Winter 2019 View from the Highlands

View

2019 Winter Issue

from the Highlands

Protecting the World’s Oldest Mountains

Appalachian Trail, Highlands of Roan Photo by Travis Bordley

Conserving Mountains • Farms • Streams • Habitat

Letter from the Director “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...”

~ Henry David Thoreau

You make conservation possible.

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

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

We are so grateful to everyone who gave at year-end and for all our members who sustain us throughout the year. We were blessed with your generosity and very much appreciate the beautiful sentiments and personal stories that many of you share with us. As we continue to grow as an organization our funding needs increase; we are very fortunate to have many supporters and partners who give so generously to make our work possible. None of this happens without you.

We are currently working to complete 24 more land and conservation easement acquisitions. We are also convening broad partnership efforts to steward the Highlands of Roan, engaging new partners in our education programs, and organizing exciting outings to connect more people with nature.

We look forward to celebrating our 45th Anniversary this year with our Appalachian Spring event at USA Raft in Erwin, TN. Please look for more info about this, and other important member communications in the near future.

Carl Silverstein Executive Director Map: SAHC Conservation Focus Areas

Staff

Carl Silverstein Executive Director Kristy Urquhart Associate Director Michelle Pugliese Land Protection Director Jess Laggis Farmland Protection Director Hanni Muerdter Conservation Director Marquette Crockett Roan Stewardship Director Sarah Sheeran Stewardship Director Chris Kaase Stewardship Associate Cheryl Fowler Membership Director Lisa Fancher Finance Compliance Director Angela Shepherd Communications Director Pauline Heyne Director of Philanthropy Chris Link Community Farm Manager Lauren McTigue Nature Experience Director

AmeriCorps Whisper Moore

Israel Golden

Larissa Robinov Cate Jaffe Emma Rast

2 |

Communications & Community Engagement Member Conservation Education & Volunteer Member Land Protection & Education Member Stewardship & Volunteer Member Stewardship & Volunteer Member

Highlands Appalachian Trail of Countryside Roan Smoky Mountains

French Broad Black River Mountains Valley

Balsam Mountains

Protect

Steward

Connect

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

Co n necting Peop le with Lan d “Since becoming a Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy member, many wonders have been revealed to me within the magical Southern Appalachian area. Staff, volunteers, hike leaders, naturalists, forest rangers and other like-minded new friends welcomed me, and I participated in extraordinary outings on protected lands. From educational wildflower hikes and bird-watching adventures to yoga-onthe-mountain, I’ve delighted in sightings of Golden-winged Warblers, salamanders, the rare Gray’s lily, native herbs, trees, lichen, fungi and — yes, even grasses. Pristine wilderness waterfalls, rivers and creeks provided cool cascades, and I’ve discovered just how special these ancient highlands are not only to me, but also to thousands of migratory birds and animals. ” ~ Kathy Seguin Benn, SAHC member

Stories from the Southern Sixer Challenge More than 40 peaks in the Southern Appalachians of NC and TN reach over 6,000 feet elevation, and most of these “Southern Sixer” summits fall within our six conservation focus areas. Many of these peaks can be accessed from public lands and trails — such as Mt. Mitchell, Roan High Knob, Mount Kephart, Black Balsam Knob, and more. We are continuing our Southern Sixer Hiking Challenge — hike at least six of these 6,000+ ft. peaks to get a commemorative patch!

Congratulations to all those who have completed the challenge, and thank you for sharing your stories and photos! Here are a couple of them: Waterrock Knob “After Chemo, I was looking for something to do that would celebrate my journey through healing and being cancer free. Hiking six peaks over 6,000 feet in NC & TN before the end of 2018 was the right challenge. I began with Waterrock Knob, an easy hike for most, but several times I thought about heading back to the parking lot! Glad I didn’t. Those who were heading back down the trail after reaching the top urged me to keep going. I did and was treated to a fantastic view. What a good feeling to reach the top!”

— Angela Ramage, Southern Sixer hiker — Challenge completed!

Grassy Ridge Bald “If you time Grassy Ridge Bald just right for the Rhododendron bloom, you will not find a more gorgeous hike in the Southern Appalachians. The Roan Highlands are my favorite place in the world to hike and I’ve been here many times over the years. It was hard to pick just one photo to submit but this is from 2018, when I took my daughter up here for her first visit. She was blown away.”

— Pete Whipple, Southern Sixer hiker — Challenge completed!

Read more and join the Challenge at Appalachian.org/SouthernSixer.

Connecting People with Land | Winter 2019 View from the Highlands | 3

French Broad River Valley Focus Area

Rogers Cove

Picturesque Farmland in Haywood County

Rogers Cove in the Crabtree Community. (Landscape photos by Johnny Davison)

Hugged by mountains and tucked away in the scenic Crabtree community of Haywood County, Rogers Cove contains beautiful rolling pastures and forested hills that stir the imagination.

We have permanently protected 385 acres of productive, scenic farmland in this cove through agricultural conservation easements.

“The Rogers family has farmed this land for at least four generations and wanted to see it stay farmland forever,” says Farmland Protection Director Jess Laggis.

Highly visible from scenic drives along Crabtree Mountain Road and Upper Crabtree Road, as well as from hikes on Crabtree Bald, conserved land in this picturesque cove is made up of multiple adjoining tracts owned by members

The Rogers farm is a NC Century Farm.

of the Rogers family. The family has farmed this cove for over 150 years. Designated a NC Century Farm, the Rogers Cove properties include a mixture of high elevation 4 |

cattle grazing pasture and prime agricultural bottomlands.

“Rogers Cove makes time travel possible,” adds Jess. “Walking through Rogers Cove feels like a step back in time, but in it, I also see the future. I know that in 10 years, or even 50, when I look back at the farmland protection work SAHC has accomplished, Rogers Cove will always be vibrant.”

Family members Edwin & Lucene (Cenie) Rogers, Mark & Laura Rogers, and Terry & Fran Rogers worked together with us to protect their adjoining properties.

Sadly, Edwin passed away in 2017, before he saw completion of this effort; we are deeply grateful that the family was able to continue working with SAHC to permanently protect the land.

Edwin Rogers, who was designated a River Friendly Farmer by the

View from the Highlands Winter 2019 | Land Protection Updates

Haywood County Soil & Water Conservation District, farmed in Rogers Cove his whole life.

Edwin and his son Mark worked closely together to keep the farm in excellent condition by installing stream-side fencing and water tanks and using rotational grazing practices. Terry Rogers also installed best management practices on his farm to protect water quality of streams in the Pigeon River watershed. The Pigeon River Fund, a grant program administered by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, provided support for this project.

Terry – who has been president of the Haywood County Farm Bureau, Treasurer of the Haywood County Cattlemen’s Association, and president of the WNC Beef Cattle Commission – has also farmed in Rogers Cove his whole life. Terry inherited the property from his mother, who worked the land all her life and was the granddaughter of noted community doctor and

We are grateful to all of our members, the Rogers family, The Pigeon River Fund,

Brad and Shelli Stanback, and the NC Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund for protecting this historically important, thriving farm.

Site visit in Rogers Cove (L to R): Alison Davidson (Pigeon River Fund committee member), Laura Rogers (Landowner), Jess Laggis (SAHC), Tara Scholtz (CFWNC), and Dyatt Smathers (Pigeon River Fund committee member).

Partner Perspective: The Pigeon River Fund

Conservation easements now protect 385 acres of productive farmland.

Landowner Perspective: Mark Rogers Three basic things prompted our family to preserve this farmland.

Foremost, the belief that protecting farmland is important for future generations. Also there is the sentimental factor for protecting property that has been in the family for a long time. And last, just the aesthetics’ of farm land vs. a subdivision.

This land today is a summation of all that my ancestors have invested into it over the past 4+ generations. This land is still used as it was with my early ancestors, and I would hate to see that change to another use that would not complement and build on what’s already gone into it. I am also sensitive to farmland reduction in the past 100 years and how that can effect food sustainability.

I truly relished the lifestyle offered by growing up on a farm and having relatives and good neighbors all around. As children we were free to roam. When I was 4 yrs old I remember deciding to run away from home. It was a sunny winter morning where the overnight frost was just melting as I trudged through the woods to the ridgeline between our house and my grandparents. I walked down to a barn where my uncle was sacking up silage and when I told him I was running away. He told me to go say goodbye to my grandmother before I left. When I walked up to her house and told her, all she said was to have a sausage biscuit before I left. Somehow, I forgot that I was running away.

I want my actions to continue to be a good steward of this property in the same fashion my ancestors did.

“One focus of the Pigeon River Watershed Plan is reducing development density on steep mountain slopes,” says Tara Scholtz, Senior Program Officer with The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC).

French Broad River Valley Focus Area

banker Rachel Eleanor Ferguson Noland. Rachel Eleanor was a pioneering woman who traded livestock, farmed, and worked in her loomhouse to make a living for her family. She served as a community doctor, taking her little black satchel with her when neighbors asked her to come and “doctor” their sick. She also served as a community banker, loaning money out to neighbors so they could buy a farm, build a house, or pay their bills.

“Reducing development density means fewer roads, house sites, driveways, and other structures and infrastructure that negatively affect the watershed. Reducing density also reduces the number and size of impervious surfaces in the watershed and the associated stormwater runoff.

Farmland conservation is one of the plan’s specific strategies for reducing development density, but transactions to conserve farmland often take time. The Pigeon River Fund was pleased to assist SAHC in protecting hundreds of acres of Rogers Cove agricultural land that would otherwise undoubtedly be a target for future development.”

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

SAH C Community Farm Conservation • Education • Celebration This 135-acre productive farm has a story to tell. We have combined the property’s agricultural history with innovative projects that look to the future — providing land and resources for aspiring farmers, environmental education opportunities for the community, and more.

The farm is quiet but still active in winter.

Updates from the Farm We enjoy the break in buzzing activity that comes every January. But the farm is not completely dormant; this season is valuable for planning and preparing.

“I could wax poetic about the meditative frosty mornings and the fun flurry of animals moving around,” says Community Farm Manger Chris Link, “But there’s much work to be done on our ongoing projects here. We’re planning work in the stream restoration area, preparing the community Farmto-Kitchen space which will open to the public this spring, and organizing educational workshops.”

Headwaters Market Garden will be seeding and growing early spring crops in February. Look for them at the Asheville

City Market downtown this Spring!

We also hope to expand our team of Incubator Program farm businesses.

If you or someone you know needs to take the next step in developing a farm business, contact us about our Farmer Incubator Program.

Goats help manage kudzu on the farm.

Applied Herbivory This past year 14 goats from KD Ecological Services helped manage invasive plant species on 10 acres of the farm. They rotated through four project areas from April 2018 through January

2019, munching through kudzu, privet, Japanese honeysuckle, and more.

“The goats were happy and healthy,” says Chris, “They controlled 95% of invasive plant vegetation in the areas where we had them, and their coats look gorgeous.”

The goats are part of a multi-prong approach to remove kudzu on the farm.

Applied herbivory is a time-consuming but ecologically beneficial management strategy. The goats will not eradicate the kudzu, but they help contain and manage it while supporting the goat herd. And, they are so charismatic they were featured on a WLOS News 13 feature story last year! So far, the goats have reclaimed about 4 acres of pasture, which can now be used for livestock in our Farmer Incubator Program. They will return to ‘work’ on the farm in late spring.

We are planning a full calendar of farm workshops for 2019, with topics including: • • • • • •

Two-wheel “Walk Behind” Tractor Demonstration & Maintenance SAHC Community Farm Kitchen: How to do value-added products Food Safety Training with NC Cooperative Extension Tractor 101 for Women Protecting your biggest asset on the farm: Your Body Farm Planning & Design: Sub series with educational volunteer days

Tractor 101 for Women Workshop

Dates & details TBA. Visit Appalachian.org for farm workshop updates and registration, or contact Chris Link at chris@appalachian.org to be added to an email list for 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.

6 |

View from the Highlands

Winter 2019 | Our Community Farm

Weddings at th e C o mmuni ty Far m Nuptials for Nature Celebrate your commitment to the person you love while helping to safeguard important habitat, clean water, farmland and places to play. Weddings and events at our Community Farm directly benefit our conservation and education programs. Each event leaves a ripple of positive impact on local communities and the future of conserved lands in NC and TN. Nestled in a pastoral landscape less than a mile from the French Broad River, the farm features indoor and outdoor reception areas, all with incredible views. The venue faces west, creating wonderful vantage points to enjoy sunsets framed by Mt. Pisgah and the Newfound Mountain range.

We offer a variety of wedding packages, from intimate elopements to all-day events for up to 180 guests.

The venue features: • Wedding ceremony space tucked into the shadows of a 200–year-old oak • 30’ x 60’ stone patio space overlooking scenic mountain views • Recently remodeled 2 BR, 2 BA farmhouse (Also available for short-term rental) • Indoor event space and 10’ x 30’ deck with scenic farm & mountain views • Community Farm-to-Table Kitchen • And more!

Perspective on Our Farm Wedding: Chris & Katey Coxen We wanted to bring our friends and family to a place that captured the magic of Western NC and had the flexibility to accommodate our logistical needs. The farm could not have been more perfect. It’s amazing that such a beautiful, rural setting is so close to town.

The little details that make the farm so special are now wrapped up in all of the memories of our wedding — the late summer wildflowers, the mountains in the background, and the fireflies.

We loved the fact that our event helped support the conservation of this special place and the mission of SAHC. We have so much respect for the conservation work they do in the region, and we were proud to share that mission with our friends and family. Conserved farmland makes for some incredible wedding photos, too!

Find o ut M o re at A ppal ac h ian . o rg/ We d d in g s Our Community Farm | Winter 2019 View from the Highlands | 7

Yo ut h Ed u ca tio n

Students from Stephens Lee Recreation Center enjoyed hands-on outdoor recreation activities at our Community Farm

Communications and Community Engagement AmeriCorps member Whisper Moore has been working with several youth programs - including the Stephens Lee Recreation Center and Linwood Crump Shiloh Center afterschool programs (part of City of Asheville Parks & Rec), Youth Transformed for Life, YMCA of WNC, Girl Scouts, and Buncombe County ESL (English as Second Language) classes. She leads creative programs to engage kids, such as animal yoga - where poses mimic local species like black bear and flying squirrel.

Her programs with Stephens Lee groups, dubbed “Wanderings with Whisper” include on-site conservation education programs as well as field trips to get students to experience the outdoors.

We have offered various youth education programs overs the years - from “Kids in the Creek” guided family-friendly outings on conservation properties to educational tours and student volunteer days on our Community Farm. This year, we are working with City of Asheville Parks and Recreation facilities and other established community groups to help provide programming for afterschool students.

“Youth outreach is one way we focus on the concept of equity – sharing resources and experiences with students and community programs,” says Whisper.

She organized a field trip for students to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and meet parkway superintendent J. D. Lee. They learned about the cultural and natural history along the parkway, then enjoyed a brief walk along the visitor center loop trail.

In another field trip, students learned Leave No Trace principles at our Community Farm. We talked about preparing for outdoor adventures — and the students took turns going through first aid kits, discussing gear for camping, putting up tents, and running relay races carrying packs of different weights.

We followed up with a sweet treat -

roasting marshmallows!

“Youth outreach is a critical part of our ‘forever’ mission,” says Whisper. “SAHC protects habitat, clean water, farmland, scenic views, and places for people to enjoy outdoor recreation for the benefit of present and future generations. The youth are the future generations, and our education programs are a way to involve them in the future of land and water conservation.”

Students particularly enjoyed making S’mores at the farm for their outdoor recreation field trip.

AmeriCorps — Where are they now?

Rich Preyer – Environmental Educator at The NC Arboreturm & SAHC Trustee “AmeriCorps Project Conserve has many spectacular host sites, but I was completely smitten with SAHC. In the fall of 2011, I was lucky enough to join the family and serve two terms as the AmeriCorps Awareness and Outreach Member. I am grateful for many opportunities to learn and polish professional skills that I now use in my work as an Environmental Educator at The North Carolina Arboretum.

My time at SAHC helped me realize where I wanted to head next and what I wanted in a profession — to work with kids in environmental education. I teach students about habit fragmentation, wildlife corridors, and watersheds — conservation tenets in which I became well versed while working at SAHC. My hope is that by providing children with exceptional learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom, the next generation will carry the conservation torch forward and be effective stewards of our planet. I have SAHC to thank for cultivating that ethic in me.”

8|

View from the Highlands

Winter 2019 | Conservation In Action

F ie ld Jo u r n a l AmeriCorps Communications & Community Engagement Member Whisper Moore

In November, I led an afterschool group from Stephens Lee Recreation Center to experience birding at the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary in North Asheville. Bethany Sheffer and Simon Thompson of the Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society chapter joined us to share their expertise.

Bethany and Simon gave a brief lesson on birding and showed students how to use binoculars by spotting a particular point on a sign. Then they headed out together to spot some resident birds that stay at the Sanctuary year-round. As they ventured over to look at some Canada Geese across the waterway, one student exclaimed “Look at the mountains!”

Quite a few of the students told me that they don’t often get to experience the outdoors except for a playground. They don’t often have the opportunity to really venture out into nature even though it’s in their backyards.

Once the students were deep into the bird Sanctuary, they came across a blue heron. Many of them had never seen one before, let alone as close up as this one. “I didn’t know those were real,” said one student. Then, the blue heron took off and the students were able to see its full wingspan in flight. It was the highlight of the trip! At the conclusion of the outing another girl asked if they could all come out to the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary again.

Coming out here and seeing the expressions on these kids is why I do what I do. I love that I get to help foster that sense of wonder and amazement in the natural environment.

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

High l a n d s of Ro an Stewa rd ship

Feral Hog Update

We are entering our fifth year of coordinated efforts to manage invasive feral hogs in the Highlands of Roan. They damage the fragile, globally important ecosystems of the Roan as they “root,” eating rare species and tearing up the terrain. They also spread multiple diseases and pose a safety threat to outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

NOT your favorite trail partners — These scary looking swine are standing on the Appalachian Trail, where it crosses 19-E on the TN side of the Highlands of Roan. We continue to convene partnerships to address feral hog problems in the Roan.

“Since feral hogs can have devastating impacts on plants and wildlife, as well as human and livestock health, their invasion requires coordinating a broad group of partners,” explains Marquette Crockett, SAHC’s Roan Stewardship Director. “This includes federal and state agencies in both NC and TN.”

“The situation remains grim,” says Marquette. “Although we have noticed reduced impact in some of the areas where there has been a lot of trapping, funding for the federal trapping program has been reduced. We need more resources in order to effectively control the population of feral hogs.”

Last fall, SAHC’s Seasonal Ecologist Travis Bordley reported sighting feral hogs standing on the AT near 19-E in Carter County, TN. “We are beginning to see more feral hogs on the TN side of the Roan,” adds Crockett. “They appear to be moving across the mountain.”

Feral hogs near the AT.

Members of the Feral Hog Working Group include: USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Services in both TN and NC, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, NC state parks, TN Wildlife Resources Agency, TN Dept. of Energy & Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, Cherokee Nat’l Forest, Pisgah Nat’l Forest, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and private landowners.

Although trapping efforts have removed 40-50 feral hogs from the Roan each year, it’s still not enough to effectively control the population.

10 | View from the Highlands

Partners in the Feral Hog Working Group undertake a collaborative effort to address the threat – pooling data, reports and wildlife camera imagery to analyze the population growth, movement, and impact. This year, the partners plan to focus on data collection in order to inform plans for managing these invasive hogs. They will also continue to actively trap and remove feral hogs.

“We plan to have more than 100 cameras going out in 2019,” explains Crockett. “We are trying to get a clearer picture of how they are using the landscape, so we can improve strategic plans for removing them.”

Winter 2019 | Conservation In Action

Safety Tips: • Invasive hogs can be aggressive, especially when defending their young. They may weigh up to 300 lbs, have sharp tusks, and can charge very quickly.

• Be alert! Know the signs and tracks of hogs and avoid areas they have used, especially at dusk or dawn when hogs are most active.

• Avoid water sources that have been used by invasive hogs – humans can contract multiple diseases from water sources contaminated by hogs and their feces.

• Hogs will generally try to avoid contact with humans, but may become aggressive if surprised, especially if piglets are present.

• If you encounter a hog on the trail, re-route your hike to avoid them. If a re-route is not possible, keep a safe distance and wait for the hogs to leave before continuing.

• If faced with an aggressive hog, the best option for protecting yourself is to climb the nearest tree.

• If directly charged by a hog, you should quickly sidestep out of the direction of the charge and climb the nearest tree or boulder.

Please report feral hog occurrences to 1-866-4-USDA-WS.

Up coming Hikes & Eve nts

Hike Appalachia

Sunday, March 17 Location TBA Join us on a hike to an iconic Appalachian conservation property to celebrate the can release of Wicked Weed’s Appalachia IPA, with 10% of sales supporting SAHC. Details TBA

Worm Moon Hike Thursday, March 21 Discovery Trail at SAHC Community Farm Our full moon evening hikes have been so popular we are continuing them as a series! The Worm Moon is the last full moon before the Spring equinox, signaling the end of winter and stirring of new life in the Earth. Join our Community Farm Manager, Chris Link, as he shares info about agriculture and changing seasons. More details TBA.

WNC for the Planet Kickoff Party Saturday, March 31 • 12 - 2 pm New Belgium Brewery in Asheville We know the environment is bigger than just Earth Day, so organizations, businesses, and educational institutions across the region band together to do service and education projects throughout April. Join us for an Earth Month kickoff party as part of WNC for the Planet!

Save the Dates! Details TBA Appalachian Spring

Thursday, May 16 USA Raft on the Nolichucky in Erwin, TN

Land Trust Day Saturday, June 1 Regional

June Jamboree Saturday, June 15 Highlands of Roan

Grassy Ridge Mow-Off July 20-21 Highlands of Roan

Photo by Michelle Latker

It’s Your Backyard: On the Doorstep of Paradise April 6-7 Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Center, Asheville Last year, national parks ambassadors Frank and Audrey Peterman visited our region and spoke at UNC Asheville about the importance of engaging diverse groups in stewarding and enjoying our public lands. Their visit inspired a few local individuals to form Pathways to Parks, a nature group committed to getting people of color out to enjoy and take ownership in their public lands.

SAHC, in cooperation with Pathways to Parks and City of Asheville Parks & Recreation, is hosting a series of “It’s Your Backyard” events this spring at community centers where we have been working with youth groups.

On Saturday, April 6, we welcome back guest speakers Audrey and Frank Peterman, along with AT thru-hiker Daniel White, “The Blackalachian,” for a special event promoting outdoor recreation and conservation careers.

On Sunday, April 7, these guest speakers will lead outings to “Experience Your Backyard.” Details TBA. This 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.

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

We offer more hikes and outings than we can include in our printed newsletter. 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.

Upcoming Hikes & Events | Winter 2019 View from the Highlands | 11

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

Corporate Partners

Partner Profile: Witherspoon, Platt & Associates

Mt. Mitchell: $25,000+ Witherspoon, Platt & Associates Bernhardt Furniture Waterrock Knob: $15,000+ New Morning Ltd. Salesforce Roan Mountain: $10,000+ Biltmore Estate Eastman Chemical Company Mast General Store Wicked Weed Brewing Cold Mountain: $5,000+ Appalachian Realty Associates Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo Causeway Interactive Highland Brewing Company Parsec Financial Management RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide Big Yellow: $2,500+ Anchor QEA Kee Mapping & Surveying Samsel Architects USA Raft Max Patch: $1,000+ Apple, Inc. Blue Heron Whitewater Borg Warner Foundation Duke Energy Foundation East West Capital, LLC Eastman Credit Union Equinox Environmental French Broad River Garden Club Google, Inc Heritage Restoration & Construction Jubilee! Community LOVE Furniture and Design McLucas Ventures 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 12 |

View from the Highlands

Our Corporate Partners at Witherspoon Platt & Associates recognize that SAHC’s conservation work directly impacts quality of life in our region. They are a full service conservation-focused real estate brokerage located in Brevard, NC. “To live in Western North Carolina – among well-worn mountains, waterfalls, valleys, rivers, hidden creeks, forests and open meadows – is to be constantly immersed in and awed by beauty,” says John Witherspoon. “We devote ourselves to its preservation, not just because we want our children and grandchildren to know what we know – but because we simply can’t imagine a world without this landscape.”

“Formerly known as Conservation Advisors of NC, we’ve been helping environmentally minded owners preserve open spaces, and protect the integrity and value of their land since 1998. Our team bridges the gap between landowners, land trusts, biologists, and land planners, so together we can ensure the long-term protection of the scenic beauty, wildlife habitat, water quality, and other natural attributes of the Southern Appalachians. Through conservation easements and more sustainable development, we help owners preserve their beloved and valuable lands, achieve estate, state, and federal tax benefits, and ensure that the pristine beauty of Western North Carolina endures for generations to come.”

More info at wpanc.com We are incredibly grateful to Witherspoon Platt & Associates for supporting SAHC at the Mt. Mitchell level!

Our Real Estate Partner Program provides many ways to support conservation — such as giving gift memberships to thank clients at closing.

To become one of our Corporate Partners or for more info about our Real Estate Partner Program, contact Cheryl Fowler at cheryl@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext 209.

Welcome, New Business Members!

Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville The Elizabethton Bird Club Twin Leaf Brewery Westside Unitarian Universalist Church Wicked Weed Brewing

Winter 2019 | Thank you for Your Support!

Memb ers’ Corn er

Photo by WItt Langstaff, Jr.

New Members (As of January 31) William Abbuehl & Rose Levering Phillip & Toni Alge Dan Arnett Charles Baer Kevin Barry Annie Bauer Willard Bauman Lauren & Christine Bechtol Jeff, Katie & Henry Belflower Lawrence Berglund Rory A. Bowers Casey Brown & Aparna Keshaviah Mildred Buchanan Linda Carpay Nico Casale David Cohen Amelia Craver TanyaMarie Cummings & Larry Pender Tom Cunningham Terry Davis & Gail Hyde Kim Dellinger Carol Diamond & Jo Wade Jay Dieckhaus Robert & Michaelann Dimitrijevich

Elizabeth Dossett Michael & Carol Dzvonik Rosie Eisenberg Vivian Ellner Jo Anne Fischer Susan Fowler Sonya Friedrich Gaston & Beth Gage Adam Garry Theodore Ghiz & Ronald Mill Joan Glynn Bryan & Mary Grieme Josh & Mitzi Harding Elizabeth Harrelson Clay & Becky Haskins Michael & Colleen Hettich Scott Hicks Bethany Hodges Dru T. James Brenda Jefferies Debby Jones Bruce & Charis Kabat David Kendall Anne Banks Kitchens John Koenig Trish Krider Martha & John Leath Alan Leiserson Carolyn Lewellen Janet & John Lindsley William & Barbara Little Jason Mann Peter Marks

Barry Martin Ann Mason Mollie McCullough John McGrann Vic & Melissa McMillan Bob & Jimmie Miller Molly Milroy & Daniel Shearin Carolyn Morrisroe Margo Mulligan Marc Murphy Dianne Naff Martha & Don Neblett Lisa Neill John Noss Brickey Nuchols Susan Nugent Robin & Genevieve Olds Judith Owen Andrew Patterson Evelyn M. Pauly Robert Payne Jon Pertee Sally & Bill Pete Dennis Pevarski Dana Plitt Linda Prucino J. Crayton Pruitt, Jr. Ken Rea Nicole Riley Patsy Roberts Mark & Laura Rogers Gene & Jean Rogers Mary Rogers Richard & Hunter Rogers Terry & Fran Rogers Sam Ruark-Eastes Sheafe Satterthwaite Leslie Schoof Alison & David Schuetze Jeannie Sessoms Colleen Sharpe

Elaine Smith Ina Soto Jeff Tarantino Terry Taylor-Allen Nathan Terpstra Bruce & Linda Thompson Maia Toll Erik Tolsma Adam Tripp Harry & Pat Turner Robert Udashen Laura Uherka Daniel Walton Linda Welsh Kenneth & Deborah Wertheim Andy & Marsha White Douglas Williams Hunt & Debra Williams Sarah & David Williams Wells and Karen Williams Andy & Meaghan Wolfe Emily & Nick Zairowski

Snowball Mountain hike

Welcome to all our new members and special thanks to Mark File of RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide for donating the Protected Places 2019 calendars, which helped support our 2018 new member drive!

Thank you for Your Support! | Winter 2019 View from the Highlands | 13

Tributes

In honor of Jack & Amy Boyles Art & Charlotte Ellis In honor of Kelly “Wrangler” Brady Michael Brady In honor of Tom & Jo Brock Art & Charlotte Ellis In honor of Elizabeth Cheesborough Charles & Jeanne Cummings In honor of Carol T. Coffey Andrew Coffey In honor of Leigh DeForth & Van Whitehead Marilyn Duke Ted Huntoon Jason Mann Angela Viney In honor of Claire Ellington Richard Ellington In honor of DeMette S. Ginn Donald & Elizabeth Wilkes In honor of Michael & Leslie Harvey Betty & Fred Gittinger In honor of Jeff & Lee Hatling Maggie, Frannie & Thomas Hatling In honor of Alan & Chrissy Householder Glenda & Darrell Eastridge In honor of Malcolm Kendall Charles & Jeanne Cummings In honor of Cameron Kurowski John Kurowski In honor of Jay Leutze Charlie & Ann Baker Jamie & Elizabeth Kiser In honor of Bill & Dee Dee Maxwell R. Fielding & Julia Lewis In honor of Laura McCue Charles & Jeanne Cummings 14 |

View from the Highlands

In honor of Judy Murray & Tom Gatti Art & Charlotte Ellis In honor of Stan Murray Ellen & Hank Lyle In honor of Len Pardue Dave Pardue In honor of Ray & Penny Ponder Rayburn & Martha Dean In honor of Amy & Steve Quinn Art & Charlotte Ellis In honor of Steward & Bob Richens Stan Global In honor of Bill Ryan Lee Ryan & Nancy Aalberg In honor of Ed Schell Ellen & Hank Lyle In honor of John Schlotterbeck Barbara Steinson In honor of Zane & Rebecca Scott Art & Charlotte Ellis In honor of David Smith Pat Dunn & Lee Ann Smith In honor of Jasper & Ellis Tait Megan Sutton & Andy Tait In honor of Tom & Vivian Todd Art & Charlotte Ellis In honor of Harry & Pat Turner Art & Charlotte Ellis In honor of Frony Ward & Allan Morgan Sylvia Dry In honor of Thomas Ward Harold & Libby Ward In honor of Jonathon Warner Sandra Jilton In honor of Rebecca Withrow & Brian Wurst Naomi Slifkin

In Remembrance

Late last year, we lost two of the devoted people who helped craft SAHC into the strong organization we are today. We join family and friends in mourning the passing of founding member Lewis Carson and dedicated volunteer Joan Worth.

Lewis A. Carson

One of SAHC’s founding members, Lewis grew up in Orangeburg, SC. Lewis and wife Doris enjoyed a life of abundant travel and environmental service.

His son Lewis remembers: “The mountains were in their blood and SAHC was an important part of that love. We used to attend the events in Crossnore as a family and loved the programs and hikes. Lewis, Sr. was part of the TEHC in the early days with Stan Murray and others. The top of the Roan massif was a part of my growing up with them.

We cherish being members of this organization.

SAHC is an excellent example of a non-profit with a great idea and great people that has gone forward over the years to achieve more and more each and every year. I love the addition of outreach to goals beyond land acquisition and stewardship.”

(Photo of Lewis Carson, Sr. by Linda Coffey)

Joan Worth Joan grew up in Knoxville, TN and lived in Asheville for the past 20 years. She is rememberd by loved ones as being beautiful, intelligent, inquisitive, creative, and generous with her love and attention. Her memory will forever be in our hearts and in these Appalachian mountains that she knew and loved so dearly. Her presence is reflected in the rhododendron blossoms and Gray’s lily on Roan Mountain, in the trillium and maidenhair ferns of the Great Smoky Mountains, and in the heights of the summits of Mt Pisgah, Cold Mtn and Mt LeConte.

“Joan was such a happy presence in the office and at special events when she was volunteering,” remembers Membership Director Cheryl Fowler.

“She is missed dearly.”

Winter 2019 | Thank you for Your Support!

Memorials

Photo by WItt Langstaff, Jr.

In Remembrance: Bootsie Hansen

“On Big Yellow Mountain Bootsie enjoyed the bounty of her garden and other simple pleasures,” reflects SAHC Trustee Jay Leutze. “She loved to tend her blueberry bushes.

Picking wild berries and cooking jam was an annual ritual, as was canning apple sauce from the many heirloom varieties she found at Johnson’s Small Fruit or the Hump Mountain Apple House. One year she and two friends spread old bedsheets under an heirloom apple tree to catch the wild grapes they shook off an ancient vine. Neighbors shared in the haul and they are still telling stories about that batch of jam. When Maude and Pauline Buchanan down on Birchfield Creek had an overabundance of currants weighing down their bushes, Bootsie was the first friend they called to share in the harvest. She kept an inventory of living American chestnut trees on Big Yellow and nursed the ones on the hill behind her house hoping to bring one or more to maturity.

Bootsie was always up for an adventure on or off the mountain. She planned hikes, picnics, and potluck suppers. She loved hosting friends for dinner and her kitchen was always a hive of activity. She loved to go to local pottery studios and craft galleries up and down the Toe River valley with her friends Kim Lowndes and Kathy Leutze. She was a regular at the gem show in Spruce Pine and knew most of the Penland potters by name.

In Memory of Dr. John Aull Helen Gift In Memory of Nels Arnold Leanne Apfelbeck & Bonnie Snyder Nancy Duffy Brenda Jefferies Siri-Gian K. Khalsa Margaret & Glenn Palmer Donna Sapp Ariel Zijp In Memory of Marie Watters Colton & Henry Elliott Colton Elizabeth Colton In Memory of Jim Crews Mary Crews In Memory of Marshal Fisher Robert Fisher In Memory of Dr. Robert Ford Keith & Patricia Hargrove In Memory of Rosie Gehlbach Jeffrey Gehlbach In Memory of Mildred “Bootsie” Hansen Kim Barnhardt Christopher Farmer Amanda & John Fulcher Sally George Jeff & Lee Hatling Jan Kransberger Witt & Beth Langstaff, Jr. Lisa Lawwill Jay Leutze Kathleen Leutze Damaso & Francie Lopez Jean Margeson Tom & Sara Masters Patricia McDonough Walter & Kimiko Miller Anthony Montanari Blair & Ivon D. Rohrer, Jr. Mrs. Samuel Sibley Ingrid Wood Helen Wray

In Memory of Karen Hoskins Randall & Nancy Raskin In Memory of John Lowndes Sally Long In Memory of Dr. Donald Mackay Helen Gift In Memory of John Moore Elizabeth Blakely In Memory of Jim Skeen Arthur & Denise Foley In Memory of Nancy Sommer Sebastian Sommer In Memory of David Swann Nancy Swann In Memory of Barbara Weintraub Sandra Spooner In Memory of Dr. Barry Whitsel Eliza Brown Michael Bynum David & Pam Cashwell William Dickinson Eugene Hackney Alan & Anne Haig Jeff & Lee Hatling Jay Leutze Brad & Paige Moody Cindy Mull Ernest & Mary Schoenfeld Susan Sternburg & Jim Epstein Cheryl Vierck In Memory of Joan Worth James Bound Katherine Conklin In Memory of Phyllis C. Zemp Lach Zemp

Until her final decline Bootsie roamed the woods and trails of Yellow Mountain with her family, treasured friends, and often with one of the family dogs. She loved to watch the change of seasons, celebrated the arrival of migratory songbirds, and delighted in spotting wildflowers, both common and rare. She longed for a simple life filled with friends and family, in the splendor of the mountains. She found it. May she rest in peace.”

Thank you for Your Support! | Winter 2019 View from the Highlands | 15

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.

Appalachian.org