View
2020 Winter Issue
from the Highlands
Protecting the World’s Oldest Mountains
Investigating Snowflakes – Winter Hike Photo by Shaylyn Sargent
Conserving Mountains • Farms • Streams • Habitat
Letter from the Executive Director Carl Silverstein
372 Merrimon Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-1222 828.253.0095 • FAX 828.253.1248 sahc@appalachian.org
Board of Trustees Laura McCue, President Rick Manske Vice-President Matt Moses, Secretary Nancy Edgerton, Treasurer Jeff Needham, At-Large Sheryl Aikman Sarah Davis David Erwin Mary Fanslow Popsie Lynch John Mason Cynthia Poortenga Rich Preyer Chris Soto Allison Williams Tom Williams
Arden, NC Weaverville, NC Erwin, TN Asheville, NC Johnson City, TN Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Kingsport, TN Fairview, NC Asheville, NC Kingsport, TN Asheville, NC Johnson City, TN Charleston, SC Fairview, NC
Staff
Carl Silverstein Executive Director Kristy Urquhart Associate Director Michelle Pugliese Land Protection Director Jess Laggis Farmland Protection Director Hanni Muerdter Conservation Director Marquette Crockett Roan Stewardship Director Sarah Sheeran Stewardship Director Chris Kaase Stewardship Associate Cheryl Fowler Membership Director Lisa Fancher Finance Compliance Director Angela Shepherd Communications Director Pauline Heyne Director of Philanthropy Chris Link Community Farm Manager Lauren McTigue Nature Experience Director
You did it! Thank you to ALL the dedicated supporters who made year-end gifts to SAHC, surpassing our fundraising goal. Your contributions are helping enable us to complete exciting projects this year and providing capacity for us to initiate important new projects. Timing is essential in this work, as we face increasing pressures from the growing popularity of the Western North Carolina and East Tennessee mountains. Opportunities to protect some of the unique places in these mountains may occur only once, and we have to be ready to seize key opportunities. We strategically identify land protection priorities and rigorously analyze potential projects, evaluating conservation values such as water sources, prime soils, ecological communities, connectivity, and potential for recreation access. Thanks to your support, we will continue to pursue as many of these important conservation opportunities as possible. We also have a commitment to mitigate the negative effects of climate change and encourage resilience of our landscape. We are protecting intact forests and shaded streams to help safeguard corridors for wildlife to migrate. Expanding on our commitment, last fall SAHC installed a 20 kWh solar panel system at our office in downtown Asheville, which has begun producing electricity expected to offset the majority of our energy usage! We are still fundraising for this system. Please contact us if you would like to contribute specifically to this effort. This year, we look forward to sharing with you more exciting opportunities to protect critical pieces of our landscape; to steward, manage, and care for protected lands; and connect people with the incredible places that SAHC and our partners have protected. Thank you for making this work possible!
AmeriCorps Hannah Latragna Shaylyn Sargent Hannah Stuart Sam Rames Hanna Peterman
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Communications & Community Engagement Member Conservation Education & Volunteer Member Land Protection & Education Member Stewardship & Volunteer Member Stewardship & Volunteer Member
The mission of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is to conserve the unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, farmland, scenic beauty, and places for people to enjoy outdoor recreation in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee for the benefit of present and future generations. We achieve this by forging and maintaining longterm conservation relationships with private landowners and public agencies, owning and managing land and encouraging healthy local communities.
Map: SAHC Conservation Focus Areas and Land Protection Projects in this Issue Haw Orchard Ridge
Greene Creek
Roaring Creek Valley
pg. 6
pg. 7
pg. 3
Hogeye Bottomlands
Highlands Appalachian Trail of Countryside Roan
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French Broad River Valley
Smoky Mountains
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Byrd Farm pg. 8-9
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Balsam Mountains
Hidden Valley pg. 12
Greene Creek — Assist to State of NC We assisted the State of NC in purchasing a 135-acre tract in the Highlands of Roan to add to the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area. This Mitchell County tract, located at the headwaters of Greene Creek, adjoins a 150-acre SAHC preserve and contains high quality habitat and water resources, including streams for native Southern Appalachian brook trout. We had identified the property as a high conservation priority when the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area (YMSNA) was authorized in 2008. SAHC negotiated the terms of the acquisition with the landowners and applied successfully to the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) and private philanthropists for grants, which enabled the NC Division of Parks & Recreation to buy the property. We are grateful to everyone who made the protection of this stunning mountain property possible! Land Protection Updates | Winter 2020 View from the Highlands | 3
Highlands of Roan Focus Area
Yellow Mountain Connector Linking Lands from the Roan Massif to Yellow Mtn State Natural Area The Yellow Mountain Connector project helps protect an important ridgeline corridor.
Last year, we purchased an assemblage of 32 properties in the Cane Creek Mountains totaling 456 acres, to protect an important ridgeline corridor through the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area. This acquisition will preserve habitats for rare plants and animals, clean water sources and scenic mountain views from public lands. Thank you for making conservation of this ridgeline possible! “We protected a critical 456-acre chain of parcels that links previously unconnected sections of the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area,” says Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese. “This project made historic, landscape-scale strides in achieving the vision of the state natural area: to protect a longdistance scenic and wildlife corridor below the Appalachian Trail south along the Cane Creek Mountains. It is one of the most impactful land acquisitions in the region.” The properties are situated along
the ridge that forms the boundary between Mitchell and Avery Counties south of Grassy Ridge. The tracts reach 4,600 ft. in elevation and adjoin SAHC’s Cane Creek Mountain and Little Hawk Mountain preserves, connecting sections of the North Carolina Yellow Mountain State Natural Area. The property is within five miles of 13 state-designated Natural Areas, and SAHC’s acquisition of the land protects significant water resources and habitat for rare and threatened species.
Aerial photo by Dennis Oakley, CNPA; flight courtesy of Southwings.
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“This transaction is especially important because our southern Appalachian mountains are a critical corridor for species to migrate in response to climate change,” says Pugliese. “This
View from the Highlands Winter 2020 | Land Protection Updates
ridgeline is a crucial pathway for plants and animals to move for survival. Protecting it contributes meaningfully to climate resiliency in our mountains.” The NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) awarded $1.2 million in grant funds toward the acquisition. In total, the acquisition protects over five miles of stream corridor and 304 acres of stream buffer. Permanent conservation of the land preserves portions of Soapstone Branch, Hawk Creek, Little Henson Creek and Big Spring Creek, as well as 24 headwater tributaries of Henson Creek and Cane Creek, which both flow directly into the North Toe River. A popular area for trout fishing, the North Toe River also provides high quality habitat for federally listed aquatic species. Large portions of the new acquisition fall within two Audubon Society Important Bird Areas – the Roan Mountain and Roan-Cane Creek Mountains Important Bird Areas. Ridgelines in these areas provide passage for substantial numbers of neotropical birds during
(Left) Protection of these tracts protects high elevation water sources and tributaries flowing into the North Toe River. Map: Yellow Mountain Connector bridges gaps between already protected lands, securing a corridor from the Roan Massif through the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area.
migration, and several rare species breed in the area, including Golden-winged Warbler and Northern Sawwhet Owl. High elevation rocky summit habitat on the undeveloped tracts provides home for a plethora of rare plants and animals. The project connects 22,000 acres of protected land on the Roan Massif to 838 acres of protected land in the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area. SAHC plans to own and manage the land as a nature preserve.
“We are deeply grateful for the generous support of philanthropists Fred and Alice Stanback, the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund, SAHC supporters, and a grant from the Conservation Trust for North Carolina for making this critical conservation work possible,” adds Pugliese. A generous conservation partner also donated years of effort and transaction costs to acquire the multiple parcels in this package.
Partner Perspective: Clean Water Management Trust Fund “Assembling multiple properties for protection at a landscape and watershed scale is a difficult but worthwhile process,” says Walter Clark, Executive Director, CWMTF. “The success of this complex project is the result of hard work and coordination by the land protection staff of SAHC and CWMTF.” The Clean Water Management Trust Fund was established by the General Assembly in 1996 as a nonCWMTF Western Field Representative Damon regulatory organization with a focus Hearne on a site visit to the property. on protecting and restoring the State’s land and water resources. It awards grants to non-profit and governmental organizations to protect land for natural, historical and cultural benefit, limit encroachment on military installations, restore degraded streams, and develop and improve stormwater treatment technology. The land contains over five miles of stream corridor
For more info, visit www.cwmtf.nc.gov Land Protection Updates | Winter 2020 View from the Highlands | 5
Highlands of Roan Focus Area
In November, you helped acquire 51 acres on a prominent ridge near the Appalachian Trail in the Highlands of Roan. The Haw Orchard Ridge property adjoins Pisgah National Forest, rising to over 5,400 ft. just south of Roan High Knob. It is visible from the Appalachian Trail at Round Bald and Grassy Ridge Bald.
Haw Orchard Ridge Views from the AT
Scenic view photo taken from Jane Bald on the Appalachian Trail. Haw Orchard Ridge sits just below Roan High Knob, sandwiched between Round Bald (foreground) and Roan High Bluff (background).
haven for these climate sensitive species.”
Urquhart. “Securing the rare high elevation habitat found on this property, bordering Pisgah National Forest and just down the mountain from the Appalachian Trail, is a great conservation achievement. We are so grateful to all of our supporters, philanthropic leaders Fred and Alice Stanback, and the Conservation Trust for North Carolina for providing funding to make this acquisition possible.”
We plan to manage the land for the long term as a nature preserve. With a grant from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative, we are restoring conifer habitat for birds on the property.
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“Protecting Haw Orchard Ridge has been a priority of SAHC’s for decades,” says Associate Director Kristy
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“Our purchasing Haw Orchard Ridge protects a portion of the well known red spruce-Fraser fir stand which stretches from Roan High Knob to Carvers Gap,” says Roan Stewardship Director Marquette Crockett. “This spruce-fir stand is used by numerous rare high elevation species including Red Crossbill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, and pygmy salamander. It is also inhabited by federally endangered species including the Carolina northern flying squirrel and the spruce-fir moss spider. We hope that our purchasing and restoring this property will help create a safe
Appalachian Trail
New SAHC acquisition at Haw Orchard Ridge (51 Acres)
Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese on a site visit to the property.
SAHC Conserved Land (including preserves and conservation easements) U.S. National Forest Land
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State of NC Land
Trout Streams and Habitat
Roaring Creek, with exceptional trout waters, runs through the lower elevation property.
Two new acquisitions in Roaring Creek join our network of protected land in the Highlands of Roan. These two tracts adjoin other SAHC preserves on the slopes of Big Yellow Mountain, together protecting hundreds of acres of northern hardwood and high elevation red oak forests, rising up to the boundary of the Big Yellow Mountain Preserve, comanaged by SAHC with our partners at The Nature Conservancy. Most of these properties are within the Big Yellow Mountain Natural Area and are part of the Audubon Society’s Roan Mountain Important Bird Area. They contain thousands of linear feet of tributary streams and headwater seeps, feeding into Roaring Creek. The North Toe River and Roaring Creek have been identified as critical to protecting water quality in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and the watershed supports a host of rare species, including the Federally Endangered Appalachian Elktoe mussel. In addition to their importance for protecting water quality and intact forests, the properties also contain approximately 14 acres of old Christmas tree farm fields, which we will restore as meadow habitat
for Golden-winged Warbler, Appalachian Cottontail, and other rare early successional species and pollinators. “Old field and early successional habitats in the mountains are disappearing fast,” says Roan Stewardship Director Marquette Crockett. “When we acquire a property that allows us to manage for these habitats, without cutting surrounding forests, it is a win-win for conservation.”
Highlands of Roan Focus Area
Roaring Creek Valley
Thanks to your support, we purchased two parcels in the Roaring Creek Valley area, adding to a network of protected land in this beautiful section of the Roan Highlands. These tracts total 63 acres and include a section of the main stem of Roaring Creek, which has been designated as “Wild Trout Waters”.
The former Christmas tree farm area on the higher elevation tract will be managed for early successional habitat.
“The property also contains a high elevation fish-free pond, which is an exceptionally rare find in the mountains,” adds Crockett. “We can’t wait to find out which frogs, salamanders, and dragonflies are breeding in this hidden gem!” We are very grateful to philanthropic leaders Fred and Alice Stanback, Brad and Shelli Stanback, and SAHC members for making these acquisitions possible. Land Protection Updates | Winter 2020 View from the Highlands | 7
Highlands of Roan Focus Area
Byrd Farm
Mitchell County Farmland
In December, you helped protect 127 acres of beautiful family farmland in Mitchell County, preserving bucolic views along NC Hwy 226. The Byrd Charolais Farm is an agricultural gem, with water conservation practices in place and a long heritage of mountain farming.
Charolais cattle on the Byrd Farm
Tucked into the Red Hill community less than 5 miles from the southwestern slopes of the Roan Massif, the Byrd Charolais Farm contains rolling hills, forested slopes, mountain pasture, and about a mile of Big Rock Creek. This is SAHC’s first conservation easement in Mitchell County. Conservation-minded landowners Mark and Nancy Byrd had already protected the farm with a 20-year term easement – the first agricultural easement in Mitchell County. After learning about SAHC, they worked with us to secure the land with a perpetual conservation easement – meaning it will be available for farmers 50, 100, and many more years in the future. “Agriculture is an important piece
of our national security,” says Mark. “Preservation of farmland is important to our food security, and we need to preserve farmland now to make sure it is available for food production in the future. I would like to see more farmland protected because once it’s converted to houses Rolling mountain pastures provide plenty of room for and other buildings, you don’t see the land return rotational grazing. to farm use. People also around it all my life, every day — I enjoy seeing the beauty of farmland, just grew into it. Farming is a family natural places, and national tradition.” And with family history parks — that’s another reason for dating to the late 1700s in Mitchell conservation.” County, it’s a long tradition. Farming Heritage Preserving family traditions played role in Mark’s desire to protect the Byrd farm.
The scenic family farm is part of the rural Roan landscape.
“I was born into farming,” he recalls. “My earliest memories are from about 4 or 5 years old, following my dad each step he took and learning along the way. I came into a career in farming from being
8 | View from the Highlands Winter 2020 | Land Protection Updates
Mark followed his father in cattle farming, recalling “Dad was a good teacher, and we enjoyed that time together.” Protecting Water Quality Mark’s father began putting conservation practices in place on the farm in the late 1980s — beginning with off-stream watering tanks and some exclusionary fencing to keep cattle out of streams. They continued adding a little more at a time over the years, and as Mark went into a career
in Soil & Water Conservation and traveled across the state, he learned about and implemented additional practices. They improved farm roads on the property to prevent erosion, added more exclusionary fencing, did soil sampling, developed more wells for off-stream watering, and practiced rotational grazing to better manage the pasture.
because trout are sensitive to runoff in streams,” adds Mark. Permanent conservation of the farm — along with best management practices the landowners have put in place — will help protect water quality in trout streams and in the Nolichucky River watershed. A mile of Big Rock Creek flows through the property, as well as several smaller unnamed tributaries, which contribute to the North Toe River. Overall, about 2 miles of stream corridor exist on the tract. Approximately 78% of soils on the property are considered soils of local or statewide importance. Permanent conservation of the land ensures that these valuable agricultural soils will be available for posterity.
The landowners protect water quality on the farm. Big Rock Creek, which flows across the tract, provides trout habitat.
“Soil conservation for water quality is important,” says Mark. He continues to use conservation farm planning techniques following USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service standards and practices. As an added incentive to continue water-protecting practices, the clean streams on the property provide a resource for agritourism, with fishing clubs using a portion of the creek for trout fishing. People come to enjoy the sport of fly-fishing and catch-and-release fishing.
We are grateful to the Byrd family for making this commitment to preserve their farm. Permanent conservation of this land was made possible by a grant from NC Dept. of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, leveraged by a matching grant from generous private donors and support of SAHC members. Thank you for helping to protect this land.
“This gives us another incentive to keep the water clean and area pretty, and to manage the farm SAHC staff, landowners Mark and Nancy Byrd, and Assistant General for water quality, Counsel John Lanier of NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Farmland Preservation.
Landowners Mark and Nancy Byrd
Honoring the Past, Acting in the Present, Looking to the Future Mark and his wife Nancy talked to their sons about conserving the land when they began working with SAHC. Mark says that the property could have easily been sold — that they had many offers to buy it — but they wanted to maintain the family’s farming heritage as much as possible. Their sons agreed; they also did not want to see the property developed. By protecting it with a conservation easement, future generations of the family have the option to return to live on or farm the land. “The conservation easement made it affordable to entertain the option of permanent land protection,” says Mark. “Hopefully this will preserve some of the landscape. It’s a pretty place, and I think people that drive by enjoy seeing it as it is. My grandparents worked very hard here, and protecting it will preserve some of their history, too.”
Land Protection Updates | Winter 2020 View from the Highlands | 9
French Broad River Valley Focus Area
Hogeye Bottomlands Scenic, fertile Sandy Mush Farmland
This property is part of the beautiful landscape of Sandy Mush. Photo by Courtland White, CNPA
In Sandy Mush, scenic views of fertile bottomland, rolling pastures, and distant mountain ridges create a stunning backdrop for those who work the land. Thanks to your support, another tract of farmland has been preserved, adding to a network of protected agricultural lands and wildlife corridors throughout Sandy Mush. Farmers Aubrey and Rieta Wells graze cattle and produce hay on the 88-acre Hogeye Bottomlands — now permanently protected through a conservation easement. Sections of Sandy Mush Creek and Hogeye Branch run through the tract, which contains prime soils (a designation for soils of national
importance) as well as soils of statewide and local importance. Found along waterways and formed over long periods of time, these soils are important agricultural resources — and relatively rare in mountainous areas. Both Aubrey and Rieta grew up in families with long farming traditions and wanted to see this farmland protected for future generations.
Aubrey and Rieta Wells ran the last dairy in Sandy Mush. They now use the Hogeye Bottomlands for Black Angus cattle. Photo by Jorja Smith, CNPA
“We’d like to see the Sandy Mush area stay as undeveloped as possible,” shares Aubrey.
10 | View from the Highlands Winter 2020 | Land Protection Updates
Family History of Farming Aubrey and Rieta Wells met through their shared family experience in farming. “Farming is all we’ve ever known,” says Aubrey. He says his family has been farming for many generations. “Both my father and Rieta’s father were in dairy. That’s how we met.” They purchased farmland in Sandy Mush from Aubrey’s father in 1980, starting their own dairy and working it together. They began leasing the Hogeye Bottomlands property in 1996 to add land for hay production and grazing pasture for their herd. Both their home farm and the Hogeye Bottomlands tract were used for dairy production until
April 2019, when they transitioned to Black Angus cattle. “We had worked the dairy for a lifetime,” says Aubrey. “I’ve been around dairy for more than 60 years and decided to try something new.” However, Aubrey emphasizes that he has not retired, and has no plans for retiring. He says, “I just changed occupations — from dairy farming to Angus cattle. I’m going to keep farming till I can’t do it any more. I enjoy the cattle, and I love being outside — it’s all I’ve ever done.” Aubrey and Rieta are glad that the Hogeye Bottomlands tract has been permanently protected for farming. Although their children have gone into different careers, they say “It’s good to know the land won’t ever be developed, and that it will always be here for agricultural use.” Protecting Farmland for Water Quality and Habitat Located in the French Broad Watershed, the Hogeye Bottomlands property includes portions of Hogeye Branch, Sandy Mush Creek, and their tributaries. Sandy Mush Creek is a direct tributary of the French Broad River, so protecting this land helps protect tributary streams of the French Broad River from Eastern box turtle sedimentation and other types of pollution. “With financial and technical support from Buncombe County Soil & Water Conservation District, the landowners enrolled in the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Western North Carolina
Stream and Water Quality Initiative to restore portions of Sandy Mush Creek that run through the protected property,” says SAHC Farmland Protection Director Jess Laggis. “Exclusion fencing prevents cattle from accessing the The Hogeye Bottomlands property contains forested habitat, stream main stem of Sandy Mush Creek, Hogeye corridors, fertile soils, and open pasture. Photo by Courtland White, CNPA Branch, and some Partner Perspective: tributaries. Drinking water for cattle is pumped from a well to off-stream, Buncombe Soil and Water frost-free watering tanks.” Conservation “Roughly a third of the tract is wooded, and the forest, pastureland, and riparian corridors offer habitat for a diversity of wildlife,” continues Jess. “Riparian vegetation — vegetated areas along Sandy Mush Creek and its tributaries — are important for water resources. The roots of riparian trees and shrubs help hold stream banks in place, preventing erosion. Riparian vegetation also traps sediment and pollutants, helping keep the water clean. More than 1.5 miles of stream corridor (which includes intermittent and perennial streams) occurs on the property.” Farmland Preservation is a Collective Effort Protection of this land was made possible by a grant from the USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easements (a program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service), a grant from Buncombe County, generous private philanthropists, contribution from the landowners, and support of SAHC members. Thank you for protecting productive, scenic farmland and streams!
Partners in farmland preservation make a difference by working together to secure agricultural resources. We appreciate Buncombe County for supporting farmland preservation. Ariel Zijp, Soil Conservationist/Farmland Preservation with Buncombe Soil and Water Conservation District, facilitated relationship-building with the landowners in this project as the county worked on additional farmland protection with the Wells. “Buncombe County recently protected 84 acres of farmland at Aubrey and Rieta’s homeplace and farm headquarters and we feel so grateful to have been part of this joint project to protect their entire farm operation,” says Ariel. “Buncombe Soil and Water has a long-standing relationship in the county helping farmers improve their conservation practices, and we have built a strong foundation of trust within this community. Through this, we have been able to introduce farmers to the idea of conservation and create trusting relationships with SAHC. We are able to protect more property by strategizing through the land trust/Soil & Water partnership, taking into account the requirements and objectives of our different programs. The Aubrey and Rieta Wells conservation project is a perfect example of how this partnership can work.”
Land Protection Updates | Winter 2020 View from the Highlands | 11
French Broad River Valley Focus Area
Hidden Valley Haywood County
These 50 acres of forest and farmland add to a contiguous network of protected land, securing a protected corridor for wildlife.
“A scenic gem, the Bald Creek area of Crabtree is a quiet farming community tucked between the iconic Crabtree Bald and the Haywood/Buncombe County line,” says Conservation Director Hanni Muerdter. “The Hidden Valley property expands SAHC’s protection of a concentration of over 1,400 permanently protected acres within Crabtree and nearby Sandy Mush. This chain of protected land follows ridgelines that are important for wildlife movement and dip into fertile valleys that provide water resources and soil for
productive agricultural land.” The main stem of Little Creek flows through the property before merging into Bald Creek. The property contains 15 acres of local or state important soils, and a small corner (less than 1 acre) of nationally important prime soils. Approximately three-quarters of the tract provides open grazing land for cattle, including high elevation mountain pastures. Forest habitat covers the rest of the property. A local farmer currently grazes cattle on the land using seasonal grazing practices, and SAHC will continue to work with them.
The property reaches 3,740 ft. in elevation, with wide open areas as well as forest habitat.
“We plan to own and manage the property for the longterm, while allowing continued agricultural use and implementing best management practices to protect soils from erosion,” adds Muerdter.
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Thanks to dedicated members and donors, we purchased 50 acres at Hidden Valley in Haywood County in order to protect corridors for wildlife movement, water quality, scenic views, and farmland. The land adjoins about 1,400 acres of contiguous SAHC preserves, providing connectivity for wildlife corridors. Conserving the land also protects scenic views from the Crabtree area and the agricultural community in Bald Creek valley.
Conservation in the Landscape: Connectivity vs. Fragmentation Our purchase of the tract will help reduce fragmentation in the landscape, which is one important goal of conservation. “Fragmented landscapes can cause greater impacts, such as erosion, and make it harder for wildlife and plants to thrive,” says Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese. “By protecting connected parcels of land, we are working to expand habitat for native plant and animal species, and protect soil and water resources. Plus, unbroken, beautiful views of surrounding farms and hillsides evoke a sense of joy and nostalgia. People support land conservation because they love these special places and want them to continue to be here for future generations.” Thank you for helping SAHC continue to secure a connected network across these mountains and valleys!
SAHC Community Farm Conservation • Education • Celebration Our 140-acre Community Farm hosts beginning farm businesses, educational workshops open to the public, and service learning experiences. The site includes our Farmer Incubator Program, stream restoration and shortleaf pine reforestation projects, as well as space for special events, workshops, and educational field trips. Farm Expansion We are expanding agricultural operations onto the adjoining 35-acre tract acquired in 2018. This exciting expansion involves infrastructure improvements and hands-on workshops with opportunities for community involvement. In the past few months, we’ve hosted volunteer work days and learning experiences with school groups who helped create perennial beds and swales for water conservation and erosion control. We are coupling permaculture techniques for land management with additional space for annual production. We’ve also mapped out new trails connecting the expansion to our existing Discovery Trail, working with American Conservation Experience on trail development.
Farm Program Updates
Goats from KD Ecological Services will return to the farm in March for another 10-month period to help control invasive plant species. This will be the 5th year we have used the goats to help control kudzu and other invasive species on the farm. Guests and school groups love seeing and learning about the goats!
Farmers Will and Savannah Salley of Headwaters Market Garden have seeded and started planting Spring crops, and Julia Costa of Wild Jewels Farm is in a planning phase, focusing on production for local restaurants. We’ve outfitted the greenhouses with new coverings, improving efficiency for better growing conditions. The Farmer Education Workshop series will continue in 2020, with popular topics from the past as well as new workshops. Contact chris@appalachian.org to be put on an e-mail list for upcoming workshop announcements.
More than 500 visitors, from kindergarten students to interested elders, visited the farm in 2019. If you haven’t visited our Community Farm lately, we invite you to contact us for a farm tour.
French Broad River Academy students volunteer in a variety of projects on the farm while learning about sustainable practices for farming and land management.
Farmer Incubator Program - Grow with us!
SAHC’s Farmer Incubator Program serves as a business incubator for agricultural endeavors. Traditionally, farming was a lifelong+ learning process, with families passing along experience, knowledge, and land accrued by multiple generations. Today, your experience in farming may be different. This program is part of a collaborative support system to help “incubate” farm businesses as they grow. Access land, support, and our knowledge-sharing network as you focus on farming and growing sales/marketing connections. Land is one of the biggest expenses in farming. Get your farm operation to a successful state while in the Farmer Incubator Program, before taking on the cost of a land purchase. We are accepting applications for new participants in this program. More info and application instructions at Appalachian.org. SAHC’s Community Farm programs are supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2016-70017-25341 for Farm Pathways: Integrating Farmer Training with Land Access. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Our Community Farm work is funded in part by grants from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.
SAHC Community Farm | Winter 2020 View from the Highlands | 13
Highlands of Roan Stewardship Celebrating 30 Years of Roan Stewardship!
SAHC and USFS staff planning for grassy balds management.
Digging through notes this winter, I found the agenda from the first Roan Stewardship Committee meeting. From Paul Somers, 1989: “….I have reserved two cabins (number 19 and 20) at Roan Mountain State Park, for the evening of February 15, 1990 and the following day February 16. The purposes of the meeting, as I see them right now are to: 1. Review any completed sections of the Balds Management Plan 2. Formulate positions on pesticide use on the Roan Mountain (balds and spruce-fir particularly) 3. Review the status of the Hampton Creek Cove Management Plan 4. Discuss plans for the upcoming field season. 5. Discuss alternatives to AT relocation onto Grassy Ridge.”
SAHC and USFS Botanist Ecologist Gary Kauffman surveying Gray’s Lily 2019
Field Journal: Marquette Crockett — Roan Stewardship Director As a member, you probably know that SAHC has been working for more than 45 years to protect and conserve our mountain home. And you may also know that we trace the beginning of our organization to the Roan Highlands, where SAHC began efforts to conserve the land and views along the Appalachian Trail. But, did you know that our efforts to actively steward and manage those lands started 30 years ago, with the formation of what is now the Roan Stewardship Committee? Judy Murray, retired Roan Stewardship Director, led those stewardship efforts with an unwavering focus for more than 25 years, and handed over a vibrant and focused Roan Stewardship program to me in 2014. Now 30 years later, the Roan Stewardship Committee consists of more than 15 agencies and organizations. Some groups, including the U.S. Forest Service and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, are long time partners, while others like the Appalachian Mountain Joint Venture are new to our collaboration. The Committee met in January to share work and talk about the upcoming field season, including red spruce–Fraser Fir restoration and grassy balds management. We are reviewing the new NantahalaPisgah Forest Plan and about to embark on an update of the Balds Management Plan. This winter, we’ve been working with the TN Division of Natural Areas to update the management plan for Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area to include new priorities and address new threats. Similarities between the 1990 and 2020 meeting agendas illustrate a very important point – at SAHC, forever really does mean forever. Before coming to SAHC, I had worked for different entities/gov’t agencies and witnessed initiatives come and go — people move on, directives change. But, that hasn’t happened on the Roan. Many wonderful people have committed entire lifetimes to conservation of the Roan Highlands, and
1987 field Crew doing grassy balds surveys for the development of the first balds management plan. Photos by Paul Sommers
more importantly, they have handed down their knowledge and commitment to new generations. I am thankful for all the quirky, brilliant, and absolutely dedicated people who have made the Roan Highlands what they are today. The conservation and ecological management of the Roan is a complex task spanning generations, and it simply would not be possible without the support of SAHC’s members and partners. Cheers for 30 years of Roan Stewardship!
Save the Date! Grassy Ridge Mow-Off Volunteer Weekend July 18-19 14 | View from the Highlands Winter 2020 | Conservation In Action
Everett J. Bowman Trail Dedication
Friends, family, former co-workers and SAHC staff gathered at Elk Hollow Preserve to celebrate Everett Bowman’s memory.
“I believe that, as citizens and as human beings, our greatest responsibility and ethical calling is stewardship of the Earth,” wrote Bowman, notifying SAHC of his plans to make legacy gifts supporting conservation. “As I see it, that means to support environmental conservation, preservation, and restoration — to preserve and protect the diversity of plant and animal species and the native habitats of those species, and to stop and reverse global warming and other deleterious effects we human beings and our civilization have had on the environment. From my informal research and investigation, I think your organizations are addressing these concerns efficiently and well. I believe your conservation work is of
As a respected antitrust lawyer in Charlotte, NC, Everett Bowman preferred a quiet life. He was born in Wilmington, NC, the son of a railroad conductor, and built a distinguished career as one of the state’s top antitrust lawyers. An attorney with Robinson Bradshaw in Charlotte, Bowman’s methods always centered on problem-solving. So when he decided to formalize his estate plans, he turned his passion for the environment toward conservation across NC. In 2014, he made generous philanthropic gifts to three land trusts across the state, including SAHC. Last fall, we celebrated Everett’s life and devotion to the environment with a trail dedication at Elk Hollow Preserve in the Highlands of Roan.
great importance, and I’m pleased to be able to support it.”
for a trail dedication. We are deeply grateful to Everett for his commitment to conservation. This trail will be used for group tours and educational outings as part of our Connecting People with Land program.
SAHC dedicated the educational trail on our Elk Hollow Preserve in memory of Everett J. Bowman. Dedicated groups of volunteers — including Outward Bound, Boy Scouts, the Rocky Fork Trail Crew, TN Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club, and many more — have worked diligently over the past several years to create this trail. On a beautiful fall day, family, friends, and former coGuests enjoyed crisp, clear Autumn weather and beautiful workers from Bowman’s law practice joined SAHC views of conserved land while hiking the trail.
Perspective: Carol Hatcher, Everett Bowman’s Sister
“Everett was at his very happiest when he was in nature. He was so pleased to know that his love of nature would continue to be passed on by encouraging others to also experience nature through trails on the coast and in the mountains. Everett’s siblings as well as his nieces and nephews have already hiked and experienced this beautiful trail and were in awe of Everett’s legacy and the manner in which the SAHC has honored Everett. My hope is that this beautiful trail will be experiences by many generations to come.” Everett’s brother and sister, Carol Hatcher (left) and Kim Bowman (right) stand by the commemorative plaque marking the Everett J. Bowman Trail.
Conservation In Action | Winter 2020 View from the Highlands | 15
Yo ur Vi ewp o i nt
Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association
The Bird House at SAHC’s Grassy Ridge Preserve at sunset. Photo by Charles Worley
We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words (or more). We are grateful to talented members of the Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association for joining us on excursions to several SAHC-protected properties over the past two years. These photographers have graciously donated their time and expertise to capture stunning images of conservation properties. Members of the Carolina Nature Photographers’ Association (CNPA) joined us in photographing the SAHC Community Farm, conservation projects in Sandy Mush and Swannanoa, our Bird House at Grassy Ridge in the extraordinary Highlands of Roan, and aerial views of conservation properties thanks to flights provided by Southwings. “When CNPA introduced their conservation initiative a few years ago, I was inspired to get more involved with the group and have my photography used for something more meaningful than just sitting on my hard drive,” shares Jorja Smith, CNPA photographer. “Volunteering through CNPA and working with SAHC relit my passion for nature photography. I’m honored to contribute to an organization who fights to conserve and protect the wonderful geographical and ecological treasures we have in WNC. It has been a joy to hear about farms we’ve taken photos of be protected with conservation easements, and watch the community farm grow and blossom into a wonderful educational tool and beautiful event space.” For more info about CNPA, contact: cnpaashevillecoordinator@gmail.com Or visit www.cnpa.org/regions/asheville 16 | View from the Highlands Winter 2020 | Your Viewpoint
Jorja Smith photographing cattle at Hogeye Bottomlands. Photo by Courtland White (See pg. 12 for more CNPA photos of this property)
SAHC’s Grassy Ridge Preserve In 2012, we succeeded in purchasing an incredible property that had topped our conservation priority ‘wish list’ for four decades — the 601-acre Grassy Ridge tract, a crown jewel of the Roan Highlands. The property forms a breathtaking corridor that connects public lands along one of the highest elevation ridges in the Southern Appalachians. We transferred 561 acres of the property to the State of NC in 2014 to become public lands. The 40-acre parcel that SAHC retained includes a cabin built on the property by former landowners, which provides an exceptional spot for wildlife viewing, biologist excursions, unique retreat experiences, and educational outings to connect people with land.
Night view from SAHC’s Grassy Ridge Preserve. Photo by B. Richards
SAHC Community Farm. Photo by Jorja Smith
Sunset view from SAHC’s Grassy Ridge Preserve. Photo by Dennis Oakley
Your Viewpoint | Winter 2020 View from the Highlands | 17
Upco m i ng Hike s & Events Wanderlush Release Party Benefiting SAHC March 6, Friday Highland Brewing Company, Noon – 8 pm As part of our “For Love of Beer & Mountains” partnership, Highland Brewing Company will donate $1 to SAHC for each pint of Wanderlush Adventure Ale sold during the release party. SAHC ambassadors will be on hand to answer questions about our work and sell “For Love of Beer & Mountains” merchandise from about 5 pm to 7 pm.
Sensory Exploration Partnership Hike with Highland Brewing Company March 14, Saturday SAHC Community Farm, 7:30 – 9:30 pm Turn out the lights and open your eyes to take a deep dive into the night for a sensory exploration hike. With science teacher Alexandra Houle, we’ll be exploring our senses under a sea of stars with scent jars, candles, stories, stargazing, and more while learning about night vision for humans at SAHC’s Community Farm. This event is FREE for SAHC members and $10 for non-members.
Bailey Mountain Musical Heritage Hike April 24, Friday Bailey Mountain Park near Mars Hill, 4 – 6:30 pm Join us for an exploration of the musical heritage of the Appalachian Mountains at Bailey Mountain Park. Participants will begin the hike with a lesson on the history of traditional music in southern Appalachia by Leila Weinstein, Program Coordinator for Mars Hill University’s Ramsey Center for Regional Studies and director of the Bascom Lamar Lunsford “Minstrel of Appalachia” Festival. This lesson will be accompanied by a brief musical performance at the head of the trail by Lillian Chase, a well-known young fiddle player whose playing is steeped in the traditions of Madison County. The 3-mile, moderate loop hike will proceed through protected land to the top of Bailey Mountain. This event is FREE for SAHC members and $10 for non-members.
Save the Date! March 21 - Lichen ID Hike - Details TBA April 4 - Sunset Yoga - Details TBA June 6 - Land Trust Day - Shop & Dine to Support Conservation! - Details TBA June 13 - June Jamboree! Hikes and outings celebrating the many facets of the Roan Highlands. Details TBA
Check our website and get a monthly E-View for more Upcoming Events! To get the most up-to-date news & event info, be sure to subscribe to our monthly e-News and add us in your contacts so we don’t get lost in junk mail. Or, visit us frequently at Appalachian.org and on Facebook. 18 | View from the Highlands Winter 2020 | Upcoming Events
T h a n k you, Corp ora te Pa rtners ! Closings with a Cause — Chase Hanks We are extremely grateful to be partnering with Movement Mortgage, our newest Corporate Partner.
Mt. Mitchell: $25,000+ Bernhardt Furniture Witherspoon, Platt & Associates
“I have chosen Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to benefit from my new Closings With A Cause initiative,” says Chase Hanks, Senior Mortgage Lender with Movement Mortgage. “We are grateful for the tremendous work that you do for our community and are honored to be able to support your efforts.”
Waterrock Knob: $15,000+ New Morning Ltd. Salesforce Wicked Weed Brewing
SAHC is one of four non-profits that benefit from the Closings With A Cause initiative. As a local mortgage lender, Chase will ask each of her borrowers and their real estate agents to select one of the four local non-profits, and she makes a donation in their honor once the loan has closed. Over the last seven months, she has made contributions in honor of the following individuals: Michael and Robyn Abrams John and Danyel Arrants Mark Bettis David Bluth Ryan & Kelsey Crabtree Chris & Jennifer Curtin Bonnie Downs Larry Golston Heather Grassi and William McCoy David Hanks Jeff and Allison Hardesty Antony Harrison & Anne Wallace John Haynes Rory Heller Alicia MacDonald Abbey Malk
Corporate Partners
Maggie Marshall Ian McHarg and Toria Boon Rob & Lindsay Moody Michael Morgan Sarah Nie William O’Connell & Meridith Miller Charlotte Page Chris and Veronica Perko Andre Raszynski Randy and Cherie Smelser Jill Sparks Bernard Thoma Stori Walker Millicent Woodward Joseph Yarkovich and Annelie Crook Ryan and Lindsey Zwart
Thank you, Chase! Your commitment to giving back to the community is inspiring. For information about becoming a Corporate Partner or participating in our Real Estate Partner Program, contact Cheryl Fowler at cheryl@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext 209.
Roan Mountain: $10,000+ Appalachian Realty Associates Biltmore Company Eastman Mast General Store Cold Mountain: $5,000+ Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo Highland Brewing Company Parsec Financial Management RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide Big Yellow: $2,500+ Eastman Credit Union Kee Mapping & Surveying Samsel Architects USA Raft Max Patch: $1,000+ Anchor QEA Apple, Inc. Asheville Hiking Tours Borg Warner Foundation Chestnut Restaurant Corner Kitchen Duke Energy Foundation Equinox Environmental French Broad River Garden Club Google, Inc Heritage Restoration & Construction Movement Mortgage Network Computer Solutions Public Consulting Group REI Co-Op Roberts & Stevens, Attorneys at Law Starks Financial Group Steelcase Wildwood Consulting, LLC
Corporate Partners | Winter 2020 View from the Highlands | 19
G ray ’s Li l y Le ad e rship Circle Named for a rare, delicate lily found on Roan Mountain in 1840, the Gray’s Lily Leadership Circle is a group of philanthropic and passionate leaders committed to land and water conservation in their community. Donors who make an annual gift of $1,000 or more join a group of generous supporters making a direct impact in protecting our globally significant landscape. These gifts provide critical funds in helping us protect the world’s oldest mountains and continue our groundbreaking conservation programs throughout the region. Thank you to all of our Leadership Circle members! Because of you – we can help ensure the beauty and character of our region will be enjoyed by all generations. Gray’s Lily Leadership Circle Members — as of January 30, 2020 Anonymous (9) Joel and Marla Adams John and Annie Ager Michael and Catty Andry Ross and Michele Annable Bernie and Holly Arghiere Richard Baird Warren and Larissa Bare Kim Barnhardt Fred and Cleone Black Kent and Jeanette Blazier Nancy Blevins Jim Blose and Sarah Rubin Courtney Blossman Brent and Jamie Bookwalter Clay and Leigh Bordley Dr. Jane Bramham and Dr. Camilla Collins Ida and Ken Brown Wes and Nancy Brown Nathan and Anne Burkhardt Bruce and Toni Byers Stuart Camblos Mr. and Mrs. L. Lee Chambers Matt Chambers and John Cram R. Booth and Georgeanne Chapman Michael Christie 20 | View from the Highlands
Maggie Clancy and Alan McGregor Billy and Cindy Clarke Dumont Clarke and Shirley J. Linn Carol T. Coffey Rountree and Ellen Collett Kate and Dick Crawford John Crosland III Charitable Foundation Bubba and Susan Crutchfield Jeanne and Charles E. Cummings Patty and Ben Woolf Kathy and George Dambach Colgate Darden and Ed Heidel Sarah Davis and Stephen Edge Joe DeLoach Robert Detjen Dominey Drew Rick and Bridget Eckerd Nancy and Ron Edgerton Mary Ellen Edmonds Art and Charlotte Ellis David Erwin and MaryAnn Kiefer Murray Evans and Dee Montie Bill and Carol Falender Mary Fanslow Rita Fie Brent and Priestley Ford Greg and Donna Fox Lisa and George Francisco Florrie Funk and Thomas Gonzalez
Will and Ellen Gaddy Lee Galloway and Nancy Thompson Drs. Janet and John Garrett Mr. and Mrs. Kent Gatling Jasmin and Peter Gentling Theodore Ghiz and Ronald Mill Jim and Jill Gibson Anne Gietzen Helen C. Gift Linda M. Good Mike and Sydney Green Sarah and John Green Clementine W. Gregory Greg and Michele Gregory Rick and Melinda Halford Jack and Laurie Hamilton Keith and Tricia Hargrove Mabel S. Harvey Robert L. Harvey Lee and Jeff Hatling Miles Hayes and Jacqueline Michel Lindsay Hearn and Whitney Montgomery Lance and Nancy Herning Doug Hibshman and Beverly Cutter Ronald E. Hicks Joscelyn W. Hill Lee Hilliard Dan and Molly Hitchcock Jane and Bob Hite
Winter 2020 | Gray’s Lily Leadership Circle
Ray and Beth Hohenberger Brett Hopkins and Julie McMillian Sheila and Stace Horine Jim Houser and Pat Cox Chip and Terri Hultquist Derik Hultquist Joe Hultquist John and Amy Hultquist Miranda F. Hunter Dinesh and Alexandra Jain Tom Janzen and Betty Beamguard Tom Jenkins and Rebecca Stimson Mary and Randy Johnson Jim and Lynn Karegeannes Donna and Robert Kelly Henri Kieffer and Ann Batchelder Anne D. Kilgore Laura Kimberly Elizabeth and Jamie Kiser Geoffrey Kitchingman Florence and Jack Krupnick Gary and Theresa Landwirth Mary LaVigne Joe and Jill Lawrence Scott and Meryl Lawrence Michael and Michelle Leonard Jay Leutze Kathleen E. Leutze Anne and Claude Libis Glenn and Patti Liming Little Acorn Fund - H Bill and Kim Lowndes Popsie Lynch Janice and William Maddox Richard and Rebecca Manske Marcotte Family Foundation Duston Mason and Katie Washburn John and Dee Mason Bill and Dee Dee Maxwell Mick and Chris McClung Laura and Mike McCue
Shirley Anne McCullough Emily and Adam McDaniel John and Connie McLendon David and Jill Millar Sharon and Hezzy Miller John and Peggy Morris Marc and Pin-Chia Murphy Lotta and Ken Murray Jeffrey Needham Ed and Laura Neves Todd and Angela Newnam Dennis and Carol Oakley Ed Oliver Gregory Olson and Rosalind Willis Greg and Mary Virginia Overholser Kathy and Jim Overholser Len and Esther Pardue Drs. Joanne and Tom Parker George G. Pauly George and Cathy Phillips Dini and Chuck Pickering Gregg Polubinsky and Bruce Mowrey Cynthia Poortenga Mary Louise Powell L. Richardson Preyer, Jr. and Marilyn Jacobs Preyer Parker Preyer J. Crayton Pruitt Foundation Ed and Suzy Rankin Kathy and Robert Rauch Lia and Pat Reagan Blair and Ivon D. Rohrer, Jr. Dan Rosenberg and Jen Gervais Timothy Rowe and Lori Thomas Ann P. Rowell Marc Rudow and Deborah Miles John and Susie Ruhl Patra and Ken Rule Bill Ryan and Lynn Bledsoe James E. Samsel and Kim J. McGuire
Joe Sasfy and Marianne Mooney William and Martha Scarborough Kurt Scheidt Shirley Schultz Waid and Babbie Shelton David M. Sherman Conrad Shultz and Maia Hoover Lynn Silverstein Elizabeth and Terry Simmonds Kathy and John Singleton Dr. Wendell Skinner Dan and Evelyn Slagle David Slobodin and Jane Fant Pat and Phil Smith T.A. and Kitty Smith Fred and Alice Stanback Shelli and Brad Stanback Greg and Dawn Starks Peg and Bill Steiner Mike and Susan Stevenson Donna Sublett Jacklyn G. Tatelman and Nancy J. Pope Craig Thompson Marilyn Thompson Rebecca and Jason Warner Jean Webb Laura A. Webb and John R. Hoskins Peter and Ann Weigl Joseph Weintraub Family Foundation Harvey and Mary Lynn Westervelt Christine P. Westfeldt Jason Wicker Stephen and Kelley Wilkinson Douglas and Patricia Williams Joseph and Terese Williams Laurie and Tom Williams Mary Bruce and Stephen Woody Cindy Wright and Ken Linker Lach Zemp
To learn more, contact Pauline Heyne at pauline@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext 216. Gray’s Lily Leadership Circle | Winter 2020 View from the Highlands | 21
Mem b e rs ’ Co r n e r
Young hikers on Big Yellow Mountain, photo by Witt Langstaff, Jr.
Tributes are gifts made to SAHC that celebrate a person, achievement, or special occasion.
Tributes — as of January 31
In honor of Silvia La Porta Brumit Restaurant Group
In honor of Dr. and Mrs. R.W. Shelton Roberta and John Toole
In honor of Jack and Amy Boyles Art and Charlotte Ellis
In honor of Jay Leutze Sandy and Missy Schench Elizabeth, Jamie and Mary Cate Kiser
In honor of Dave and Alison Schuetze Caroline and John Clark
In honor of Popsie Lynch Gay Coleman
In honor of Kathy and John Singleton Eleanor Lamb
In honor of Bill and Dee Dee Maxwell Fielding and Julia Lewis
In honor of David Smith Lee Ann Smith and Pat Dun
In honor of Laura McCue Jeanne and Charles Cummings
In honor of Steve Sykes and Beth McPherson Sylvia Dry
In honor of Dr. Tom and Jo Brock Art and Charlotte Ellis In honor of Chuck and Lisa Carver Pam and Joseph Morris In honor of Elizabeth Cheesborough Jeanne and Charles Cummings In honor of Rountree Collett Community Foundation of Burke County In honor of Laura Collins Jane Collins
In honor of Judy Murray Donald & Ruth Kreh Jack and Diane Nelson Art and Charlotte Ellis
In honor of Nancy Edgerton Lia and Pat Reagan
In honor of Taylor Pickard Amy Pickard
In honor of Bob Gault Ruth G. Wells
In honor of Ray and Penny Ponder Rayburn and Martha Dean
In honor of Heidi Goldstein Philip Thomason
In honor of Steve and Ryland Quinn Art and Charlotte Ellis
In honor of Dr. Michael and Leslie Harvey Betty and Fred Gittinger
In honor of Renate Rikkers Jane Laping
In honor of Alan and Chrissy Householder Glenda and Darrell Eastridge In honor of Malcolm Kendall Jeanne and Charles Cummings In honor of Nitara Kittles Melissa Ackert
22 | View from the Highlands
In honor of Bill Ryan Lee Ryan and Nancy Aalberg In honor of Matthew and Meridith Sauer Philip Thomason In honor of Zane and Rebecca Scoot Art and Charlotte Ellis
Winter 2020 | Members’ Corner
In honor of Jasper and Ellis Tait Megan Sutton and Andrew Tait In honor of Richard Thomason Philip Thomason In honor of Emily and Erik Tolsma Rebecca Kuhn In honor of Adam Tripp Jan Ross In honor of Tom and Vivian Tood Art and Charlotte Ellis In honor of Harry and Pat Turner Art and Charlotte Ellis In honor of Sophronia Ward and Allan Morgan Sylvia Dry In honor of Dave Werle Starks Financial Group
Memb ers’ Corn er Memorial contributions to SAHC honor the memory of special individuals. A memorial gift is a gift of flowers in perpetuity. You can remember your loved one by conserving the places they loved for future generations. In Memory of Bootsie Hansen Samuel Sibley
Memorials
— as of January 31 In Memory of Blake Bailey Lisa and George Francisco In Memory David Coleman Bailey Lisa and George Francisco In Memory of Joe Bogle Linda Good In Memory of Blair Chapin Lisa and George Francisco In Memory of Judy Coker Judy and Allain Andry In Memory of Mary Jo Cole Barbara and Brian Cole In Memory of Jim Crews Mary Crews In Memory of Todd Delk William Linville In Memory of Kayah Gaydish Laura Boggess In Memory of Lucy Kennerly Gump Kimiko and Walter Miller
In Memory of Mike Harkleroad Ron Neal In Memory of Bob Harvey Mabel S. Harvey Gwendolyn Boesch Vivian and Norris Stowe In Memory of Riley Carl Howell Lea Walker Cyn Slaughter & Kevin Fitzgerald Carol McChesney In Memory of Kit Howell Meagan Howell-Brogan In Memory of Kay Hultquist Kathy and Jim Overholser In Memory of John B. Lowndes Sally Long In Memory of Tessa Majors Carol T. Coffey In Memory of Steve Melton Lisa and George Francisco In Memory of Dr. Jorge and Roberta Naranjo Celia Naranjo
In Memory of J.M. and Enid Silverstein Lynn Silverstein In Memory of Jim Skeen Arthur and Denise Foley In Memory of Rachel W. Skinner Dr. Wendell Skinner In Memory of Vicki Lee Solomon Michael Solomon In Memory of Dan Stillwell William C. Dickason Thorunn and David Ivey Bryce Holder Harvey and Susan Durham In Memory of David Street Alicia Street In Memory of Hugh Thompson Donald and Ruth Kreh In Memory of Wilson Wallace Wilde Lisa and George Francisco In Memory of D.B. Willis Susan Peters In Memory of Rod Wright Muriel L. Wright
In Memoriam — David Swanson Hiking was one of David’s passions – he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and trails around the country and the world. He worked hard to make the world a better place, bringing joy and love to those around him. David passed away while hiking the Appalachian Trail in the Highlands of Roan last year. “David took his final steps in one of the most beautiful stretches of trail imaginable, on a glorious bright day,” says friend and former SAHC President Jay Leutze. “He is missed by the friends and family who hiked, and sang, and danced with him.”
The Bird House at Grassy Ridge, night view. Photo by Courtland White, CNPA
Members’ Corner | Winter 2020 View from the Highlands | 23
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Have you considered including SAHC in your estate planning? Legacy gifts help ensure the permanent protection of beloved conservation lands for the future. If you have included SAHC in your estate plans, please let us know. We would like to thank you for your generosity and recognize you as a member of our Legacy Society.
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For more information about joining our Legacy Society, contact Pauline Heyne at pauline@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext 216.
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