We've been waiting 35 years to throw this party.

On Thursday, July 23, Lookout Mountain Conservancy (LMC) hosts our 13th annual Shrimp Boil.

For LMC in 2026, there's so much to celebrate together with you.

This year, our land trust turns 35.

Started from John Wilson’s living room in 1991, LMC’s early vision was to protect wild places from destruction; over the decades, we’ve grown into a nationally accredited land trust that stewards more than 1,500 acres of regional land.

“I love natural places and hate to see them destroyed,” Mr. Wilson later wrote.

Today, we’re fundraising to protect 22 acres of Hawkins Ridge forest in St. Elmo.

We continue to cheer as our graduating interns head for college and careers.

This Shrimp Boil is our annual party. It begins at 6 pm on Thursday, July 23, at Rockmont Park, St. Elmo’s best-kept secret. Tickets are $75 each.

There’s a Lowcountry dinner from Chef Miguel Morales and his 1885 Grill team, our Shrimp Boil title sponsor. There’s craft keg beer from our favorite local brewery, live music and some of the best city-and-river views in Chattanooga.

Tickets can be purchased at lookoutmountainconservancy.org or by emailing david@lookoutmountainconservancy.org.

“This is our night to celebrate our very good friends and family,” said LMC’s CEO and president Dr. Robyn Carlton. “Without you, we wouldn’t exist.”

Maybe you know us through our plan to protect Hawkins Ridge. Maybe you’ve climbed, hiked or biked at Rockmont Park or the Guild-Hardy Trail. Maybe you’ve cheered for our interns.

They would love to see you there at Shrimp Boil.

“It’s a great place to get to know the interns personally,” said Chad, who just graduated from The Howard School. “Not just about LMC but how they move in life. What they will do in college. And how LMC changed them as a person.”

Next to him, Arbey, another intern, nodded. We want Chattanooga to come to the party, he said.

“Get to know the interns. See our work,” he said.

Visit lookoutmountainconservancy.org or email david@lookoutmountainconservancy.org for your Shrimp Boil tickets.

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David Cook is LMC’s director of Communications and Storytelling and can be reached at david@lookoutmountainconservancy.org.