Big Creek

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy recently purchased 110 acres in Macon County to protect a headwater source of the nationally significant Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River.

“Big Creek is an important tributary of the Chattooga River, a beloved river where people enjoy outdoor recreation like whitewater rafting, kayaking and fishing,” says Executive Director Carl Silverstein. “Conserving this property permanently protects critical water resources and habitat.”

A long-time priority for protection, SAHC plans to own the Big Creek tract for several years and then transfer it to the U.S. Forest Service to become part of the surrounding Nantahala National Forest. Partner land trust Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT), which works in this geographic area, will help steward the property during SAHC’s ownership of the tract.

In addition to protecting water resources, conservation of the land also protects important habitat for diverse plants and animals – particularly salamanders.

“The property is a beautiful example of forest in the Upper Chattooga River watershed with habitats ranging from granitic cliffs, oak-hickory forest full of chantrelles, and riparian areas home to trout and otters,” says Kyle Pursel, HCLT’s stewardship coordinator. “The property has a high diversity of salamanders, with at least 12 species of salamanders known from the property or lands immediately adjacent. It also has a great diversity of plants, including area endemics like Biltmores Sedge (Carex biltmoreana) and Granite Dome Goldenrod (Solidago simulans).”

SAHC leveraged donations and a loan from a generous anonymous conservation philanthropist to purchase the tract.

“Over the decades, there have been multiple attempts to secure this property which didn’t work out,” adds Silverstein. “Thanks to our dedicated members and generous contributions from Brad and Shelli Stanback, SAHC was finally able to protect it.”

Partner Perspective: Highlands Cashiers Land Trust

Gary Wein, Executive Director of Highlands-Cashier Land Trust, says: “HCLT is delighted to work with SAHC on the project to acquire and hopefully transfer the Big Creek tract to the Forest Service. Collaboration between these two storied land trusts brings their respective expertise and resources together in a win win for everyone. This tract, which is both the gateway to Secret Falls and contains significant natural heritage has always been high on the priority list for the Nantahala Ranger District.”