Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust

Conserve

Vital Lands

Careful stewardship of the land ensures the survival of what’s most precious about life here on the Plateau.

If the past year and a half has taught us anything, it’s to take nothing for granted.

The Plateau’s natural bounty is no exception. For decades, we have enjoyed a relatively unspoiled landscape but as our small community grows, it’s imperative that we remain mindful of the capacity of our natural resources.

While we have lots of conserved land in the area with Nantahala National Forest, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, and other land trusts, imagine what would happen if the private, un-conserved lands were to be developed – everything that makes this place special could unravel and fall apart.

The soils on the Plateau tend to be sandier than is typical in the area, making them more susceptible to erosion. This means that increased development would lead to increased erosion and landslides as forests would become houses, roads, and lawns. Streams and rivers would become muddied by this erosion and warmer as the shade trees are removed, killing off trout and many of the rare species like the hellbender and many fish, mussels, and aquatic insects.

As the forest disappears, more “edge” habitat (the interface between forest and open space) would arise, allowing populations of deer and mice to explode, which in turn would cause tick populations (and the diseases associated with them) to also increase dramatically.

If enough forest was destroyed, you would also witness the landscape itself start to unravel. The resiliency of everything would be decreased and invasive plants would likely come to dominate as you see in many areas in the Piedmont and Northeast. This would also fragment the landscape, meaning that species that rely on interconnectedness would decline or even disappear from our landscape.

Thankfully, this dire prediction does not need to become a reality. By joining forces now and conserving our mountains, rivers, and ecological corridors we can keep what makes The Plateau so special.

Private landowners can work with conservation groups like Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust to take matters into their own hands and conserve the vital lands we all need for a healthier tomorrow.

To learn how you can conserve your own land or support your land trust’s mission to protect valuable natural resources for all generations, email info.hitrust@earthlink.net or visit hicashlt.org.

by Julie Schott Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust

The Power of Education

With wise precautions in place, The Literacy & Learning Center is setting the stage for a season of enlightenment and encouragement. For more information, visit maconncliteracy.org, call (828) 5260863 or email info@maconncliteracy.org.

English as a Second Language classes, hosted by The Literacy & Learning Center, are set to resume in person. At the beginning of the pandemic, The Literacy & Learning Center had to make some necessary adjustments to their programs in order to keep students safe and distanced. TL&LC began holding classes online through pre-recorded videos, taught by Faviola Olvera. These videos will remain accessible on TL&LC’s website. With many residents of Macon County now being vaccinated, ESL classes can resume in person. These absolutely free classes are held every Monday at The Presbyterian Church at 6:30 until 7:30 P.M.. There is no registration required; students can just show up and participate. Set at a time that is convenient for students to attend after work, TL&LC also provides snacks and some child-friendly games and toys to keep little ones preoccupied while parents participate in the class. The classes are for all ages, and anyone who wishes to learn English is encouraged to participate! English learning is an important tool for our community, Faviola Olvera, the current teacher of ESL says. “This class is so important because it gives students the opportunity to learn how to connect with others through the English language. Language is instrumental in our lives and can help facilitate so many of our daily tasks. As an English as second language learner myself, I know the difficulty faced when there is a language barrier and I want to help these students break that barrier down.”

For any questions, visit www.maconncliteracy.org, call (828) 526 – 0863 or email info@maconncliteracy.org.

by Jenni Edwards The Literacy and Learning Center

Engaging

Highlands

While celebrating the successes of 2021, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce is peering into the future and navigating our way through this confounding decade.

Everybody who enjoyed 2021’s summer outdoor concerts, raise your glass! Those performances were about an 11 on a 10 point scale, right?

Are you enjoying harvest and Halloween celebrations this month? Say, “Yeah, Baybay!”

And what about the Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade that quickly follows? That’s all kinds of Ho Ho Ho, and away we go!

Hopefully you know you’re shouting for the Highlands Chamber of Commerce. Without the Chamber, the Plateau would be clue-less and do-less … and maybe even without you-less.

The Chamber and Visit Highlands engage the community every year, every season, every day. Not to mention working with our local governments and business community or our communication about what’s happening in Highlands; delivering news and updates on the pandemic; making announcements about urgent weather; emergency information. Give a shout-out for all those who make those important events happen – whether it’s planning for the future by studying the latest stats for growth or helping control environmental impact.

Kaye McHan, Chamber Executive Director, says, “We serve as the manager of Highlands experiences for residents, businesses, and visitors through planning for the future by considering social, economic, cultural, and environmental risks and opportunities. This approach enables us to engage and serve as a collaborator for a productive, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable community that creates value for residents, businesses, and visitors.”

The assets provided through Visit Highlands, NC and the Chamber’s work is integral to economic development and is a key driver to maintaining economic stability. Our work supports local

jobs and prosperity for Highlands and plays a role in building the reputation of our community as a viable place to live and invest.

The Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands, NC wants to engage and collaborate with you, the residents, businesses, and government because together we retain our high quality, locally derived (unique) and innovative way of life as the Highlands community.

If you’d like to be included in communications from the Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands, NC, please email us at office@highlandschamber.org.

by Kaye McHan, Executive Director, Highlands Chamber of Commerce

Growth Strategy

Thanks to an innovative project, Cashiers residents and businesses will have the opportunity to shape the community’s development far into the future.

Cashiers has a timely and unique opportunity to be the subject of an Urban Land Institute Americas Advisory Services Panel.

This process brings together the best and brightest professional planners, market analysts, economists, architects, natural and built environmental specialists, land developers, public officials, and more to offer practical solutions and objective growth management advice not available from any other source.

Cashiers’ consideration was facilitated by long-time Cashiers resident and distinguished public servant Glenda Hood, former mayor of Orlando and Florida Secretary of State, who also serves on the national ULI board.

We welcome your support to recalibrate our community’s public policy discussion and pursue an inclusive, transparent, unbiased, and expert process to expand our collective knowledge about critical growth issues.

The ULI Panel will focus on specific issues of local concern, review advance briefing materials, and travel to Cashiers to tour and confidentially interview 80 or more stakeholders.

They will inform the Cashiers Area Community Planning Council, residents, business owners, and others of market pressures which impact our future. They will discuss our local land economics, then deliver a detailed written, actionable report approximately 60 days later. The Planning Council will help lead this process and the Cashiers Area Chamber will serve as Sponsor.

The cost of an Advisory Services Panel is $135,000, which will be raised from any and all interested organizations and individuals. With full funding, the panel could be held in early November.

Tax-deductible contributions should be made payable and mailed to the Cashiers Area Legacy Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created by the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce (PO Box 238, Cashiers, NC 28717).

For more information, visit CashiersAreaChamber.com or call (828) 743-5191.

by Stephanie Edwards, Executive Director, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce

We Welcome Todd Holder

The arrival of Todd Holder at the Highlands Branch of Edwards Jones promises good things for those seeking financial guidance and the Plateau’s communities.

Todd Holder

The role of the financial advisor has long been to guide decisions as to wills, trusts, estates, college planning, and charitable legacy planning.

For many of us, pandemic-fueled anxiety has underscored a need for professional, personalized financial counsel.

That’s the kind of sage direction that Todd Holder of Edward Jones has been offering Western North Carolina residents for more than 30 years.

Helping people achieve goals from retiring early to saving for a dream vacation, Holder collaborates with his clients on strategies to ensure and achieve financial soundness and peace of mind.

“I provide them with a realistic picture of what they have to do to get there,” he says.

Several months ago, Holder relocated to Highlands from Hendersonville, North Carolina, to open the company’s newest branch.

“This is one of my wife’s and my favorite places in the Southeast; we love the hiking and community spirit,” he says. “It’s a wonderful place to live and work.”

Hiking is a passion and avid pastime for Todd and his wife, Ann. The couple are soon to join the 703 members of the 900-Miler Club – hikers who have trekked every trail in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Holder has also served his community deeply as an activist. His current and past activities tell of an impressive story of civil involvement.

As he modestly told me, “I have been blessed to be a small part of some big things.” That includes working in conjunction with the Kiwanis Clubs of NC and SC to raise $250,000 to construct a waiting room (known as the “Family Care Room”) at the Preemie Ward in Mission Hospital Asheville. He’s been a volunteer guest teacher at local colleges, including Blue Ridge Community College, where he has taught business, insurance, and financial planning. Holder has distinguished himself as part of the University of North Carolina Blue Ridge Ambassador Program – connecting leaders throughout the region with 501(c)(3) foundations for future and existing donors and benefactors on behalf of the Blue Ridge Community College Foundation. Serving several hundred clients throughout Western North Carolina and 26 states, Holder loves helping people and developing long-term relationships. As he says, “I am energized by serving and partnering with people in their financial goals and protection. My goal is to be the financial advisor that helps make a meaningful difference in the lives of my clients and their families.”

Holder can be reached at todd.holder@edwardjones.com or (828) 787-2090. More details are at edwardjones.com/todd-holder.

by Marlene Osteen