Fall 2016 View from the Highlands

View

from the Highlands

42 Years Protecting the World’s Oldest Mountains 2016 Fall Issue

Conserving Mountains • Farms • Streams • Habitat

Shout-Out! Thomas (Karl) Knight, McCullough Fellow

Office

34 Wall Street, Suite 502, Asheville, NC 28801-2710 828.253.0095 • FAX 828.253.1248 sahc@appalachian.org

Board of Trustees Jay Leutze, President Jack Hamilton, Vice-President Lyman “Greg” Gregory, III, Secretary Laura McCue, Treasurer Jeff Needham, At-Large Courtney Blossman Patty Cunningham-Woolf Jim Houser Anne Kilgore Bill Lowndes Popsie Lynch Rick Manske Robbie McLucas Matt Moses Stu Ryman Kathy Singleton Mary Bruce Woody

Minneapolis, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Kingsport, TN Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Charlotte, NC Kingsport, TN Asheville, NC Fairview, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Erwin, TN Asheville, NC Kingsport, TN Asheville, NC

A non-traditional student at UNC-Asheville, Karl has spent years as a farmer, farm manager and environmental educator throughout NC and the Eastern US. His experiences provided an appreciation for sustainable farming and land conservation. As a McCullough Fellow through the McCullough Institute at UNCA, Karl is working with SAHC to examine the feasibility and impact of using point-of-sale micro-donations at local Asheville restaurants as a model for conservation finance. He also served as an invaluable volunteer at our Community Farm and our spring/summer events.

Carl Silverstein, Ashe-Roosevelt Outstanding Conservationist Congratulations! Carl was honored as the Outstanding Conservationist of the year during the 8th Annual Wild South Green Gala. The prestigious Roosevelt-Ashe Conservation Awards recognize and honor leaders from across the southern US for their work in conservation during the previous year.

Staff Carl Silverstein Kristy Urquhart Michelle Pugliese William Hamilton Hanni Muerdter

Marquette Crockett Sarah Sheeran Cheryl Fowler Lisa Fancher Angela Shepherd Pauline Heyne Chris Link Anona Miller

Ben Linthicum

Haley Smith

Spencer Scheidt

Travis Bordley

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 Community Farm & Food Program Associate AmeriCorps Stewardship & Volunteer Member AmeriCorps Stewardship & Volunteer Member AmeriCorps Conservation Education & Volunteer Member AmeriCorps Land Protection & Education Member AmeriCorps Roan Highlands Volunteer & Outreach Member

French Broad River Academy, Student Volunteers French Broad River Academy students volunteered to help in the stream restoration area of our Community Farm, planting 500 Green Ash trees in a sensitive area to create future habitat and protect clean water. We are grateful for these enthusiastic young volunteers!

We’re #1!

This year, we won “#1 Conservation Nonprofit” and “#2 Farmland Preservation Nonprofit” in the MountainXpress “Best of WNC 2016” — Western NC’s biggest poll. Thanks to all who voted for us!

Highlights: • L and Protection Updates

Letter from the

Director Your gift makes a difference in our world.

Each year we ask our valued members and friends to participate in our year-end Annual Giving Program.

This program brings in critical funds to achieve our vital land and water conservation goals.

This year, our goal is $170,000.

A gift to SAHC means another acre of high elevation habitat is protected. Another headwater stream is preserved for clean water. Another acre of farmland is permanently protected, securing the ability to grow local food for our communities.

A gift to SAHC means we can enhance and manage our properties to ensure their conservation values remain intact.

Will you help us seize opportunities to protect remaining special places in these mountains, and nurture healthy and vibrant communities for future generations?

We deeply value your continued commitment. Please consider a gift today, so we can preserve more acres in key locations and continue the work we have begun. Visit Appalachian.org to make your donation online now or send payment in the enclosed envelope. Thank you for making all this, and more, possible!

Carl Silverstein Executive Director

The mission

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• Our Community Farm (9) • Rough Creek Watershed Work Day (10) • AmeriCorps Project Conserve (11) • Summer on the Roan (12) • Conservation Field Journal: Trail Magic (13-14) • Roan Habitat Restoration (15) • Outreach & Events (16-17) • Partnership in the Business Community (18-19) • Members’ Corner (20-22) • Legacy of Land & People (23) We have stories and upcoming event announcements to share between printed issues of the View from the Highlands.

For recent updates, visit us regularly at Appalachian.org, sign up for our e-View (monthly e-mailed newsletter), or follow us on Facebook.

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.

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L a n d P r o t e c t i o n U P D AT E S The newly protected, forested tract (left), adjoins Pisgah National Forest and other SAHC-protected land on Big Yellow Mountain.

rail chian T la a p p A

New SAHC land protection project

Big Yellow Mountain Tract

US National Forest

Other SAHC-protected lands

Highlands of Roan Focus Area

Big Yellow Mountain We recently purchased 70 acres on Big Yellow Mountain in the Highlands of Roan, located just 2,500 ft from the Appalachian Trail. Adjoining Pisgah National Forest, Conservation lands held by the State of NC, and other SAHCprotected properties, the forested high-elevation tract is visible from the Overmountain Shelter on the AT. Elevations on the property range from 4,440 feet to 5,380 feet above msl.

continued Pugliese. “This 2-story, red barn shelter is one of the most iconic and beloved of all the shelters along the Trail, and it would have been devastating to hikers’ experiences if homes were built on this land. Now that SAHC has purchased these acres, that will never happen.”

It contains rare beech gap forest and high elevation boulder fields with seeps and springs that form headwater tributaries of Roaring Creek. The We are deeply grateful to Fred and entire property is within Alice Stanback for making a generous the state-designated Big contribution which made this Yellow Mountain Natural acquisition possible.

This acquisition continues our conservation efforts in the stunning Area and the Audubon Roaring Creek Valley area (left), near Big Yellow Mountain and Little Society’s Roan Mountain Hump Mountain (right). Photo courtesy Southwings.

Important Bird Area.

Nesting Golden-winged “This acquisition was a high Warblers have been identified in areas conservation priority because surrounding the tract. of the property’s location on the biologically sensitive and stunning In addition to protecting high scenic slopes of Big Yellow elevation habitat and clean water Mountain near the Appalachian sources, this acquisition helps Trail,” said Land Protection Director preserve the sense of solitude for Michelle Pugliese. “It was the hikers and backpackers in the Roan. highest elevation, privately-owned unprotected tract between Grassy “The tract is very visible from the The property contains forest habitat and boulder fields Ridge and Bradley Gap.” with seeps and springs that feed into Roaring Creek.

Overmountain Shelter on the AT,” 4 | 2 0 1 6 Fa l l I s s u e

L a n d P r o t e c t i o n U P D AT E S Landowner Perspective: Ken Davis Ken Davis bought this property in 1991 after several years of service as a park ranger.

He and his wife settled in the area to teach at Lees-McCrae College. His motivation in purchasing the property was driven by a love of parks, and the couple have worked to reestablish native species on the property to allow it to return to its natural state.

“I decided to donate the land because SAHC represents a trans-generational effort by courageous people who love the land as much as I do and use the best conservation science they can muster to arrest the destruction of magnificent places of refuge,” says Ken.

Highlands of Roan Focus Area

Big Rock Creek Inspired by our conservation work in the Highlands of Roan, landowner Ken Davis recently donated 47 acres to SAHC. The property adjoins Pisgah National Forest and our Big Rock Creek preserve, which we purchased in 2014, thus filling an important gap in the protected landscape.

Visible from the Appalachian Trail, the tract contains important forest habitat and headwater resources.

Forest types include Appalachian hemlock hardwood forest, Appalachian oak forest, and southern Appalachian

montane pine forest.

The property contains a portion of Dave Branch stream and a headwater stream for Big Rock Creek, which flows into the North Toe River. These waterways are designated Wild Trout Streams by the NC Division of Water Quality.

Appalachian Trail

Big Rock Creek (donated acres)

Big Rock Creek Preserve (2014)

New SAHC land protection project Other SAHC-protected lands

US National Forest

Fred and Alice Stanback made a generous gift to support transaction costs and long-term stewardship of the donated land. We plan to own and manage the property as a preserve for the long term.

“As has been illustrated many times in history, wilderness has been a most effective refuge. Though some of the land in this area of the Southern Appalachians is suitable for farming and other activities, I believe the best use for much of it is what it once was — wilderness. Due to the loss of many species, such as the chestnut, it can never be exactly the same, but some of it can become once more a sublime refuge.

When asked what the steep, “unbuildable” land is good for, I often reply that it is good for ‘howling wilderness.’

I hope that our donation will provide a one-inch increment of the thousand-mile journey to return to wilderness in the Southern Appalachians. “

Landowner Ken Davis

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L a n d P r o t e c t i o n U P D AT E S Hikers enjoy an extensive trail system in the Rocky Fork State Park.

Rocky Fork Access

Appalachian Trail Countryside Partnerships for Conservation The 2,036-acre Rocky Fork State Park together with approximately 8,000 adjoining acres now owned by the US Forest Service comprise the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork watershed. SAHC worked from 2006 to 2012 to protect these iconic 10,000 acres, in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, the State of Tennessee, the US Forest Service, and other public and private partners.

The Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund provided $6 million for the State of TN to acquire the land for the park, which was officially designated Tennessee’s 55th State Park in October 2012.

Rocky Fork Creek

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We worked with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to secure a 1-acre tract providing public access to Rocky Fork State Park. It is our smallest acreage conservation project to date — but a critical piece for public recreational use.

“This 1-acre tract is a critical acquisition because it contains the only viable public access into Rocky Fork State Park,” said Executive Director Carl Silverstein. “We are proud to have worked with the State of Tennessee and other partners over the past decade to conserve the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork watershed. This recent acquisition caps these efforts by providing public access for visitors to enjoy trails and trout streams in this stunning area.”

Rocky Fork State Park is less than a half mile from the Appalachian Trail and contains a system of existing and planned public trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, including a future connection to the Appalachian Trail. The park also contains Rocky Fork Creek and other pristine mountain streams that are home to native brook trout and available to the public for trout fishing.

“The partnership between the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and Tennessee State Parks has been pivotal to preserve & protect the unique and critical tracts of land in the southern Appalachian Mountains,” said Park Manager Jesse Germeraad, of Rocky Fork State Park in Flag Pond, TN. “This 1-acre tract is very important, because it provides

Rocky Fork State Park, park visitors, and Appalachian National Scenic Trail hikers access to the beautiful and pristine natural & historical resources Rocky Fork State Park and the Cherokee National Forest has to offer in the Rocky Fork Watershed. We are looking forward to the continued support and partnership we have with SAHC.”

Yonahlossee Salamander, photo courtesy David A. Ramsey

The diverse cove forest of Rocky Fork is home to the Peregrine Falcon, the Yonahlossee Salamander, and the Woodland Jumping Mouse, as well as many native wildflowers.

The property is also part of the Unicoi Bear Sanctuary and lies within an Audubon Important Bird Area.

Currently there is limited parking for people who come to enjoy Rocky Fork State Park. Long-term goals for the park entrance include an expanded parking area.

L a n d P r o t e c t i o n U P D AT E S

The Dix Creek tract contains streams and excellent forest habitat to support native species.

Lak eL oga n

Waynesville Watersh ed

Dix Creek Tract

Crawford Creek

Dix Creek In June, we purchased a 162-acre tract of land on the northwest slope of Cold Mountain, adjoining Pisgah National Forest and the Cold Mountain Game Lands. This Haywood County tract contains an exceptional variety of forest communities and potential habitat for rare species. Within a year, SAHC will transfer the tract to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to be added to the Cold Mountain Game Lands for public recreation, wildlife viewing, and hunting.

Shining Rock Wilderness New land protection project

Cold Mountain Game Lands

Other Protected Lands (SAHC & NC DENR)

Pisgah National Forest

Balsam Mountains Focus Area and shares a 1.2-mile boundary with Pisgah National Forest on the east side. It is about one half mile from the Panther Branch Cove Natural Area and the Shining Rock Wilderness Natural Area, and is within the Audubon Society’s Great Balsam Mountains Important Bird Area.

“The high quality of native habitat, pristine creeks and wide variety of tree species make this “This property adds to a network of public lands tract exceptional,” said Pugliese. “The fact that it contains almost six acres of hemlock forest that includes Pisgah National Forest, Shining is particularly exciting because these special Rock Wilderness and the Cold Mountain forests are rapidly declining due to disease.”

Game Lands, as well as being close to Lake Logan,” said Land Protection Director Michelle Eight tributaries flow through the property, Pugliese,. “It is a region that exemplifies both including the main branch of Dix Creek, the beauty and ecological significance of our which flows into the East Fork Pigeon River. mountains. We are proud to be a part of Conservation of the tract will protect aquatic expanding the area’s public lands.” habitat, including waters for trout fishing, downstream.

The high elevation property adjoins the Cold Mountain Games Lands to the southwest “Preserving headwater streams has the greatest impact on protecting water quality downstream,” added Pugliese.

We are deeply grateful to Fred and Alice Stanback for making a generous contribution which made this acquisition possible, and to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission for our partnership to enlarge public gamelands.

Pygmy Salamander, photo courtesy Chris Wilson

Habitat for Native Species

The tract contains nine natural communities, including three globally imperiled natural community types: Carolina Hemlock Forest, High Elevation Red Oak Forest, and Pine-Oak Heath. The site also contains rare high elevation boulderfield forest and three significantly rare plants: Kelsy’s locust, Trailing Wolfsbane, and Northern Lady Fern.

Wildlife found on the property include: the State-listed Brown Creeper, Timber Rattlesnake, Southern Pygmy Salamander, and Appalachian Cottontail, as well as the watchlist species Common Raven, Goldencrowned Kinglet, Redbreasted Nuthatch, and Winter Wren.

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L a n d P r o t e c t i o n U P D AT E S

Garrett Cove

French Broad River Valley Focus Area The western ridge of the property overlooks Crabtree Bald in Haywood County.

New SAHC land protection project Other SAHC-protected lands

Garrett Cove History SAHC is proud to have purchased the Garrett Cove tract from Vance Garrett. Vance is a Sandy Mush landowner, naturalist, and local historian. His grandfather purchased the property over 100 years ago, and since then his family has used it for cattle grazing and enjoyment of nature. Vance is pleased that SAHC will protect this lovely piece of his family’s legacy in perpetuity.

Vance Garrett

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Garrett Cove We purchased 101 acres in Garrett Cove, filling a gap in the network of more than 10,000 acres SAHC has protected in the vicinity of Sandy Mush. Settled by the Garrett family over 150 years ago, the cove is part of the cultural legacy of rugged and self-reliant individuals who homesteaded in the Newfound Mountains of the Southern Appalachians.

Located near the Buncombe/ Haywood County border, this tract has been a conservation priority in Sandy Mush for several years. It adjoins three other SAHC-protected properties, and our purchasing and owning it adds to the network of protected conservation land in this historic farming community.

Six headwater streams originate on the property and flow into Sandy Mush Creek (classified as Trout waters by the NC Division of Water Resources). The tract contains Appalachian oak forest, as well as some notable rock outcrops that include a cave site. Elevations rising to 4,400 ft provide beautiful views into Haywood County and Crabtree Bald.

Portions of the tract are used for cattle grazing through a license agreement with a neighboring landowner. We are working with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to complete a Conservation Plan for the property, which includes providing alternate water sources for the cattle to help restore water quality onsite and downstream.

We plan to own and manage the property as a preserve for the long-term.

“We thank Brad and Shelli Stanback for their generous donation to SAHC, which made this important acquisition possible,” said Carl Silverstein.

O u r C O M M U N I T Y FA R M

Workshops at our Community Farm

Funding for Farming!

Education for Agriculture

Participants in our BCS Tractor workshop enjoyed a hands-on experience.

Joe Fowler of Open Season BCS brought out a 749 model tractor, offering attendees the opportunity to take the tractor through the garden and try out various implements.

Jamie Davis of A Way Of Life Farm based in Bostic, NC taught a 2-hour workshop on taking care of your body while farming. His three pronged approach covered awareness, activity and rest. He also showed manual and machine task movement while thinking about how we use different parts of our body.

Jamie Davis teaches workshop participants how to safely lift and move on the farm.

Upcoming Workshops: • Mobile Walk-in Cooler Design/Build Part 1 October 9 • Mobile Walk-in Cooler Design/Build Part 2 October 23 • Farm Planning: Base Mapping, Site Analysis & Schematic Design November 13

Over the spring and summer, we hosted a variety of workshops at our Community Farm in Alexander, NC, covering topics such as walkbehind tractors, taking care of your body while farming, beekeeping, livestock handling, and controlling invasive plants in pastures.

Ethan Henderson and Meghan Baker of Buncombe County Extension took 15 participants on a pasture walk of the Community Farm pastures to identify invasive species and discuss control methods and overall pasture health. Ethan also taught a workshop on low-stress livestock handling and load-out facility design.

Lewis Cauble, Apiary Inspector with NC Dept of Agriculture & Consumer Services, presented a workshop on the basics of beekeeping, including challenges, resources, how the hive works, and how beekeeping contributes to agriculture. We also now have 5 hive on the western part of the farm where local bee associations meet to see hive care in action!

Chris McWhorter of W.P. Law presented on water needs and irrigation design, and Suzanna Denison of WNC Farm Link discussed land assessment for infrastructure and associated costs to consider when looking to lease or buy.

We were awarded a $600,000 federal grant over three years for Farm Pathways: Integrating Farmer Training with Land Access, a collaboration with the Organic Growers School and WNC Farmlink.

The US Dept. of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program recently announced funding for 37 projects nationwide to educate, mentor and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers — including our Farm Pathways program.

“We see new and beginning farmers and ranchers as a critical force in sustaining food security, food safety, and many other aspects of agriculture that will become even more challenging as our global population grows,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The Farm Pathways collaboration aims to deliver whole farm training, farmerto-farmer networking and farmland access.

We have a full schedule of workshops for the rest of the year, and invite you to join us on the farm!

For more info, to register for a workshop, or to be added to the Community Farm workshop e-mail list, contact chris@appalachian.org.

Livestock handling workshop. Our educational workshops are made possible by federal grant funding for Farm Pathways.

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C o n s e r v at i o n I N A C T I O N

Good Stewards of the Land

Rough Creek Work Day

Volunteers from the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville helped remove invasive species from the protected Rough Creek watershed.

Creating a Career in Conservation: Jesse Wood “Taking the opportunity to do an AmeriCorps program gives you time to immerse yourself in the field, to figure out where you want to go in the next stages of your career and work on gaining technical skills,” says Jesse, who served two 11-month service terms as our Stewardship & Volunteer Associate and has accepted a research position to pursue her Master’s of Science Degree at Clemson University.

She will be employed by the SC Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit while working toward an MS in Wildlife & Fisheries Biology. This fully funded research assistantship with SC’s Dept.of Natural Resources will focus on surveying birds and habitat, particularly for private lands who have received federal Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding.

We wish Jesse the best as she continues in her career development!

Haywood County residents know they live in beautiful country — surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Lake Junaluska, Cold Mountain, and the Plott Balsams, not to mention gorgeous overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Members of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Waynesville near historic downtown Waynesville glimpse magnificent views every Sunday morning. With such a lovely backdrop, it is no surprise the church has a strong emphasis on the arts. Another strength is its commitment to service in the community.

Every year, they host a joint breakfast followed by a day of service projects around the county. This spring, Scott Taylor, director of music and arts at FUMC Waynesville, wanted to focus on the connection between members and their beautiful natural landscape. Like our social communities, our natural communities surround, support, nourish, and delight us. For the church’s annual Community Impact Day, Scott suggested a project to get people out into their local environment to give back.

environmental stewardship, its challenges, and opportunities to strengthen native ecosystems. Most of the 11 volunteers had not been to the property before and did not even know it was open to the public for hiking and mountain biking.

They learned how non-native invasive species threaten native ecosystems — especially in the forest understory and in stream habitat — and then performed invasive species control by hand-pulling periwinkle (Vinca minor) from a dense acre patch along a stream.

“I wanted a project that would expand our understanding of how we are connected to our natural environment,” says Taylor.

“Working in the watershed did just that.”

As the volunteers stowed bags full of removed vines and roots, it was clear they felt connected with their natural environment in the way that comes with hard work. We at SAHC are so thrilled to have forged this connections with First United Methodist, and are grateful for their commitment to community and value of stewardship. A big ‘“Thank You” to our new FUMC friends!

SAHC stewardship staff coordinated with Taylor to set up an outdoor workday on the Rough Creek Watershed property — 873 acres owned by the town of Canton and protected by conservation easement with SAHC and the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Featuring 10 miles of hiking trails and nearly 7 miles of high quality streams, the property is a beautiful and rich natural asset for Haywood County residents.

By getting new volunteers out to do service on protected public land, SAHC hoped to raise awareness about

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The tract includes miles of hiking and biking trails.

C o n s e r v at i o n I N A C T I O N

Project Conserve 2016-17

AmeriCorps Members Since 2004, SAHC has been a host site for AmeriCorps Project Conserve. We are pleased to once again welcome four AmeriCorps team members, who will serve 11-month service terms from September to July.

Ben Linthicum, Stewardship & Volunteer Member Ben recently graduated from Warren Wilson College (Environmental Studies) and biked across the country to collect stories about environmental impacts. He previously interned at the EPA and Pisgah Legal Services and has been involved in many environmental and social justice efforts.

He helped with the divestment of Warren Wilson’s endowment. Word on the street says he plays a nice banjo tune.

Spencer Scheidt, AmeriCorps Land Protection & Education Member Spencer just completed a term as one of our AmeriCorps Stewardship & Volunteer Associates and is now moving to land protection. Originally from California, Spencer went to UNC Chapel Hill for Biology and was a local instructor at the Mountain Trail Outdoor School. Spencer likes climbing, playing music, cooking from his garden, and is fast on his feet.

Anona Miller, Stewardship & Volunteer Member Anona is from SC and went to Appalachian State (Environmental Biology and Ecology), where she was a member of the Blue Ridge Conservancy Student Club. She previously was a biological science tech for the Blue Ridge Parkway and a National Science Foundation Research Fellow in MA, helping with an urban sustainable tree replanting program. We’ve heard she has some entertaining travel stories.

Haley Smith, Conservation Education & Volunteer Outreach Member Haley will return for a second year in this position. A native of Asheville, Haley attended Washington and Lee University in VA to complete a dual degree program, earning a BS in Biology and a BA in Environmental Studies. Haley likes dogs of many kinds and volunteers for Brother Wolf, knows the best ice cream in town, and plays a great game of soccer.

Best Wishes!

We wish a heartfelt farewell to Teagan Dolan and Jesse Wood, who completed their AmeriCorps service with SAHC this summer.

AmeriCorps Perspective: Teagan Dolan “When I began Project Conserve, I was excited, nervous, bracing myself for a challenge —and a little afraid of the temporary nature of my service term.

This year has taught me that actions which seem small can still have a profound impact on my life, and the lives of others. I have learned what it’s like to start projects I am passionate about knowing that I will not see them to completion. I have fallen in love with a valley, formed treasured memories in a creek, and learned the history of a landowner’s “built by hand” home only to drive away knowing that I will probably never see them again. I aided SAHC in moving projects forward, and that made a difference.

I felt quietly humbled to walk through these ancient mountains knowing I am just one of many who are passing through, working to protect them. While conservation is forever, our involvement in it is only temporary. We spend a few years working to protect land for thousands of years. Our work in Project Conserve is much like that. It will continue to contribute to the work done in WNC, and I am proud to have been both a small and large part of it.”

About AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 members in intensive service annually to serve through nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations at 25,000 locations across the country. These members help communities tackle pressing problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve. AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in service.

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C o n s e r v at i o n I N A C T I O N

Roan Naturalist Eric Rayfield

Welcome!

Summer on the Roan

Travis Bordley, AmeriCorps Roan Highlands Volunteer & Outreach Associate

Eric and his dog Zuri at the Grassy Ridge Mow-Off

Travis is a recent graduate of UNC Asheville with a BS in Environmental Studies. He is a documentary filmmaker and previously interned with us, creating short films to inspire support of SAHC. Travis has loved and explored the Highlands of Roan all his life. In this new Americorps position, he will recruit and educate volunteers from diverse communities including civic groups, schools, church groups, and outdoor enthusiasts to conduct onthe-ground habitat restoration projects in the Roan Highlands.

He will help build on our partnerships with The Center for Diversity and Education at UNC Asheville, the Everybody’s Environment initiative, and more. This position is made possible by CTNC AmeriCorps, a program of the Conservation Trust for North Carolina.

Over the summer, Eric spent weekends walking the Appalachian Trail between Carvers Gap to 19E, educating people about Leave No Trace principles and gathering data about plant and animal communities and recreational use in the Highlands.

He counted over 6,200 people using the AT in the Roan over the summer weekends, including day hikers, thru hikers, and weekend backpackers.

Eric noted that recreational trail usage was busiest between Carver’s Gap to Grassy Ridge, and he spent most of his time in this area, hiking the AT section a couple of times each day. He heard many hikers commenting that the AT in this area was well maintained — a commendation to the Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club. Usage, especially by day hikers, peaked during the month of June and first weekend of July, with approx. 1,500 people counted in a single weekend.

“I find that you can influence others to practice Leave No Trace if you lead by example,” said Eric. “While conversing with people at a shelter, I’ll just start picking up microtrash. Usually a couple of people start helping me, and then I watch them at dinner, very carefully tearing open their bags to prevent dropping waste. Thanks to all the hikers that take out their own trash as well trash they find! It takes everyone working together to keep Roan beautiful.”

“More than 80% of the total hikers I encountered this summer were casual day hikers in the Carver’s Gap to Grassy Ridge section,” said Rayfield.

He also completed plant surveys, Goldenwinged Warbler surveys, and participated in grassy balds management.

The most used shelter was by far, the Overmountain Shelter, which is a favorite among thru-hikers and weekend backpackers doing the popular Carver’s Gap to 19E route.

The Roan Naturalist position is made possible by a partnership between SAHC, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the US Forest Service.

Originally from Cherryville, NC, Eric has lived in the high country for the last seven years. He earned a BA in Wildlife Biology at Lees-McRae College and is currently working toward his MA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Appalachian State University. His interests include plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and bees, and he has led citizen scientists in a project on bumble bee diversity in National Park Service land. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, bee keeping, photography, and bird watching. Eric was excited to be part of our mission to protect these special lands for others to enjoy.

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C o n s e r va t i o n

On the Roan with

As the summer comes to

Field Journal

Roan Naturalist Er ic

R ayfield

a close I keep looking ba ck on all the great things

that happened on the Roan. I am so privile ged to have been the pe rson that everyone sees on the trail when they visit. I was able to meet over six thousand people and sh are my passion of the m ountain with them!

I was there with the thru hikers as they challenge d themselves with an ep ic hike and waved goodbye as they headed north for 1,800 more m iles. I shared moments with children who had never been hi king before and taught them all about th e neat birds and flower s on the Roan.

I listened eagerly to sto ries from locals that ha d been hiking here since before I was born . I worked alongside vo lunteers to mow down blackberries and keep the balds beautiful . I huddled under Fire Pink along th e Trail shelters with other back packers as lightning str uck nearby.

I enjoyed sunsets and su nrises with photograph ers who were trying to capture the elusive character of the mount ain.

Of all these experiences , my favorite was

waking up early in the morning or go out on a dreary

day when no one else is hiking. I’d sit out on top of

Jane Bald looking out ov er

the entire Roan and ju st

enjoy the stillness and tra nquility, knowing that it was about to be bustling with lots

of people who love the Eric in the Roan , pointing toward s his home nearby in th e Highlands

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t visitors love and mountain as well. Mos however, not all are respect the mountain; eir presence impacts aware of how much th ficent place. this delicate and magni

see the s offering the best and ld ba e th ith to the Roan to W

Visitors flock endron blooming rhodod e th y, tr un co the high most accessible view in me that they never ld to ve ha ls ca lo y an M e summer. visitors throughout th y an m ts ac tr at n ai nt mou they see e trail reroute in 2001 th ce sin er ev at th y sa ey people on the trail. Th used to see this many climb. to make it up the steep e ap sh t ea gr in be to d rs, when before you ha many more novice hike e preservation of Roan th r fo g in th d ba a d an thing visitors can be a good Increased numbers of ill nly guarantee that it w ai rt ce ill w e ac pl is th with e people falling in love ld Mountain. Many mor anent damage to the ba rm pe e us ca d ul co c sed traffi also means that increa so never be developed, it of trails and campsites e ag us rm te ng lo e th e monitor it is imperative that w ecosystem. Therefore, space. recreational use of this of ct pa im ue tr e th te we can evalua . It was an the Roan this summer on ng ki or w d ve lo I h muc I can’t say enough how

pe the people I’ve met. I ho l al r be em m re I er m sum e and as I wrap up the unforgettable experienc I want to thank SAHC, e. in m d he uc to ve ha ay they ople’s lives the same w that I have touched pe this position possible. g in ak m in rt pa a d her entities that ha ATC, USFS and all ot ecial e most beautiful and sp th ith w ed lv vo in be can continue to I hope and wish that I

e Roan Highlands! place in the world — th

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C o n s e r v at i o n I N A C T I O N

Everett J. Bowman Trail Grassy Ridge Mow-Off Volunteers

Caring for the Highlands of Roan

Habitat Management

This summer, with the support of a grant from the National Forest Foundation Matching Funds Program, SAHC volunteers and partners managed and restored over 30 acres of habitat in the Highlands of Roan.

The globally endangered Appalachian Grass Balds found on Roan Mountain are one of the most beautiful and beloved places in our mountains. However, they are dependent upon continued disturbance - mowing, grazing, etc. to keep down blackberry and other woody encroachment. Our volunteers did their part to keep the Roan grassy this summer by hand-mowing over 30 acres of Canada blackberry!

The North Carolina BRIDGE crew mowed multiple areas on Round Bald, Grassy Ridge, and around the Cloudland site. The 13 volunteers at our Grassy Ridge Mow-off braved the weather to mow more than 3.5 acres in a weekend.

The 10 volunteers who attended the multi-day Roany Boyz event, worked hard to mow more than 4.5 acres in Engine

Roany Boyz

Gap. The Southeast Conservation Corps, sponsored by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, mowed (and re-mowed) 10 acres on Grassy Ridge.

Volunteers from the law firm of Robinson, Bradshow & Hinson in Charlotte, NC donated time to construct and improve the new Everett J. Bowman Trail on our Elk Hollow Preserve tract, which can be considered a gateway to the Appalachian Trail, the Overmountain Victory Trail and the Roan landscape at large.

Everett J. Bowman, for whom the trail was named and dedicated, made a generous gift to SAHC that helps support our land protection efforts in this globally significant region.

Volunteers mowing blackberry

We also tried out some new tools this year, in an attempt to make our management even more effective. Using hand rakes, we spread out the “wind rows� of blackberry. Our hope is that this will force the blackberry to dry out faster and decrease shading impacts on the grass underneath. We were also lucky enough this year to have Zuri, an adorable Great Pyrenees belonging to Eric Rayfield (our Roan Naturalist). Zuri did his part by packing out refreshments to our Grassy Ridge campers!

Thanks to all of our volunteers for their hard work, good company, and love of the mountain!

Bowman passed away peacefully in his home this June, after a 17-year battle with cancer. He left this world with the same grace he displayed while living in it. Everett was a brilliant and acclaimed antitrust lawyer, but he was much more. Everett was a loyal friend, supportive partner, true intellectual, inspirational fighter, intrepid gourmet, passionate environmentalist and lover of life.

He will be greatly missed.

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Connecting PEOPLE WITH L AND

Personal Perspective: Haley Smith, AmeriCorps Conservation Education & Volunteer Outreach Member

Experiences Along the Trails This year we have led many exciting hikes and outings, including our first ever road-ride outing to the SAHC Community Farm and a full day of fun at our annual June Jamboree. Here are some of my favorite outings so far!

One very special hike this year was our Popper Memorial Hike on our Prices Creek tract in Burnsville. This hike always has a significant meaning for us, as it is held in honor of our late friend Bill Popper who worked hard to protect this beautiful, 573-acre piece of land.

Prices Creek cascades through the rich, magical forest, and when we hiked through the property in late April we found more wildflowers than we could keep track of – the group identified over 30 species just along the trails! Fields of trilliums and mayflowers carpeted the forested hillsides, patches of wild irises and larkspur added some color, and we even found some delicate, heartshaped squirrel corn in bloom. We look forward to exploring this beautiful place again next year, and we hope you can join us.

Wildflowers on the Popper Memorial Hike

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Enjoying views during our annual June Jamboree in the Roan

Another uniquely educational hike this year was a part of our “For Love of Beer and Mountains” partnership with Highland Brewing Company, celebrating their new seasonal Saw-

and the importance of preserving its southern habitat, before leading us all to a nest box, where we got to see faceto-face a female Saw-whet who was nesting with 3 newly hatched fledglings.

This was a deeply moving experience for many members of the group, and a good first-hand reminder of why SAHC works to preserve the many unique habitats found in the Southern Appalachians.

Saw-whet Owl

whet Saison, named for one of the smallest owls in North America, the Northern Saw-whet Owl. In early May, we made a visit to the Big Bald Banding Station near Wolf Laurel, NC where the Southern Appalachian Raptor Research (SARR) group monitors this and other bird species and maintains nest boxes for the owls. We hiked along the Appalachian Trail through fairy-like forests carpeted with blooming fringed phacelia before reaching the top of Big Bald, where we had a 360-degree view of the land from Rocky Fork in the West, The Roan to the NE, and the Black Mountains to the SE. After descending from Big Bald, we met up with Mark Hopey from SARR. Mark spoke with hikers about the natural history of the Northern Saw-whet Owl

Our first organized SAHC road-ride

Finally, we were very excited to hold the first organized road-ride in SAHC history this May! 15 bikers began at the Wedge in the River Arts district and biked 10 miles out to our Community Farm, where staff members talked about SAHC’s land protection efforts and projects at the Community Farm.

The group then returned by a different route for a fun, 20-mile round-trip ride.

This outing was great fun, and we look forward to building on this success to provide more biking and other types of outings in the future!

Connecting PEOPLE WITH L AND Roan Mountain Suite World Premiere Date: Sunday, October 15 | Time: 7:30 pm Location: Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, TN Combine your love for the Roan and appreciation for fine music with the debut performance of “The Roan Mountain Suite” - a musical experience honoring this treasured landscape and dedicated to the memory of Stan Murray. Composer Jens Kruger and the Kruger Brothers trio will be joined by the Kontras Quartet for the performance of this original work.

The Kruger Brothers have become world-renowned for their unique, classicallyinfused folk/acoustic music. The concert will be followed by a Meet & Greet the Artists Gala Reception. General admission tickets – $30. Concert & reception with preferred seating – $50. Tickets & more info available at Paramountbristol.org

Bookwalter Binge Charity Gran Fondo Date: Saturday, October 29 Location: Black Mountain, NC

Join Brent Bookwalter, of the 2016 US Olympic Team and BMC racing, for a scenic ride to enjoy stunning fall foliage surrounding the Black Mountain countryside. We are thrilled that the Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo again chose SAHC to be the charity recipient of proceeds from this year’s ride! To find out more or to register, Photo credit: Lubov Brym with Tom visit Bookwalterbinge.com.

Bryum on Moto

Call for volunteers: We need volunteers to be stationed at points along the ride and

help with the raffle and the after-party to make this event a success. Sign up to volunteer at Bookwalterbinge.com/volunteer.

Fall Hike at Cedar Creek

Date: Sat, Nov 12| Time: 9:00 am Where: Webb CE, Jackson County, NC Difficulty: Moderate (4-5?)

Cost: FREE for SAHC members and $10 for non-SAHC members; registration required Come out and join the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy on the beautiful 615-acre Webb Family Conservation Easement in Jackson County, North Carolina near the well-known Panthertown Valley and Lake Glenville. Hikers will enjoy a moderate three-mile loop starting at the Webb’s rustic cabin near their family’s lake. The hike will have an elevation gain of approximately 1,200 feet through primarily acidic cove forest and some red oak forest at higher elevations. We will hike under majestic rhododendron archways and across a few streams. Lunch will be atop a large outcrop known as Laura’s Rock where hikers can admire the beautiful fall scenery.

To register for hikes, contact Haley Smith at haley@appalachian.org or call 828-253-0095 ext. 205.

Calendar Upcoming Hikes and Events Community Farm Workshop: Mobile Walk-in Cooler Design/Build Part 1 Sunday, October 9 “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Thunderstruck Release Friday, October 14 Roan Mountain Suite Premiere Saturday, October 15 Community Farm Workshop: Mobile Walk-in Cooler Design/Build Part 2 Sunday, October 23 Bookwalter Binge Saturday, October 29 “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Thunderstruck Hike Saturday, November 5 Fall Hike at Cedar Creek Saturday, November 12 Community Farm Workshop: Whole Farm Planning Thursday, November 13 For more event updates, sign up for our monthly e-News or visit us at Appalachian.org.

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Pa r t n e r s h i p s i n t h e B U S I N E S S C O M M U N I T Y Our Corporate Partners Mt. Mitchell: $25,000+ See your name here!

Waterrock Knob: $15,000+ Highland Brewing Company New Morning Ltd. Salesforce Roan Mountain: $10,000+ Conservation Advisors of NC Mast General Store Cold Mountain: $5,000+ Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo Causeway Interactive Eastman Chemical Company Kee Mapping & Surveying Meadows Family Farm Big Yellow: $2,500+ Appalachian Realty Associates Brunk Auctions First Citizens Bank Jubilee! Community Mamacita’s Taqueria Max Patch: $1,000+ Addison Farms Vineyards Aloft Asheville Downtown Bank of America Catawba Brewing Co. Eastman Credit Union Equinox Environmental French Broad River Garden Club Foundation Keith Hargrove Architect PC Lululemon USA, Inc. McLucas Ventures Network Computer Solutions Park Ridge Health Roberts & Stevens, Attorneys at Law Samsel Architects Saunders DDS Siemens Family Law Group Starks Financial Group Steelcase Foundation USA Raft Williams Company

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“For Love of Beer & Mountains” Partnership Events Thunderstruck Coffee Porter Release Party Date: Friday, Oct 14 | Time: 4 to 8 pm Where: Highland Brewing Company, Asheville, NC Raise a pint “For Love of Beer & Mountains” as we celebrate the seasonal release of Highland’s Thunderstruck Coffee Porter, named for Thunderstruck Ridge in the Plott Balsam Mountains. Highland Brewing will donate $1 from each pint sold throughout the evening to support our ongoing land and water conservation efforts. Free music begins at 7 pm, and the event is family-friendly. SAHC staff will be on-site to sell our merchandise and answer questions about our work.

Thunderstruck Hike to Blackrock Mountain Date: Saturday, Nov 5 | Time: 10 am Where: Waterrock Knob, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (7) Cost: Free for SAHC members; $10 for non-members. Registration required.

Enjoy views of Thunderstruck Ridge! We will hike 5 miles over rugged terrain, through red spruce and fraser firs, red oak forest, and other high elevation trees while occasionally stopping at rock outcroppings for views of the ridge. The group will trek through the Plott Balsam Preserve, protected by the Nature Conservancy, to reach Blackrock Mountain (5,600 ft. elevation), which SAHC protected in 2013. This beautiful section of mountains contains pristine headwater streams and can be seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway. To register for this hike, contact Haley Smith at haley@appalachian.org or call 828-253-0095 ext. 205.

About “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Highland Brewing Company partners with SAHC to support conservation efforts and heighten awareness of the unique and fragile natural treasures of the Southern Appalachians. Highland donates a portion of sales from each seasonal release party and works with us to co-lead partnership hikes.

New Business Members Blue Ridge Naturalist Network Broker Asheville CJEM Designs, PLLC Law offices of David Crowe

Edwin Yeates Financial Services Harmony Motors Hi Wire Brewing Rocktape, Inc

Pa r t n e r s h i p s i n t h e B U S I N E S S C O M M U N I T Y

Corporate Partner Profile

Partnering Real Estate Agents

Appalachian Realty Associates Founded in 1979, Appalachian Realty Associates is a unique and independent real estate brokerage located in Asheville, NC. It has been owned and operated

by Betsy Reiser, who moved to Little Sandy Mush in 1974. Erik Aasland, broker with Appalachian Realty Associates, supports SAHC at a corporate partner level through our Real Estate Partner Program.

Appalachian Realty Associates Erik Aasland Betsy Reiser Betsy Reiser, Broker in Charge of Appalachian Realty

“Appalachian Realty has always been aware of the need to preserve the beauty and natural resources that we are afforded by the surrounding mountains,” says Aasland. “To help ensure the continued stewardship of our surrounding mountains, farms and waterways Appalachian Realty Associates will continue to support the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy in any way it can.”

As a small company whose agents personally tailor their attention to clients’ needs, Appalachian Realty remains consistently rated as one of the top 10 producers in Western North Carolina. They aim to provide an experience that is efficient, educational, professional, and enjoyable. “Whether you are looking for a downtown Asheville loft, an Arts and Crafts Bungalow in a walkable community or a small farm to create your own artistic legacy - Appalachian Realty Associates will help you find properties as unique as you are,” says Aasland. To find our more, visit AppalachianRealty.com.

SAHC’s Real Estate Partner Program Our partnering real estate agents are in a unique position to help people connect with the places they call home by introducing them to our local land conservation efforts and active hiking/event program. There are many ways to ‘give back’ to your community as a Real Estate Partner — by giving a gift membership to SAHC to a new client, donating a percentage of commission as a taxdeductible charitable gift, contributing through “1% For the Planet”, and more!

Are you interested in becoming a Real Estate Partner? For more info, contact Cheryl Fowler at cheryl@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext 209.

Thank You to our Land Trust Day Partners!

Huge thanks to the following Land Trust Day partners for supporting our work this year on Saturday, June 4 — raising $13,500 for local land and water conservation.

ART TO WEAR

Carolina Mountain Sales D’Ann Ford Patty & Ben Woolf Conservation Advisors William Hamilton John Witherspoon Cool Mountain Realty Jenny Brunet Karen Cernek Exit Realty Vista Lisa Gurney Landcrazy.com Jackie Curé MTN Land Properties Todd Dunnuck RE/MAX Results Jimmy & Margaret Vestal Town & Mountain Realty Andy Ball Joy Lovoy Sean Mack Robbie McLucas Leah Miller Mike Miller Sophia Miller Hilary Paradise Tonia Zampieri Trillium Properties of Asheville Dan Bennett

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Members’ CORNER

A Wonderful Member Celebration

Appalachian Spring Thank you to the following individuals and businesses for contributing raffle items to support conservation:

131 Main Restaurant Aloft Hotel ALPS Mountaineering American Burger Co. Appalachian Vintner Asheville Tourists BB Barnes Bellagio Art to Wear Biltmore Company Black Dome Mtn Sports Blind Squirrel Brewing Brixx Wood Fired Pizza Buddy Tignor Cabela’s Carolina Native Nursery Carolyn Novak Chestnut Clif Bar Common Ground Distributors Corner Kitchen Dancing Bear Toys David A. Ramsey, photography Désirant Diamond Brand Outdoors Dick’s Sporting Goods Dollywood Eagles Nest Outfitters Evergreen Home & Garden French Broad Chocolates French Broad Food Co-op Green River Woods Green Sage Cafe Grovewood Gallery Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Jack Dalton Kuhl Liquidlogic Kayak Mahoney’s Outfitters Molly Dingledine Jewelry Motion Makers Mountain Khaki MR Gardens Navitat Canopy Adventures Nest Organics New Morning Gallery O.P. Taylor’s O’Sheeran Art Organic Growers School Organic Mechanic Orvis Outfitters Outdoor Bird Company Painters Greenhouse Pisgah Map Company PT Custom Sandals Reems Creek Nursery REI Sandy Mush Herb Nursery Second Gear Shoji Spa & Lodge Spiritex Ten Thousand Villages The Eye Center The Hop Ice Cream Cafe Traveling Chic Boutique Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar Troy & Sons Distillery Turtle Fur Witt Langstaff, Jr. Photography

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Thank you to our members, guests, and supporters for making our annual Appalachian Spring member celebration a success! We hosted 180 members and guests for the evening in The Meadow at Highland Brewing Company, enjoying a beautiful outdoor venue, camaraderie, and delicious food catered by the Green Opportunities Kitchen Ready Program.

We grooved to the music provided by Luci Butler and Sam Williams of Light Elixir; honored recipients of our Stanley A. Murray Award for Volunteer Service; and recognized the dedicated service of retiring Trustees Nancy Edgerton, Milton “Buddy” Tignor, and Mary Bruce Woody.

Our annual member event is family-friendly!

Current Trustees Jim Houser, Anne Kilgore, and Jay Leutze were each elected to serve a Light Elixir performing second term on the SAHC Board, and Popsie Lynch, Matt Moses and Stu Ryman were elected to a new term. Thank you Mary Bruce Woody, recognized all for making this for her service, with Jay Leutze a wonderful event! Beth and Witt Langstaff, Jr.

We are grateful for the support of our event sponsors:

Webb Investment Services, Inc.

Members’ CORNER

Welcome, New Trustees!

Popsie Lynch, Fairview, NC Popsie is a Gray’s Lily Leadership Circle member and has shared her enthusiasm about SAHC by hosting a porch party at her home this spring.. She lives in Fairview on land that she placed under conservation easement with SAHC in 2015. Her property is part of an assemblage of adjoining conservation easements that stitch together and protect farmland that her grandfather used to own. Popsie is also a leader in the French Broad River Garden Club.

Matt Moses, Erwin, TN Matt is President and CEO of USA Raft, one of our Corporate Partners. He lives part-time in Johnson City and part-time in Greensboro NC. He and USA Raft have generously helped us in connection with our Lost Cove property, including a raft-out-the trash volunteer cleanup. Matt’s business depends on protected public land and rivers, and he has accompanied Jay to DC to advocate with Congress on behalf of the federal Land & Water Conservation Fund.

Stu Ryman, Asheville, NC Stu is one of the founders and the principal partner in Altamont Environmental. Stu and his wife Nancy live in Fairview and are longtime generous supporters. Stu played a leading role in assisting us with the successful stream restoration mitigation bank project we undertook at the Community Farm. He is an avid fisherman and outdoorsman who is deeply committed to conservation.

The recipients of the 2016 Stanley A. Murray Award for Volunteer Services are Saylor Fox and Bettye Boone.

Saylor and Bettye live in the Valley of the Roan community near Carvers Gap. Before retiring to the Roan, Saylor worked as a hearings officer for the SC Dept of Justice and Bettye was a high school teacher at Chapin High School.

They also owned an herb farm in SC, and Bettye has put her green thumb to work building raised beds at their new home on Herbert Spell Road.

They are avid volunteers who eagerly participate in workdays across our focus areas, from the Highlands of Roan to our Community Farm near Asheville. Both Saylor and Bettye have demonstrated extraordinary commitment and effort to help SAHC accomplish our landstewardship mission. Congratulations!

Bettye and Saylor (center) receive their award.

Welcome, New Members!

Emy Brawley Charles & Patsy Brooks Courtney Carballido David & Peggy Carr Paul & Alison Curtin Harry Durity Donald Ennis Christine & Richard Fellrath Frances Figart & John Beaudet

Scott & Cynthia Finer Craig Gannaway Jim & Jill Gibson Cindy Green Rick & Melinda Halford Gena Hall Barbara Hart Ray Hearne Laurie Jaegers Ellen Kaczmarek David Kaufman

Sean Lally Deborah Lewis Glenn & Patti Liming Bill Loftis Lorien MacAuley Nancy & Tom Maher Sue Martin Duston Mason Wesley McConnell Barbara McGuiri Celia Millington-Wyckoff

Kris Moon George Owen, Jr. Karen Paar Keith & Karen Pandres Gary Perko Claire Prins Scott & Penelope Reed Kurt Scheidt George & Sondra Shepherd Myles Slaughter

Kristine Swesey & JD Cronise Catey Terry Jonathan Tetzlaff Neil & Jennifer Thomas Ellen Welles Elizabeth Wilkerson Justin Wilson & Wedage VS Fernando Kaylie Yankura

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Members’ CORNER

Tributes

A tribute gift is a special way to honor someone In honor of Jas & Peter Gentling Jean Webb In honor of Lauren Lindahl & Pete McGuire Devra Wang Challenge Hikers, at the June Jamboree

Our members are like family...

“Our members are the roots of this organization. They enable us to grow, to expand our network of protected properties for everyone to enjoy, and to preserve our natural resources, which in turn protects our quality of life. Our members hike with us and celebrate successes at events with us — and some even drop by Cheryl sets up for our first “Farm our office to find to Rooftop” dinner at The Event out what’s new or Center at Highland Brewing. to buy one of our super cool t-shirts. Many of our members are like family, and that’s how we like it. “ ~ Cheryl Fowler, Membership Director SAHC members enjoy free guided outings on protected properties throughout the year!

To become a member, fill out the enclosed membership form in this newsletter, join online at Appalachian.org, or contact Cheryl Fowler at 828.253.0095 ext 209 or cheryl@appalachian.org.

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In honor of Judy Murray & Tom Gatti Ben Hafer

Memorials

Flame Azalea, photo

by Witt Langstaff, Jr.

We share in honoring the memory of those friends who have passed.

In Memory of David C. Bailey Lisa & George Francisco

In Memory of a “hiking friend” Susan & Robert King

In Memory of Everett Bowman Jen & Bob Simmons

In Memory of T.D. Hunter III Charles & Jeanne Cummings

In Memory of Dr. William Cone Mountain View Garden Club

In Memory of Dr. Charles T. McCullough Rod & Bess Baird

In Memory of Mrs. Ann M. Cupp Mountain View Garden Club In Memory of Mary Sue Gatti Dan & Rosalie Russo Kristy Urquhart & Drew Stevenson

In Memory of Anne C. Phillips Thomas & Audrey Janzen In Memory of James A. Reece Charlotte Reece

In Memory of Ralph Grundy Nancy & Gerald Chalmers

In Memory of Vicki Lee Solomon Michael Solomon

In Memory of Virginia Hatheway Anne Coxe Charles & Jeanne Cummings Mary Ellen Edmonds Thomas & Isabelle Flanagan Peggy Guthrie Laura McCue & Priestley Ford Martha Petty Cecil & Grace Pless Susan Sweet

In Memory of Ronald D. Vinson Anne Branscome Sandra Clark Marty Dybicz Betsy Herrell Betty Herrell Kathleen & Darrel McGowan Bonnie Schell Victor & Diane Scott Jay & Penelope Silverman Charles Vinson

In Memory of Landon Roberts Henry Allain & Judy Andry Stuart Camblos Lucile Roberts Family

In Memory of Jim Wakefield Carol T. Coffey

Legacy of L and and People

Supporting Conservation from Afar

Kate & Dick Crawford

Kate and Dick Crawford recognize the importance of conserving these ancient mountains and unique ecological resources for posterity. Although they no longer live within the shadow of the Southern Appalachians, having moved to the Washington, DC area in the 1980s, they loyally continue to support our conservation work. We are very grateful for their commitment!

“Originally a West Tennessean, I fell in love with the Smokies when I attended the University of Tennessee (UT) and then started teaching English in Knoxville in the 1970’s,” recalls Kate.

“I co-sponsored a high school hiking club, along with another teacher and her outdoors-oriented husband. I had the opportunity to visit many areas of the mountains, sharing my enthusiasm with the students and learning mountain lore from the couple I worked with.”

I weren’t on the scene, important places could be preserved by the membership dues I sent every year,” continues Kate.

Years down the road, she felt an Aha! moment, realizing that they could contribute an even greater impact. “It was in the ‘90’s when my teacher friend sent a donation to SAHC in memory of my father that a light bulb went off in my head. I could do more than be a member. I could be a donor!”

“Community outreach and education about stewardship of the land are as important as keeping the land free of development and available to all. SAHC does important work, and I am glad to support it.”

Dick grew up in Kingsport, TN, and the couple met at UT. They particularly enjoyed hiking and exploring the Great Smoky Mountains together. During this time, they first learned about SAHC and became members. Some of their favorite places include the Greenbrier, Alum Cave, and Cades Cove.

“When we moved to the DC area in the ‘80’s, I was aware of the work that SAHC was doing, and I felt that, even if

From afar, they witnessed SAHC gaining momentum and were impressed by the growth of the organization.

Over the decades, the Crawfords increased their level of commitment, from annual membership dues to Gray’s Lily Leadership Circle donors. They also chose to become Legacy Society members by including SAHC in their wills, which provides a lasting legacy for future generations.

“Different levels of commitment become possible as one moves through life,” notes Dick. We are so grateful they have grown with us!

The Crawfords continue to travel back to East Tennessee regularly and appreciate our efforts in protecting the land which still feels like home to them.

“Though I still live a day’s drive from the Smokies, it comforts me to know that SAHC is conserving the land and the views of the Southern Highlands,” says Kate. “When my husband and I visited the Community Farm last fall, we learned that the organization is also involved in land restoration and promotion of farming practices that work to preserve the land instead of exploit it. Community outreach and education about stewardship of the land are as important as keeping the land free of development and available to all.

SAHC does important work, and I am glad to support it.”

For more information about joining our Gray’s Lily Leadership Circle or Legacy Society, contact Pauline Heyne at 828.253.0095 ext 216 or pauline@appalachian.org.

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Asheville, NC Permit No. 460

34 Wall Street, Suite 502 Asheville, NC 28801-2710 (828) 253-0095 Return Service Requested

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What will be Your

Legacy?

Upcoming Hikes & Events!

Community Farm Workshop: Mobile Walk-in Cooler Design/Build Sunday, October 9 and 23

Roan Mountain Suite World Premiere Saturday, October 15

Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo Saturday, October 29

“For Love of Beer & Mountains�

Thunderstruck Hike Saturday, November 5 Remember SAHC in your estate planning and leave a gift that will impact local land and water conservation, forever. By joining the Legacy Society you help protect our incredible landscapes and mountain heritage for future generations.

Contact Pauline at 828.253.0095 ext 216 to learn more.

Fall Hike at Cedar Creek Saturday, November 12

See pg 17 for more events.

Follow us online for updates!

Appalachian.org