Highlands of Roan Focus Area
A recently donated 57-acre tract adjoining SAHC’s Little Rock Creek Preserve expands protection of high elevation habitat and water quality in a beautiful corner of Mitchell County, NC.
Mountain Roots
Expanding Little Rock Creek Preserve The recently donated land connects to SAHC’s existing preserve on Little Rock Creek and contains tributaries of the creek.
“We are excited to accept the donation of this property, which deserves protection because of its forested animal habitat, water resources, and connectivity to SAHC’s Little Rock Creek Preserve,” says Associate Director Kristy Urquhart. “SAHC will manage the land to best protect these conservation values for future generations.” Former landowner Dana Anderson says their family is thrilled that they were able to donate the tract to SAHC. “When we found out that Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy owned the adjoining nature preserve, everything just came together,” shares Dana. “It felt like destiny at that point, to give the land to SAHC. We enjoyed speaking with Michelle and Land Protection Associate Kyle Shute about the ecological importance of the habitat. It was interesting that the conservancy takes into account the entire ecosystem – not just the ground, but the plants and animals that live in
The donated land stretches from a cascading stream and flower-strewn banks to a 4,100 ft. ridgetop looking out across other SAHC-protected lands. It can be seen from NC Hwy 261 (Roan Mountain Scenic Drive) and several vantage points on the Appalachian Trail, including Engine Gap, Jane Bald, and Grassy Ridge. Permanent protection of the land will also help protect water quality in Little Rock Creek, a NC designated Trout Stream.
the area. We were very impressed with the staff’s knowledge of the ecological context of the land, and we felt that it was going to be in good hands. The donation is about more than just holding title to a piece of property. We know that it has been transferred to people who are going to actively care for the land.” The donation was also made possible by a generous contribution from the Stanback family, to cover transaction costs and future stewardship of the property. “From the ridgeline on this preserve, you look out at the expanse of the Roan Highlands and Roan High Bluff,” says Executive Director Carl Silverstein. “Protecting this ridgeline means the view of it from those public lands will be unspoiled for visitors for generations to come. This conserved land is also very near to the Fall Creek Falls property, which SAHC assisted the Felburn Foundation in preserving in 1989.”
10 | View from the Highlands 2023 Vol. 2 | Land Protection Updates
“This is a wonderful addition to the land SAHC has already protected in the Highlands of Roan, and it will strengthen the conservation of habitat and water resources on our Little Rock Creek Preserve,” adds Carl. “We are grateful to the landowners for choosing to donate the property, and to all our members for supporting the organization in order to make conservation success stories like this possible.”
In Memory of John and Gloria McCoy Have you ever been inexplicably drawn to a place? Perhaps you felt a deep connection, like homecoming, when visiting a piece of land you’ve never set foot upon before. Many SAHC members and volunteers have expressed a passion for conservation because they say ‘visiting the mountains feels like going home.’ Sometimes, that feeling of connection translates to action, such as the preservation of a special mountain home. This year, Dana Anderson and
