Mountain Roots

Expanding Little Rock Creek Preserve

“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 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.

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.

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 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.”

“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 her siblings Carol Townsend and John Philip McCoy, Jr. donated the 57-acre tract of land that they had inherited as a way to honor their parents and do something good for the world.

“I had always wondered why dad held on to that particular piece of property for so long,” shares Dana. “Our father predeceased our mother by about twelve years, and before that time they had sold just about all of their real estate, including their home in Asheville. But he held onto that property north of Spruce Pine and Bakersville. I think it really meant a lot to him.”

Dana says that their father was from the Appalachians, although his family was fairly mobile. He connected with his heritage in the mountains.

“Dad was born in Pennsylvania, raised in Tennessee, and went to Duke University, where he met our mother before being called up during WWII,” says Dana. “He came back after the war and obtained his law degree from Duke. We moved to Brevard, Charlotte, and Atlanta before ending up in Florida, but they always made vacation trips to the mountain area. Our parents loved it so much here, they bought a cabin in Little Switzerland in the 1960s and permanently relocated to the mountains upon retirement.”

At one point in time, their father became interested in buying investment

New Conservation Properties

Other SAHC Preserves / Easements properties, and he purchased several tracts in Western North Carolina along with other partners. Over years, they sold the tracts. However, John McCoy bought out his partners in the acquisition of the land on Little Rock Creek, retaining

US Forest Service

State of TN or NC Land it when he passed, but decided to keep it in the family. It had meant so much to Dad, we couldn’t bring ourselves to sell it.” ownership of it and the family’s cabin in Little Switzerland.

“I think he really liked walking on the Mitchell County property,” continues Dana. “I wondered why he was so attached to that land. Then I found out that in the 1990s, he had really gotten interested in genealogy and found out that a long time ago we had relatives living in the Toe River area, before his branch of the family moved up into the Shenandoah area of Virginia. I think he felt bound to the land in a way, to his ancestors. We discussed the idea of selling

However, when their mother passed away last year, the siblings needed to figure out what to finally do with the property. The tract lacked legal access, which made it difficult to sell or even donate to someone else. Then they discovered that SAHC owned the connecting Little Rock Creek Preserve, and all the logistical pieces fell into place.

“At the end of the day, this place is like a piece of Mom and Dad,” adds Dana. “Maybe the same things that appealed to your ancestors appeal to you. I think perhaps Dad thought this felt like home, a connection to his origins. We wanted to preserve the property and dedicate it to the memory of our parents, and we were so delighted that it will be part of a bigger conservation area. These Roan Highlands are a beautiful part of the world.”