View
from the Highlands
41 Years Protecting the World’s Oldest Mountains 2015 Spring/Summer Issue Gray ’s lily on Grassy Ridge, in the Highlands of Roan Photo by Ed Schell, Memorial on p.17
Conserving Mountains • Farms • Streams • Habitat
welcome! Lee Farese, Roan Naturalist
Appalachian.org Office
34 Wall Street, Suite 502, Asheville, NC 28801-2710 828.253.0095 • FAX 828.253.1248 sahc@appalachian.org
Board of Trustees Milton “Buddy” Tignor, Jr., President Nancy Edgerton, Vice President Jay Leutze, Secretary Laura McCue, Treasurer Courtney Blossman Leslie Casse Patty Cunningham-Woolf Lyman “Greg” Gregory, III Jack Hamilton Jim Houser Anne Kilgore Florence Krupnick Bill Lowndes Rick Manske Kathy Singleton Mary Bruce Woody
Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Minneapolis, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Charlotte, NC Kingsport, TN Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Kingsport, TN Asheville, NC
Staff Carl Silverstein Kristy Urquhart Michelle Pugliese William Hamilton Hanni Muerdter Marquette Crockett Sarah Sheeran Cheryl Fowler Lisa Fancher Angela Shepherd Pauline Heyne Allison Kiehl Chris Link
Executive Director Associate Director Land Protection Director Farmland Program Director Stewardship & Conservation Planning Director Roan Stewardship Director Stewardship Associate Membership Director Finance Compliance Director Communications Director Donor Relations Manager Farmland Stewardship & Sustainability Director Community Farm & Food Associate
Andrea Thompson Jesse Wood Kana Miller Caitlin Edenfield
AmeriCorps Stewardship & Volunteer Associate AmeriCorps Stewardship & Volunteer Associate AmeriCorps Conservation Education & Volunteer Associate AmeriCorps Land Protection & Education Associate
A Californian by birth, Lee is a curious student of birds, tracks, trees, and anything else that helps him understand the places he goes. He is a recent graduate of Colorado College, where he studied literature and ecology, gardened, and dedicated himself to exploring the intricacies of the human/nature relationship. His interests are in place, community, and good books among others. He is thrilled to be working with SAHC, and partaking in the beauty of the Roan! In the Highlands of Roan this summer, Lee will represent SAHC, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the TN Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club and the Pisgah & Cherokee National Forests as an ATC Ridgerunner and SAHC Ecologist.
Jess Laggis, Blue Ridge Forever Director Jess is a native of Swannanoa who enjoyed growing up on the campus of Warren Wilson College and roaming the nearby mountains. She earned a BS in neuroscience and a BA in Spanish from Furman University in 2006. Her strong sense of adventure led her to hike the southern half of the Appalachian Trail, study and work abroad in far-flung places, and finally back home to farm in these mountains. In her free time she enjoys backpacking, foraging, yoga, and gardening. Jess is excited to join the conservation efforts of the Blue Ridge Forever partners. Blue Ridge Forever is a coalition of local land trusts engaging the public and raising funds to safeguard land and water - now and for future generations. SAHC is one of the partners and the fiscal agent for Blue Ridge Forever.
Suzanna Denison, WNC FarmLink Coordinator Suzanna grew up on an organic vegetable farm in the Northeast before relocating to Western North Carolina to pursue other aspects of agriculture, including flower, herb and meat production. She is thrilled to be the new WNC FarmLink Coordinator and hopes to ensure land access to young farmers in the region. In addition to farming, Suzanna also enjoys yoga, herbalism and the great outdoors. WNC FarmLink is a partnership facilitating successful relationships between farmers looking for land to farm, and landowners aspiring to keep their farm and forest land in agriculture. SAHC is one of the WNC FarmLink partners.
Highlights: • Cane Creek Mountain (pages 4)
Letter from the
Director
• OM Sanctuary (page 5) • Icy Cliff Knob (page 6) • Early View (pages 7)
Spring and summer in the Southern Appalachians afford many remarkable opportunities for recreation and connection with the natural world. We hope you will join us in celebrating this globally important, unique landscape during the June Jamboree (p. 14 - 16), our annual day of free, guided hikes in the Highlands of Roan. In this issue, we are pleased to share four new land protection stories from the Highlands of Roan and French Broad River focus areas (p. 4 -7), including the protection of a rare, mature urban forest close to the heart of downtown Asheville (p. 5). Enjoy a guided hike through this forest or across our Community Farm on Saturday, June 6 in honor of Land Trust Day (p. 19). Local businesses will also donate a percentage of sales on that day to support our work. Visit us Appalachian.org in May for a full list of participating stores and restaurants. Our annual Appalachian Spring Membership Celebration will be held at the Farmhouse Gallery and Gardens in Unicoi, TN on Thursday, May 21 (p. 20). Please join us in celebrating recent conservation successes and recognizing the dedicated efforts of our members, volunteers, and Trustees who make it all possible. Carl Silverstein Executive Director
• Our Community Farm (pages 8) • Conservation in Action (page 9-11) • Volunteer Days in the Roan (page 12) • Conservation Field Journal (page 13) • June Jamboree (pages 14-16) • Legacy of Land & People (pages 17) • Events/Outreach (pages 18-19) • Appalachian Spring Celebration (pages 20) • Members’ Corner (pages 21) • Partnerships in Business (pages 22-23) For recent updates, visit us at Appalachian.org and follow us online. Do you have a photo or story to share? We love to hear from our members. Contact us at sahc@appalachian.org.
The mission
of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is to conserve the unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, farmland and scenic beauty of the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee 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. View from the Highlands | 3
L a n d P r o t e c t i o n | U P D AT E S The 337-acre high elevation mountain tract in the foreground is now protected.
Highlands of Roan Focus Area
Cane Creek Mountain Conservation-minded landowners recently worked with us to protect a saddle ridge in the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area. This area has been a priority for SAHC and other partners in the landscape, and preservation of this 337-acre, high elevation tract helps protect the ridgeline that forms the center of the State Natural Area. Rising to 4,500 feet elevation, the tract is located near the Yellow Mountain Gateway we acquired in 2013 and adjacent to other conservation properties.
Map: The tract is situated amongst other conservation properties in the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area
Preservation of this forested tract safeguards sweeping scenic views; important habitat for birds, trout and other wildlife; and clean water quality in the North Toe river watershed. The property is highly visible from the summit of Little Yellow Mountain and lies within the Audubon Society’s Roan-Cane Creek Mountain Important Bird Area.
tain Victory Overmoun
“This is a critical link in the Cane Creek Mountain Range, between areas that SAHC and the State of NC have aggressively worked to protect since 2008,” says Trustee Jay Leutze.
NHT
Two headwater tributaries of Soapstone Branch flow through the tract before emptying into the Left Fork Cane Creek, and one headwater tributary of Henson Creek flows through it. The beautifully forested slopes of the property contain Newly protected Cane Creek Mountain tract Southern and Central Appalachian Oak and Appalachian HemlockSAHC-owned tracts Hardwood forest types. State of NC-owned tracts 4 | 2015 spring/Summer Issue
“We were amazed at how easy it was to work with SAHC during the process,” said the landowners. “They were very responsive to our requests and the closing went very smoothly. Now we have the confidence that this very special property will be managed for its best ecological values, which we prize very highly. It is an important wildlife corridor that now is part of a growing landscape that is being managed for conservation.” SAHC intends to own and manage this property for the long term. The landowners will retain a life estate on the tract, giving them full use of the property during their lifetimes. “We are pleased to be able to work with landowners on their own schedule,” adds Leutze. “That’s part of the benefit of local land trusts — we’re interested in protecting land in perpetuity, taking the long view in developing relationships with landowners.”
L a n d P r o t e c t i o n | U P D AT E S French Broad River Valley Focus Area
Om Sanctuary
OM Sanctuary, viewed from the opposite bank of the French Broad River.
“Natural places are integral to our health, and once they have been lost to development, they are gone forever. We must preserve them now for our sake, and for the sake of the future,” said Shelli Stanback, OM Sanctuary Founder and President.“There are few remaining urban open spaces near Asheville; protecting the forest with a conservation easement was the sustainable choice.” The OM Sanctuary conservation easement, very near Buncombe County’s Richmond Hill Park and the state-designated Richmond Hill Forest Natural Area, protects a healthy wooded tract containing cove forest, oak forest and low mountain pine forest, with mixed hardwoods in different stages of succession. The tract also contains Richmond Hill Park
OM Sanctuary
Located near Richmond Hill Park on a bluff overlooking the French Broad River, Interstate 26 and Riverside Drive, this 42-acre urban forest close to downtown Asheville has now been protected by conservation easement. It is a rare gem containing an uncommon cluster of natural features near Asheville’s urban core.
pools in the river floodplain that provide likely habitat for wildlife like salamanders, amphibians, and reptiles. Conservation of the property helps protect tributary streams of the French Broad River Watershed from sources of sedimentation and other types of pollution. “We were thrilled at the opportunity to protect this undeveloped, mature forest so near the heart of the city,” said Executive Director Carl Silverstein. “It provides ecosystem services and preserves a scenic view seen by many people every day: recreational users of the French Broad River and everyone who drives past it.” The OM Sanctuary is a non-profit holistic education and nature-sensitive retreat center that offers overnight stays, classes, lectures, trainings and other programs. They will continue to use existing hiking trails through the protected forest in fulfilling their mission to inspire healthy lifestyle practices through holistic education and connection with nature.
Balance Together: Human Health and Connection to Nature The non-profit Oshun Mountain (OM) Sanctuary was established in 2012 in response to the increasing number of people of all ages, cultures, and income levels seeking holistic methods to improve health. OM Sanctuary offers educational programs and charitable initiatives focused on Body, Mind, Spirit, and Nature, envisioning healthy individuals living in harmony with nature and community. On Saturday, June 6, they will host a special event to demonstrate available classes and celebrate the protection of this unique urban forest. As part of this event, SAHC will lead a guided hike on the property. For more info, visit www.omsanctuary.org
We are grateful to Buncombe County and the Community Foundation of WNC for supporting transaction costs of this conservation easement. Downtown Asheville OM Sanctuary overlooks the French Broad River, just northwest of downtown Asheville, NC.
“You can’t separate people from the environment,” adds Stanback. “It’s a symbiotic relationship. If we are going to improve health, we must also preserve nature.”
Guests at OM Sanctuary will continue to enjoy protected hiking trails near the city heart.
View from the Highlands | 5
L a n d P r o t e c t i o n | U P D AT E S The Icy Cliff Knob tract in Little Sandy Mush
Salting cattle on the tract, Spring 1942
Remembering
Perspective by Cecelia Ward “For all our lives, my sister, Margot S. Roberts, and I, Cecelia Roberts Ward, have thought of this as a very special place – a refuge. This view reflects the sentiments of our father, Sisters Margot and Clyde M. Roberts, who Cecelia (L to R) purchased the property in 1941. He was happy when he was walking or working on the property and he steadfastly refused very profitable offers of purchase. Since our acquisition of the property, my husband Frank Ward, Margot and her husband J. D. McAllister, and I have made considerable sacrifices to maintain and secure the property. However, we did not do so with profit in mind. We are all very fortunate to have many rich memories of this lovely property and we all share the view that this jewel in the Appalachian Mountains should be protected from development forever.”
Family members on the property (L to R): Spencer Ward, Margot Roberts (landowner), Julia McAllister, Dunham McAllister (landowner), Blaine McAllister, Kristen Ward, and Frank Ward (landowner).
French Broad River Valley Focus Area
Icy Cliff Knob This new conservation easement on 265 acres in the Little Sandy Mush Community of Madison County protects a quiet, beloved slice of the Southern Appalachian landscape treasured by one family for decades. Cecelia Ward remembers growing up helping her father, Clyde Roberts, tend cattle and pick apples from the orchard on the tract. Roberts bought the property in 1941 and refused several offers to buy the land. The family acted in the spirit of his love of this beautiful land when they recently granted a conservation easement to us, so that it will be protected forever. At its upper reaches, Icy Cliff Knob rises to 3,760 feet elevation on the property. Forested portions are rich with botanical diversity, and one patch of ancient Chestnut Oak forest contains trees estimated at 300+ years old. “Portions of this property are visible from many points in the French Broad River Valley, including downtown Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway and
6 | 2015 spring/Summer Issue
Mt. Pisgah,” said Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese. “The slopes are now permanently protected from future development, and the forest will be allowed to flourish.” Three headwater streams also originate on the property, including the headwaters of Morrow Branch, which flows into Sandy Mush Creek, a major tributary of the French Broad River. Turtlehead blooming on the tract
L a n d P r o t e c t i o n | U P D AT E S The new conservation easement protects scenic views from Sandy Mush Creek Rd and Earlys Mountain Rd.
Early View
Landowners George and Cathy Phillips have been members of SAHC for years and learned about conservation easements through our work. In order to preserve their wonderful corner of the world, they donated a conservation easement on 108 acres near Worley’s Cove in Big Sandy Mush. “These forested mountains clean our air, collect and filter our water, feed and shelter many kinds of life. It is truly important that they are there in the future,” says George and Cathy Phillips. “So many people have contributed conservation easements in Sandy Mush. It is rewarding to be part of that.”
French Broad River Valley Focus Area
Located in western Buncombe County, just off Big Sandy Mush Creek, the gently sloping property contains 39 acres of important agricultural soils. George once ran a nursery on the property and supplied plants for area businesses. The conservation easement allows for similar use to occur in the future, carrying on a horticultural history of the property.
Map: The Early View and Icy Cliff Knob conservation easements in the Big and Little Sandy Mush areas Icy Cliff Knob
The tract also contains five unnamed headwater tributaries of Sandy Mush Creek. “This project is an example of how
we can accomplish meaningful conservation thanks to the generosity of landowners and support from Buncombe County, which awarded a $30,000 grant for the project,” said Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese. “Thanks to George and Cathy’s generosity and the foresight of Buncombe County, another piece of the beautiful Sandy Mush landscape will remain in forested and horticultural uses forever.” “SAHC staff made the process quite easy and understandable,” adds the Phillips. “Thank you to Caitlin, Michelle, Sarah and all the staff for their cheerful guidance and work. This has been a very rewarding experience for us and we know these lands will be well looked after into the future.”
Early View
New conservation easements SAHC-protected lands
View from the Highlands | 7
O u r | C O M M U N I T Y FA R M
Growing Strong on the Farm Crops and cattle are growing strong for the entrepreneurial farmers in our Farmer Incubator Program. So, what’s been happening this Spring? Here’s an update.
Welcome!
Chris Link
Community Farm & Food Associate As the newest member of the SAHC team, Chris Link is assisting in managing the operations on the Community Farm and working to grow the infrastructure and the Beginning Farmer Incubator Program. Hailing originally from the eastern shore of Maryland, Chris holds a degree in planning & landscape architecture from Clemson University, and has practiced in Asheville and in the Southwest. Previously, Chris farmed on a year-round CSA community land trust farm in New England, and then most recently a small, bio-intensive farm in Bostic, NC. Both farms were organic and diversified with rotational livestock, demonstrating a symbiotic, productive relationship Chris sees as the future of sustainable land management which serves both the environment and community.
Second Spring Market Garden Only a handful of shares remain for their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) this year! CSA members receive fresh vegetables every week of the year, even in winter. You can sign up Casara Logan & Matt Coffay online or send a check by mail. of Second Spring Market Garden Learn more about their vegetable offerings and share options at www.secondspringfarm.com/csa. Turnips, radishes, peas, carrots, beets, spinach, head lettuce, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, baby salad mix, garlic, onions, potatoes, kale, cilantro, dill, and bok choy are growing in the ground now, and tomatoes should be ready in late May. They are also pre-sprouting ginger and turmeric. Pineywoods Cattle Gina Raicovich’s herd of heritage breed cattle continue to thrive. Farm Visits We’ve been busy with guided hikes and farm tours as the Chris Link guides SAHC Trustees (L to R) Courtney Blossman, Nancy Edgerton, and weather warms. Want to visit Laura McCue around the farm in March. the farm yourself? Join us for a guided group hike on Saturday, June 6 (details on page 19).
Second Spring’s First Annual Plant Sale Date: Sunday, May 3rd Time: 10 AM to 5 PM Where: SAHC’s Community Farm, Alexander NC
When he’s not at work, Chris can be found building with old wood, leather, metal, tools and playing with small engines, indulging his omnivorous appetite, and explaining to utter strangers what it is that land trusts do, exactly. 8 | 2015 spring/Summer Issue
Second Spring Market Garden will host its first annual plant sale in May. Stop by to visit the farm and pick up your spring vegetable and herb starts. They’ll have heirloom tomatoes, lettuces, kale, chard, and other vegetables, along with herbs such as rosemary, thyme, mint, and more.
C o n s e r v at i o n | I N A C T I O N
Beetles Battle the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Dubbed the “Redwood of the East”, eastern hemlock is a long-lived and slowing growing giant that can reportedly live up to 800 years-old and reach heights of more than 150 feet. The species is considered to be the most shade tolerant tree in the Eastern US and is an ecologically important component of Southern Appalachian forests. The dense shade cast by the evergreen tree’s canopy creates critical wildlife habitat, stabilizes stream banks, and keeps mountain forests and streams cool. Many forest and aquatic species depend on the presence of hemlocks, whose numbers have declined significantly in the past 10 years due to the introduction and spread of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). In fact, by 2010 all NC counties within the historic range of hemlocks Close-up of HWA. Photo courtesy of Michael were infested. Montgomery, USDA Forest This tiny aphidService, Bugwood.org like insect has wreaked havoc on both eastern and Carolina hemlocks by literally sucking the trees dry and injecting saliva that distorts plant growth. Under high infestation rates, HWA can cause tree death in as little as four to seven years. In 2014 the Hemlock Restoration Initiative, a cooperative effort launched by the NC Dept of Agriculture & Consumer Services to restore the long-term health of NC hemlocks, provided $75,000 in grant funds to WNC Communities, which in turn funded several projects to address treatment and restoration options for North Carolina’s hemlock trees.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid on hemlock branch. Photo courtesy Robert L. Anderson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org.
One of the award recipients, the Blue Ridge Resource Conservation and Development Council (Blue Ridge RC&D), provides educational workshops on biological control of HWA for individuals and organizations like SAHC who steward lands impacted by HWA. The goal of the workshops is to provide information on the benefits and use of predator beetles for HWA control. Specifically, Blue Ridge RC&D’s project intends to train workshop participants on methods for collecting and releasing predator beetles such as Laricobius nigrinus (also known as Lari beetles) that feed on HWA. The program hopes this will facilitate the spread of predatory beetles. HWA is native to Asia and the Pacific Northwest, where it also feeds on hemlocks. However, HWA is not considered to be a pest in the western US because natural enemies like Lari beetles keep HWA populations under control.
can eat more than 90 percent of HWA in areas where the beetles have been released. Once established, Lari beetles can advance up to 2 miles per year. Lari beetles have been released throughout Western North Carolina on private, federal and state lands. Recently, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) released 50 Lari beetles on the Sandy Mush Game Lands located in Madison and Buncombe counties. SAHC is working with the WRC on a future release of Lari beetles on an SAHC-owned tract that bridges the gap between noncontiguous sections of the state-owned Sandy Mush Game Land. This property is home to numerous Canada hemlocks. Our hope is to facilitate the establishment of Lari beetles on this property so they can be collected and redistributed to other areas affected by HWA.
Lari beetles are effective winter predators and feed exclusively on adelgids from October to May. Each Lari larva can consume 200 to 250 adelgid eggs or crawlers before they pupate in June. In fact, Left: A Laricobius larva eats hemlock woolly adelgid eggs. Right: research shows that the beetles An adult Laricobius beetle. Photo by US National Park Service. View from the Highlands | 9
C o n s e r v at i o n | I N A C T I O N
V olunteer C lean U p !
Sandy Mush Game Lands Sometimes you have to look beneath the surface to see the beauty in a conservation tract. Once such example is SAHC’s Sandy Mush Game Lands tract, which we acquired in 2011. The 88-acre tract is important for conservation because it forms a critical linking bridge and wildlife corridor between non-contiguous portions of the state-owned game lands. Unfortunately, open public access to an old roadbed and the presence of hidden, steep slopes led to illegal dumping in the decades prior to our acquisition. Dealing with the hundreds of illegally dumped items on the property has been a high priority goal for our Land Management and Stewardship team, and we were grateful to have some volunteer help to make headway this Spring. When SAHC Stewardship staff and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) officers walked through the property, they saw dozens of tires embedded in the soil slopes leading down to Sandy Mush Creek. Not only illegal and unsightly, the debris in some cases had reached the creek and posed a potential threat to water quality. Cleaning this up was no small task, so our Stewardship team mobilized a group of enthusiastic volunteers in March to tackle this issue.
Sixteen volunteers worked throughout the day to remove illegally dumped trash.
A group of 16 volunteers from North and South Carolina gathered after a rain storm on a cloudy Saturday morning to get to work. SAHC Stewardship Associate Sarah Sheeran, who monitors the property annually on behalf of SAHC, provided an overview
10 | 2015 spring/Summer Issue
and Chris Henline of NCWRC spoke with the group about long-term land management goals on the property. The tract bridges two sections of Sandy Mush Game Lands owned by the State of NC. The partnership between SAHC and NCWRC means that this property is eligible for state resources and management for wildlife habitat in exchange for the property being part of the game land system. The tract’s early successional habitat and natural resources already make it ideal small game and bird habitat. Prescriptive burns and biological control treatment for Eastern hemlocks in the future will greatly enhance the value of the land for native plant and animal communities. With the conservation values of the property in mind, the volunteers were ready for action. Armed with shovels,
C o n s e r v at i o n | I N A C T I O N Sandy Mush Game Lands The Sandy Mush Game Lands consist of 2,765 acres of land in Buncombe and Madison Counties, managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and owned by the State of NC (2,677 acres) and SAHC (88 acres). Sandymush Creek and Turkey Creek flow through it.
Volunteers gather beside some of the bagged debris. Thank you to everyone who helped!
rope, and trash bags, they dropped downslope of the roadbed and worked their way up, dragging tires and hauling out loads of assorted glass and metal debris.
mud and gnats. The work was best suited for pairs and small teams. By lunchtime, the group was dirty but proud as they shared snacks with and joked about unionizing.
The accumulation of wet weather in Sandy Mush during the week prior meant it was not glamorous work, but these dedicated volunteers were undeterred by
By early afternoon, the debris totaled: 232 tires, 46 contractor bags of glass and other household trash, 15 bag-sized piles of metal debris, and many more odd relics, including a convertible in its many parts. This debris was piled neatly for pickup by NCWRC later.
Volunteers remove partially buried, Illegally dumped tires from steep slopes.
Debris Removed Amount Item 232 46 15
Tires Contractor bags of glass & other household trash Piles of metal debris
It was satisfying work, knowing how much debris was removed and that new gates, signage, and permanent protection will deter future dumping on the property. We are very grateful to all who volunteered. Stay tuned for another workday opportunity to tackle the rest!
In 2004, SAHC assisted the State of NC in the acquisition of the land, once owned by CP&L/Progress Energy, for conservation and public ownership. The Sandy Mush Game Lands are open to the public for hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, and birding. One of 105 sites on the NC Birding Trail, the Game Lands are actively managed with prescribed fire to restore native warm season grasses and forbs to benefit wildlife habitat. Turkey Creek and Sandy Mush Creek gorges offer opportunity to view various warblers, Wood Thrush and Acadian Flycatcher. For more details about public use, game animals, and bird species,
visit ncwildlife.org. Map: West of the French Broad River, the Sandy Mush Game Lands provide excellent wildlife habitat.
SAHC-owned 88-acre portion of Game Lands State-owned Sandy Mush Game Lands
View from the Highlands | 11
C o n s e r v at i o n | I N A C T I O N
Invasive Plant Species: Garlic Mustard Spring is a time of awakening for the wildflowers we love to observe. Black-eyed susans, asters, and yarrow add splashes of color to roadsides as we meander through the mountains. Other species also grow and bloom this time of year — unfortunately, these include non-native, invasive species that compete for resources and threaten native populations. One such invasive species is garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), so named for its garlicky flavor. Garlic mustard, photo by US Fish & Wildlife Service
Garlic mustard is native to Europe, but can now be found throughout much of the U.S. Originally cultivated for culinary use, the plant escaped captivity and proliferated across a broad range. Having no predators, garlic mustard threatens ecosystem integrity because it outcompetes native plants by monopolizing resources such as sunlight and water and thereby reduces biodiversity. Volunteers removed 481 lbs. Wildlife of garlic mustard! species
that depend on native plants for foliage, pollen, nectar, fruits, seeds and roots, are deprived of these essential food sources when garlic mustard replaces them. Herbivores dislike its garlicky taste and leave it to flourish. They also inadvertently disperse the seeds that stick to their coats, further compromising native plant populations. Seeds are viable in the soil for up to five years. A single plant can produce approximately 1,000 seeds, which scatter up to several meters away from the parent plant. In addition to being dispersed by wildlife, they are also spread by shoes, clothing, and car tires. Removing garlic mustard from thoroughfares such as Roan Mountain State Park and public roadsides is crucial to controlling the spread of this invasive
Garlic mustard spreads along public roadsides
species. Eradicating garlic mustard is relatively simple, but it takes time and persistence. In honor of Earth Month, SAHC partnered with Roan Mountain State Park and TN Dept. of Environment and Conservation to remove garlic mustard from the park and heavily trafficked highways around Carver’s Gap. A total of 21 volunteers and staff teamed up to remove 481 lbs. of garlic mustard. Thank you!
Upcoming Grassy Balds Volunteer Days Grassy Ridge Mow Off | July 18-19
Camp out or come for the day! Join other volunteers as we work to maintain the globally rare grassy and shrub balds found on Grassy Ridge. We’ll cut invasive blackberries and other shrubs using hand tools and brush cutters. For more info or to volunteer, contact Marquette Crockett at marquette@appalachian.org or (828) 253-0095 x 210.
Roany Boyz (& Girlz) | July 24-26
This is another opportunity to volunteer on the Roan! The Roany crew works each year to maintain grassy bald habitat (including habitat for rare plants like Gray’s Lily) in and around Engine Gap, just over the top of Round Bald. This work trip is flexible — come for a day or as long as you like! For more info or to volunteer, contact Carol Coffey at caroltee@aol.com. 12 | 2015 spring/Summer Issue
C o n s e r va t i o n
On the Roan wit
Field Journal
h M arquette Cro ckett, Highlands of Roa n Stewardship Dir ector
The mission of the Appa lachian Studies Associa tion (ASA) is to promot e and engage dialogue, research, scho larship, education, creative expression, an d action across the Appalachians. I was pl eased to help open the ASA’s “Many Mount ains, Many Musics” conference at ETSU on a ‘many mountains’ Chris Coxen note by leading a hike from Carver’s Gap across the balds. The hi Educators on th e Roan, part of king group consisted the ASA conference held in March at East Tennessee State Universit of professors, teachers, y. and professionals from throughout the mount ains including West Vi rginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, N orth Carolina, and Alab ama. As we hiked, it was my pleasure to talk with th e group of educators ab out SAHC — our mission, accomplish ments, and current wor k protecting the Roan. The hike was also punctuated with a good smattering of peak findi ng, tree ID, and ecolog y. One topic kept resurfa cing as we hiked - the importance of educatio n in protecting and conserving areas like th e Roan Highlands. We discussed the significan ce of place-based educ ation in getting young people excited about the enviro nment, and we spent so me time talking about ways to use technology to br ing the beauty of the Ro an to urban schools. I truly enjoyed my time with the group and hope th ey went away with head s so full of visions of th e mountains that they didn’t notice how curvy TN 14 3 can be in the back of a van!
For more information about the Appalachian Studies Associatio n, visit appalachianstudies.org. View from the Highlands | 13
June | JA MBOREE
June Jamboree! Free Guided Hikes and Social in the Highlands of Roan Date: Saturday, June 20th
June Jamboree Schedule Hike #1 Ed Schell Memorial Hike from Carver’s Gap to Grassy Ridge (9 am) Hike #2 Birding with Simon Thompson at Roan High Knob (8 am) Hike #3 Roll n’ Stroll in the Rhododendron Gardens (11 am) Hike #4 Salamander Scavenger Hunt at Hampton Creek Cove (11 am) Hike #5 Challenge Hike in the Highlands (8 am) Social at Hampton Creek Cove (drop by between 2 to 6 pm)
Please join us for our annual day of free, guided hikes and social gathering in the incredible Highlands of Roan. These five group hikes include outings for all age and ability levels. Descriptions, details and start times for each are provided on the following pages. You will receive directions to the departure location & carpool information upon registration. Be sure to bring: sturdy hiking shoes, camera, walking stick, water, lunch, sunscreen, binoculars, and appropriate clothing for your hike. The weather may be sunny, rainy, windy or cool. Hikes are rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most difficult. We hope you can join us in the Highlands!
Social Gathering
Join us on our recently protected SAHC property just outside the Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area. Enjoy fellowship with friends and family and learn about our recent conservation intiatives. We will provide light refreshments and beverages.
Hike #1 — Ed Schell Memorial Hike from Carver’s Gap to Grassy Ridge Location: Carvers Gap | Start Time: 9:00 am | Est. End Time: 2-3 pm Leader: David Smith | Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (7-8) This 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. Grassy Ridge is the highest point near the AT, reaching 6,189 feet in elevation. Enjoy a natural, unobstructed 360-degree view and so much more — blooming rhododendron, flame azalea, patches of spruce fir forest and rare plants such as Gray’s lily and Roan Mountain bluets. Along the way, former Seasonal Ecologist and Trustee David Smith will discuss the significance of the balds and the best practices for managing this pristine habitat. For those desiring an easier hike, there is the option of hiking out to Round Bald or Jane Bald, to enjoy the flowers and expansive views, instead of going all the way to Grassy Ridge. This year’s Carver’s Gap to Grassy Ridge hike is offered in memory of active, long-time member Ed Schell, who passed away early this year. 14 | 2015 spring/Summer Issue
June | JA MBOREE Hike #2 — Birding Hike with Simon Thompson of Ventures Birding Location: Roan High Knob | Start Time: 8:00 am | Est. End Time: 1 pm Leader: Simon Thompson | Difficulty: Moderate (5-6) The Highlands of Roan provide some of the best mountain birding in the high elevation ranges of North Carolina. Join us for a hike to Roan High Knob with Simon Thompson of Ventures Birding and Nature Tours, as we take advantage of the pristine habitat found in the Roan. The medley of spruce-fir forest to open grassy balds offers great wildlife diversity. Roan High Knob is the pinnacle of the Roan-Unaka Mountain Range, a rolling expanse of highlands in northwest TN. Rising some 6,286 feet, the summit sits atop a modest rock outcropping some 30 meters from the Roan High Knob shelter, the highest shelter on the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail. On a clear day you can see the nearby Roan High Bluff, Round Bald and Grassy Ridge Bald and much more. About Simon: Originally from Suffolk, England, Simon has lived in NC for 10+ years. He has travelled extensively and spent six months in China studying the crane and bird of prey migration as a member of the British “China Crane Watch” expedition. As director and originator of Ventures Nature Travel program in Tryon, NC, Simon has led birding trips all over the world.
Hike #3 — Roll n’ Stroll in Rhododendron Gardens Location: Rhododendron Gardens Start Time: 11 am | Est. End Time: 1 pm Leader: Judy Murray | Difficulty: Easy (2) The Rhododendron Gardens on top of Roan will be blazing with color this time of year. Volunteer Highlands of Roan Advisor Judy Murray will take hikers along gentle terrain with stunning views of the Roan landscape. On this leisurely stroll hikers will learn about SAHC’s newest land protection projects including Big Rock Creek and two retired Christmas tree farms. This hike is designed to give people of all hiking abilities the opportunity to get outside and enjoy some of the property that SAHC has diligently protected over the last four decades. *This trail is paved and wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Hike #4 — Salamander Scavenger Hunt Location: Hampton Creek Cove Start Time: 11 am | Est. End Time: 2 pm Leader: Marquette Crockett | Difficulty: Moderately Easy (3-4) A twist on our usual Kids in the Creek, this shorter hike is designed to get kids outdoors and explore the beautiful waters of the Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area. Led by Roan Stewardship Director Marquette Crockett, kids will learn about basic stream ecology while discovering different features of the surrounding landscape. In the creek, kids will look for crayfish, salamanders, and other aquatic creatures. On land, Marquette will point out the historic fruit orchard and explore the cow pastures. Kids are welcome to bring fishnets, buckets, or other toys to play with in the creek. 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 gear. V i e w f r o m t h e H i g h l a n d s | 1 59
June | JA MBOREE Hike #5 — Challenge Hike Location: Carvers Gap Start Time: 8:00 am | Est. End Time: 5 pm Leader: Kana Miller | Difficulty: Difficult (10+) Join us in traversing 15 miles across the longest contiguous stretch of grassy balds in the world. The Highlands of Roan is our flagship focus area; we’ve protected over 20,000 acres of globally significant, rare habitat and incredible views here – and we want to show it off! The Challenge hike is the most difficult, but also most rewarding hike we offer during June Jamboree – and this year’s route is no different! Beginning on the Appalachian Trail at Hughes Gap, we will make our way up Beartown Mountain to Roan High Knob on the newly re-routed trail. From Roan High Knob, we’ll continue down to Carvers Gap and then up and over Round Bald, Jane Bald, past Grassy Ridge and on to Yellow Mountain Gap. Yellow Mountain Gap marks the 11th mile and the hike doesn’t stop there. We will leave the AT and head down into Hampton Creek Cove on the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. This final four-mile stretch is no rest for the weary; expect several stream crossings and short sections of incline, before finishing this long hike in the beautiful mountain pastures of Hampton Creek. Need an extra incentive to sign-up for this hike? The post hike fellowship will be within arm’s reach at the end of the trail. Challenge hikers will be able to wander down the street for some hard earned snacks and beverages.
RESERVATIONS — June Jamboree ( June 20) in the Highlands of Roan Register online at Appalachian.org or mail this completed form to: SAHC, 34 Wall St., Suite 502, Asheville, NC, 28801 Hike #: ________ Name: Phone: Email: Hike #: ________ Name: Phone: Email: Hike #: ________ Name: Phone: Email: Hike #: ________ Name: Phone: Email: Kids: (For planning purposes, please include all participants, with ages for children participating in the Salamander Scavenger Hunt).
Total # Attending the after-hike social: _________ Optional Donation Enclosed: $________
I realize that the June Jamboree event is free for all participants, but I would like to make a donation to help offset the cost of the event.
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Legacy | OF L AND AND PEOPLE
In Memoriam: Ed Schell Long-time member, photographer and nature enthusiast Edward “Ed” Hageman Schell, 92, died peacefully in Lexington, SC in January. Born Dec. 18, 1922, in Steubenville, OH, Ed served in the Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack in 1941. After the war he went to college at Michigan State University and worked for the federal government at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. In 1974, he retired from the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington DC.
Ed moved to Johnson City, TN, in 1975 to pursue his love of nature as a naturalist photographer. He published his first book, “Potomac — The Nation’s River” in 1976 and his second book, “Tennessee” in 1979. He compiled photographic surveys of areas that contained rare and endangered species for the purpose of promoting preservation of those lands for future generations. His work was seen in many publications, including National Geographic and the Sierra Club Magazine. He was actively involved with SAHC, Friends of Roan Mountain, TN Native Plant Society, Southern Maryland Audubon Society and many other organizations that fostered a love of the environment. Ed was an avid hiker who
Honoring a Legacy: Charlie Klabunde An enthusiastic hiker and conservationist, he was very active with SAHC, the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, and TN Citizens for Wilderness Planning. He served as a Trustee of SAHC from 2001-07. His other interests included model airplane flying, photography, and folk dancing. SAHC Board of Trustees, 2005 Photo by Charlie Klabunde, seated at right
Charles “Charlie” Klabunde was born October 28, 1931 in Champagne, IL and died February 7, 2015 in Oak Ridge TN. He lived in Niagara Falls, NY, graduated Lehigh University in 1953, and obtained a MS in Physics from Illinois University in 1955. Charlie retired from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN in 1996.
“Charlie could certainly cut a rug!” recalls Membership Director Cheryl Fowler. “He would be the first one to dance when the music started at our annual member celebrations.” We are extremely thankful to Charlie for providing for the continued conservation of his beloved mountains. He made a generous planned gift to SAHC in order to ensure future protection of the Southern Appalachians for generations to come, and we are deeply grateful for his legacy.
celebrated his 80th birthday with a 15 mile circuit hike to the top of Mt. LeConte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, through snow and ice. He was always happy to share his love of the Southern Appalachians and special environmentally sensitive areas.
“So many people enjoyed hiking with Ed because he knew so much about the flora and fauna of the Southern Appalachian Mountains,” says Cheryl Fowler. “He was such a kind, gentle, pleasant person to be around – and will be very missed.”
What will be your Legacy? Like Charlie, you can be remembered fondly for generations to come. Remember SAHC in your estate planning and ensure that your values live on – values like land and water conservation. By joining the Legacy Society you help protect our incredible landscapes and mountain heritage for future generations. Contact Pauline Heyne at (828) 253.0095 ext 216 to learn more. If you plan to leave us a legacy gift, please let us know so we can thank you.
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Events | OUTREACH
C a len da r Second Spring Market Garden Plant Sale at Community Farm May 3 “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Little Hump Hike May 9 “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Lost Cove Release Party May 15 Sandy Mush Game Lands Hike May 16 “Appalachian Spring” Membership Celebration May 21 Catawba Falls Hike May 29 Land Trust Day June 6 OM Sanctuary Hike June 6 Community Farm Hike June 6 June Jamboree June 20 Grassy Ridge Mow-Off July 18 & 19 Roany Boyz July 24 - 26 Check Appalachian.org for updates & more events!
For more information or to register for any of our hikes contact Kana Miller at 828.253.0095 ext. 205 or kana@appalachian.org. Directions & additional details will be provided after registration.
Sandy Mush Game Lands Hike Date: Saturday, May 16 | Time: 10 am Where: Sandy Mush Game Lands | Difficulty: Moderate (5-6) Cost: Free for SAHC members/ $10 non-members Enjoy a hike through the Sandy Mush Game Lands with Chris Henline of the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission. He will discuss land conservation and management goals as we hike through the Game Lands and adjoining SAHC-owned property. We will visit a recent prescribed burn area and learn how management for early successional habitat and exotic invasive plant control are benefitting wildlife species. From birds to bears, Sandy Mush Game Lands is home to a diversity of species and plays an important role in the protection of our region’s natural heritage. Come see this beautiful and unique area, and discover what makes Sandy Mush Game Lands such a special place!
Catawba Falls Hike Date: Friday, May 29 | Time: 10 am Where: Near Black Mountain, NC Difficulty: Moderately Difficult (7-8) Cost: Free for SAHC members/ $10 non-members Join us for this unique, guided hike along the headwater streams to the top of spectacular Catawba Falls. The Catawba River flows for approx. 220 miles, beginning in the Southern Appalachians until it drains in the South Carolina Piedmont. While the headwaters of the Catawba can be found in neighboring McDowell County, public access is limited. Our hike begins on Mary Hemphill’s property, which has been protected forever through a conservation easement by SAHC, and ends on US Forest Service land. The trail involves several creek crossings – 18 round trip! – so prepare for wet feet. This will be a rugged and adventurous hike, through rich cove forest and into streams. Most who access Catawba Falls have only viewed the large falls below – come hike with us to see the rare view of the upper falls!
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Land Trust Day
Events | OUTREACH
Land Trust Day Hikes
Shop and Dine to Support Conservation!
Visiting a conservation property is one of the best ways to see how our work directly impacts local communities. We invite you to join us for a hike!
Date: Saturday, June 6
OM Sanctuary in Asheville, NC
Join us in celebrating SAHC’s impact on local economies! Land Trust Day is held each year in conjunction with National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June. The natural assets we preserve have made this region an international destination for hiking, biking, camping, boating, hunting, fishing, and farm-to-table culinary experiences. Recognizing this fact, our Land Trust Day business partners donate a percentage of the day’s sales to support SAHC and land and water conservation. Your purchase on June 6 will help our work! Check for updates at Appalachian.org to see which stores and restaurants are participating, and please be sure to mention that you heard they were part of Land Trust Day!
Participating Businesses The following businesses in the Asheville & Waynesville areas have already committed to participate this year. Will your business join them? ART TO WEAR
Asheville & Waynesville locations
When: June 6 | Time: 3:30 pm
Join us for a free, guided hike along trails in this recently protected, mature urban forest just outside downtown Asheville. We will explore the unique qualities of this parcel, recently protected by a conservation easement, and discuss the link between human health and connection with nature.
SAHC Community Farm in Alexander, NC When: June 6 | Time: 10 am Have you visited our Community Farm? Join us for a moderately easy, family-friendly free guided tour along the Discovery Trail and learn about the myriad projects progressing here. We will walk through active farming areas, see the successfully restored streams flowing through the property, and discuss our shortleaf pine restoration project. Optional - Bring a lunch and blanket or camp chairs if you would like to picnic on the farm after the hike.
We’d love to recognize your business as a supporter for Land Trust Day! For more info or to sign up contact Cheryl Fowler at cheryl@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext 209. View from the Highlands | 19
A p pa l a c h i a n | S P R I N G
Appalachian Spring Member Celebration
Date: Thursday, May 21 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM Where: Farmhouse Gallery and Gardens in Unicoi, TN Join us in celebrating over 40 years of conservation in our community. Because of you — our dedicated members, volunteers, and community supporters — we can continue protecting the special places we all love. Enjoy an evening of celebration and merriment, with footstomping entertainment provided by the ETSU Old Time Pride Band. Event Ticket Price includes: Dinner, 1 drink ticket, music and fellowship. Purchase your tickets early to save! Tickets are $30 in advance/$35 at the door.
We are very grateful for the support of our event sponsors:
ETSU Old Time Pride Band
Wilson Worley, Attorneys at Law | One-Stop Wine and Spirits Enjoy catered dinner with friends & family.
To become an event sponsor or donate raffle items, contact Cheryl Fowler at cheryl@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext 209.
Purchase Tickets NOW at Appalachian.org, or fill out the order form below. # Tickets ($30 each) Total $
Name(s) for guest list: Dietary Restrictions:
Payment Enclosed. Please make payable to SAHC. Do not mail cash. Mail forms to SAHC at 34 Wall Street, Suite 502, Asheville, NC, 28801. Charge my Credit Card Name: Exp. Date Address: Sec. Code Phone:
Card #: E-mail:
Proxy Form: Annual Membership Meeting of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy As part of the event, the membership will elect nominees to the Board of Trustees. This is a proxy form. Please sign and return the proxy if you cannot attend the event.
The Board recommends the nomination of Jeff Needham of Kingsport, TN and Robbie McLucas of Asheville, NC to be nominated for a first three-year term, and Patty Cunningham-Woolf of Asheville, NC and Lyman “Greg” Gregory of Asheville, NC be nominated to a second three-year term. The nominees are active members of the Conservancy who have generously agreed to devote their time and talents on its behalf. Proxy: I hereby appoint Milton ‘Buddy”Tignor, Jr. or Carl Silverstein as proxies to vote, on my behalf as indicated below, at the Annual Membership Event of The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to be held on May 21, 2015. I also give my proxy authority to act on other business (if any) that may come before the meeting.
Nominees to the Board of Trustees: q Vote for all nominees listed above, except withhold vote from the following nominees (if any) Signature: ____________________________________Date: ______________ 20 | 2015 spring/Summer Issue
q Vote against
Members’ | CORNER
Welcome, New Members!
Memorials
We couldn’t do this without you! Sharon Beeckler Alex Maynard Andrew & Lauren Brunk Tim McDonald Donna Cherry Kent Purser & Barbara Sloss Gerald & Nancy Cross Kristen Ripmaster Maynard Green Jennifer Rish Elise Guthridge Pete Wallenborn Phyllis M. Bray Huffman Paul Wissel
We share in honoring the memory of those friends who have passed. In Memory of Merrilyn Butterworth Paul & Angie McDonald
Dutchman’s britches,
photo courtesy Witt Langstaff, Jr.
Correction: Gray’s Lily Leadership Circle members Kathy & Robert Rauch were incorrectly spelled in the 2014 Annual Report. Our sincerest apologies.
Become an SAHC Member
Enjoy free guided hikes & member discounts
Name (s) Address City State Zip E-mail Phone
Annual Membership Level: Family $60 __ Single $40__ Organization $100 ____
Additional donation $________
Monthly Giving
Our monthly giving program is an easy way to support our work! Choose an amount that makes sense for your budget, and become one of our sustaining members.
___ Please enroll me in monthly giving at $_______ per month Name as it appears on the card Expiration Date Credit Card #
3-digit security code
___ Please send me information about planned/estate giving and other ways to support SAHC. ___ Please make my gift anonymous.
G i f t s • Tr i b u t e s • M e m o r i a l s I’d like to make this contribution
__ A gift membership for __ In honor of __ In memory of
Person(s) to recognize (gift recipient or honoree)
In Memory of David Goodkind Judy Murray & Tom Gatti In Memory of Kay Hultquist James & Katherine Overholser In Memory of Ed Schell & Charlie Klabunde “In memory and gratitude for his many contributions to SAHC and to knowledge and improvement of the environment”. ~ Carol Coffey In Memory of Ed Schell Jimmy & Charlotte Compton Jo Driggers Doug & Michelle Fears Louis & Lucy Gump Bob & Mabel Harvey Dennis & Sherry Horn Phyllis M. Bray Huffman Judy Kelly Jim & Connie McCall Judy Murray & Tom Gatti Susan Peters
Tributes
A tribute gift is a special way to honor someone.
Person(s) to send dedication or gift acknowledgement to Address City State Zip E-mail
Make your gift online at Appalachian.org or fill out & mail this form to: SAHC, 34 Wall Street, Suite 502, Asheville, NC 28801. Donations & annual membership dues are tax deductible. Financial information about the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at (919) 733-4510. The license is not an endorsement by the state.
In honor of Nancy Edgerton Michael & Lynne Hill In honor of Peter Ripmaster and ITI Kristen Ripmaster
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Pa r t n e r s h i p s | B U S I N E S S C O M M U N I T Y
Corporate Partner Levels of Giving Mt. Mitchell: $25,000+ See your name here! Waterrock Knob: $15,000+ Altamont Environmental Highland Brewing Company New Morning Ltd. Salesforce Roan Mountain: $10,000+ Mast General Store Strader Fencing, Inc. Cold Mountain: $5,000+ Eastman Chemical Company Big Yellow: $2,500+ Equinox Environmental First Citizens Bank Jubilee! Community Kee Mapping & Surveying Parsec Financial Management Max Patch: $1,000+ BANQ Brunk Auctions Carolina Tree Care Conservation Advisors of NC East West Capital, LLC Eastman Credit Union Farmhouse Gallery & Gardens I Do Music Keith Hargrove Architect PC Network Computer Solutions Nona Mia Market, Deli & Pizzeria Roberts & Stevens, Attorneys at Law Samsel Architects Starks Financial Group US Raft Wells Fargo Yoga with Lillah
“For Love of Beer & Mountains” “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Little Hump Hike Date: Saturday, May 9 | Time: 10 am Where: Highlands of Roan Difficulty: Difficult (9-10) | Cost: Free for everyone, registration required This is a strenuous but rewarding hike to Little Hump Mountain in the Highlands of Roan. We will make our way along Roaring Creek on the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail until we connect with the Appalachian Trail. From there, we will hike north and gain approx. 1,500 ft of elevation to earn a spectacular view of the surrounding valley. While the hike is short (approximately 5 miles), it will be a very challenging climb from the Roaring Creek Valley to the top of Little Hump. For more info or to register for this hike, contact Kana Miller at kana@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext. 205.
“For Love of Beer & Mountains” Lost Cove Release Party Date: Friday, May 15 | | Time: 4 - 9 pm Where: Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, NC Highland Brewing Company donates $1 from each pint sold at the seasonal release parties to SAHC, supporting our ongoing land & water conservation efforts. Enjoy FREE music starting at 7 pm at this family-friendly event. THANK YOU for helping us raise $1,300 at the last Release Party!
About the “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Partnership Highland Brewing Company (HBC) has partnered with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help raise awareness of the beauty and uniqueness of our region’s resources and bring attention to efforts to protect them. HBC names each seasonal release for a feature of our natural landscape, and SAHC organizes outings to celebrate and enjoy these remarkable places.
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Pa r t n e r s h i p s | B U S I N E S S C O M M U N I T Y Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club
Corporate Partner Profile “Eastman’s commitment to environmental stewardship is integrated into all aspects of our business. As Eastman has grown as a company, our corporate responsibility team has worked to develop a robust comprehensive global strategy focused on public/private partnerships that protect and improve the world we share. Eastman and SAHC share many of the same goals. By working together and coordinating resources, we can make a much bigger difference.” – CeeGee McCord, Manager, Global Public, Corporate Responsibility & Community Affairs An SAHC Corporate Partner at the Cold Mountain level, Eastman is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. They have leading positions in transportation, building and construction, and consumables. Headquartered in Kingsport, TN, Eastman employs approximately 15,000 team members around the world and serves customers in approximately 100 countries.
favors products on the side of global sustainability.
Eastman defines sustainability as creating value through economic growth, environmental stewardship and societal responsibility now and for future generations. Eastman recognizes that this triple bottom line approach to meeting the world’s ever increasing demands without bankrupting its scarce natural resources is the way to enable future generations to enjoy a high quality of life. With their corporate headquarters in the “Eastman’s commitment to TN foothills of the Appalachian environmental stewardship is Mountains, they are very aware of the importance in not taking this integrated into all aspects of beautiful world for granted.
our business.”
Eastman has had a long history of protecting natural resources because of the value and importance to its operations, and because it’s the right thing to do. Sustainability is a key element of Eastman’s corporate growth strategy because the company recognizes that demand for new materials solutions
SAHC’s focus in East TN and WNC make us a natural partner for Eastman in protecting and preserving lands very close to where a large part of their employee population live and work. Eastman has long been active in maintaining and enhancing sections of the Appalachian Trail in the same areas that we protect and, in fact, were part of the founding members of SAHC.
For more info, visit: www.eastman.com
Perspective by Joe DeLoach, former SAHC President and Eastman employee
“It is not a stretch to say that Eastman people founded SAHC. Longtime SAHC member Frank Oglesby founded the Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club (TEHCC) and was a mentor to Eastman employee and SAHC Founder Stan Murray. The acquisitions of Hump Mountain and the west face of Grassy Ridge are, to me, the greatest legacies of the contributions of Eastman people to the Roan Highlands. Those specific accomplishments came about from the underlying philosophy that the Appalachian Trail should be strongly protected. Stan, Frank, Ray Hunt, Darrol Nickels, and many others lived that philosophy. I am proud to have had a small role in following giants like this, and learning from them One of my happiest days was when SAHC acquired the crest of Grassy Ridge. It is hard to imagine what the Roan Highlands would be like with homes and developments on Hump and Grassy Ridge. Thanks to our predecessors, they aren’t.”
Members of TEHCC work on a trail relocation north of Hughes Gap.
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Upcoming Hikes & Events! “For Love of Beer & Mountains� Little Hump Hike May 9
Appalachian Spring Member Event May 21
Catawba Falls Hike May 29
Land Trust Day and Guided Hikes June 6
June Jamboree June 20
Remember SAHC with a gift of cash or stock. Our Wells Fargo account number is 4205-3519 and the DTC number for transfers is 0141. Your broker can arrange the transfer for you or call our office for assistance at 828.253.0095.
Grassy Ridge Mow-Off July 18 - 19 See pg 18 for more events & details. Follow us online for recent updates!
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