Spring 2019 View from the Highlands

View

2019 Spring Issue

from the Highlands

Protecting the World’s Oldest Mountains

Hiking the Roan – near Elk River Photo by Travis Bordley

Conserving Mountains • Farms • Streams • Habitat

Letter from the Executive Director Carl Silverstein

Charter and Bylaws Update

372 Merrimon Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-1222 828.253.0095 • FAX 828.253.1248 sahc@appalachian.org

Board of Trustees Laura McCue, President Jay Leutze, Vice-President Rick Manske, Secretary Nancy Edgerton, Treasurer Jeff Needham, At-Large David Erwin Jim Houser Anne Kilgore Popsie Lynch John Mason Matt Moses Cynthia Poortenga Rich Preyer Chris Soto Tom Williams

Staff

Arden, NC Minneapolis, NC Weaverville, NC Asheville, NC Johnson City, TN Asheville, NC Charlotte, NC Kingsport, TN Fairview, NC Asheville, NC Erwin, TN Kingsport, TN Asheville, NC Johnson City, TN Fairview, NC

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

AmeriCorps Whisper Moore

Israel Golden

Larissa Robinov Cate Jaffe Emma Rast

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Over the last two years, SAHC has conducted a careful and thorough process to update our Charter and Bylaws. It was important to do this because in the decades since these documents were last updated (27 years for Bylaws, 35 years for Charter), the laws governing non-profit organizations have evolved, and SAHC has grown and changed.

At our Appalachian Spring event on May 16, the membership approved the Amended and Restated Charter and Bylaws, with more than two thirds of SAHC’s members having given their proxy before the event. In the months leading up to the event, I helped gather proxies and spoke with about 150 SAHC members regarding the Charter and Bylaws. By far, most members I spoke with supported the proposed changes without hesitation. However, some expressed concern that converting to a non-member non-profit corporation would eliminate their ability to give input about programs and selection of board members. I want to allay those concerns. Our supporters will continue to be our members, and SAHC will continue to be responsive to your input.

Our programs and governance are overseen by committees that consist of board members and other volunteers. We encourage any SAHC member who is interested in guiding our programs or governance to join a committee. Also, we offer opportunities throughout the year for you to engage with us through guided hikes, outings, volunteer work-days, events, and educational programming — and we welcome your suggestions about what you’d like to see us doing as an organization. We will continue to hold an annual celebration for our members in the spring or early summer to share news of SAHC’s accomplishments and recognize the service of our volunteers, and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at those events!

Some of you have asked whether the process of selecting SAHC board members will change as a result of the new Charter and Bylaws. The answer is “no”. This process will continue to be as thoughtful and rigorous as it has been, in order for SAHC to continue recruiting the extraordinary caliber of leadership we’ve enjoyed over the years. Any SAHC supporter who wants to volunteer to serve on our board or suggest a potential candidate may do so, and our Governance Committee will continue to carefully evaluate the qualifications and interest of potential board members. Your accessibility to the process of selecting SAHC’s board members will not change.

SAHC is inherently open, transparent and responsive to your concerns — qualities built into our organization through our committee structure, written policies, and status as an accredited land trust. It also results from the fact that our staff, board, and volunteer leaders are committed, mission-driven people. The innate desire to engage with our members and be sensitive to community concerns has led to SAHC’s success, and we pledge to continue in the same pattern.

Communications & Community Engagement Member Conservation Education & Volunteer Member The mission of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is to conserve the Land Protection & Education Member unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, farmland, scenic beauty, and places for Stewardship & Volunteer Member people to enjoy outdoor recreation in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee Stewardship & Volunteer Member for the benefit of present and future generations. We achieve this by forging and maintaining long-term conservation relationships with private landowners and public agencies, owning and managing land and encouraging healthy local communities.

Protect

Steward

Connect

Welcome to the Team

Youth Education & Farm Intern

Chris joins SAHC as our new Stewardship Associate.

His primary responsibility is stewardship of properties that have a working agricultural component.

Abigail, a student at UNC Asheville, interned with us this spring and is continuing to work Abigail works with French Broad River Academy with us this student volunteers on the Community Farm. summer to help with a variety of tasks on the Community Farm. She led youth volunteer and spring break YMCA group programs on the farm and is creating activity plans for SAHC to streamline future programs with YMCA youth groups.

Chris Kaase, Stewardship Associate

“Protecting traditional livelihoods is a critical objective of regional land protection efforts,” says Chris. “I am really looking forward to serving as a liaison between SAHC and the owners of our agricultural easements.”

Chris moved to Asheville from Columbia, SC, where he worked as the stewardship coordinator for the Congaree Land Trust while finishing graduate school in the Department of Geography at the University of South Carolina.

“I’m extremely excited to be back in the mountains,” he says. “I grew-up in southwestern VA and northwestern NC and have a strong connection to this region. It’s where I’m from, where I want to be and, in turn, the community and natural environment to which I think I can contribute the most.”

2018 was a big year for Chris. In addition to joining SAHC’s staff, Chris got married – twice! Chris’s partner, Aashka, is from India, and to honor both of their families they had a small wedding Aashka and Chris in India in Charleston last April and then a traditional Indian wedding in her hometown this January.

“We feel really lucky to have been able to include everyone and have such a rich set of experiences to lay the foundation for our lives together,” they say.

“That we are starting our journey here in WNC feels particularly appropriate. We both love this region and look forward to making Asheville home.”

Abigail Snow, UNC Asheville student

“As an ecology student I’m very interested in forest conservation efforts through maintenance and public education,” says Abi. “As an individual, I have a passion for public outreach and creating a stronger bond between communities and nature.

In this internship, I wanted to explore possibilities to figure out what avenue of work I’d like to pursue after graduation, and to understand how organizations like SAHC operate.

I’ve particularly enjoyed learning about and applying conservation methods and outreach efforts in a real life setting.”

Join Our Team!

AmeriCorps Project Conserve We are now accepting applications for five positions for the 2019-2020 AmeriCorps Project Conserve service year: Land Protection and Education, Conservation Education & Volunteer Outreach, Stewardship & Volunteer (2 positions), and Community Engagement & Communications.

Timeline: • May 27 – June 7: Interviews Scheduled • June 10 – June 21: Interviews Conducted • June 24 – June 28: Offers Made • September 3, 2019: First Day of Service • July 31, 2020: Last Day of Service AmeriCorps provides a platform for career development and work experience. Details and application instructions at Appalachian.org.

Our Team | Spring 2019 View from the Highlands | 3

French Broad River Valley Focus Area

Bailey Mountain Madison County

The Smith Farm tract on the east slope of Bailey Mountain will provide direct access to public hiking trails of Bailey Mtn Park.

SAHC assisted in permanently protecting 87 acres on Bailey Mountain near Mars Hill, NC. The property, owned and managed by the Town of Mars Hill, adjoins the existing Bailey Mountain Park. We assisted the Richard L. Hoffman Foundation in securing Clean Water Management Trust Fund grants for the project, and we will monitor the conservation easement on the property.

“Bailey Mountain is a beloved natural landmark by locals in Madison County,” says Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese. “First year students at Mars Hill University climb to its 3,000’+ peak as part of their introduction to the area, and residents enjoy hiking along the surrounding greenway. Access to the park and its public hiking trails was limited by the intervening privately owned property.

With the acquisition of this tract as an expansion of the park, the public now has guaranteed access to the trails.”

Together, the Bailey Mountain tracts will be owned by the Town of Mars Hill and managed for public enjoyment.

SAHC led a hike at Bailey Mountain in March, along with Leila Weinstein, Program Coordinator for Mars Hill University’s Ramsey Center for Regional Studies.

Partner Perspective: Lee Hoffman, Board Chair, Richard L. Hoffman Foundation The effort to protect Bailey Mountain began in 1996 when the Richard L. Hoffman (RLH) Foundation acquired a 200-acre tract on the southern slopes of Bailey Mountain and the headwaters of the White Oak Creek. For many years this property has been available for public use and enjoyment; however its right-of-way access has been cumbersome. With the acquisition of the Smith Farm by the Town of Mars Hill, an additional 87 acres on Bailey Mountain’s east slope has been protected and the property’s frontage on a state road will allow public access.

In total, Bailey Mountain Park will provide close to 300 acres of protected space on Bailey Mountain, the highest peak close to the Town, rising to 3200 feet at its top.

The Town of Mars Hill and the RLH Foundation are extremely grateful to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for their support and guidance during the fundraising phases and in the development of the conservation easement which will protect the property into the future. The Clean Water Management Trust Fund helped secure not only the Smith Farm, but also the original 200-acre purchase 20 years ago. SAHC will monitor the conservation easements on both properties for the Town of Mars Hill. The Richard L. Hoffman Foundation and the Town of Mars Hill partnered to raise the necessary funding to acquire the Smith Farm, with the Town becoming the owner of the property. The Richard L. Hoffman Foundation will be strategically donating the adjoining 200 acres to the Town over the next few years as the town seeks grant funding to make improvements to the property in accordance with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan recently developed.

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View from the Highlands Spring 2019 | Land Protection Updates

RidgeView Farm Farmland Conservation

Ridgeview Farm in Alexander, NC is located near SAHC’s Community Farm.

Brandon Hensley has no illusions about farm life in WNC — it’s hard work, with sparse financial rewards.

However, a deep connection to his family’s land kept him working with us over the lengthy 5-year process to permanently protect a beautiful, productive farm in an area pinched by increasing residential development.

We recently closed on the conservation easement protecting the 118-acre Ridgeview Farm in Buncombe County, just around the corner from SAHC’s Community Farm. The 35-year-old farmer is carrying on his family’s legacy, as the 5th generation to work this land.

“I owe it to my family,” Brandon shares. “My main goal was just to keep the heart of the farm together. My grandparents’ homeplace is here.”

Although the original log cabin is long gone, Brandon remembers it as a child, growing up with a close connection to his grandparents and the land.

“I think my grandfather would be very happy,” he continues. “My grandparents farmed for a living – that was their life. I wanted to do the conservation easement so that this land will stay this way – it will be protected forever. ” Currently used for hay and cattle

production, the NC Century Farm was formerly the site of dairy operations.

The family contacted SAHC about a conservation easement because they wanted to keep the land in the family, continue to farm it, and protect it from development.

“In the next few years, if building keeps going as it is, there won’t be any farms left around Asheville,” adds Hensley.

Farmer/landowner Brandon Hensley (left) with Assistant General Counsel John Lanier of NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Farmland Preservation.

The protected farm tract contains 93% important agricultural soils, which are a precious commodity in the mountains.

“Alexander is a rare gem in WNC, containing a much higher concentration of important agricultural soils than the surrounding region,” says Farmland Program Director Jess Laggis. “But it is also disproportionately under development

pressure due to its ease of access from Asheville, the relative ease of development on low-lying bottomlands, and the undeniable beauty of the mountain views from its rolling hills.

And yet, despite these pressures, Alexander remains a relatively intact farming community. Only time can tell, but Alexander has the potential to provide a model for sustainable food production with residential areas in close proximity to productive farms. All of these factors make it an important and fascinating place to focus farmland preservation efforts.

I am deeply grateful to Brandon Hensley and the Bridges family for their commitment to conservation and their decision to protect this property forever.”

French Broad River Valley Focus Area

In March, you helped us permanently protect 118 acres of farmland just 2 miles from our Community Farm in Alexander, closing a conservation easement that had been in the works for 5 years. Located in an area of intense development pressure, this historic homestead farm contains a high percentage of agriculturally important soils.

This project was made possible with grant funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, NC Agriculture Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, Buncombe County, and the Conservation Trust for NC, in addition to support from SAHC members, a generous gift by Brad and Shelli Stanback, and donation of a substantial portion of the easement value and stewardship contribution from the landowners. Thank you to all our members for making this possible!

Land Protection Updates | Spring 2019 View from the Highlands | 5

Nature Experience Director Lauren McTigue enjoys a contemplative moment on the farm.

S AH C Community Farm Conservation • Education • Celebration

An educational model and working farm located just outside Asheville, our Community Farm provides a continually evolving site for conservation projects and agricultural production. Our Farmer Incubator Program and Farmer Education Workshop Series are growing strong, and a steady stream of young guests and volunteers have enjoyed the property this Spring.

New Incubator Farmers This year we welcome Wesley (Wes) Buckner and Cheyenne Cearley of WC Performance Horses & Cattle Co into our Farmer Incubator Program.

Wes and Cheyenne are operating a cow-calf operation on the farm, with plans to build up their herd of Brahman-longhorn cross cattle.

“We wanted to be part of the Farmer Incubator Program to take our herd and cattle operation to the next level,” says Wes, who grew up in the area and currently works as a farrier. “It’s such a great opportunity, set up perfectly for what we need and only two miles from our home. We look forward to the next few years growing our herd and farming skill sets. The Brahman-longhorn cross we are breeding are very hearty animals who do well in many conditions and can

clean up rough terrain, like a goat. We were also drawn to their unique look.”

Exotics like the Brahman-longhorn cross can help diversify a cattle program, commanding a higher price at market, and may be favored by landowners for managing fields because they are beautiful and resilient foragers.

“I’m a young farmer who is passionate about farming and preserving the lifestyle and land,” continues Wes. “My family has been farming this area for

several decades. As we are now taking over and branching out on our own, it’s sad to see less and less farmland available in the region.”

The Buckners have historic family roots in the Alexander community, and Wes remembers his father purchasing bulls from Robert and Marie Anderson, who owned the Community Farm property before it was donated to SAHC. He recalls Mr. Anderson as a “very fair and honest person.”

“I really enjoy being out on the land caring for my animals,” adds Wes. “We hope to grow a big enough herd and find land for long-term lease or buy pastureland after our term in the Incubator Program is over, so we can continue farming for years to come.”

New Brahman-longhorn cross calf

Upcoming Farm Workshops (Details TBA): • • • • •

Two-wheel “Walk Behind” Tractor Demonstration & Maintenance SAHC Community Farm Kitchen: De-mystifying the Value-added Process Tractor 102 for Women Protecting Your Biggest Asset on the Farm: Your Body Farm Planning & Design, with hands-on educational volunteer days

Visit Appalachian.org for updates & registration, or contact Chris Link at chris@appalachian.org to receive our Farm Workshop announcements.

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.

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View from the Highlands

Spring 2019 | SAHC Community Farm

Headwaters Market Garden Headwaters Market Garden is expanding their operation as they continue in the Incubator Program this year.

Stop by their booth for Headwaters Market Garden grows fresh produce for market and local fresh produce at the restaurants. downtown Asheville City Market, Saturdays from 8 am to noon.

Youth Education & Volunteer Work Days Our farm serves as an ambassador property in the community, highlighting conservation and local agriculture with space for educational field trips. During Spring Break, over 400 children in a variety of YMCA programs from schools across Buncombe County came out to the farm to learn about invasive species management and farm production.

Afterschool program students

from the Tempie Avery Montford AmeriCorps member Whisper Center explore the farm.

Moore continues to work with afterschool groups from Asheville’s Parks and Recreation Dept; students from the Montford center program were particularly interested in discovering edible plants on the farm.

Multiple groups of volunteers, including French Broad River Academy students, Twin Leaf Brewery, and a University of Wisconsin Alternative Spring Break group came out to manage our stream restoration and shortleaf pine reforestation project areas, continue ongoing invasive plant species management, create habitat areas for wildlife, plant wildflowers near the Education Center, and assist with the vegetable wash area, fence work, greenhouses, and infrastructure for the Farmer Incubator Program. Thank Volunteers from Twin Leaf Brewery helped with you volunteers! managing our stream restoration area and removing invasive plant species.

Prescribed Burn in Shortleaf Pine Reforestation Project We used a prescribed (controlled) burn of 13 acres to help manage our shortleaf pine reforestation project at the Community Farm.

This prescribed burn will help restore the shortleaf pine by removing Checking to make sure conditions are safe for the undesirable, competing burn. plant species and giving the slower-growing shortleaf pine a chance to re-establish. Shortleaf pine is a fire-dependent and fire tolerant species, meaning that the species actually depends on fire in order to reproduce and thrive.

Controlled burns create open conditions that allow fire tolerant species to grow, while also reducing underbrush fuel. Eventually, this reforestation project will create a mixed shortleaf pine and hardwood stand, with open areas for wildlife habitat underneath the tree canopy.

Wildwood Consulting, LLC – Forestry Consultant and NC Registered Forester – served as “Burn Boss” for this controlled burn. In addition to managing our own property, the burn provided an educational AmeriCorps member experience for other Larissa Robinov helps partners.

with the controlled burn,

learning how fire can help NC Wildlife Resources manage forest habitat.

Commission, Mountain Valleys RC&D, Land and Lakes RC&D, neighbors, and AmeriCorps members all joined us to learn and participate. Plus, News 13 WLOS sent a reporter out to capture some drone footage, airing a brief informative story on the news broadcast. Thanks to everyone who helped make the burn a success!

SAHC Community Farm | Spring 2019 View from the Highlands | 7

High l a n d s of Ro an Stewa rd ship Habitat Management Highlight - Golden-winged Warbler Working Group

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, NC State Parks & Recreation, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Audubon NC, Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture, U.S. Forest Service - Nat’l Forests in NC, The Nature Conservancy, Cherokee Nat’l Forest, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, TN Wildlife Resources Agency, the University of TN, and private individuals and organizations attended the GWWA Working Group meeting.

The Golden-winged Warbler (GWWA) is one of the most rapidly declining birds in our country, with populations dropping more than 97% from 1966 to 2010. This dramatic Field trip to SAHC’s Grassy Ridge Preserve. decline is due to habitat loss and deforestation in the bird’s South American wintering range and the rapid loss of quality early successional breeding and nesting habitat in our region, as old farms and fields are developed or mature into forests. At lower elevations, GWWA are also lost due to competition from and hybridization with Blue-winged Warblers. The high elevations and ample early successional habitats found in the Highlands of Roan make it a last stronghold for this tiny bird.

This Spring, the Southern Appalachian Golden-winged Warbler Working Group, consisting of more than 10 agencies and organizations, met to discuss landscape-scale conservation measures, including strategic land protection and cooperative management projects. SAHC was proud to host the group on our preserves and to assist with touring iconic public lands across the Roan Highlands.

The Working Group discussed the rapid loss of GWWA breeding habitat in the last 25 years, and the associated need for a landscape level habitat assessment.

This habitat assessment would identify key areas across the Roan landscape where early successional habitats can be restored with little to no impact on quality forests. We are thrilled to announce that our 2019 Stanback Intern, Kelly Joyner, is using aerial photography and GIS mapping to help Golden-winged Warbler create such an assessment.

The Group also discussed active management projects being implemented by partners and discussed long-term cooperation, resource sharing, and working across boundaries to manage the landscape for this rapidly disappearing songbird. Thank you to everyone who supports these important efforts.

College Students Volunteer for Golden-winged Warbler Habitat Management Students from Mars Hill University and Warren Wilson College joined us for a GWWA habitat management workday and camping trip along the Appalachian Trail in the Roan. Volunteers cleared downed tree limbs and lopped saplings to create ideal breeding ground for this threatened species. The following day the group enjoyed a nature hike along newly forged trails at our Elk Hollow Preserve. Thanks to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy & the National Forest Foundation for supporting our management work on the Grassy Balds this year!

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View from the Highlands

Student volunteers from Mars Hill University & Warren Wilson College

Spring 2019 | Conservation In Action

Fi e ld Jo u r n a l / P hot o D ia ry Elk Hollow Preserve trail work day — Travis Bordley, Roan Seasonal Ecologist Our Elk Hollow Preserve Volunteer Work Day was a success, thanks to all who joined us in building trails, friendships, and partnerships!

The group of 18 staff and volunteers gathered on a beautiful spring day in April, celebrating Earth

Hardworking volunteers made an impact on trail work at Elk Hollow Preserve.

Month with WNC for the Planet and making swift progress on trail maintenance at Elk Hollow Preserve. Volunteers from NC and TN worked on establishing a beautiful new section of the Everett J. Bowman Trail, which is slated for completion later this year. The trail is named in memory of Everett Bowman, whose love of NC’s mountains, piedmont, and coast inspired him to make incredibly generous gifts to further conservation in each of these three parts of the state. We are proud of the progress being made at our Elk Hollow Preserve and hope that this trail will serve future generations to see the effects of land conservation R to L: Mike Craft of New Belgium and Greg Kramer of TN Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club/Rocky Fork Trail Crew

first-hand!

We are very grateful to the tireless members of the

Rocky Fork Trail Crew for their assistance in organizing and leading this work day, and to all the volunteers who came out to help — including dedicated members of the TN Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club and employees of New Belgium Brewery.

Volunteers cut in a new section of trail.

Conservation In Action | Spring 2019 View from the Highlands | 9

2019 Stanley A. Murray Volunteers of the Year – TN Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club In 1989, the Stanley A. Murray Award for Volunteer Service was created to honor persons who have made outstanding volunteer contributions to the work of SAHC emulating the lifelong dedication of our founder, Stanley A. Murray.

This year’s recipient is an organization whose ties with SAHC go back to our beginnings, and to the person for whom the award is named.

We honor the TN Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club (TEHCC).

TEHCC members made numerous trips to open up 2.5 acres of new habitat for Golden-winged Warblers. They donated fuel, equipment, and more than 380 hours cutting locust, then spent over 400 hours de-barking and transporting the locust to be used in repairing sections of the Appalachian Trail across the Roan Highlands. In addition, several members of the club participated in trail planning and building on at our Elk Hollow Preserve. We appreciate their commitment and dedication to the Roan!

Volunteer Opportunity: Grassy Ridge Mow-Off July 20-21 The Grassy Ridge Mow-Off is more than just a volunteer workday - it’s an experience! Come for the day or the weekend and help us manage the globally important ecosystems of the world’s largest stretch of Appalachian grassy balds.

Details & sign-up at Appalachian.org, or contact Marquette@ appalachian.org for questions.

Welcome — 2019 Roan Stewardship Interns and Seasonal Staff Roan Seasonal Ecologist — Travis Bordley

Born and raised in Durham, NC, Travis spent summers hiking in the WNC mountains, plunging into shady creeks, and developing a deep connection with the land. He received a BS in Environmental Science from UNC Asheville, where he furthered his love for the natural world and a passion for photography. Travis has worked with SAHC since 2016 as an Americorps member and the Roan Naturalist. As the Seasonal Ecologist, this year he is incorporating his past experiences into caring for the Roan Highlands.

Roan Naturalist — Sarah Jones

Sarah is a recent graduate from Radford University with a BS in Outdoor Leadership. Her primary interests include environmental education, diversity in outdoor recreation, and conservation of public lands. She also holds a BS in Environmental Science from UVAWise. She has interests in herpetology, geology, and dendrology. This summer she is interacting with visitors and sharing her passion for the biodiversity of the Appalachian Mountains with visitors along the Appalachian Trail. (This position is co-hosted with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy & Pisgah Nat’l Forest).

Duke Stanback Roan Highlands Intern — Kelly Joyner

Kelly is a native of southern Alabama and graduated from Auburn University. She is currently working on a Master’s in Environmental Management at Duke University, where she is using telemetry data from timber rattlesnakes on Jekyll Island, GA to inform habitat management decisions. In her internship with SAHC, Kelly is using her GIS skills to map Golden-winged Warbler habitats on the Roan, examining how the landscape has changed it the last 20 years and identifying restoration targets. Kelly is also excited to learn more about nonprofit operations and multi-species project management.

We also welcome three interns helping with various Roan projects this summer: Matthew Barniki, Halsey Congleton, and Cecelia Stokes. Thank you for serving SAHC!

10 | View from the Highlands

Spring 2019 | Conservation In Action

Connections with Land Alexander Chapel Baptist Church

Around the corner from our Community Farm and other conserved farms in Alexander, community members work to preserve an historic AfricanAmerican church and cemetery. Outdoor recreation ambassador Daniel White led a bike ride from the Community Farm to the church, raising awareness about the significance of the site in local African American history.

Cyclists gathered at our Community Farm to enjoy a road bike ride through the Alexander community, learning about SAHC’s farmland conservation work and African-American history in the area.

In conjunction with our “It’s Your Backyard” event in April, Annette Coleman and others working to preserve the Alexander Chapel Baptist Church and cemetery met cyclists and shared their knowledge about local history. Annette was born in the Leicester area and attended the prestigious Stephens-Lee High School, becoming a member of the Asheville Student Committee on Racial Equality (ASCORE) in the 1960s. She remembers visiting the church when she was younger and now is helping lead preservation efforts. Members of her family are buried there.

Annette Colemon (left) talks about the history of the church with Daniel White (right) and other cyclists.

located on Short Sluder Branch Road. In the early 1900s, there was also a school for AfricanAmerican children at the site. The chapel was renovated in 1988 but closed in 1996 due to lack of members. Over the years, homecoming gatherings have been held there. Displaying photos on the remnants of large wooden tables where potluck community dinners once spread, Annette described the history of the site and spoke about the need for support for efforts to preserve and restore it.

“I am connected to the history, people, and land,” Annette says. “All of it is a part of me.”

“This place needs to be preserved because the dead are our responsibility, too,” she says. “They are our history.”

Established in the late 1800s and rebuilt in the 1940s, the Alexander Chapel Baptist Church is

On the return trip, riders also visited the recently protected Ridgeview Farm (p. 5).

It’s Your Backyard: On the Doorstep of Paradise National parks and public lands ambassadors Audrey and Frank Peterman and Daniel White (The Blackalachian) joined us as guest speakers for a special “It’s Your Backyard” community event on April 6. Daniel led off the day with a presentation about his explorations, highlighting the importance of representation of black people in history and outdoor recreation. “I think black history and the physical endeavors of outdoor recreation go hand in hand,” says Daniel, who thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2017 and biked the 2,000-mile route of the Underground Railroad in 2018. “The truth is black people have been out there for a while, and it’s time to start recognizing and uplifting those stories.”

L to R: Frank Peterman, Whisper Moore, Audrey Peterman

During a lunch discussion, panelists Frank Peterman, Elsea Brown of Blue Ridge Forever, and Natrieifia Miller from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park & Appalachian Trail Conservancy shared insight with environmental groups and community members about how to make more equitable and inclusive spaces. Then, the Petermans spoke about the importance of connecting people of color with public lands. A panel discussion with all the guest speakers and representatives of Pathways to Parks rounded out the day’s presentations, followed by music and outdoor activities. We are grateful to REI Asheville, Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society, & Asheville on Bikes for joining us!

SAHC’s “It’s Your Backyard” project is supported by the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, and is made possible with funding from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. CTNC, in partnership with local land trusts, seeks to build deeper connections with communities to ensure all North Carolinians enjoy the benefits provided by land and water conservation.

Connecting People with Land | Spring 2019 View from the Highlands | 11

Upco m i ng Hike s & Events Book Club at the Arboretum June - July NC Arboretum SAHC and the North Carolina Arboretum are teaming for a series of events about nature’s influence on you! This series will focus on how spending time in nature affects your brain, health, and creativity.

You will learn about the many international scientific studies on nature’s influence on our bodies, the impact of five minutes verses five hours of nature immersion, and how sensory awareness can deepen your natural experience and its benefits.

Jump start this series with us by joining The Arboretum Reads Book Club in discussing “The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative” by Florence Williams. The book dives into new research, in which Williams uncovers the powers of the natural world to improve health, promote reflection and innovation, and ultimately strengthen our relationships.

With modern life shifting dramatically indoors, these ideas – and the answers they yield – are more urgent than ever. Access to research, related materials, and chapter summaries will be provided in advance of each discussion session. Read along or come with the chapter notes and dive into the discussion!

June Book Club Discussion: Chapters 5-8 Thursday, June 20th; 5:30-7 pm July Book Club Discussion: Chapters 9-12 Thursday, July 18th; 5:30-7 pm $9 for SAHC or Arboretum members / $14 non-member.

Look for subsequent hikes and events coming in the summer and fall!

To register, contact Rebecca Caldwell, Adult Education Coordinator at the NC Arboretum, 828.665.2492 ext 212.

Gray’s Lily and Lily Leafspot Disease Thursday, June 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm SAHC Community Farm in Alexander, NC The Highlands of Roan harbor a globally significant repository of biodiversity. In the remarkable ecosystems of the Roan, you may see the rare and endangered Gray’s lily, a brilliant red-orange native lily discovered by (and named for) renowned American botanist Asa Gray in the 1800s. Only found on the highest elevations of TN, NC and VA, these incredible blooms bring delight to those who glimpse them during the early summer months.

However, the health of the Gray’s lily is threatened by a serious fungal pathogen – the Lily Leaf Spot Disease.

Join us to learn more about the recent research around the Gray’s lily and how organizations are coming together to prevent the loss of existing populations.

This special presentation will be led by Cindy Barrett who received her Bachelor’s in Biology from Tusculum College and Master’s in Biology from ETSU. Cindy is an avid artist and is currently studying fungal pathogens as a part of her Ph.D. work in Biomedical Science.

To RSVP contact Pauline Heyne at pauline@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext. 216.

Check our Website and Get Our E-News for more!

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, visited us frequently at Appalachian.org and on Facebook.

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View from the Highlands

Spring 2019 | Upcoming Hikes & Events

J u n e J a m b o r e e — S a t u r d a y, J u n e 1 5 Each year, we host a day of FREE, guided hikes in the Highlands of Roan to introduce people to the magical place where SAHC’s preservation efforts began. Members who have participated for many years enjoy the camaraderie of the day, swapping stories and sharing memories. For others, the June Jamboree may be their first hike experience with SAHC — and we’ve heard from many folks who joined our organization because they were “wowed” by this experience in the Roan.

Whether you’ve been a member for decades or just heard about SAHC, please join us for the June Jamboree! This year we’re offering eight excursions for a variety of skill, age, interest, and mobility levels. Check out the detailed descriptions in the following pages, and be sure to register early (some hikes have limited group sizes and fill up fast).

Register for the June Jamboree online at Appalachian.org.

Afternoon Social Location: Big Rock Creek Preserve | Time: 1 to 4 pm After your adventure on your Jamboree outing be sure to stop by our afternoon social where friends and family can gather and share hike experiences while learning about SAHC’s recent accomplishments, including land protection and stewardship news.

Drinks and light refreshments will be provided. Big Rock Creek Preserve, formerly the home of Trailridge summer camp, contains 127 acres of high elevation forest and streams. A short walking trail has been created at the preserve, thanks to SAHC volunteers, the National Parks Conservation Association and Nature Valley.

What to Bring

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Map: Hike Starting Points & Social Location

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Water bottle, sturdy footwear, gear/clothing relevant for your specific outing, and a bag to carry personal items. Weather in the Roan can change quickly, so you may want to bring sunscreen, a rain jacket, and multiple layers. Most hikes will have an opportunity to stop for lunch along the way — please plan to bring your own lunch. Detailed directions and info about individual hikes will be emailed to each registered participant prior to the June Jamboree.

Upcoming Hikes & Events – June Jamboree | Spring 2019 View from the Highlands | 13

June Jamboree — Saturday, June 15 Hike #1 - Highlands of OM: Yoga on the Roan Location: Roan Mountain Gateway, near Carvers Gap Start Time: 11 am | Est. End Time: 1 pm Leader: Laura Boggess, Mars Hill University Biology/Environmental Studies & E-RYT200 registered Yoga Instructor Difficulty: Easy (2)* | 0.5 miles, 100 ft. elevation change Join us for a peaceful yoga session in the Highlands of Roan, surrounded by scenic views protected by SAHC. The session will begin with an easy 10-minute hike to an idyllic pasture on the DavenportPritchard Tract. Students of all levels will enjoy a soothing, relaxing, and restorative experience. No yoga experience req’d.

Hike #2 - Roll and Stroll at the Rhododendron Garden Location: Rhododendron Gardens, near Carvers Gap Start Time: 11 am | Est. End Time: 1 pm Leader: Carl Silverstein, SAHC Executive Director Difficulty: Easy (2)* | 1 mile, 200 ft. elevation change We anticipate that the Rhododendron Gardens on top of the Roan will be blazing with color this time of year. Participants will stroll approximately 1 mile across gentle terrain with stunning views of the Roan landscape. On this leisurely walk, participants will learn about a number of SAHC’s land protection projects that can be viewed from the gardens. This family-friendly offering is designed to provide people of all abilities with an opportunity to get outside and enjoy some of the properties SAHC has diligently worked to protect over the last four decades. This trail is paved and wheelchair/stroller accessible.

Hike #3 - Roan & Groan: Hump Mountain - Carvers Gap Location: Shell Creek Community | Start Time: 9 am | Est. End Time: 3 pm Leader: Israel Golden, SAHC AmeriCorps Member Difficulty: Strenuous (10+)* | 8.5 miles, apprx. 3,000 ft. elevation change This challenge hike will begin on the 324-acre Hump Mountain tract that SAHC protected in 2016 and transferred to Cherokee Nat’l Forest in 2018. This tract of land was a conservation priority for over 40 years. From Shell Creek, the group will hike up to Bradley Gap and then traverse along the Appalachian Trail over Little Hump Mountain, Grassy Ridge, Jane Bald, Round Bald and end at Carvers Gap! The 8.5-mile hike will traverse many beautiful grassy balds with views in all directions — of Yellow Mountain and Grassy Ridge to the west and Grandfather and Linville Gorge to the East, in addition to numerous SAHC preserves. Along the route there could be Gray’s lilies in full bloom and migratory birds flitting around the edges of the balds. At the end of the hike participants will be shuttled back to their cars at Shell Creek.

Hike #4 - Botanical Exploration of the Roan Location: Cloudland to Roan High Bluff Start Time: 10 am | Est. End Time: 2 pm Leader: Gary Kauffman, Botanist/Ecologist for National Forests in NC Difficulty: Moderate (4-5)* | 2.5 miles, 110 ft. elevation change Join Gary Kauffman as he leads participants on a Botanical Exploration of the Highlands of Roan. Gary will identify the flora that makes the mountaintop their home. On this slow paced, plant-focused 2.5- mile hike participants will learn about the plant communities of the Roan, rare species, recreational impacts, and climate change. Participants will observe Grassy Bald, Spruce Fir, and Rocky Outcrop ecosystems and see breathtaking vistas of SAHC-conserved land.

Plan on a leisurely, educational stroll!

14 | View from the Highlands

Spring 2019 | Upcoming Hikes & Events – June Jamboree

June Jamboree — Saturday, June 15 Hike #5 - Sustainable Homestead Farm Tour Location: Fork Mountain Preserve Start Time: 12 pm | Est. End Time: 2 pm Leader: Marquette Crockett, SAHC Roan Stewardship Director; Jess Laggis, SAHC Farmland Protection Director; and Pat Tompkins Difficulty: Easy (2-3)* | 1 mile, 100 ft. elevation change Join Roan Stewardship Associate Marquette Crockett,Farmland Protection Director Jess Laggis, and Pat Tompkins on an educational hike around a sustainable small farm. This unique 195-acre tract is part of our 430-acre Fork Mountain Preserve and was conserved by SAHC in 1995. Long-time resident and caretaker Pat Tompkins has homesteaded this farm for decades and has a wealth of knowledge to share about caring for the earth and living sustainably. Participants are invited to tour her small homesteading operation and learn about sustainable agriculture along the way. This hike will be capped at 15 people.

Hike #6 - Explore Big Rock Creek Preserve Location: Big Rock Creek | Start Time: 11 am | Est. End Time: 1 pm Leader: Abigail Snow, Community Farm Intern Difficulty: Easy (2-3)* | 0.25 mile Bring your family to hike our short nature trail and play in the water at SAHC’s beautiful Big Rock Creek Preserve. This shorter hike is designed to get everyone outdoors and exploring some of the beautiful water protected by SAHC. Learn about basic stream and pond ecology, look for crayfish and salamanders. Everyone is welcome to bring fishnets, buckets, or other toys to play with in the creek and pond. However, we ask that all equipment be gently cleaned before using it in this high quality trout stream. This hike is for kids 7 years and older. Parents are welcomed to participate as well. Please bring water appropriate clothing and shoes plus appropriate day hiking materials.

Hike #7 & 8 - Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge Location: Carvers Gap Trailhead Hike #7 Start Time: 8:30 am | Est. End Time: 12:30 pm Hike #7 Leader: Travis Bordley, SAHC Roan Naturalist & Nature Photographer Hike #8 Start Time: 10 am | Est. End Time: 1 pm Hike #8 Leaders: Bettye Boone & Saylor Fox, Volunteer Award Recipients Difficulty: Moderate (5-6)* | 4.5 miles, 650 ft. elevation change This new version of a classic and rewarding hike is full of adventure atop the highest elevation balds in the Highlands of Roan, widely considered among the most spectacular scenery along the Appalachian Trail. Hike #7 – An early start allows this hike to be leisurely paced, focused on enjoying a late Spring morning and photographing the splendor of the balds, blooming rhododendron, flame azalea, patches of spruce fir forest and rare plants such as Gray’s lily and Roan Mountain bluets. Hike #8 – For those who enjoy a faster paced hiking experience.

Register for the June Jamboree online now at Appalachian.org.

For questions or assistance with registration, contact Israel Golden at israel@appalachian.org or (828) 253-0095 ext 205. *Difficulty Scale — Hike difficulty ratings are based on this formula: (0.002 x elevation gain (ft.)) + round trip distance (mi.) = difficulty rating (1 – 10+)

Upcoming Hikes & Events – June Jamboree | Spring 2019 View from the Highlands | 15

Mem b e rs ’ Co r n e r Thank you for remembering your loved ones with contributions to support land and water conservation, now and for future generations. Your memorial gifts create a legacy of positive action and permanent beauty that will be shared by all.

Roan Mountain Sunset, photo by Travis Bordley

Memorials

— as of May 12 In Memory of David Benner Janice Duncan David Ownby Joan Warden In Memory of Lewis Carson Judy Kelly In Memory of Judy Coker Amanda & Ames Alexander Allain & Judy Andry Clarence & Sheila Blair Cataloochee Colony Association John & Edith Dekle Waid & Babbie Shelton Robert Snyder & Mary Berryhill Dr. & Mrs. John Toole White Oak Financial Stephen & Mary Bruce Woody In Memory of Powell Foster Donald & Ruth Kreh Judy Murray & Tom Gatti In Memory of Mildred “Bootsie” Hansen Janet Davenport Pat & Tom Waldron In Memory of James Riley Hiers Dick Gibson In Memory of Riley Carl Howell Beverly Brwon Jenny Burns Shirley Chafin Corinne Coffey Anja Collette Frances Cutshaw Samuel T. Dangremond 16 |

View from the Highlands

We grieve with the family of UNC Charlotte student Riley Carl Howell, whose life was taken as he heroically acted to stop a shooting on the university campus in April. When we hike our mountain trails, sleep under the stars in mountaintop meadows, or refresh ourselves in crisp mountain streams, we will remember his name and carry his love for the outdoors in our hearts.

Jonathan Davis Mr. and Mrs. John Dross Matthew Eaker Demetra Edwards Brian Feid Dan & Joyce Gaines James Griffin John & Lori Groce Elizabeth Goldstein Mary & Dr. Randall D. Johnson Michael & Cynthia Justice Stephanie Kaleda Simon Klosky Joseph Lazzaro Catherine Lee Jennifer Manning Bill Marx Carol McChesney Suzanne McDowell Judy McGuire Peggy Melville Lenora Midyette Richard Noeeia Martin Palmeri Robert E. Powell Kevin Redding LeRoy & Gale Roberson Kaye & William Sebastyn Kathleen Sinclair Charlotte Springer Melinda Stodart Thomas Teshima Jason Walser Preston Yates Emily Zuyus Spring 2019 | Members’ Corner

In Memory of Kay Hultquist Jim & Katherine Overholser In Memory of Helen Taylor Massey Jim Schreiber In Memory of Charlie McCullough Rod & Bess Baird In Memory of Steve Melton Ron & Nancy Edgerton Judy Murray & Tom Gatti Grant Thornton In Memory of Steve Meltzer Danny & Sherill Jarrard In Memory of William Edward Poe, Jr. Richard McLain & Lonni Schultz In Memory of Jim Smith Helen Gift In Memory of Wilson Wallace Wilde Mary Beth & John Arcidiacono & Family Joe & Christy Bergner Zanne Coon E. Craig Evans Cherie H. Flores Donna R. Hughes Elizabeth Winston Jones Nick Pollard Ellen Tippetts Susan B. Wilde Evelyn Yarborough In Memory of Joan Worth Susan Gray Julia Ann Williamson

Memb ers’ Corn er In Remembrance: Steve Melton Our SAHC family experienced a deep loss early this year.

Steve Melton, husband of Membership Director Cheryl Fowler, left this world unexpectedly on March 8. Born in 1971 in NC, Steve was a passionate conservationist and outdoorsman who loved and respected nature and all it had to offer. A day in the woods hunting with his son Charlie was his idea of a perfect day.

“Steve’s death caught us all by surprise, but if there’s anything that will give us comfort it’s that his spirit is free in these Appalachian mountains, which he loved so much - he’s at peace,” remembers Cheryl. “We will miss his smile and generous heart.”

A veteran of the US Air Force, Steve was co-owner and Vice President of Equinox Environmental, an environmental consulting firm. His team at Equinox remembers:

Tributes

— as of May 12

In honor of Lawrence & Rachel Brewer Rob Levering In honor of Jerry DeVita Julie Jack-Preisman In honor of Maria Hudnut Urs Schaerli In honor of Jay Leutze Miranda Hunter In honor of Lynnell Reese Julene Reese Roberts

Steve, Charlie, & Cheryl

“Steve was a devoted conservationist who doggedly pursued his passion for environmental protection each and every day. He worked to bridge the gap between human beings and their interaction with and understanding of the natural world.

That passion was exemplified through the projects that he managed – restoring ecosystems, improving water quality, protecting land, building partnerships. He radiated energy, and operated with an uncanny sense of urgency to achieve his goals in spite of his struggles with Lyme disease. Forever a passionate conservationist, Steve embodied the word both professionally and personally. He worked hard to save his family’s farmland, eventually protecting and restoring it through permanent conservation easement; his pride of that fact was immeasurable.

In honor of SAHC Staff Carolyn Novak & Don Johnson In honor of Carl Silverstein Jeanne Conerly In honor of Andrew Smith Public Consulting Group In honor of Dave Werle Starks Financial Group

We will all miss Steve so much – his integrity, kindness, humor, and friendship were one-of-a-kind and absolutely unforgettable, and are the reason that his memory will forever live on in our hearts, minds, and mountains.”

In Remembrance: Judith Alexander Coker A native of Haywood County, Judy served many years as a board member of both SAHC and The American Chestnut Foundation. She was instrumental in accomplishing the conservation easements that preserve her family’s land on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including Hemphill Bald at Cataloochee Ranch. Preserving the land was a lifelong goal. Judy made it her life’s work to be a steward of the land and to carry on the legacy of her parents.

In her younger years, she was an accomplished horse woman and trainer and became the youngest guide in the National Park. Later in life, she became a storyteller, historian, and published author. Judy often accompanied SAHC group hikes to share stories about the protected land at Cataloochee. A passionate supporter of conservation with a great sense of humor and love of people, her wit and ready smile will be missed by many.

Members’ Corner | Spring 2019 View from the Highlands | 17

Tha n k you , Co r p ora te Pa rtners!

Land Trust Day - Saturday, June 1

Corporate Partners Mt. Mitchell: $25,000+ Witherspoon, Platt & Associates Bernhardt Furniture Waterrock Knob: $15,000+ New Morning Ltd. Salesforce Wicked Weed Brewing

Shop and dine to support conservation!

We are grateful to the following partners for supporting land and water conservation and sharing our work on Land Trust Day. Please visit these venues on June 1, and they will donate a percentage of sales to SAHC.

Roan Mountain: $10,000+ Appalachian Realty Associates Biltmore Company Eastman Chemical Company 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+ Kee Mapping & Surveying Samsel Architects USA Raft Max Patch: $1,000+ Apple, Inc. Asheville Hiking Tours Blue Heron Whitewater Borg Warner Foundation Duke Energy Foundation Eastman Credit Union Equinox Environmental French Broad River Garden Club Google, Inc Heritage Restoration & Construction LOVE Furniture and Design Network Computer Solutions Recover Brand REI Co-Op Roberts & Stevens, Attorneys at Law Salvage Station Second Gear Starks Financial Group Westmoreland & Scully Wildwood Consulting, LLC 18 |

View from the Highlands

ART TO WEAR

Contact Cheryl Fowler at cheryl@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext 209 for info about Land Trust Day, becoming a Corporate Partner, or learning about our Real Estate Partner Programs.

New Business Members Asheville Hiking Tours Wes Cole Land Surveying Medtronic Foundation Volunteer Grant Program Public Consulting Group

Spring 2019 | Thank you for Your Support!

Annua l Rep ort 20 18 Thank you to the following organizations for their critical funding that make our work possible.

NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources — $34, 501 to assist a conservation easement purchase on the Weaverville Watershed; $77,770 to assist a conservation easement purchase on the Marshall Watershed.

Triskeles Foundation — $1,000 from the Hearth Arts & Environment Fund, for operations.

Trout Unlimited – Overmountain Chapter — $3,360 to help restore the stream crossing and fencing Appalachian Trail in the Highlands of Roan at Hampton Creek Cove.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy — $5,000 for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Grassy Balds Management in the Roan, $1,040 for — $1,521 for Golden-winged Warbler habitat “Leave No Trace” Educational Series, $5,000 for a restoration, $2,119 for road improvements in Hampton Seasonal Roan Naturalist.

Creek Cove.

The Beattie Foundation — $5,000 to support USDA National Institute of Food and conservation and stewardship efforts.

Agriculture Beginning Farmer Rancher The Biltmore Company — $10,000 for land Development Program — We are in the third and acquisition in the Highlands of Roan. final year administering a $600,000 grant awarded to SAHC, the Organic Growers School and NC Farmlink Buncombe County — $29,049 to help purchase a for our collaborative program Farm Pathways: conservation easement in Buncombe County Integrating Farmer Training with Land Access.

(Boyd Cove).

Community Foundation of WNC’s Pigeon River Wells Fargo Foundation — $2,500 for our Community Food & Farm Program.

Fund — $30,000 to fund conservation easement acquisitions in the Sandy Mush farming community.

Blue Ridge Forever Dept. of Justice Environmental Enhancement Conservation Trust of North Carolina — Grants — $43,137 to support the administration of $17,000 to help purchase land along the Blue Ridge the Blue Ridge Forever coalition and conservation Parkway. $13,000 to support community engagement efforts with African-American communities in SAHC’s projects of member organizations. service area and provide racial equity training for staff. Merck Family Fund — $25,000 from a 2-year grant French Broad River Garden Club Foundation — to support the coalition. $1,000 to support land and water conservation efforts. Z. Smith Reynolds — $30,000 from a 2-year grant to support the coalition.

National Forest Foundation — $25,000 for Grassy Balds habitat restoration in the Roan.

National Parks Conservation Association & Nature Valley — $15,000 to fund wildlife habitat restoration, trail-building and environmental stewardship efforts.

NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services — $268,000 to fund conservation easement acquisitions in the Sandy Mush farming community.

National Parks Conservation Association/Nature Valley work day

Protect

Steward

Connect

Annual Report

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Annua l Re po r t 2 01 8 Perspective: Laura McCue, Board President I grew up in these southern Appalachian mountains and valleys and have always been thrilled by their beauty and bounty. There is no place like this place I call home. What a lucky kid I was! As young people in the small city that Asheville was in those days, my middle and high school friends and I spent our weekends hiking and camping with our science and outdoor adventure teachers who taught us so much to appreciate about the land around us. It was a great time for us all. After attending college in Florida, my husband and I were thrilled to return to Asheville to make it home for us and our two boys who are now grown. We’ve used the woods to teach them about the land as well. Both boys are Eagle Scouts so you know they have spent many days and nights hiking, swimming, and camping in these mountains. I have no doubt that their children and their children’s children will do the same.

It’s important to preserve these lands for the future generations and to introduce as many as possible to the joy and wonder of spending time in them. That’s why my involvement in land conservation means so much to me. And oh, what a wonderful joy it is to work with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy! I have been a part of this amazing group as a board or committee member for almost 20 years and hope to continue to play a part in their work for many more. Did you know that we do so much more than conserve land? We are stewards of the lands we become responsible for, we work to educate the community about farming and conservation, we provide ways for mountain families to preserve their heritage while turning their property into a source of income, we train current and future farmers, we connect people with the land around them through hikes and outreach and sharing special places, we seek out the next generation to encourage them to take equity in land conservation. My heart swells when I think of all that we do. I am so proud of this organization and so pleased to be a part of it.

Protect In 2018, we added 2,020 more acres of protected: High elevation habitat and stream sources in the Highlands of Roan Municipal watershed land Priority wildlife corridors and tracts adjoining public lands 100+ year-old family farms Farmland adjoining our Community Farm

1,600 acres of undeveloped forests, coves & ridges

420 acres of farmland

Photo: Yellow Spot in the Highlands of Roan. In July 2018, we purchased 234 acres on the main spine of the Roan Massif.

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Annual Report

Steward 100% annual stewardship monitoring complete – 219 properties Defended protection of conserved land in court Engaged with over 4,000+ people on the Appalachian Trail to mitigate recreation impacts in the Highlands of Roan!

Managed 32 acres of Grassy Balds habitat

More than 2,100 Volunteer Hours

Photo: Grassy Ridge Mow-Off Volunteers work to help manage the world’s largest stretch of grassy Appalachian balds.

Connect Expanded outreach and youth education for afterschool/summer camp programs Continued on-location outings throughout our conservation focus areas — including hikes to learn about wildflowers, monarch butterflies, tree identification, Leave No Trace principles, hemlock restoration efforts, birdwatching and more!

Led 40 Hikes and Educational Outings

Hosted 11 Farm Workshops

Photo: AmeriCorps member Larissa Robinov on a group hike to Blackrock Mountain, near Waterrock Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Annual Report

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Annual Rep o r t — High lig ht s

In 2018, together we protected over 2,000 more acres for wildlife habitat, clean water, local food production, and outdoor recreation. YOU made this impact on the Southern Appalachians possible. We couldn’t conserve this land without you.

Yellow Spot

Marshall Watershed

Conservation easement protecting 541 acres of municipal watershed land in Madison County

Bailey Mountain

Assisted the Hoffman Foundation and Town of Mars Hill in protecting 87 acres for public recreation

Doubleside Knob

Acquired 234 acres to protect incredible habitat and stream sources on the main stem of the Roan Massif

Highlands Appalachian of Trail Countryside Roan

Purchased 73 acres adjoining protected land near the Rough Creek Watershed

Smoky Mountains

French Broad River Valley

Black Mountains

Swannanoa

Conservation easement on 526 acres of forested ridges, protecting wildlife corridors and scenic views

Balsam Mountains

Rogers Cove

Conservation easements protecting 385 acres of rolling pastures and scenic cove, farmed by the Rogers family for 5+ generations 22 |

Annual Report

Community Farm Expansion

Purchased 35 acres adjoining our farm, previously slated for development

Stony Point/ Brushy Knob

Purchased 138 acres overlooking Hickory Nut Gap and the Fairview Farming

An nu a l Re p o rt — F i n a n c i al Sta te m e nt Revenue $1.4 million

Other 5% Grants 15%

Contributions 80%

Expenses $1.3 million

SAHC Assets

2017/2018

2016/2017

Current Assets Cash & Equivalents Receivables Prepaid Expenses Mitigation Credit Total Current Assets

$ 1,798,107 264,509 30,593 312,757 $ 2,405,966

$ 1,988,554 53,707 29,443 167,153 $ 2,238,857

Long-Term Assets Permanently Protected Properties Endowments/Investments Planned Giving Receivable Life Estate Land Assets Property & Equipment Escrow Accounts Trade Lands Total Long-Term Assets

$ 32,127,701 7,180,685 42,725 4,150,375 2,714,865 9,850 54,000 $ 46,280,201

$ 25,745,479 6,750,413 62,575 3,316,289 2,645,417 564,918 54,000 $ 39,139,091

$48,686,167

$41,377,948

$1,804,480

$2,049,958

$46,881,687

$39,327,990

TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS $48,686,167

$41,377,948

Program 90%

TOTAL ASSETS

Fundraising 2% General & Management 8%

SAHC Liabilities & Net Assets Total Liabilities Total Net Assets

Not including $9.2 million for land & conservation easement purchases.

To obtain a copy of the complete SAHC financial statements, please send us a note: 372 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 or email: sahc@appalachian.org

Fun Facts of Sta ff Life from 2 0 1 8!

Upcycled 850 toilet paper rolls by donating them to the Asheville Humane Society for cat toys

Five box turtles rescued on our way to work 4,000 water bottles saved from using our new water fountain

At least 120 trips hiked back and forth from Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge ________ 43rd year of Roan Naturalists

288 cookies consumed during grassy balds management 30 birds and mammals identified behind our new office Annual Report

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Asheville, NC Permit No. 460

372 Merrimon Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-1222 (828) 253-0095 Return Service Requested

Printed on Post Consumer Recycled Paper

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.

Leave a Legacy...

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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