Message from Our Executive Director

Office

Trail parking area 2.2-miletrail

Pollinator meadow and trout stream

Agricultural area

he Conservation Campus StoryT

In 2013, Audrey Bentley chose to preserve the legacy of her 46-acre family farm by donating a conservation easement on her property. Her commitment to the protection of our region’s natural resources was so great that upon her passing in 2019, Mrs. Bentley donated that land and her family home to BRC. The selfless gift has provided a permanent home for the Conservancy, and a recreational resource for the community.

Richard and Debbie Swartzel believe so much in the mission of BRC that they contributed the majority of funds to renovate the existing home, build the 2.2 mile trail, and turn the detached garage into an educational center (this phase of the project is currently in progess). They generously contributed to the project as a memorial to their friends and Richard’s “adopted” parents, Barbara and EC Morris.

Staff moved into the new office in July of 2021, and renovations and improvements have continued since. Although the official grand opening was delayed due to the pandemic, we look forward to welcoming everyone to this beautiful space. Future plans for the campus include the environmental education center, a picnic area, a pollinator meadow, an agricultural area, and a spur trail to the Middle Fork Greenway.

An engraved stone installed in front of the office pays tribute to the lives and influence of Barbara and EC Morris.

BRCOffice

Futureeducationcenter

Native landscaping was donated by Steve Duprey and Steve Wiley, and installed by Mustard Seed Market.

artnerships and P Pollinators

Thanks to donors and community partners, BRC has made progress on making the Campus match the vision of our board, staff, and friends. Combining our efforts with the High Country chapter of the Audubon Society to transform the meadow is one partnership that will pay dividends for decades to come. The bottomland around the stream was overgrown with multiflora rose and other invasives, and with help of volunteers from Audubon, we have removed them and prepared the area for planting natives to attract bird and pollinator species.

There is more work to be done, including streambank and riparian restoration, and protection and expansion of the vernal pools that serve as essential breeding habitat for certain species of wildlife, including salamanders and frogs. Be sure to join our volunteer mailing list if you want to be informed of special workday events.

he Conservation Campus Trail T

BRC’s Conservation Campus is home to a recently completed 2.2 mile loop trail, which is open to the public. The trail was designed and constructed by Clay Sulik of Blue Ridge Trail Works, and takes hikers on a beautiful, winding path through rhododendrons and around boulders. The trailhead is conveniently located at the parking area, which also serves the picnic area, pollinator meadow, and stream.

The trail and pollinator meadow are home to many plant and animal species, including at least 12 species of salamander. The entire area is a designated eBird Hotspot, so visitors can log avian species they observe (See page 25 for details on ebird).