Stephenson

December 2007 - Amy Mackintosh & Tom Kagan

November 2007 - Lao Rubert & Steve Schewel

October 2007 - Andrea Reusing & Mac McCaughan

September 2007 - Gail and Tommy Bridges

August 2007 - Sarah & Chris Capel

July 2007 - Karen & Ben Barker

June 2007 - Adam Meyer

May 2007 - Liz Pullman

January 2007 - Julia Elsee

December 2006 - George McRae and Laura Young

November 2006 - Danny and Caroline Kadis

October 2006 - Stella Boswell and Craig Heinly

September 2006 - Robert & Pearl Seymour

August 2006 - Amin Davis