View from the Highlands 2014 Annual Report Issue

View

from the Highlands

41 Years Protecting the World’s Oldest Mountains 2014 Annual Report Issue

The View Inside: • New Land Protection p. 4 • Farmland Preservation p. 8 • Our Community Farm p. 10 • Conservation in Action p.12 • Feral Hogs in the Roan p.16 • Upcoming Events p.18 • Members’ Corner p. 20 • Annual Report p. 24

Winter view from the Highlands of Roan Photo courtesy Travis Bordley

Last year was another banner year for conservation in the Southern Appalachians. We preserved over a thousand additional acres, celebrated our 40th anniversary, and continued caring for the globally significant, imperiled ecosystems in the Highlands of Roan. In this Annual Report Issue, you’ll find stories about exciting new land protection projects, farmers producing on our Community Farm, upcoming hikes and events, and more!

Map: SAHC Focus Areas Appalachian Trail Highlands Countryside of Roan

Appalachian.org

Board of Trustees Milton “Buddy” Tignor, Jr., President Nancy Edgerton, Vice President Jay Leutze, Secretary Jack Hamilton, Treasurer Courtney Blossman Leslie Casse Patty Cunningham-Woolf Lyman “Greg” Gregory, III Jim Houser Anne Kilgore Florence Krupnick Bill Lowndes Rick Manske Laura McCue Kathy Singleton Mary Bruce Woody

Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Minneapolis, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Charlotte, NC Kingsport, TN Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Asheville, NC Kingsport, TN Asheville, NC

Staff Carl Silverstein Kristy Urquhart Michelle Pugliese William Hamilton Hanni Muerdter

Marquette Crockett Sarah Sheeran Cheryl Fowler Lisa Fancher Angela Shepherd Pauline Heyne Allison Kiehl

Executive Director Associate Director Land Protection Director Farmland Program Director Stewardship & Conservation Planning Director Roan Stewardship Director Stewardship Associate Membership Director Finance Compliance Director Communications Director Donor Relations Manager Farmland Stewardship & Sustainability Director

Andrea Thompson

Jesse Wood

Kana Miller

Caitlin Edenfield

AmeriCorps Stewardship & Volunteer Associate AmeriCorps Stewardship & Volunteer Associate AmeriCorps Conservation Education & Volunteer Associate AmeriCorps Land Protection & Education Associate

French Black Broad Mountains River Smoky Mountains Valley

Balsam Mountains

Over the past 41 years, we have protected over 68,000 acres across our six focus areas, spanning ten counties in NC & TN.

Land Protection 1974 to Current Acreage Protected

Office

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

Decade

Exciting things coming this year!

Our “For Love of Beer & Mountains” partners at Highland Brewing Company are naming their next summer seasonal brew after Lost Cove — a protected ghost-town inholding in the Pisgah National Forest.

Look for SAHC merchandise in the Asheville and Waynesville Mast General Stores, beginning this Spring!

Highlights: • Carvers Gap (pages 4-5)

Letter from the

Director 2014 was a banner year for SAHC’s conservation work. In addition to preserving critical portions of our flagship area, the Highlands of Roan (p. 4-6), SAHC made strides in local farmland preservation (p. 8-9), launched an exciting new program to provide land access to beginning farmers at our Community Farm (p. 10-11), and continued vital volunteer efforts to care for the unique ecosystems in our mountains. (p. 12-15). Our Roan Stewardship Director, Marquette Crockett, began leading partnership efforts to address damage by invasive hogs in the Roan (p. 16-17).

In this issue, you will find the Annual Report summary (p.24-35), including our sincere gratitude to all the remarkable leaders, members, volunteers, corporate partners, foundations, and others who make our work possible. Unfortunately, last year we also lost several deeply respected friends. Our memorials in this issue (p. 21-22, 29) recognize the lives of these allies of the mountains.

We have an exciting slate of outings and events for 2015 to connect you to the special places you have helped protect (p. 18-19). Please mark your calendars for the annual Appalachian Spring Membership Celebration, to be held on Thursday, May 21 at the Farmhouse Gallery in Unicoi, TN. We hope to see you there!

• Hampton Creek Cove (page 6) • Little Sandy Mush Bald (page 7) • Farmland Preservation (pages 8-9) • Our Community Farm (pages 10-11) • Nature Valley/NPCA Work Day (page 12) • AmeriCorps Project Conserve (page 13) • “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Partnership Work day (page 14) • Conservation Field Journal (page 15) • Feral Hogs in the Roan (pages 16-17) • Upcoming Events (pages 18-19) • Members’ Corner (pages 20-23) • Annual Report (pages 24-35)

Thank you for all you do to help conserve our cherished mountain home.

Do you have a photo or story to share?

We love to hear from our members.

Please contact us at 828.253.0095 or sahc@appalachian.org.

Carl Silverstein Executive Director

For most recent updates, visit us at Appalachian.org and follow us online.

The mission

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

View from the Highlands | 3

L a n d P r o t e c t i o n | U P D AT E S The recently protected tract lies just below the crest of Carver’s Gap.

Highlands of Roan Focus Area

Carver’s Gap

We finally sealed the deal on a treasured 76-acre piece of the Roan landscape just below Carver’s Gap, a popular access point for the Appalachian Trail. In so doing, we have protected scenic views and hiking experiences for future generations to enjoy along the trail — and honored a civic leader of Spruce Pine who committed a lifetime to serving his rural mountain community.

“This tract has been a priority for SAHC for over 40 years, and we are thrilled to be able to conserve it,” said Executive Director Carl Silverstein.

“It was the last privately owned tract before you get to Carver’s Gap, and because of its location and frontage on NC Highway 261, it was at high risk for development. We are so pleased that the landowners chose to sell to SAHC so that the land — and the quality and sense of remoteness for hikers along the AT — will be preserved for the future.”

Gap. The recently protected property is highly visible from the AT at Jane Bald and Round Bald, and is only 900 feet south of the Trail at Engine Gap. The property is surrounded by Pisgah National Forest on three sides.

Former SAHC Board President (and avid Appalachian Trail enthusiast) Joe DeLoach added, “This tract was one of the closest private lands to the Appalachian Trail in the Roan In summer 2013, over 3,500 people visited the grassy balds in the Roan Highlands, in clear view between Jane by accessing the Trail via Carver’s Bald and Grassy Ridge. Development would have not only been a visual intrusion, with its proximity it could have resulted in the sounds of civilization reaching the ridgecrest. Protection of this longtime conservation priority ensures that the user will continue to experience mountain Portions of the tract have been farmed over the past decades.

4 | 2014 Annual Report

The tract is clearly visible from the Appalachian Trail.

scenery and countryside views along one of the most heavily used sections of the AT.” The natural features on the property include globally significant resources whose protection is valued by federal, state and private partners throughout the region. The tract is part of the Roan Mountain Massif Natural Area, which contains one of the most outstanding clusters of rare species and natural communities in the Southern Appalachians, and lies within the Audubon Society’s Roan

L a n d P r o t e c t i o n | U P D AT E S Dr. Davenport with his herd of black angus cattle.

Carver’s Gap Creek flows through the tract.

Mountain Important Bird Area.

Clean headwater sources and trout streams originate on the tract, and the rushing waters of Carver’s Gap Creek, classified as Trout waters and High Quality Waters by the NC Division of Water Quality, run through it.

Portions of the tract have been farmed, used for raising Black Angus cattle and, more recently, Christmas trees.

SAHC purchased the tract using generous gifts and a loan from a private philanthropist.

A portion of the transaction costs were supported by grants from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and the Conservation Trust for North Carolina. We are actively working to raise funds to pay off the loan we took out in order to purchase the tract.

The tract was once owned by Spruce Pine dentist Dr. William Davenport.

L and Full of Memories

Dr. William Davenport Tract Once owned by Dr. William A. Davenport, a prominent dentist in the mountain town of Spruce Pine, the land resonates with memories for former landowners Paul and Diane Pritchard, who sold the property to SAHC. Dr. Davenport, Diane’s father, purchased the tract in 1946 and began breeding Black Angus cattle.

Although he did not live on the property, he visited frequently and cherished the respite it afforded — a special place to get away from the busy demands of his career, to relax and enjoy nature. He selected a tenant family to live in a cabin on the

Calf and mother on the Dr. Davenport tract.

property and care for the cattle, and he continued to take a regular, active role in managing the herd.

As a girl, Diane accompanied her father to visit the herd and remembers giving pet names to calves raised on the tract.

“He would go up to check on them often,” recalls Diane, who enjoyed accompanying her father on such visits. “It was a place away from the hustle and bustle, the calling of needs and wants in town.”

Dr. Davenport continued to breed and raise cattle on the property until 1958. For a long time the land lay fallow, then the Pritchards inherited it and began farming Christmas trees on a lower portion of the tract. After evaluating many possible options for the land, they recently decided to sell to SAHC so that it could be permanently conserved.

“At this stage in our life it makes sense,” said Paul. “Twenty-five years ago, we wouldn’t have wanted to sell it because of the sentimental value – the connection to Diane’s father. He was a great man and a great father – one of the finest men I’ve known.”

View from the Highlands | 5

L a n d P r o t e c t i o n | U P D AT E S Highlands of Roan Focus Area Hampton Creek Cove

Old field/forest succession at the lower elevation provides excellent nesting habitat for neotropical migratory Golden-winged Warblers. The cove also features very productive native trout streams.

The Overmountain Victory National HIstoric Trail passes through the HCC SNA, a site cooperatively managed by TN Dept. of Environmental & Conservation and SAHC.

Trail

In 1986, we assisted the State of Tennessee with the purchase of Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area, and since then we have managed the land for conservation under contract with the state.

The State Natural Area is a 693-acre gem located in Carter County outside of the town of Roan Mountain near Roan Mountain State Park. It is open to the public, with parking access and public hiking trails provided. The area is excellent for birding and fishing.

ional Historic in Victory Nat Overmounta

State Natural Area

Hampton Creek Cove SNA

View into Hampton Creek Cove from the recently purchased tracts.

Hampton Creek Cove Tracts When we learned that a house and adjoining parcel totalling 20 acres had come up for sale neighboring the Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area, it was simply too good to pass up. We purchased the land and existing residence to protect views for hikers in the state natural area and along the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, and to provide a base of operations for stewardship activities in the area.

For the past 28 years, SAHC has restored and managed habitat in the Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area (HCC SNA), working under contract with the State of Tennessee.

The valley, including the two recently purchased parcels, contains rare habitat for Golden-winged Warblers (GWWA) and other migratory song birds. We’ve facilitated a cattle grazing operation there for decades, which helps maintain early successional habitat for the birds, and partnered with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency on major GWWA habitat restoration. We’ve also undertaken a stream restoration and native brook trout re-stocking project at HCC SNA with Trout Unlimited. Purchasing these

tracts will extend the area for such habitat work and buffer the existing state natural area from encroaching development.

In purchasing the adjoining tracts, we are also protecting the Overmountain Victory Trail National Historic Trail (OVNHT) and its viewshed. We have helped build and improve the OVNHT through this area for years. The trail passes through HCC SNA very near the two properties, which are visible from the OVNHT. In the future, the residence on the property may be used to help facilitate our habitat management work in the vicinity.

For more info about visiting Hampton Creek Cove, go to: www.tn.gov/environment/natural-areas/natural-areas/hampton/ 6 | 2014 Annual Report

L a n d P r o t e c t i o n | U P D AT E S French Broad River Valley Focus Area

Little Sandy Mush Bald

The 241-acre tract includes the northern slopes of Little Sandy Mush Bald.

We recently purchased 241 acres in Madison County containing the northern slopes of Little Sandy Mush Bald. The tract boasts high quality northern hardwood forest and adjoins two properties which had been previously protected with conservation easements through SAHC. “Our purchase and long-term commitment to conservation of this property rounds out the protection of this highly visible mountain,” said Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese.

The property rises to 4,800 feet in elevation at the summit of Little Sandy Mush Bald and is visible from the Appalachian Medley Scenic Byway (Highway 209). Little Bald Branch, classified as an Outstanding Resource Water by the NC Division of Water Quality, and three of its tributaries originate on and flow through the property. Additional forest communities

Little Sandy Mush Bald is an iconic summit rising above the rolling farms and coves of the Sandy Mush community. Now, 241 more acres on the northern slopes of this mountain have been permanently preserved for future generations.

on the property include Rich Cove, Acidic Cove, Montane Oak-Hickory, and High Elevation Red Oak. “The members of the Grateful Union Family, Inc. who sold property to SAHC joined together back in 1976 with a common interest to share this special piece of the earth,” added Pugliese.

“Since then they owned the property in common, showing a commitment to their personal goals of living lightly on the earth and being good stewards of the land. It is rare to see this degree of cooperation among a group of people that stands the test of time. Now they have exhibited this same spirit of cooperation and passion to agree to sell the upper slopes of their land to SAHC so that it can be preserved forever.”

Recently purchased 241-acre tract Other SAHC-protected tracts The tract contains exceptional forest communities.

The Grateful Union Family, Inc. also owns and operates Earth Guild, a craft supply store in downtown Asheville, NC.

View of Sandy Mush from the recently protected tract.

View from the Highlands | 7

P r e s e r v i n g | FA R M L A N D The now-protected Willow Creek farmland parcel contains fertile, prime soils.

Approx. 7 acres of the farm consist of prime soils including French loam (FrA) and Statler loam (StB). Approx.

30 acres consist of statewide importance and local importance soils including Tate loam (TaC), Unison loam (UnD), Whiteside loam (WtC), and Evard Cowee Complex (EvD2).

In all, 46% of the property consists of soils that are classified as important for agriculture at the national (9.1%), state (15.55%), and local (21.93%) levels.

French Broad River Valley Focus Area

Willow Creek Bottomlands Not all farmland is created equal. The fertile, “prime” soils that build over time from flooding and deposit along stream corridors form some of the richest soil for producing abundant crops. Unfortunately, this relatively flat, accessible land is frequently lost to development. Accordingly, proactive efforts to conserve the remaining remnants are called for. To protect such prime soils, we recently closed on an agricultural conservation easement with Neal Grogan, Sr. and Zelda Grogan in the Sandy Mush area of Buncombe County, NC.

“This was a long time coming for Neal and Zelda, who love the property,” said Farmland Program Director William Hamilton. “They wanted to see it protected and give their family the ability to keep using it.”

The tract consists of forested acreage, pasture and crop fields, yielding farm products that include tomatoes, field

peas, beans, corn, and beef cattle. Bald Creek and Willow Creek converge on the property to form Sandy Mush Creek.

The newly protected parcel adjoins the 517-acre Bee Branch Farm conservation easement we completed in 2009. It also shares a corner with a 35-acre bottomland parcel protected by conservation easement in 2013.

Willow and Bald Creeks converge on the tract to form Sandy Mush Creek.

8 | 2014 Annual Report

“Permanently protecting this farm is part of a long term strategic plan and a conservation vision to secure the prime soils and the agricultural viability of

a unique and scenic valley,” continued Hamilton. “This critical parcel is vital to the productivity and viability of the Sandy Mush agricultural district as a whole. Nine percent (9%) of the property consists of prime soils. We are proud to have worked for two years hand in hand with the Grogans to accomplish what seemed like an impossible task at the outset. Thank you Neal and Zelda!”

The project was accomplished with funding from the US Dept. of Agriculture’s Federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, donations from the landowners and private philanthropists, and transaction costs from Buncombe County.

P r e s e r v i n g | FA R M L A N D

Gaining Ground Farm

French Broad River Valley Focus Area

Anne & Aaron Grier farm on SAHC-protected land.

The second conservation easement area at Watalula Farm contains a high percentage of prime soils.

Watalula Farm - Phase 2 We have protected additional acreage at Watalula Farm in Leicester, NC, closing on a second agricultural conservation easement with landowner Will Jeffers. The newly protected acreage contains a high percentage of nationally significant, fertile prime soils.

“Being relatively small acreage (21 acres) one might think this is not too much to get excited about,” said Farmland Program Director William Hamilton. “On the contrary, over 80% of this parcel consists of French Loam, a nationally significant prime soil. So, conservation of this land is something to be very excited about!”

The purchase of the development rights on these acres was made possible by grants from the USDA Federal Farm and Ranchland The recently protected land includes prime soils, primarily French loam (FrA) with pockets of Tate loam (TaB), as well as soils of statewide and local importance, including Evard Cowee Complex (EvD2). In all, 95% of the property consists of soils that are classified as important for agriculture at the national (88%) , state (0.5%) , and local (6.5%) levels.

Protection Program and the NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, and a donation of value from the landowner. Buncombe County also made a contribution to the transaction costs.

“Bringing these kinds of funds to the table to provide incentives for landowners to preserve this type of highly productive farmland is exactly what we need to be doing in our Farmland Program,” added Hamilton. “It is what we have been working towards for years, and plan to keep doing.”

The farm contains the floodplain of Newfound Creek. Sluder Branch joins Newfound Creek on the corner of the property.

Although landowner Will Jeffers does not currently farm at Watalula (he and partners own and operate the popular Stanbury restaurant in Raleigh, NC), he wanted to see the land remain in agricultural production.

At present, Jeffers leases Watalula Farm land to neighboring young farmers, including Anne and Aaron Grier of Gaining Ground Farm.

“We have been able to expand our vegetable production with the peace of mind that the land that we are leasing will never be threatened by development,” said Aaron Grier.

“The Jeffers family’s continued generosity has enabled us to increase the number of CSA members, and restaurants in the Asheville area that we supply throughout the year.”

For more info or to purchase a CSA share from Gaining Ground Farm, visit: gaininggroundfarm-nc.com

View from the Highlands | 9

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

Farmer Incubator Program

Meet our Farmers!

Matt Coffay plants veggies on land leased through the Incubator.

We now have two farm ventures — Second Spring Market Garden and a heritage breed Pineywoods cattle operation — participating in our Farmer Incubator Program. The program provides low-cost access to land and resources for new or expanding agricultural operations and is aimed at helping the next generation of farmers fill the gap left as aging farmers retire.

Second Spring Market Garden Matt Coffay and Casara Logan of Second Spring Market Garden are the first vegetable producers in our program.

They grow a variety of vegetables using organic methods and efficient fourseason production with two heated greenhouses now in place on our Community Farm.

“Land access is one of the biggest challenges facing young farmers — especially in an area like Asheville, where relatively flat, inexpensive acreage is hard to come by,” says Coffay. “Plus, in terms of leasing a property, renting cheap land

Second Spring offers fresh veggies grown with organic methods.

with no infrastructure (water, electricity, vehicle access, etc) makes starting a farm — which is already no easy task — even more challenging.”

They had begun selling out of produce for their existing markets and needed to expand production in order to be able to earn full-time incomes as growers. After spending several months unsuccessfully searching for suitable land, they discovered SAHC’s new program.

Second Spring is now taking sign-ups for 2015 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares.

“We’re really excited to be offering the first 52-week fresh vegetable CSA in Asheville,” adds Coffay. “We believe that local food only really works if it’s available every week of the year. It also makes an enormous difference for us when people pay for their share at the beginning of the year, when expenses are high and income is low.”

“When we found the Farmer Incubator Program, we knew we’d finally landed at the right spot,” continues Coffay.

“The folks at SAHC are assisting us with building the infrastructure we need in order to farm effectively on a small scale.

We’ve also been given access to land at a rate that’s affordable for us. Without the Incubator, we’d probably still be looking for farmland.”

Matt and Casara prepare to plant crops at the Farm.

To purchase fresh produce CSA shares from Second Spring Market Garden, visit: secondspringfarm.com Thank You to all who are making this program possible!

Cathy and George Phillips, of Early View Nursery, learned of our need for heated growing space and donated greenhouses; another new greenhouse for our Community Farm came through a TVA Ag and Forestry Fund grant. We’d like to give a huge “thank you” for the donation and grant, and to all the volunteers who came out to help put up both greenhouses. Funding for the launch of the Farmer Incubator program has been provided by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Southern SARE, US Department of Agriculture, and New Belgium Brewing Company.

10 | 2014 Annual Report

O u r | C O M M U N I T Y FA R M Other Happenings at the Farm

We hosted an agricultural equipment demo for local farmers and agency personnel, featuring equipment from the Buncombe County Soil & Water District and Buncombe Cooperative Extension Service.

Once used across the Southeast, Pineywoods are now a relatively rare heritage breed.

Pineywoods Heritage Breed Cattle Also participating in the Farmer Incubator Program is Gina Raicovich, who brought her herd of Pineywoods cattle to our Community Farm last fall. Gina started and managed the 60-acre educational University Farm at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, and is now branching out in her own agricultural venture.

Pineywoods cattle are a resilient heritage breed that thrives in a variety of conditions. Originating in Spain, Pineywoods cattle were once used across the Southeast; however, now only around 1,000 remain.

Gina is passionate about preserving the unique genetics of this now rare heritage breed. She feels that her interests (and needs for the herd) align well with the SAHC’s mission.

Her agricultural operation within our Farmer Incubator Program will involve breeding of Pineywoods cattle and grass-finishing for market, utilizing 26 acres of pasture on the Community Farm with rotational grazing and the possible addition of goats as inter-grazers.

“My lease at the SAHC Community Farm is allowing me to access land close to downtown Asheville so that I can easily grow a small herd while I continue to work full time and look for a more permanent land base for my operation,” she says.

“Ideally I’ll grow my operation to a profitable size before it’s time to leave the farm and shoulder a mortgage on my own land.”

We harvested a sample of frames from our rescued honey bee hive in an educational demonstration.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer Little Anthony visted our Farm and helped plant apple trees for the beginning of a fruit-bearing orchard.

Gina Raicovich (right) and her herd of Pineywoods cattle at our Community Farm.

Students from the French Broad River Academy continued to help remove invasive species and work on our Discovery Trail.

View from the Highlands | 11

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

Around 33 volunteers offered services for the workday.

Three teams worked on trail re-routing.

NPCA/Nature Valley Work Day We hosted another successful volunteer workday in the Highlands of Roan, made possible by a generous grant from the National Parks Conservation Association and Nature Valley. Funding from this partnership has helped us accomplish land stewardship projects over the past several years.

National Trails Tract The aptly-named National Trails Tract is a gateway to the Roan area and central to an expanding network of conservation lands. It is highly visible from the Appalachian Trail on Roan Mountain and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (which traces the route of patriot militia through VA, TN, NC & SC). Because of the property’s connection to such important historic and scenic trails, its notable conservation values — pristine wild trout waters, bird habitat, and adjacency to Pisgah National Forest — it was identified as a high priority for conservation. SAHC purchased the 113-acre property in 2008 to protect it from development and later transferred 73 acres to the state of NC, retaining 40 acres for long-term management.

Trail improvements will help protect stream and habitat health as well.

Organized by our AmeriCorps Project Conserve Stewardship Associates and Highlands of Roan Stewardship Director Marquette Crockett, 33 gracious volunteers gathered to get their hands dirty on our National Trails Tract.

After a brief introduction from Executive Director Carl Silverstein and Don Barger of the National Parks Conservation Association, who manages the corporate relationship with Nature Valley, teams split up to hear safety talks and get to work on several critical projects on the property.

The main objectives of the workday centered around the vision for the tract to be used for hiking and camping enjoyment, and its capability of providing excellent habitat for the threatened Golden-winged Warbler. One team of volunteers improved a scenic area near the property entrance, removing dilapidated and rotting structures to enhance the beauty of a picnic spot next to rushing Roaring Creek.

leads to a breathtaking waterfall, contained gravel sections that were degraded and steep. The trail was unsustainable and eroding quickly. With loppers and digging tools, the Nature Valley work crew re-routed a section of trail down a more gentle slope with a more sustainable tread.

Another team helped control some nonnative, invasive plant species to enhance the quality of breeding habitat for Goldenwinged Warblers. The beautiful sweeping meadows and mosaic of scrub and early successional habitat on the property naturally provide suitable habitat for these threatened neotropical migratory songbirds.

The crew enjoyed lunch in a meadow overlooking a scenic view of the surrounding landscape, including several other tracts that SAHC has helped to protect. Trustee Jay Leutze highlighted major land protection efforts and successes in the area as everyone enjoyed the beautiful autumn weather. Later, volunteers enjoyed hiking to the incredible waterfalls on the Also working to improve visitor accessibility property to end a successful day. It is our to this gateway property, three teams of hope that visitors and Golden-winged volunteers tackled a much-needed trailWarblers alike benefit from the workday for rerouting. The pre-existing trail loop, which years to come!

12 | 2014 Annual Report

C o n s e r v at i o n | I N A C T I O N (L to R) Andrea, Jesse, Caitlin, and Kana, our 2014-15 AmeriCorps crew

AmeriCorps Project Conserve

2014 - 2015 Crew

Participants in AmeriCorps Project Conserve aren’t just looking for an internship. They commit to full-time 11-month service terms, contributing important skills to boost our capacity for conservation. This AmeriCorps program also provides unique opportunities to open doors for conservation careers. Over the years, SAHC has employed four AmeriCorps Project Conserve alumni in staff or contract positions.

AmeriCorps Land Protection & Education Associate

Celebrating AmeriCorps

Caitlin Edenfield graduated from Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies with a BA in Landscape Architecture. She was an intern at the Asheville Design Center, worked as a farm manager in Lewisville, NC, and was an AmeriCorps trail crew member in Vermont. She served as SAHC’s Americorps Land Protection Associate last year and is back again for a second term. In addition to serving SAHC through AmeriCorps, Caitlin is now pursuing her Master of Natural Resources degree from Virginia Tech.

“I want to express my gratitude to our AmeriCorps members and appreciation for the creative energy, work ethic and talent these individuals bring to SAHC. Their often behind-the-scenes involvement in volunteer recruitment, education and outreach, relationship building with landowners and community partners, engagement and capacity building is essential to SAHC’s conservation success. The commitment to service of SAHC’s AmeriCorps, and others representing Project Conserve in western North Carolina, is worth more than my praise alone. To our AmeriCorps – you are valuable members of our organization and I personally want to thank you for committing a year of your life to SAHC.”

AmeriCorps Conservation Education & Volunteer Outreach Associate

Kana and Jesse help build trail stairs during a volunteer work day.

Kana Miller is a recent graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY with a BA in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Intergroup Relations.

A native of Atlanta, GA, Kana grew up hiking and camping in Western NC. She is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School in Tucson, AZ and enjoys backpacking, canoeing, and climbing.

AmeriCorps Stewardship & Volunteer Associates Jesse Wood earned her B.S. in Biology from Furman University in Greenville, SC in May 2014. Her hometown is Pickens, SC, though she lived abroad the first half of her life and grew up outside Washington, D.C. in Arlington, VA. Her most recent research focused on the conservation of Brown-headed Nuthatch in the Upstate of South Carolina. She hopes to continue conducting field research by pursuing a Masters degree in the discipline of conservation/wildlife biology or ecology in the future.

Originally from the Asheville area, Andrea Thompson graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies from Montreat College. She is also returning for a second AmeriCorps Service year. Andrea has worked in invasive species management for Western North Carolina Alliance and as a stewardship intern with The Nature Conservancy in Indiana.

- Sarah Sheeran, Stewardship Associate

(L to R) Andrea, Kana, and Jesse at Grassy Ridge

View from the Highlands | 13

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

“For Love of Beer & Mountains”

Partnership Work Day

View from the Highlands, beautiful reward for a volunteer day.

The plan included removing invasive species and restoring habitat for Goldenwinged Warblers (GWWA). Good company with cheery spirits, a gorgeous day on Grassy Ridge, and delicious food combined to create the recipe for a great workday!

Marquette, our Roan Stewardship Director, gave a brief introduction of the Grassy Ridge area and the importance for GWWA management before we began. The high elevation of the Southern Appalachians is extremely important to the GWWA, a bird that faces such significant declines in population that it has become a proposed candidate for the endangered species. Western North Carolina has a special and important role to play in protecting the warbler because WNC is part of their migratory path and the southernmost area for breeding.

Part of SAHC’s plan for the Grassy Ridge property includes Best Management Practices for GWWA habitat. Half of our Partnership work day volunteers focused efforts on creating and improving habitat by weed-eating blackberry and other thick shrubs. Encouraging the growth of native grasses and wildflowers creates the perfect habitat for the GWWA. The other half of the group created ‘early successional’ habitat by stacking brushpiles. This creates the sort of open edge habitat that GWWAs need to thrive;

On a brisk fall morning, a boisterous group of SAHC and Highland Brewing Company staff (and guests) met at the corner of Roaring Creek Road and 19 East, eager and excited for the busy “For Love of Beer & Mountains” partnership work day at our Grassy Ridge tract.

other rare animals, like the Appalachian cottontail, also love nesting and foraging in these brush piles.

It was a chilly day on the mountain, but that didn’t stop the volunteers from working hard and having a good time.

curves of the mountains, and its presence along the ridge now serves as a reminder of the Mountain Ridge Protection Act of 1983 and the importance of organizations like SAHC and their conservation efforts.

Later in the day, a group took a hike up to the top of the ridge to enjoy a 360-degree view of the Highlands of Roan. Standing just below Grassy Ridge and Round Bald we all took in the view “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Partnership volunteers. of Yellow Mountain, Little Hump and Hump As the afternoon slowly turned into Mountain , with Grandfather Mountain dusk, the volunteers put down their way off in the distance. The ridgeline tools and gathered for an evening meal eyesore, a multi-story block resort of homemade food and refreshing building located on Sugar Mountain, beverages, drifting into laughter and could also be seen in the distance. Its storytelling. stark silhouette stands out against the

About the “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Partnership Highland Brewing Company (HBC) has partnered with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help raise awareness of the beauty and uniqueness of our region’s resources and bring attention to efforts to protect them. HBC names each seasonal release for a feature of our natural landscape.

14 | 2014 Annual Report

C o n s e r va t i o n

On the Roan wit

Field Journal

h M arquette Cro ckett, Highlands of Roa n Stewardship Dir ector

During the past 45 year s,

the Golden-winged War bler (GWWA) has expe rienced one of the steepest declines of any North American so ngbird. The decline in the Appalachians is es pecially alarming -- a 97.8% po pulation loss from 1966 to 2010. Last fall, I was lucky enough to meet with the experts drivin g efforts to save this sp ecies. At a workshop or ganized by Audubon N orth Carolina’s Working La nds initiative, land man agers from 24 organiza tions spanning 6 states came together to learn abou t conservation of the G Chris Coxen WWA in the Roan Hig hlands and nearby area s. I was very excited (and prou d) to learn that two “tou r” stops during the wor kshop were on propertie s managed and/or owne d by SAHC.

The first stop was Ham pton Creek

Cove State Natural Ar ea,

a significant

hotspot for GWWA ne sting

habitat best

described as “montane pasture” since the area is actively grazed . Our second stop was the “bird house” cabin at Grassy Ridge - a SAHC-rpotected land at Grassy Ridge prov ides excellent habitat for known site for GWWA Golden-winged Warblers s and a favorite field sta tion for researchers.

I was also interested to learn about the GWW A “big picture”. For ex ample, even though GWWAs need patches of old field and shrubs , they prefer to have th e landscape contain m ore than 60%- 70% deciduous fo rest within a 1.5 mile ra dius of their nest. Whi le a lack of open habita t is a problem in the southern Appalachians, a lack of forest is a problem for them in other parts of the country. So, to protect these birds long term, we need to protect a he althy mix of forests AN D early successional habitats I think we can do that !

View from the Highlands | 15

C o n s e r v at i o n | I N A C T I O N Damage caused by invasive hogs rooting on the grassy balds.

Invasive Hogs Wreaking Havok on the Roan Over the past year, SAHC’s Roan Stewardship Director, Marquette Crockett, has been talking to conservationists, wildlife agencies, landowners, and farmers about something deeply disturbing in the Highlands of Roan — the growing frequency of invasive wild hog damage.

“The hogs are causing noticeable damage to globally rare ecosystems, including grassy balds, and are spreading into private lands,” said Marquette. “At our spring Roan Stewardship meeting, I was tasked with coordinating our efforts to learn more about these invasive animals and how we can control them.”

records of this type of “feral hog” from Roan Mountain and other areas in North Carolina in the late 1800s. However, it is important to understand that these are NOT the same hogs that we have today. The invasive hogs we are dealing with today are hybrids of feral hogs and Russian Boar.

What is a feral hog?

According to the Center for Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts at Mississippi State, Russian boar were introduced to Hooper Bald in western North Carolina as a game species in 1912 and were moved from there to locations around the country for hunting. Eventually, these hogs escaped from game farms and began to breed with escaped domestic hogs to create the hybrids we have today.

Recently, these invasive hogs have been introduced into new areas of the state by humans in an effort to establish populations of hogs for hunting. They have been documented around the Roan Highlands since 2009, but may have been there longer. These invasive hybrid hogs are very aggressive and

Let’s start with the basics - the word “feral” refers to a domesticated animal that has escaped and is surviving in the wild.

Feral cats, dogs, pigs, and even donkeys are common, depending on what part of the globe you are in. So, when we refer to feral hogs, we are technically discussing domesticated animals that have escaped and are surviving in the wild. There are

Invasive wild hogs in the Roan, caught on wildlife camera

16 | 2014 Annual Report

vigorous - they have no natural predators in Western North Carolina. Typically, hogs live 5-8 years and grow to about 200 lbs, but males may be much larger. Hogs begin breeding around 8-10 months old and have 1-2 litters (10-12 pigs) per year.

What are the impacts of invasive feral hogs?

One of the major problems caused by invasive hogs stems from their diet - they are opportunistic feeders, eating plant material including grasses, tubers, acorns, nuts, fruits, bulbs and mushrooms. They also feed on invertebrates (insects, snails, earthworms, etc.), reptiles, amphibians, carrion (dead animals), and eggs, as well as live mammals and birds if given the opportunity. Feral hogs frequently feed on domestic agricultural crops such as corn, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, potatoes, and melons.

Many of the rare plants and animals found in the Roan Highlands including Gray’s Lily, spruce-fir moss spider, endemic snails and rare salamanders could be eaten by feral hogs. Eggs and young of the golden-winged warbler, Henslow’s sparrow, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, and

C o n s e r v at i o n | I N A C T I O N Feral hogs are particularly dangerous when defending their young.

other ground nesting birds would also serve as a food source. Other rare species, including Carolina flying squirrels may indirectly suffer from competition by hogs for their preferred foods including truffles and insects. In addition to direct predation and competition with rare species, invasive hogs can cause significant physical damage to seeps and springs, grassy balds, and other sensitive habitats.

Invasive hogs are a source of disease for both domestic livestock and humans. They carry and can transmit to livestock: pseudorabies Virus (PRV), swine brucellosis (Brucella suis), bovine tuberculosis (TB), FADs, African swine fever, Classical swine fever (Hog Cholera), and Foot and Mouth Disease. They may also carry and can transmit to humans: leptospirosis, brucellosis, E. coli, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, rabies, swine influenza viruses, trichinosis giardiasis, and cryptosporidiosis.

What can we do?

Unlike other large-scale environmental problems, we can eliminate (or at least greatly reduce) feral hog populations from our landscape with successful trapping and removal programs. For example, hog eradication has been very successful in Kansas; the latest reports indicate that numbers are

below 400 individuals statewide.

The success of the Kansas program was due to a two pronged approach: the state removed hogs as a “game” animal which made it illegal to hunt them (and thus removed the impetus that hunters had to introduce them into new areas) and then began an aggressive eradication program.

Currently, SAHC and our state, federal, and NGO partners have created a working group to address the problem of invasive hogs in the Roan Highlands. With the help of a National Forest Foundation grant, we are currently working to monitor and pinpoint areas of high hog activity, to plan trapping programs, and to educate landowners about the impacts of feral hogs. Through collaborative effort, we hope to keep these aggressive animals from destroying our fragile highland ecosystems.

Wild hogs cause damage to fragile ecosystems and pose threats for hikers and livestock.

Hiking Safety Tips What do you do when you encounter a bristly beast on the trail?

• 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 heavily used areas, 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.

• If using a firearm to protect yourself from a feral hog, ensure that it has enough knockdown power to be effective (otherwise it may be best to avoid the encounter and move to safety instead).

Feral hogs, and damage they cause, is becoming more prevalent in the Roan.

View from the Highlands | 17

Events | OUTREACH

We’re Looking forward to another EVENTFUL year!

For all outings, direct questions and registrations to Kana Miller, SAHC Conservation Education & Volunteer AmeriCorps Associate, at 828-253-0095 x 205 or kana@appalachian.org.

Leave No Trace (LNT) Awareness Workshop with SAHC and the MountainTrue Forest Keepers

Date: Saturday, Feb. 21 | Time: 10 am to 4 pm Where: NC Arboretum | Cost: Free for all (pre-registration required) This full day begins with a morning workshop about the 7 principles of Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics. In the afternoon, we’ll venture outside to Arboretum’s Carolina Mountain Trail (CMT) to put the skills to use. We will do some trail maintenance on the CMT and evaluate parts of the trail for heavy usage and the ways to leave less of an impact. Please bring: warm layers, lunch, water, notepad & pens/ pencils, sturdy hiking shoes, raincoat, and a pack to carry items.

“For Love of Beer & Mountains” Devils Britches Hike Date: Saturday, Feb. 28 | Time: 10 am Where: Cataloochee Ranch above Maggie Valley, NC Difficulty: Moderate | Cost: Free for SAHC members/ $10 non-members Enjoy the first SAHC, Highland Brewing Company and US Fish and Wildlife “For Love of Beer and Mountains” Partnership hike of the year — along Devil’s Britches trail at beautiful Cataloochee Ranch, right at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and for which Highland’s latest seasonal is named. We will hike to Hemphill Bald and enjoy lunch with fine vistas of the Plott Balsam Range, Soco Gap and more.

Did you know?

Highland Brewing Company supports our conservation work through the “For Love of Beer & Mountains” partnership by donating a percentage of proceeds from each seasonal release party to SAHC. Join us for the Little Hump “For Love of Beer & Mountains” release party, to be held at HBC’s Tasting Room in Asheville, NC on March 20.

This moderate 5-mile roundtrip hike with an elevation change of 900 feet begins on a road used for hiking and horseback riding. Expect to see mountain streams and lovely cove hardwood forest mixed at times with hemlock stands and the ever present rhododendron and mountain laurel. At the top of the ridge the woods are replaced by open high altitude pastureland and there is the chance for superb views of four counties and a number of mountain tops including Cold Mountain, Crabtree Bald, Mt. Pisgah and many others. The only difficult part of the hike is the last climb to the top. At the top is a stone table, moved there by Tom Alexander, Jr. and placed in memory of his parents, Tom and Judy Alexander, founders of Cataloochee Ranch.

Please bring: Sturdy hiking shoes, rain gear, water bottle, backpack lunch, camera, warm clothes, and a bag to carry all personal items.

18 | 2014 Annual Report

Enjoy the View!

Events | OUTREACH

Calendar

Behind the Scene with Land Protection Hike

Date: Saturday, March 28 Time: 10 am Where: Maney Fields near Barnardsville, NC Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous Cost: Free for SAHC members/ $10 non-members Join us for a unique, behind-the-scenes experience led by AmeriCorps Land Protection & Education Associate, Caitlin Edenfield. With Caitlin’s guidance, learn how SAHC evaluates properties as priorities for conservation. Maria Wise, from Buncombe County Soil & Water Conservation will also be a guest on the hike. As we make our way through Maney Fields, you’ll receive the inside view into conservation project selection criteria and particularly, what makes Maney Fields so special. From the summit, a 360º vista offers views onto Barnardsville, Frosty Knob, Reems Creek, Sugar Creek, Rocky Face, Big Butte, Sandy Mush Bald, Roan Mountain, Craggy Dome, and Craggy Peak. It is also located near SAHC-protected land at Razor Mountain and close to Navitat Canopy Adventures. Please bring: Sturdy hiking shoes, rain gear, water bottle, backpack lunch, camera, warm clothes, and a bag to carry all personal items.

Yoga on the Mountain

Date: Sunday, April 12 | Time: 11 am Where: Blue Ridge Pastures, overlooking the Fairview Farming Community and Hickory Nut Gorge Difficulty: Moderate Cost: Free for SAHC members/ $10 non-members We’re thrilled to have Kim Drye of Here Now Yoga leading this session for Yoga on the Mountain! We will hike to the top of Blue Ridge Pastures, lay down yoga mats, and practice our sun salutations, among many other poses. From the top of Blue Ridge Pastures, hikers and yogis alike will experience the beauty of their surroundings and the invigorating calm brought on by practicing yoga.

We will see Bearwallow Mountain and Hickory Nut Gap Gorge and learn why conservation is so important in the Fairview Farming Community. You don’t need to have any prior yoga experience — but please bring your own blanket and yoga mat.

Please bring: Sturdy hiking shoes, blanket, yoga mat, comfortable clothes, warm layers, water, sunscreen, and a pack to carry items.

Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop February 21 NC Arboretum, Asheville, NC “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Devils Britches Hike February 28 Cataloochee Ranch “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Little Hump Release Party March 20 Highland Brewing Company Behind the Scenes with Land Protection Hike March 28 Maney Fields Yoga on the Mountain with Kim Drye of Here Now Yoga April 12 Blue Ridge Pastures, Fairview, NC Everybody’s Environment Action Group Family Fun Festival April 25 Location TBA “Appalachian Spring” Membership Celebration May 21 The Farmhouse Gallery in Unicoi, TN Land Trust Day June 6 June Jamboree June 26 Grassy Ridge Mow-Off July 18 & 19

View from the Highlands | 19

Members’ | CORNER

Become an SAHC Member!

Enjoy free guided hikes & member discounts Name Address City/State/Zip Phone E-mail Annual Membership Level: Family $50 __ Single $35__ Organization $100 ____ Additional donation $________ ___ Please send me information about planned/ estate giving and other ways to support SAHC. ___ Please make my gift anonymous.

G i f t s • Tr i b u t e s • M e m o r i a l s I’d like to make this contribution __ A gift membership for __ In honor of __ In memory of Person to recognize (gift recipient or honoree): Send dedication or gift acknowledgment to: Address: E-mail:

Monthly Giving Our monthly giving program is an easy way to support our work! Choose an amount that makes sense for your budget, and become one of our growing family of sustaining members.

___ Please enroll me in monthly giving at $_______ per month Name as it appears on the card: Credit Card #: 3-digit security code: Expires:

Make your gift online at Appalachian.org or fill out & mail this form to: SAHC, 34 Wall Street, Suite 502, Asheville, NC 28801. Donations & annual membership dues are tax deductible.

Financial information about the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at (919) 733-4510. The license is not an endorsement by the state.

20 | 2014 Annual Report

New Members

Welcome to SAHC! We couldn’t do this without you!

Richard Baird Dane & Cynthia Barrager Nevin & Judy Belser Stefanie Bourne William Boy Eckel & Rita Bradley Donald Brannon Penny & Dickie Brewer Katy Briggs Lee Brill Patricia Brown & Mike Cackowski Barbara Brownsmith Campbell Andy Carroll Carl Church Ellen Davis-Zehr Katherine DeCoster Stephen Edge & Sarah Davis Maureen Feuston Alan Front John & Cindy Gibson Linda Giles Edward & Linda Golding

Membership Benefits:

Tamara Graham John Green Neal & Zelda Grogan Lisa Haas Shiri Handly Phil Hatmaker Cyrus Hawkins Dr. Anna Hayward Andrew & Denise Hedberg Lee Hilliard Rose Jenkins Beth Johnson Tom Kelly Mitchell & Ann Kingsley Judith Kramer & Lloyd Comstock Floyd Leffew Dudley & Rebecca Lehman Brad Lich Jeremiah Mattysse Toni Meador Edgar Miller Walter & Kimiko Miller Nancy & Curtis Nelson Steve Newman

Paul Preston Kathy & Robert Rauch Geoff Ray Margot Roberts & Dunham McAllister Suzanne & Sean Rubin Lee Ryan Art & Becky Santora Robert Sarabia Joe Sasfy & Marianne Mooney Mary & Joseph Schubauer-Berigan Doug Shepardson Michelle Smith Bonnye Talbot John & Jan Thompson Joseph Weintraub Noah Wiese & Katie Knorovsky Keith & Johnnie Wood James Yon Chris Young

Members of SAHC receive: Free guided hikes on protected properties, View from the Highlands newsletter, monthly E-news, discounts on merchandise, invitations & discounts to special events. Know that whatever you give will go toward active, focused, and sensible land conservation work. Thank you!

Members’ | CORNER

In Memoriam: Jane Alexander Jane Alexander, a Renaissance woman who created beauty wherever she went, died peacefully at her home last October, surrounded by family.

She was 79. At various stages in her life, she was a journalist, an artist, a photographer and a chef. She was also a generous friend who inspired others with her warmth, curiosity and zest for life.

magazines. She was captivated by city life, but her husband, Tom, coaxed her to leave it to spend summers in a rustic woods camp on the edge of the Smoky Mountains. There, she, Tom and their two children built an authentic log cabin. She quickly fell under the spell of the Smokies, where she learned as much about native plants as some of the local experts. She was an advocate for conservation and a member of SAHC for more than 20 years.

Raised in Utica, N.Y., she carved out a career in the maledominated world of science journalism. She became a senior editor at Time-Life Books in New York, and later at various Jane’s husband, former SAHC-Trustee Tom Alexander, was part of the Alexander family that owns and continues to operate Cataloochee ranch (right), where SAHC completed our first conservation easement in the early 1990s.

Tributes

A tribute gift is a special way to honor someone or a special occasion.

In honor of Pat & Glenn Bass Julie Ransom

In honor of Mike Green John Green

In honor of Judy Murray Don & Ruth Kreh

In honor of Ellis Tait Megan Sutton & Andy Tait

In honor of Morris & Joyce Brill Lee Brill

In honor of Annamarie Burgess & Ian Holloway Colin Holloway

In honor of Judy Murray & Tom Gatti Art & Charlotte Ellis

In honor of Harry & Pat Turner Art & Charlotte Ellis

In honor of Aaron & Susan Carey Bob & Nancy Carey

In honor of Jay Leutze Ellis & Barbara Aycock

In honor of Our lil’ Chile Cyrus Hawkins

In honor of Betsy Gray & Ed Lunow Diane & Jerry Lunow

In honor of Brady Rochford Renee Rochford

In honor of Warren & Lauren Wall Valerie Shrader

In honor of Jane Collins Laura Collins In honor of Andy Dempsey Roberts & Stevens, PA In honor of Fowler Dugger Helen Gift In honor of Zellie Earnest Josephine Morrison In honor of Charlotte Ellis Art Ellis In honor of Powell Foster Don & Ruth Kreh In honor of Bob Gault Beth Wells

In honor of Bill Ryan Lee Ryan

In honor of Ray & Fiona Watts Lee Hilliard

In honor of the SAHC staff Heidi Hannapel

In honor of Dave Werle Starks Financial Group

In honor of Ann Meador Toni Meador

In honor of Jim Samsel East West Capital LLC

In honor of Cheryl Fowler & Steve Melton Ben & Patty Woolf

In honor of Zane & Rebecca Scott Art & Charlotte Ellis

In honor of Jared & Greylon Woolsey Renee Rochford

In honor of Frony Ward & Allan Morgan Sylvia Dry

In honor of David Smith & family Pat Dunn & Lee Ann Smith

In honor of Charles Maynard Alan & Christina Householder

View from the Highlands | 21

Members’ | CORNER

In Memoriam: Kay Hultquist

Kay leads Carl and Kristy on a site visit of her land in 2000.

Wild Edibles Hike, 2006.

Memorials

Katherine (Kay) Bacon Hultquist, age 97 of Maryville, passed away at her home in October. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles H. Hultquist. Born in Cambridge, MA in 1917, Kay received her BA at the Florida State College for Women and her MA at the University of Tennessee. She was a life-long traveler, well known weaver, musician, conservationist, hiker and bicyclist.

Her family, church and many friends were the focal point of her life as was the joy she found in providing service to others. Her sense of adventure inspired all those whose lives she touched.

Kay donated a conservation easement on her property, which adjoins the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to SAHC in 2000. For many years, she led wild edibles hikes on her beloved land, providing hikers with hand-made minature books which included handdrawn sketches of plants seen along the hike and medicinal uses or recipes. We are grateful to her sons Chip and Joe, who accompanied her and helped with those hikes as well. Kay was an energetic, caring, and inspiring woman, and she will be missed.

Kay at home in her cabin.

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

In Memory of Jane Alexander Lynnell Reese In Memory of David C. Bailey Lisa & George Francisco In Memory of Betty; Bonnie; Maryann & Buddy Penny & Dickie Brewer In Memory of Merrilyn Butterworth Blue Ridge Community Health Services Mr. & Mrs. Eckel Bradley Edie & Bruce Campbell Doug Shepardson Steven Shepardson John & Jan Thompson, Phyllis Thompson & Patty Thompson Jones Keith & Johnnie Wood In Memory of Richard Coker Lynnell Reese In Memory of Jim Crews Mary Crews

In Memory of Hank Gamble Juan Ascoli In Memory of Kay Hultquist Haywood County Women’s Book Group In Memory of Jim Johnson Barbara Conrad In Memory of Roy Meadow Toni Meador In Memory of Rosemary Russo Moore Dan & Rosalie Russo In Memory of Charles Nesbitt Mack & Yvonne Day In Memory of Deborah Dyer Neves W. Mills & Nancy Dyer In Memory of Darrol Nickels Joe DeLoach Don & Ruth Kreh Paul Somers

22 | 2014 Annual Report

In Memory of Matthew “Teo” Reha Nevin & Judy Belser DNV GL – Seattle office Linda Giles Phil Hatmaker Andrew & Denise Hedberg Mitchell & Ann Kingsley Judith Kramer Prairie Storyteller Guild In Memory of Dr. Sidney C. Roberts Carol T. Coffey In Memory of Jane Schreiber Norbert Schneider Jim Schreiber In honor of J.M. & Enid Silverstein Lynn Silverstein In Memory of Lauren Starkman Mark & Ellen Starkman In Memory of Hugh “Max” Thomason Jean Thomason

Members’ | CORNER

Letter From the President Milton “Buddy ” Tignor, Jr.

of the process. Needs for housing, roads, commercial and industrial sites should be carefully balanced with protection of our watersheds, unique ecosystems, prime farmlands, and rare and endangered species. The members, volunteers, AmeriCorps, and staff at SAHC work tirelessly to protect Today there is a subdivision with our mountain home, and serving as close to 150 homes on it. Where President of the Board of Trustees for once foxes roamed now there is a the past year and “SAHC is about land conservation, half has been a great honor. but we are also all about people, My interest in conservation originates in an all too common experience.

I was raised on a beautiful 100-acre farm in Virginia, surrounded by fields, forest, and creeks. When my grandfather passed there was only the most rudimentary of estate plans in place, and after a litany of legal issues and public hearings by other members of the community the farm was lost.

relationships, and human ties to the land.” neighborhood called Foxberry. I was too young to understand the nuances of the urbanization of this landscape, but even at 14, I personally felt that this was the destruction of a beautiful resource and not an improvement.

Development has its place, but strategic planning should be part

Every parcel of land protected has a unique story. Some of those stories are short, while others contain characters and twists suitable for a novel. All are celebrated. These conservation transactions require a scaffolding of expertise, relationship building, and numerous hours of staff effort with assistance from a huge array of supporters and volunteers.

I am not one to go back in time, but I cannot escape asking myself the question, could the outcome of the farm I had grown

An avid mountain biker, Buddy enjoys the view from SAHC-protected Cataloochee Ranch.

SAHC President Buddy Tignor with son Seamus.

up on been different? What if an organization like SAHC had been there to help, to provide counsel and useful expertise? Fortunately, landowners and concerned citizens in WNC and East TN don’t have to have to think about ’What if?’

We have one of the oldest and most respected land trusts in the country to help. SAHC is about land conservation, but we are also all about people, relationships, and human ties to the land. It is ultimately our love of the land that propels SAHC forward, and the important conservation work we accomplish could not continue without your help.

When you think about your favorite places to hike, fish, reflect, and spend time with loved ones please think about supporting the efforts at SAHC, monetarily or otherwise. All support is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your continued support and lets all continue to grow SAHC together in 2015!

Milton “Buddy” Tignor, Jr. President, Board of Trustees

View from the Highlands | 23

2014 in a Nutshell

A N N U A L | R E P O RT

Land Protection

1,462 Newly Protected Acres

Stewardship

38 SAHC-owned properties 139 Conservation Easements 100% Monitored in 2014

Volunteers

323 Volunteers 2,800+ Donated Service Hours 24 | 2014 Annual Report

Outreach

23 Guided Hikes 401 Hikers 1,774 Miles HIked!

A N N U A L | R E P O RT

Financial Summary ( July 1 2013 - June 30, 2014) SAHC Assets

2013/2014

2012/2013

$ 1,073,294 101,894 23,713

$ 1,524,810 81,311 17,346

152,190 $ 1,351,091

-$ 1,623,467

Long-Term Assets Permanently Protected Properties Endowments/Investments Planned Giving Receivable Life Estate Land Assets Property & Equipment Mitigation Escrow Trade Lands Total Long-Term Assets

$ 20,727,919 5,017,243 116,629 1,118,331 410,212 105,254 54,000 $ 27,549,588

$ 22,736,448 3,712,055 132,959 1,095,991 367,293 -54,000 $ 28,098,746

TOTAL ASSETS

$ 28,900,679

$ 29,722,213

Current Assets Cash & Equivalents Receivables Prepaid Expenses Mitigation Credit Inventory Total Current Assets

SAHC Liabilities & Net Assets 2013/2014

FY 13/14 Revenue & Support

$

94,877 1,957,190 $ 2,052,067

$

TOTAL NET ASSETS

$26,848,612

$26,480,271

TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

$28,900,679

$29,722,213

56,036 3,185,906 $ 3,241,942

To obtain a copy of the complete SAHC financial statements, please send us a note: 34 Wall Street, Suite 502, Asheville, NC 28801 or email: sahc@appalachian.org

1,944,987 341,980 823,810

(Investment gains/interest, sales, events)

Total Support/Revenue.. $6,227,083 Contributions 50%

2012/2013

Current Liabilities Long-Term Liabilities Total Liabilities

$3,116,306

Contributions..................

Grants Government..........................

Foundation ..........................

Other .............................

Other 13%

Grants 37%

FY 13/14 Expenses Program Services........................ $5,767,679 Management & Administration..... 230,421 Fundraising ................................

69,982 Total Expenses............... $6,068,082 General & Administration 4% Fundraising 1%

Program 95% Annual Report | 25

A N N U A L | R E P O RT

Thank You to All our Supporters!

Gray ’s Lily Leadership Circle SAHC’s Gray’s Lily Leadership Circle gives special recognition to donors who give $1,000 or more annually.

$10,000+ Anonymous (3) Everett Bowman Jim & Francine Clarke Ron & Nancy Edgerton Neal & Zelda Grogan Will & Theresa Jeffers Charles Klabunde Cathy & George Phillips GD Smith Brad & Shelli Stanback Fred & Alice Stanback Tim Sweeney $5,000 - 9,999 Fred & Cleone Black Kate & Dick Crawford Robert Detjen Mabel Duckett William & Ellen Gaddy Jay Gleason & Hershella Smith Bill & Dee Dee Maxwell Kathy & John Singleton $2,500 - 4,999 John & Annie Ager Vicki Bennett & Richard Luker Bruce & Mary Cunningham David Erwin & MaryAnn Kiefer William & Carol Falender Lisa & George Francisco Michael & Sydney Green

Susie & Will Hamilton Kathy & Robert Hauch Jim Houser Dinesh & Alexandra Jain Popsie Lynch Edward Oliver Anne Ponder & Chris Brookhouse Jim Samsel & Kim McGuire Shirley Schultz Cam & Wendy Smail $1,500 - 2,499 Michael & Catty Andry Holly & Bernard Arghiere Billy & Cindy Clarke Helen Gift Edward & Linda Golding Clemie Gregory Molly & Dan Hitchcock Robert & Jane Hite John Hoskins & Laura Webb Kathleen Leutze Bill & Kim Lowndes Carole & Rick Marcotte Robbie & Jen McLucas Jeff Needham Cynthia Poortenga James Ross Marc Rudow & Deborah Miles Joe Sasfy & Marianne Mooney Terry & Elizabeth Simmonds Tom & Laurie Williams

26 | 2014 Annual Report

$1,000 - 1,499 Joel & Marla Adams Becky & Ed Anderson Richard Baird Warren & Larissa Bare Tom & Kim Barnhardt & Family Ann Batchelder & Henri Kieffer Frank & Ranlet Bell Robert & Joy Bierbaum Kent & Jeanette Blazier Courtney Blossman Clay & Leigh Bordley Phyllis Bosomworth Dave & Lin Brown Kirk & Shelley Brown Charles K. Brumit Bruce & Toni Byers H. Stuart Camblos Daniel & Leslie Casse Mr. & Mrs. Lee Chambers R. Booth & Georgeanne Chapman Dorothy Chappell Maggie Clancy & Alan McGregor Elizabeth Colton John Crosland III Charles & Jeanne Cummings Joe DeLoach Norman & Erna Earle Mary Ellen Edmonds Murray Evans & Dee Montie Priestly & Brent Ford David Gantt

Peter & Jas Gentling John Green Greg & Michele Gregory Jackson & Laurie Hamilton Bob & Mabel Harvey Jeff & Lee Hatling Lance & Nancy Herning Sheila & Stace Horine Mary & Randy Johnson Jim & Lynn Karegeannes Joe & Liz Kelleher Anne Kilgore Jack & Florence Krupnick Anne & Claude Libis Rick & Rebecca Manske John & Dee Mason Laura & Mike McCue Charlie & Shirley Anne McCullough Pat & Doug McDowell John & Connie McLendon Hezzy & Sharon Miller Carol Ann Mitchell & Carrie Lenburg Ken & Lottta Murray Carol Namkoong George & Jean Nilsen Gregory Olson & Rosalind Willis James & Katherine Overholser Leonard & Esther Pardue Walter & Barbara Pitts Joe Sam & Kate Queen

A N N U A L | R E P O RT Suzy & Ed Rankin Sally Rhoades Ivon & Blair Rohrer, Jr. Dan Rosenberg & Jen Gervais John & Susie Ruhl Bill Ryan & Lynn Bledsoe Waid & Babbie Shelton Dave Sherman

Lynn Silverstein Dan & Evelyn Slagle Phil & Pat Smith Carole Spainhour Sandra Spooner Donna & Jim Sublett Jacklyn G. Tatelman & Nancy J. Pope

Buddy Tignor Jason & Rebecca Warner Jean Webb Stephen & Kelley Wilkinson Joseph & Terese Williams Stephen & Mary Bruce Woody Lach Zemp

Leadership Circle Reception A big thank you to all our major donors, corporate donors and SAHC leaders who came out to celebrate our conservation successes on October 2 at the home of Ed and Suzy Rankin. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful night in Fairview, NC. Over 75 people were in attendance and Leadership members Jennifer and Robbie McLucas. enjoyed spectacular views and delightful conversations. Carl Silverstein spoke about our 40-year history and how SAHC is overcoming challenges in conserving our mountains. Gray’s Lily Leadership Circle members provide critical funding, empowering us to protect incredible landscapes and continue our groundbreaking conservation programs throughout the SAHC staff with hosts Suzy and Ed Rankin. region.

SAVE THE DATE: We are looking forward to celebrating with our Gray’s Lily Leadership Circle members on Sunday, October 4 at the next signature event. The event will take place on our SAHC Community Farm with an option to tour the grounds. We hope you will join us!

$500 - 999 Alan S. Baumgarten, MD & Judy Hoffman, DO Bob & Carol Bauer Paul & Wyndy Bonesteel Mary Ellen Brewington Tom & Jo Brock Wes and Nancy Brown john Cheeseborough Douglas & Betsy Clarke Dumont Clarke & Shirley Linn Barbara Conrad Paul & Susan Crutchfield Jack & Maxine Dalton Shannon & Rachel Davis Bill & Betty Gray Davis Victor Dostrow & Renee Ethridge Jennie Eblen & James Perkins Stephen Edge & Sarah Davis Art & Charlotte Ellis Ray & Susan Ellis Woody Farmer Linda M. Good Robert Harvey Barbara Hiestand Lee Hilliard Norma Holmes Martin & Page Hull Carleton Jones Richard Kark Tom & Cathy Klages Witt & Beth Langstaff, Jr. Anita & Jerry Leger Jay Leutze Leah & Brian Mathews Copley & Merriwether McLean Toni Meador Sandra & Jackie Melton David & Jill Millar Allison & Kincaid Mills Jennifer & Jay Mills David & Linda Moulton Tanagra & Martin Netsky Margaret H. Newell Lunda & Tom Reeder Sandra & Bryant Riley Annual Report | 27

A N N U A L | R E P O RT Judith Roach Ed & Ann Rowell Stuart & Nancy Ryman Jerry & Dianna Rysticken Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Schenck Jim Schreiber Charlotte Sheppard Jim & Marianne Skeen Sandra S. Spooner Ellen & Mark Starkman Robert & Lori Thomas Craig Thompson Dianne Tuttle Coralie Tweed & Ray Morgan Harvey Westervelt Doug & Pat Williams John & Ashley Wilson, Jr.

Jim & Stacey Carson John & Ellen Cate Dave Charlton Richard & Frieda Coleman Ellen & Rountree Collett Barry Cooper & Sarah Bivins W. R. Cuthbertson, Jr. Robert Daniel Darilyn Dealy John & Joan Dickson Mabel Duckett Catharine Ellis & Kent Stewart Alan & Suzanne Escovitz Hedy Fischer & Randy Shull Randy & Beth Fluharty Judy Francis John & Janet Garrett

Catawba rhododendron

$250 - 499 Charlie & Ann Baker John R. Ball Luther & Ruth Barnhardt Bob & Carol Bauer George & Ellen Benson Karel & Elizabeth Bernady Regi & Katherine Blackburn Charles & Mary Bowman Ken Brame & Judy Mattox Robert Brunk Thomas & Linda Bushar Tom & Cathy Byers William & Ann Campbell Charlotte Caplan & Mike Brubaker

Doris Gove Ileana Grams-Moog John & Lori Groce Peggy Guthrie Ben & Kathryn Hall Benjamin Hamrick Raymond Hohenberger Tommy & Sara Holderness Lang & Ann Hornthal Zoe Hoyle Ann & Sam Hubbard Tom Jenkins & Rebecca Stimson Bill Keenan Art & Penny Kiser

28 | 2014 Annual Report

Donald & Ruth Kreh Betty Gayle & Felix Laughlin R. Michael & Michelle Leonard Keith Levi William Linebarger Ken Linker Michael & Mary Alice Lodico Penelope Longhurst Damaso & Francie Lopez John Lowndes John & Rita Lowndes Ferris Lyle Hal Mabray & Cathy Silverstein Meg MacLeod Walter & Nancy McConnell Tracy McCracken Anne & Marshall McLaughlin Steve Melton & Cheryl Fowler Bruce & Mary Ann Minkin Kirsten Mitchell Mark & Mary Moody David V. Moore Tom & Sally Moore Thruston & Patricia Morton Susan Muehl Fountain & Carmen Odom Lucy Oliver & Tom Rightmyer Tom, Kate, & Ella Pagano Robert Peet Pat & Debbie Phillips Penny & Ray Ponder Nancy J. Pope & Jacklyn G. Tatelman Karen Prus & Lewis Carson Glen Pyles Lynnell Reese Bob Reynolds Robbins Richardson Charles & Ramona Rowe Ed & Cathy Rudisill Ken & Patra Rule Art & Becky Santora Ann Satterthwaite

William & Martha Scarborough Ed Schwartzman Jonathan Scott Glen Singletary Jim & Jane Sleeva David & Melissa Smith Nancy & Sebastian Sommer Joe & Mary Standaert Greg & Dawn Starks Mary Kay & Bill Sullivan John Z.C. Thomas Karen Untz Michael & Fran Vavrek Austin & Abigail Walker Robert & Ruth Warner Peter & Ann Weigl J. Tracy & Barbara Wilkerson Steven & Judith Winchester Hank & Nancy Young $100 to $249 Andy & Lorene Aarons Roxanna Albury & William E. Chaiken Dr. & Mrs. Edmond Alley Deyerle Anderson Dewey & Susan Andrew Bruce Armstrong Tom & Alice Aumen Stephen & Barbara Austin Ellis & Barbara Aycock Gary & Betty Bailey Drs. John & Darragh Bailey Rod & Bess Baird Ervin L. Ball, Jr. & Carol Cousins Jean Bangham Dane & Cynthia Barrager Pat & Glenn Bass Richard & Wallis Baud Ralph Baumgardner, Jr. Bob & Donna Benner Sara & Louis Bissette Jim Blose & Sarah Rubin Earl & Judy Booze Cindy Shealy & Greg Borom

David & Laura Bourne Jack & Amy Boyles Kathie & Risher Brabham Jay Bretz Penny & Dickie Brewer Beth Brinson Jeff Brittain Leah Broker Patricia Brown & Mike Cackowski James & Gale Buchanan Kathleen Buck & Ken Moore Forrest Buckley Charlotte Burnette Jaime Burnham & Gay Marie Logsdon Lana Burns Judy & Robert Byrd Rebecca & Randy Campbell Charlotte Caplan & Mike Brubaker Hank Carr Richard & Barbara Carter Jerry & Kathy Case John Chilton Catherine Ciolac Marguerite Clark Calvin & Martha Ann Claxton Carol T. Coffey Brian Coggins Brian & Barbara Cole Laura Collins Sally & Alan Cone Rob & Cindy Corley John & Nancy Cosgrove Ron Cox Anne Coxe Gregory & Martha Crampton Mary Crews Philip Croll James & Marion Crowell Polly Daniel Brendan & Jennifer Davey Cathy & Terry Davis Norman & Debbie Davis Mack & Yvonne Day

A N N U A L | R E P O RT Katherine DeCoster Edgardo Diez Brian & Linda Dillon Carolyn Dorner Don & Carolyn Dougall Sylvia Dry Pat Dunn & Lee Ann Smith Marilyn Kolton & Louis Dwarshuis W. Mills & Nancy Dyer Michael & Anna Eddy Kevin & Marilyn Edgar Miles & Millie Elmore Lina Evans & Ira Sloan F. Miles Ezell Stephen & Julia Falling Mary Fanslow Heinz & Elisabeth Feil Mac Felder John Finnegan & Stephanie Horton Michael A. Fisher & Sherry J. Hinton Chas Fitzgerald Jerry Foxworth Anne & Robin French Alan Front Lee Galloway & Nancy Thompson Zach Galloway Art & Nancy Garrett Warren & Sharon Gaskill James & Kathleen Gears Sally Gerhardt Charles Gershon Bill Gibson John & Minnie Gillett Linda Giltz Ronald & Heather Girard Michael & Elizabeth Golden David Goodkind Roy & Ellen Gortney David Graham Mary Bailey Gray Andrea Greco Dan & Patti Connor-Greene

Greg Greenhow & Sherlene Spicer-Greenhow Mr. & Mrs. George Gsell Jayden Gurney Joe Hackney Kristine & Chris Hall Shiri Handly John & Bootsie Hansen Art & Hannah Harris William & Alice Hart Richard & Eileen Hayes Dr. Anna Hayward Damon & Megan Hearne Jim & Caryl Heid Eberhard & Jean Heide Ann Hendrickson & Bill Otto Brevard Henry Joel & Pamela Herning Glen & Mary Jo Hess Pauline & Lee Heyne Doug Hibshman Ronald Hicks Jackie D. Highley James & Jolly Hill Michael & Lynne Hill Dr. & Mrs. J. Parks Hitch, Jr. Charles & Pamela Hodge Mark & Carmen Holeman Bill Holman Robert Gingrich & Joyce Hooley Joe & Jean Hope, Jr. Alan & Christina Householder Thomas & Audrey Janzen Dr. Mark & Liesa Jenkins Charles & Luise Johnson Dan & Karol Lynn Johnson Robert & Julie Johnson Gilbert & Murray Johnston Eckess & Anne Jones L. Collier Jordan Connie & Noel Kane-Maguire Anne & Gary Kauffman Joseph Keiger

Leaving a legacy for conservation

Legacy Society

When you make a bequest and include SAHC in your estate plans you join a group of visionary conservationists who stay committed to protecting the special places we love in Western NC and East TN. The Legacy Society recognizes the foresight and commitment of extraordinary people who make SAHC a beneficiary in their estate planning. If you plan to leave us a legacy gift, please let us know so we can thank you.

We gratefully recognize members of SAHC’s Legacy Society : Katherine Bachman* Mildred Blaha* Tom & Jo Brock Robert D. Brown* G. Kimberly Carter* Carol T. Coffey Lee Davis Bruce DeBruhl Robert Detjen Jerome Drown* Pauline Dunne* Alan & Suzanne Escovitz Maxine Ference Robert & Kerri Ford H. Joan Foster Mildred Hawk* David Goodkind* *those whose gifts have been fulfilled

Jacqueline Michel & Miles Hayes David & Judy Johnson

Charles & Caroline Ribelin Elizabeth Richardson & Michael Pawlyk

Julia Jones* Julia Irwin* Leah Karpen Charles Klabunde Jim & Mary Allen Martin Laura and Mike McCue Sandra & Jackie Melton Carol Ann Mitchell & Carrie Lenburg Karen & David Mouw Kay Murray* Rick Phelps Bill Popper* Lynnell Reese

Allan Safford* William & Martha Scarborough Shirley Schultz Terry & Elizabeth Simmonds William Smith* Susan Stone* Sarah Thomason Craig Thompson Buddy Tignor Pat Tompkins Charlotte Umholtz* Nancy Wallace* Amelia Jo Wier* Ben Willis*

In Memoriam: David Goodkind

David S. Goodkind passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at age 75. Dave was a gentle and generous person, well liked by the many who knew him. He delighted in all aspects of the natural world. A vigorous hiker in his prime, he was a member of the Sierra Club, SAHC and many similar organizations. His name says it all - he was a “good, kind” man who was passionate about the June Jamboree, and will be sorely missed. We are very grateful David at the 2014 June Jamboree. that David provided for SAHC in his estate plans.

Annual Report | 29

A N N U A L | R E P O RT

Outdoor Clubs

Four Seasons Garden Club French Broad River Garden Club Haywood County Women’s Book Group Prairie Storyteller Guild Tennessee Eastman Recreation Club Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club Town & Country Garden Club Valley Forge Chapter American Rhododendron Society Judy Kelly Ruth Kimberly Cathy King Larkin & Rosa Kirkman Jamie & Elizabeth Kiser Travis Knowles Elizabeth Kostova Cameron Kurowski & Holly Musgrove August & Susan Landl Robert Larson Dudley & Rebecca Lehman Nelson Levings, III Brad Lich Carl Loftin Ryan Lubbers Ellen & Hank Lyle George & Eloise MacKay Lee & Pat Magness Jo Ann Main & Carol Nichols Gail Manheimer Brent & Lisa Manning Jean & Jack Margeson Chandler & Virginia Martin Jim & Mary Allen Martin Carolyn & John Martin

Mark Matheny Jon & Melissa Mather John & Nancy Mathewson Jeff & Dianna Mazza Margaret McAlevey Patricia McCauley Hugh & Carol McCollum Tom & Robin McCoy John McCreary Kenneth & Sandra McDonald Karen & Gary McDougal Jeanne & James McGlinn Richard McLain & Lonni Schultz George McLellan John & Cynthia McMahon Tom & Denise McMurrain Bill & Wanda Melton Gerald & Bette Meyer Jonathan & Kim Miller Rick Mitchell & Cynthia Martin Cynthia Modlin Michael Mooney & Marja Warehime Frank Moretz

30 | 2014 Annual Report

Pam & Joe Morris Josephine Morrison Karen & David Mouw Jennifer Mullendore David & Karen Muow John & Sherry Murphy Judy Murray & Tom Gatti James Neal Robert & Julia Nesbit Steve Newman Donald & Barbara Newton Buddy & Joan Nickels Darrol Nickels W.T. Norris, Jr. Carolyn Novak & Don Johnson Philip & Julie Oglesby Doug & Darcy Orr John Oscarson Jamie Pace Anne Paine Jim & Sarah Parham C.E. Parker Sam & Linda Pearsall George J. Peery & Mary M. Stair Glenda Pender Cliff & Sarah Pennell Matthew Perry Fred & Margie Pfohl Rick Phelps Catherine Phillips George Phillips Taylor Pickard Deborah Pope Mary Louise Powell Charlotte Reece Chris & Rebecca Reinhardt Ted & Zibs Reiter May & John Rhea Ann & Gregory Riccardi Julene Reese Roberts E. Wilson Robinson Bob & Julie Roepnack Suzanne & Sean Rubin Ed and Cathy Rudisill

Lee Ryan Carolyn Sakowski & Alton Franklin Marti & Gary Salk Richard Sanders Gary & BA Schenk Laurie Schueler Mary Scott Michael Sebert James Semans Edgar & Nancy Shackelford Donald Shaffer Steven Shepardson Carl Silverstein & Bonnie Sheldon Brian & Susan Smith T.A. & Kitty Smith Lewis & Marcia Songer Daniel Sparlin Sharon Stafford Caesar & Dorothy Stair Peg & Bill Steiner John Sterling John Stevens Wyatt & Kim Stevens Irene & Michael Stoll Norris & Vivian Stowe John & Janice Stratton Blake & Dell Strayhorn Paul & Anna-Catherine Super Gary & Carol Ellen Taft David & Debbie Taylor Jean Thomason John & Jan Thompson Dr. & Mrs. John C. Toole Nancy & Richard Truluck Dr. & Mrs. Harrison Turner Helen & Peter Wallace Frank & Cecelia Ward Harold & Libby Ward Kathryn & John Warner Bill & Judy Watson William Webb Dewey Wells Beth Wells

Terri Wells & Glenn Ratcliff Hugh White Jim Wilburn Charles & Barbara Wilcox Vicki Willard Yardy & Barbara Williams Eileen Wilson John Wingerter John & Cindy Winkenwerder Dennis Winner William & Shirley Winston Oscar & Anna Wong Emily Wood Jane & Jack Woodside Ben & Patty Woolf Sidney & Dick Wooten Donald Zobel Up to $99 Ken & Jennifer Abbott Jane Adams Nealon & Goldie Agee Laurie Alexander Lois Alexander Max Alexander Terry Alexander & Edwina Jackson Don & Janet Allen Tom Alligood Daryel Anderson Sam Anderson Ashby Angell Mary Anglin Andrew & Jennifer Angyal Timothy Armstrong Juan Ascoli Patricia Austin Stephen & Barbara Austin Larry & Avis Autry Connie & Gilbert Backlund Elizabeth & Fred Bahnson Bruce & Elizabeth Baker Warren Balgooyen Jon & Beverly Barbour Martin Barnes Jana Bartleson Croom & Meriwether Beatty

A N N U A L | R E P O RT W.H. Beazell Jenn Beck Al Bedinger Helen Bell Nevin & Judy Belser David & Sharon Benner Daniel Bennett Deborah Bennett Beverly Stubbs Benson Darla Beverage & Kent Gardner Heather Blair & Michael Casterline Elizabeth Blakely Rachel Bledsoe Jean Boddie Thomas Bolton George & Alice Boss Stefanie Bourne William Boy Stephen & Joan Boyle Mary Boys Eckel & Rita Bradley Dr. Jane Bramham Robert & Anne Brandt Donald Brannon Kimberly & Tom Brewster Gary & Debbie Bridges Beverly & Charles Briedis Lee Brill Daniel & Linda Brown Becky Brown & Josh Kelly William Bruce Horace Brumit & Sarah Mack Brumit Misty Buchanan Charlotte Burnette Walter & Harriett Burns William & June Busing Don & Priscilla Bynum Dan Byrd Judy & Robert Byrd Matthew Byrd Carmen Cabrera Edie & Bruce Campbell William & Ann Campbell

Ryck & Merry Caplan Frances & Stephen Capps Bob & Nancy Carey Martha Carlisle Mandie Carlson Andy Carroll Tim Carstens Lois Carter Sarah Carter & Allison Kiehl Dudley & Joanne Cate Samuel Cathey Phillip & Ona Cavey Laura Ceva Robert Cherry & Jamie Leigh R. Michael Childs Carl Church Joseph & Glenda Clendenin Bob Clifford Chuck Cloninger Randy & Scarlett Coapstick Martha Coats R. Kelly Coffey Judy Coker Richard Colberg Virginia Coleman Karen & Toby Collins Joan Cooper Sima Cooperman David & Linda Copley Kyle Covey Lindsay & Jeff Crick Rick & Sally Currie John Dainotto Tim & Becky Davidson Ellen Davis-Zehr John Davis Philip Davis Donald De Bona Lamar Dean Linda Deaton Leigh DeForth L.W. Dickerson Brian Didier Lynn DiFiore Frank & Donna DiMario Judy Dourson

Tonya Dozier Amy Duernberger Zellie Earnest William Ebeltoft Caitlin Edenfield Beth & Willi Ehland Richard & Sylvia Elwyn Amy & John Ende Linda Ewald Lisa Fancher Christine & Richard Fellrath Sara Felsen Maureen Feuston Emmie Field Gerald Firak Fred & Annick Flaxman Mike & Betsy Fleenor John Flood Norma Forbes Jill Hammack & D’Ann Ford Powell & Sharon Foster Donna & John Fox Linda Frankl & John Kaufmann Tony Franklin Sarah & Matt Fraser Sally & Randal Frazer Tim & Judy Frederick Paul Gallant Alan Gamble & Rhoda Bliese David & Jan Garver Lydia Garvey Bob & Susan Gault Mary Gavlik Anne Gietzen Linda Giles Stephanie Gillis Yael Girard Andrew Glasgow Ash & Anne Gobar James Goldsmith Linda Golymbieski Alice & Rick Gora Laura Gordon Robert & Anne Graf Tamara Graham

Become a Monthly Donor Make a Difference All Year Round!

Monthly giving is the easiest and most efficient way to support SAHC. Your monthly gift provides reliable funding and continues to give us the resources we need to protect globally significant landscapes all year round. It also gives you the convenience of knowing that your membership is always current, and that we needn’t bother you with renewal mailings.

When you choose to become a monthly giver you are in total control. You can easily start, change or stop your gift at any time. You will also receive uninterrupted membership benefits, ensuring you never miss an issue of our popular View from the Highlands newsletter. Best of all, as a monthly giver, you will maximize the impact of your conservation support in your community.

“Being a monthly giver allows me to continually support my favorite organization in a meaningful way without seriously denting my budget with a large one-time gift. And monthly giving keeps SAHC always in my thoughts and efforts.”

- Laura McCue, SAHC Trustee To learn more about becoming a monthly donor contact Cheryl at Cheryl@ appalcachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext.

209 or visit our website Appalachian.org.

Annual Report | 31

A N N U A L | R E P O RT Becky Gray Mike & Alice Griffin Ellen Grigg Fred Grindle Albert & Betty Gumpert George Gurley Lisa Haas Janet Habas R. Phillip Haire David B. Hall John Hancock Danna Hand Kathleen & George Handley Diane Hankins Laura Hannah Heidi Hannapel Mary Harrell Doug Harris Herbert & Karen Harriss Charles & Clara Hasbrouck Vic Hasler Jane Hatcher Phil Hatmaker Catherine & Justin Haughney Cyrus Hawkins Wanda Hayes Barbara Hearn Andrew & Denise Hedberg Vaughan Hedrick & Don Parlington Elizabeth Hemme Cheryl Hemmer Beth Hemphill Roger & Kate Henry William & Mary Hess Dale & Linda Heyne Sara Hill

Ramona Hodge Harold E. Holcombe Ben C. Hole David & Debbie Holland Colin Holloway David Holt & Ginny Callaway Dennis & Sherry Horn Sandra Houts Susan Hoyle Gerald Hudgens Isham Hudson Jarvis Hudson Daniel Huger Sharon Hughes J. Randolph Humble Brian & Mary Jane Hunter Michael & Marsha Hupko Marilyn Iles David & Thorunn Ivey George & Laura Ivey Theresa Jeffries Rose Jenkins Tina Jenkins Thomas & Marian Jerdee Nick Joerling & Lisa Bruns David & Judy Johnson Griffin & Sheila Johnson James & Donna Johnson, Jr. Patty Johnson Robert Johnson John Jones Malcolm & Marie Jones Sandy Jones Henrietta Jordan Joan Jordan Ann Karegeannes Leah Karpen Bill & Sharon Katz

SAHC members enjoy free guided hikes all year!

32 | 2014 Annual Report

Willliam Kauffman Tom Kelly Hampden Kenan Tom Kenney Jesse and Phyllis Key Fred & Raisa Killeffer Lynn Kindley Mitchell & Ann Kingsley Howard Kline James Knight Robert Knight & Debra Segal Terry & Laura Knight Bill Knips Elizabeth & Georgi Kostovi Judith Kramer & Lloyd Comstock Frances Lamberts Carol Gault Lane Ginger & Richard Lang Lynda Lantz Charles Lee Tom & Claudia Lee Floyd Leffew Norma & Thomas Leonard Marsha LePhew Jennifer & Charles Lewinsohn Paul Lima Judy Lincks John & Jessie Little George & Joanne Lofquist Jerome Long Mr. & Mrs. Gary Lowe Douglas & Deborah Lowman Dell Loyless Diane & Jerry Lunow Evelyn Lyles Inga Lyngholm Douglas Mackay Marlowe Mager Eugene Majerowicz Michele & Brad Makrucki Ken & Judy Maness Robert Mann Charles & Belinda Martin Elizabeth & Robert Martin

Richard Martula Jane Massey Ben & Ingrid Mast Tom & Sara Masters James & Linda Matney Jeremiah Mattysse Guy & Deanna Mauldin Dr. William May Donald McAllister Jim & Connie McCall Sandra McCarver Roy McClure Janine McCreery Carroll & David McCullough Bob McDonald Robert & Geeta McGahey Dianne McGee Joseph McGuiness & Kim Stroud David & Elizabeth McIntire Patty & David McIntosh Barbara McIntyre Pat McKee & Terry Lee Mark McKenzie Kent McLaughlin & Suze Lindsay Thomas McNeil James Medlin Carl & Holley Merschat Carleton & Lisa Metcalf Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Miller, Jr. Meridith Miller & Ken Christensen Bob & Doris Miller Tom & Janet Miller Walter & Kimiko Miller William E. Mills John Moore Joy Moore Eric Morgan Catherine Morris Norma & Mike Morrison William Murphy Marillyn & Ron Nations Nancee Neel & Kirk Avent Nancy and Curtis Nelson

Gordon Newland Marianne Newman Ted & Ronda Newton Mike & Claudia Nix Jung J K Noh, MD John Norris Janis & Kurt Olson Douglas Oster Janet & James Ouzts Barbara Cherry Owen Carol Owens Janice Ownby Mary Parks Jon and Emma Parsons Michael Pawlyk Susan Peters Carolyn Pilgrim Cecil & Grace Pless Jerry & Barbara Porter Howard & Nancy Powell Robert & Sandra Powell Paul Preston Sonny & Marty Prevost Bob & Anne Pullen David Purdy Julie Ransom Lynn Rapp Randall & Nancy Raskin David & Christine Ray Geoff Ray Charles & Caroline Ribelin Merle Richmond Craig & Diane Rightmire Daniel Rineer Gerald Rittenberg Anne Roberts Ken & Jane Roberts Thomas Roberts Anne & Kenneth Robichaux Brenda Robinson & Larry Rodgers Mary Robinson Renee Rochford Charles Roe & Charlotte Jones-Roe Holmes & Jane Rolston

A N N U A L | R E P O RT Anna Roques Liane Russell Dan & Rosalie Russo Joy Sager & David Wall Darlyne Sahara Diane Sanders Daniel & Susan Sauer Tobin & Katherine Savage Murray & Rita Scher Paul Schmalzer Norbert & Peggy Schneider Mary & Joseph Schubauer-Berigan Nancy & Samuel Schuman Mike & Lana Scott Victor & Diane Scott Alice Sebrell Lois Semmens Rob & Sarah Sheeran Doug Shepardson Valerie Shrader Bill & Tracy Shuping Kari Sickenberger Gerald Sigmon & Sheila O’Connor Marian Sigmon Maryann Sinagra Christopher Sirmans Cindy & James Skaggs William Skelton Dr. Wendell & Rachel Skinner David Slobodin Jerry Sluder Gordon & Ginny Small Jennie Smith-Pariola Bruce P. Smith, Jr. C.D. & Sally Smith Eugene & Marianne Smith Eugenia Smith & Charles Caldwell Jeff Smith Jim Brooks & Janet Smith Laurence Smith Margaret Smith Michelle Smith Peter & Carolyn Smith

Thomas Smith Robert Snyder & Mary Berryhill Alan Solomon Paul & Lois Somers Mickey Jo Sorrell Ted & Nancy Spetnagel Tom & Bonnie Spradling Donald Spude Lucia & Philip Stadter John & Shirley Stafford David & Carolyn Staley William & Jane Stanley Lida & O.E. Starnes Lorna & Peter Sterling Nancy Stewart Jim & Anne Stokely Leo & Margaret Storey Leslie & Susan Stradley Robert & Marea Stratton Alexis Sullivan Sally Sutton-Hilton Judy Sutton Megan Sutton & Andy Tait Harold Sweetman Susan & Allen Sweetser David & Carol Swing Norman & Virginia Sykora Bonnye Talbot Tony Tang Douglas Taylor Sylvia Teague Elizabeth Terrell William & Jo Terry Donna Terzak Dennis & Paula Testerman Philip Thomason & Amy Lynch Richard Thomason & Heide Goldstein Brenneman Thompson Bob & Mary Thompson Peggy Tibbits Jake & Shawna Ticknor Julie & Mike Tiemann John Tomko

Alice Torbett Russell & Laurie Towers Zoe Trout Valerie True & Jason Gast Kathleen Turczyn Wm. Michael Turner Cathy Tyndall & Ed Williams Margaret Vestal Keith Viglietta Beth & Joe Vogler Carol Walker Sam & Joanne Walker Tom & Debbie Wallace Margot Wallston Demming & Susan Ward Jeff Wardeska Andrew Warner Anthony & Janice Warren Allison Weakley Martin & Barbara Webster Kathy Weisfeld Gladys Welch Michael Welch & Marquette Crockett Keith & Barbara Wells Thomas Wentworth Frank White Jane White Julie & Jim White Sandra White John & Sandra Whitehouse Barry Whittemore Janet Whitworth Ben Wicker & Libby Henderson Daniel Widis Noah Wiese & Katie Knorovsky Keith & Elizabeth Wilkerson Susan Williams Julia Ann Williamson Charles & Karen Wilson W. Scott Wilson Douglas and Carol Wingeier Lynn Winkel Elliott Woltz

Real Estate Partners Appalachian Realty Associates Erik Aasland Carolina Mountain Sales D’Ann Ford Patty & Ben Woolf Conservation Advisors William Hamilton John Witherspoon Cool Mountain Realty Jenny Brunet Karen Cernek Cassandra DeJong Odilia Forlenza Peter Haseloff Rick Jaynes Exit Realty Vista Lisa Gurney Landcrazy.com Jackie Curé MTN Land Properties Todd Dunnuck RE/MAX Results Jimmy & Margaret Vestal Trillium Properties of Asheville Dan Bennett

Debbie Wood Keith & Johnnie Wood Rosemary & Merle Woodworth Charles & Nancy Worley Joan W. Worth Jo Wykoff

We apologize in advance for any names that may have been inadvertently omitted.

If your name does not appear, please call or email us so that we may recognize you in the next newsletter.

James Yon Carroll Young Chris Young Hal & Ann Yungmeyer Anna Zanetti Kristin & John Zimet Sherrill & Ted Zoller

Annual Report | 33

Thank you for helping us keep as busy as the bees on our Community Farm!

A N N U A L | R E P O RT

Corporate Partners Business Members Mt. Mitchell Partners: (elevation 6,684 ft.) - $25,000+ See your name here!

Waterrock Knob Partners: (elevation 6,292 ft.) - $15,000+ Altamont Environmental Highland Brewing Company New Morning Ltd. Salesforce Roan Mountain Partners: (elevation 6,285 ft.) - $10,000+ Mast General Store Strader Fencing, Inc. Cold Mountain Partners: (elevation 6,030 ft.) - $5,000+ Eastman Chemical Company Big Yellow Partners: (elevation 5,480 ft.) - $2,500+ Equinox Environmental First Citizens Bank Jubilee! Community Kee Mapping & Surveying Parsec Financial Management, Inc Max Patch Partners: (elevation 4,629 ft.) - $1,000+ BANQ Brunk Auctions Carolina Tree Care Conservation Advisors of NC East West Capital, LLC Eastman Credit Union I Do Music Keith Hargrove Architect PC Network Computer Solutions Nona Mia Market, Deli & Pizzeria Roberts & Stevens, Attorneys at Law Samsel Architects Starks Financial Group Wells Fargo Yoga with Lillah

To become a Corporate Partner, contact Cheryl at cheryl@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 x209.

131 Main Restaurant Ajax Distributing Co. Aloft Hotel Amber Ranches Homeowner’s Barleys Tap Room & Pizzeria Barnes & Noble, Biltmore Park Batton Clayworks BB Barnes Garden Center Bear N Friends Toy Shoppe Bette Biltmore Estate Black Dome Mountain Sports Blossoms & Baggie Goose Blue Ridge Community Health Brixx Wood Fired Pizza BT’s Burgerjoint Café Lola Bistro Carolina Native Nursery CharGrow, LLC Chestnut Restaurant Climbmax Cold Stone Creamery Comer Distributing, Inc. Common Ground Distributors Dancing Bear Toys DNV GL - Seattle office Durand & Gallentine Investment Group Earthfare Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC

Evergreen Home & Garden Showplace Four Corners Home Greenco Beverage Co. Grove Arcade Grovewood Gallery Henco Reprographics Hickory Nut Gap Meats IMC Investments, LLC Jane Voorhees, artist Kendrick & Associates King Daddy’s Chicken & Waffles Liberty Bicycles Machine & Coating Shop Flower Fund Mahoney’s Outfitters Mauk’s of Jonesborough Molly Dingledine Jewelry Natural Foods Market Navitat Canopy Adventures Nest Organics Nirvana Creations O.P. Taylor’s Toy Store Orivs Outfitters Penland-Bailey Company, Inc. Posana Café PT Custom Sandals Recreational Equipment, Inc Regal Biltmore Grand Rush Street Neighborhood Grill Ryan Bumgarner Photography Sandy Mush Herb Nursery

Second Gear, Inc. Sensibilities Day Spa Shoji Spa & Lodge Shy Vally Farm Spiritex Spotted Dog Asheville Sunny Point Café Ten Thousand Villages The Eye Center The Laughing Seed, Inc The Organic Mechanic The Silver Smith The Village Wayside, LLC TN Assoc. of PlumbingHeating-Cooling Contractors, Inc. Toe River Club, LLC Tourist Baseball Travinia Italian Kitchen USA Raft Ventures Birding/Nature Tours Webb Investment Services Weinhaus White Oak Financial Wild Birds Unlimited Wm. R. Hill & Co. Inc.

Matching Gift Companies Bank of America BorgWarner Foundation Duke Energy Foundation Franklin Templeton Investments GlaxoSmithKline Foundation JP Morgan Chase Foundation Norfolk Southern Foundation

Parsec Financial Management Pfizer Foundation Prudential Foundation Shell Oil Company Foundation Steelcase Matching Gift Foundation

Make your donation go further. Ask your company about matching your charitable contribution. If your employer participates, simply request a matching gift form and mail it to us.

32 406 | 2W Fa 0i 1ln4lt e2Ar0n1n210u 1a 3l R e p o r t

A N N U A L | R E P O RT

Grants Strengthen Our Strategic Conservation Work: Thank you to the following organizations for providing critical funding that support our work.

Nature Valley & National Parks Conservation Association: $25,000 to fund efforts to restore wildlife habitat and enhance visitor accessibility in the Highlands of Roan.

NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services: $115,330 to fund land and easement acquisitions in the Sandy Mush farming community.

Appalachian Trails Conservancy: $5,000 to support grassy balds management and land stewardship in the Highlands of Roan.

NC Dept. of Environment & Natural Resources: : $880,920 to assist in the purchase of the 600-acre Grassy Ridge tract.

Beattie Foundation: $5,000 to support SAHC’s land conservation and stewardship efforts.

NC Dept. of Transportation: $192,737 to support land conservation along the Drover’s Road Scenic Byway.

Buncombe County: $69,878 to complete conservation easements in the Fairview, Leicester and Sandy Mush farming communities.

New Belgium Brewing Company: $5,000 to support our operating expenses at the SAHC Community Farm.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina: $25,500 to support our Beginning Farmer Incubator Program Conservation Trust of North Carolina: $72,172 to support our land protection projects in North Carolina.

Felburn Foundation: $100,000 to support our 2012 purchase of the Grassy Ridge tract.

National Forest Foundation: $40,000 grant to cover Golden-winged Warbler habitat management and restoration in the HIghlands of Roan, as well as invasive hog monitoring and eradication.

Trout Unlimited: $12,000 to support transaction costs for the beloved Grassy Ridge tract, a project that supports native brook trout.

USDA – NRCS: $31,655 to fund operating improvements on the SAHC Community Farm and $260,500 to purchase conservation easements on working farms in the Leicester and Sandy Mush communities.

Western Conservation Foundation: $1,400 to support building legislative support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

WNC Communities: $4,750 to assist in purchasing high hoop tunnels for the SAHC Community Farm.

Blue Ridge Forever We are the fiscal agent for BRF, a collaboration of ten local land trust in WNC. The following grants were awarded to this partnership: Merck Family Fund – $20,000 NC Dept. of Justice – $105,812 Park Foundation – $10,000 Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation – $25,000

Trout Unlimited Boosts Land Protection for Trout Trout Unlimited (TU) has been working alongside SAHC for a number of years in a partnership that just makes sense. SAHC protects great mountain land and streams that brook trout love, and TU loves native brook trout. We were very excited this past year to award grant funds to support native trout habitat at Grassy Ridge.

This grant was made through TU’s Coldwater Land Conservancy Fund (originating from a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation program). ~ Damon Hearne Trout Unlimited TU’s Southeast Conservation Project: http://goo.gl/BkpwGM Annual Report | 36

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Asheville, NC Permit No. 460

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

Printed on Post Consumer Recycled Paper

Increase your conservation impact!

Upcoming Hikes & Events!

Leave No Trace Workshop February 21

“For Love of Beer & Mountains” Devils Britches Hike February 28

Little Hump Release Party March 20

Behind the Scenes Hike March 28

Yoga on the Mountain April 12

Remember SAHC with a gift of cash or stock. Our Wells Fargo account number is 4205-3519 and the DTC number for transfers is 0141. Your broker can arrange the transfer for you or call our office for assistance at 828.253.0095.

Everybody’s Environment Festival April 25

Appalachian Spring Event May 21 See pg 15 for more events & details.

Appalachian.org