Land Protection Map

Peak Mountain Access, Avery Co, 1.2 acres

This tract, close to NC Highway 105, was a strategic purchase to add a parking area and access point to BRC’s Peak Mountain property in the future . BRC has removed two abandoned structures on the land in preparation for developing the parking area and trailhead .

Peak Mountain protects two miles of ridgeline and is located within the Dunvegan Natural Heritage Area, a significant natural area identified by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. It adjoins the popular Otter Falls Park in Seven Devils.

Pond Mountain Transfer, Ashe Co, 217 acres

BRC transferred 217 acres to Pond Mountain Game Land in Ashe County, managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. The property will create a new public access to the game land bringing the total access points to four. Located on the southern slopes of Pond Mountain with elevations reaching 4,200 feet, this property protects the headwaters of Big Laurel Creek, classified as Outstanding Resource Waters and Trout Waters by the NC Division of Water Resources. It is located in the Pond Mountain Natural Heritage Area, protecting significant natural communities and wildlife habitat. BRC purchased the property from two different landowners in 2012 and 2013 and managed the land over the past decade to maintain its environmental integrity .

This brings the total size of the game land to 3,900 acres designated for recreational opportunities such as horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and cross country skiing.

Conservation Easement, Alleghany Co, 50 acres

BRC placed a conservation easement on 50 acres of land on Highway 21 in Alleghany County in 2021. The property includes seven natural communities and borders Brush Creek. Brush Creek is classified as Trout Waters by the NC Division of Water Resources. This land is in close proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Stone Mountain State Park, Doughton Park, and Thurmond Chatham Game Land.

Watauga River Access, Watauga Co, 8.5 acres

Thanks to a generous donation of land from Diana Travis and MaryAnn Mueller, BRC will soon open 8.5 acres of river access along the Watauga River in Valle Crucis, NC. Travis and Mueller gifted 6 acres, and The Tennessee Valley Authority and Watauga Tourism Development Association funded the purchase of the other 2.5 acres. This land, located just past the N.C. 194 bridge, will have a public parking area and create easier access to the Watauga River Paddle Trail . “We love having wilderness near home and are excited to purchase some of that wilderness and protect it forever. Driving by this river up on the road you don’t appreciate how beautiful it is, but now people will be able to have access and enjoy it in a variety of ways.” - Diana Travis and MaryAnn Mueller

Sparta Wetland, Alleghany Co, 46 acres

The acquisition of the Sparta Wetland Expansion property protects the remainder of the wetland at this site, bringing the Sparta Wetland to over 350 acres, and protects 4,500 linear feet of streams. The streams on the property are designated Class C Trout Waters by the NC Division of Water Resources, so by permanently protecting the riparian buffers the water quality of the creeks will remain constant or improve. Additionally, a healthy population of the rare and endangered plant and animal species are found at this site.

The property is located in the Little River watershed, part of the New River watershed, and contains a headwater tributary to the Little River. Mountain bogs have been heavily impacted by human development and few high quality examples remain. The NC Natural Heritage report states the “Sparta Wetland, formally known as the Bob Thomson Bog or the Thomson Flats, is a large mosaic wetland comprised of seepfed bogs that originate near the base of sloping hillsides, where they flatten out into the floodplain of a tributary of the Little River. Areas of wooded swamp forest extend west beyond the open bogs.” This property will protect additional portions of the wetland that comprise the heart of the conservation site .

Elk Knob, Ashe Co, 65 acres

After a three-year process, BRC added 65 acres to Elk Knob State Park in July 2021. This steep tract, with elevations from 4,100 to 5,200 feet, includes the prominent south ridge of Elk Knob and is identified as one of the most important areas for biodiversity conservation in the state by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. Funding for the project came from Fred and Alice Stanback and from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.

Foscoe Birding Trail, Watauga Co, 10 acres

This wetland trail for birding is now open to the public in Foscoe, thanks to a partnership between High Country Audubon Society and BRC. The property was donated to the Conservancy in 2016 .

TheAmericanPlanningAssociation NC Chapter awarded the Middle Fork Greenway’s Blowing Rock Trailhead and Pocket Park the “Great Healthy Place” award for 2021.

2021 Middle Fork Greenway Highlights

Payne Branch Park Open and Flourishing Thanks to Middle Fork Greenway Task Force

15 years ago, members of the Middle Fork Greenway task force obtained grants to secure land for three parks along the Middle Fork of the New River: Payne Branch Park, Goldmine Branch Park, and Sterling Creek Park. After removal of the Tate’s dam and extensive stream bank restoration at Payne Branch, all three parks are now open to the public.

Parkway Foundation and BRC Install Camp Catawba Sign

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and BRC unveiled a sign commemorating Camp Catawba and the work of Dr. Vera Lachmann. Installed near the trailhead of the Middle Fork Greenway, the sign outlines the history of the boys’ summer camp, which operated on a farm in Blowing Rock from 1944 to 1970 .

Over $150,000 Raised By “Round Up for the Greenway”

The third-annual “Round Up For the Greenway” succeeded in raising over $150,000 for the MFG in July. During the monthlong event, local businesses asked patrons to ‘round up’ their purchases as a donation to the project, and many individuals also contributed.

321 Trailhead Now Open to the Public

The 321 trailhead is now open, and includes 27 parking spaces, benches, a picnic area, bike racks, two bridges, river access, and a large rain garden to capture stormwater runoff.

This section was made possible by the community’s “Round Up For the Greenway” program. Through local businesses and the community, funding was raised to match state grants and foundations to get the trail on the ground. This section will connect to the Tweetsie Railroad section. The next section of greenway slated for completion will be a 6 foot wide crushed concrete path connecting the new 321 trailhead to the Quality Plus gas station, and eventually to the existing path at Tweetsie Railroad. Although progress was delayed due to winter weather, this section is currently under construction and is slated to be open by summer 2022.

NCDOT has hired McAdams Engineering to study existing conditions in the MFG corridor and consider opportunities and constraints. The study will include mapping assessments, recommended routes, and project phasing. McAdams will meet with the MFG Steering Committee four times to discuss the plans, followed by a public input meeting. The study should be finalized by June 2022.

“We feel the Middle Fork Greenway gives the most accessibility for people of all ages and capabilities in the High Country - whether they live here or are just visiting - to enjoy the beauty of the Middle Fork of the New River and the surrounding Blue Ridge countryside. We firmly believe in giving back to the community in various ways, including support of several conservation groups such as MFG/BRC and the Coal River Group in West Virginia.” - Bob DeHart & Nancy Nygren MFG Supporters

Former BRC board chair Margaret Newbold and Director of North Carolina State Parks Dwayne Patterson visited the MFG trailhead in Blowing Rock as part of his trip to the High Country.