View from the Highlands - Southern Appalachian Highlands

View
from the Highlands
39 Years Protecting the World’s Oldest Mountains
Summer 2013, Volume 43, No. 2
The View Inside:
• Timeline to a Successful
Conservation Easement, p. 4
• Conservation in Action, p. 5-11
• Business Partnerships, p. 12-13
• Hikes & Outings, p. 14
• June Jamboree, p. 15
• Appalachian Spring, p. 16-17
• Members’ Corner, p. 18-19
Triple B Challenge, June Jamboree 2013 (see page 15)
In the Highlands of Roan
Our relationship with the land highlights the importance of conservation
for the long haul. In this edition of the “View,” we have stories full of
people working and recreating in the land we cherish. From our dedicated
volunteers and recognized conservation heroes, to hikers enjoying a first
trip to the Roan or remembering decades of good times on the trail, we
appreciate all who bring success & meaning to our preservation mission.
Appalachian.org
Main Office
34 Wall Street, Suite 502, Asheville, NC 28801-2710
828.253.0095 • FAX 828.253.1248
[email protected]
Stewardship Field Office
804 Rock City Road, Kingsport, TN 37664
423.323.4993 • [email protected]
Board of Trustees
Jeanette Blazier, President Milton “Buddy” Tignor, Jr., Vice President
Nancy Edgerton, Secretary
Bill Maxwell, Treasurer
Kingsport, TN
Waynesville, NC
Asheville, NC
Charlotte, NC
Courtney Blossman
Leslie Casse Richard Coker Bruce Cunningham Patty Cunningham-Woolf
Lyman “Greg” Gregory, III
Jack Hamilton
Lindsay Hearn Florence Krupnick
Bill Lowndes
David Ramsey Kathy Singleton
Asheville, NC
Asheville, NC
Maggie Valley, NC
Kingsport, TN
Asheville, NC
Asheville, NC
Asheville, NC
Asheville, NC
Asheville, NC
Asheville, NC
Erwin, TN
Kingsport, TN
Staff
Carl Silverstein Kristy Urquhart Michelle Pugliese William Hamilton Hanni Muerdter Judy Murray Cheryl Fowler Lisa Fancher Angela Shepherd Chris Coxen
Allison Kiehl
Pauline Heyne
Margot Wallston
Amy Annino
Rich Preyer
Jamie Ervin
Valerie True Executive Director
Associate Director Land Protection Director
Farmland Program Director
Stewardship & Conservation
Planning Director
Roan Stewardship Director
Membership Director
Finance Compliance Director
Communications Director
Roan Field Ecologist
Farmland Stewardship &
Sustainability Director
Donor Relations Manager
AmeriCorps Stewardship Associate
AmeriCorps Stewardship Associate
AmeriCorps PR & Outreach Associate
AmeriCorps Land Protection Associate
Coordinator, Blue Ridge Forever
2 | Summer 2013
Razor Mountain Partnership Sunset Hike
Date: Friday, August 9 Time: 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Where: Near Barnardsville, NC
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
Cost: Free for all participants
Join us along with Highland Brewing Company and US Fish &
Wildlife Service for the first ever Razor Wit Partnership hike.
Come out and hike the recently protected property adjacent to
Razor Mountain, right in Asheville’s backyard. Over a mile and
a half, hikers will climb approximately 1,300 feet of elevation
and see a pristine and unscathed hardwood forest landscape.
Along the way, SAHC Field Ecologist, Chris Coxen, will
demonstrate tree ID techniques and point out some evening
birds. Buncombe, Madison, and Yancey Counties converge at
the top of the property, offering spectacular views of recently
protected Snowball Mountain, Mt. Pisgah, Crabtree Bald, Roan
mountain and many more. We will enjoy a light dinner and
take in these spectacular views as the sun sets. At dusk, we will
return along the same route and enjoy the peaceful approach of
another summer night.
For more info or to register for this hike, contact
Cheryl Fowler at [email protected] or 828.253.0095
ext. 209. This hike is free, but reservations are required.
More Upcoming “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Hikes:
Thunderstruck Hike — October 5
Clawhammer Hike — October 12
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.
Highlights:
• Conservation Easement
Timeline (see page 4)
Letter from the
• Volunteer Days (see page 5)
Director
• Green Opportunities Trail
Building Crew (see pages 6-7)
• Grassy Ridge (see page 8)
We’ve just wrapped several major member activities with record
attendance and participation attesting to the relevance of our work in
peoples’ lives. This year with clear views and incredible weather, the June
Jamboree saw over 100 people in the Highlands of Roan on a total of five
hikes (p. 15). The Appalachian Spring Membership Event in May
(p. 16-17) brought us home to Kingsport, TN, where founding members
of SAHC first envisioned a protected landscape surrounding the
Appalachian Trail across the Roan. Two of these founding members
shared memories of the early days (p. 18- 19).
• Conservation Field Journal
(see pages 9-10)
This summer season also has our staff hopping with site visits, landowner
queries, appraisals, and funding searches for a new slate of land protection
projects. Ever wonder what goes into completing a conservation
• Appalachian Spring Recap
(see pages 16-17)
easement? We’ve outlined a sample project timeline on page 4.
• AmeriCorps & Summer Interns
(see page 11)
• Partnerships in Business
(see pages 12-13)
• Upcoming Hikes & Events
(see page 14)
• June Jamboree Recap
(see page 15)
• Members’ Corner
(see pages 18-19)
This summer, we celebrate successes with our partnerships for healthy
communities (p. 6-7, 12-13) and new life fostered by our habitat
restoration projects on Little Hump (p. 9-10).
This edition of “View from the Highlands” is full of people stories —
people enjoying and in-love with the special places that surround us.
We are thankful that our members and partners continue to show their
passion for the land by volunteering and hiking with us.
Carl Silverstein
Executive Director
For monthly updates and upcoming events, visit us online at Appalachian.org.
Trail Magic on “The Roan Highlands”
Giclee prints of gouache/pastel original art
Commemorate your love for the Roan with
this limited print by renowned artist Coralie
Tweed. $275 each, with 50% of proceeds
donated to SAHC.
Contact us at 828.253.0095 to order yours.
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
From Trail Head to Summit:
Timeline to Conservation Easement Success
Bringing a land conservation project from a goal to a permanently protected
property is a bit like climbing a mountain. Both require adequate
preparation, skills and teamwork. Inevitably challenges arise
and must be overcome. Although the task may
seem daunting at first, taking it
one step at a time is the key
to success. Follow our trek
to conservation success
ry
y
ch
il
e
uar ebrua
n
a
J
F
Apr
Mar
May
Jun
below . . .
Project Initiation
We begin with the Project Initiation
phase. To make sure our limited resources
are spent conserving the most significant
lands in our six regional focus areas
(below), we take the following steps to
evaluate potential projects according to
our strategic conservation plans:
• Initial landowner contact
• Preliminary staff evaluation
• Site visit
Smoky
Mountains
Black
Mountains
Balsam
Mountains
4 |
SAHC Focus Areas Map
t
us
Aug
Transaction
Steps
If SAHC and the landowner each choose
to pursue a conservation easement, we
begin the Project Design & Approval
phase. Here we start our first big climb
together, deciding on funding, land use
restrictions and reserved rights. We also
seek review from our Land Protection
Committee and approval from our Board
of Trustees.
Appalachian Trail Highlands
Countryside
of
Roan
French
Broad
River
Valley
Project Design & Approval
July
The journey then reaches
the Transaction Steps
phase, when outside
professionals are hired to
complete the following
steps required for every
conservation easement
transaction:
• Survey
• Title search
• Environmental
assessment
• Appraisal
r
er
er
er
mb cembe
b
e
o
v
t
No
De
Oc
mb
te
Sep
Conservation Easement &
Baseline Report Drafting
Close
During the next phase, we begin another
steep ascent that includes Conservation
Easement & Baseline Report
Drafting. Our land protection staff
works closely with the landowner to write
the conservation easement document,
while our stewardship staff thoroughly
documents the conservation values on the
property in a report.
Finally we reach the summit…the
Closing! All the parties sign the
conservation easement and it is recorded
at the county courthouse.
As you can see, this journey is neither
quick nor easy. But standing atop our
mountain we can admire what we
accomplished together: a landscape and
all its resources that are protected forever.
We are deeply grateful for those who
have joined us on this trek in the past,
and look forward to climbing many more
mountains in the future.
C o n s e r v at i o n | I N A C T I O N
Banishing Garlic Mustard Invaders
Volunteer Days
Garlic mustard “Pull N’ Eat” volunteer activities
help manage invasive species on protected
properties in Sandy Mush valley this spring.
Many people look forward to spring’s
arrival as the best time to watch the forest
reawaken after winter as wildflowers begin
to bloom. But spring also stirs to life a
host of invasive, non-native plants which
compete with our native wildflowers and
trees for essential resources.
Garlic mustard, photo from US Fish & Wildlife Service
One of the first invasive plants to pop up
amidst our native spring ephemerals is
garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata). Garlic
mustard is a biennial plant, which means
it grows over a period of two years. The
first year it produces a clump of leaves that
stay close to the ground. The second year
it sends up a tall stem, flowers, and then
finally seeds. A single plant can produce
hundreds of seeds that
easily scatter many feet
from the parent plant.
Garlic mustard is native
to Europe, but can now
be found throughout
much of the U.S. and
the world. It was first
documented in the
U.S. in 1868 in Long
Island, NY, and is said
to have been cultivated
for its medicinal and
culinary uses.
Two groups of 6th graders from French Broad River Academy
ventured out to an SAHC-protected property in Sandy Mush to
help remove garlic mustard. We were incredibly impressed by the
groups’ knowledge, enthusiasm, pulling skills, and level of maturity.
Garlic mustard has a
strong, garlicky odor, but what really
stinks about it is what it does to the
forest floor once it gets a foothold. It
creates conditions that are favorable to
its own existence, while simultaneously
creating unfavorable conditions for many
other plant species. Garlic mustard is
allelopathic, which means it produces
chemicals that get into the soil and inhibit
the mycorrhizae other plants
depend on to grow—even canopy
tree species can be stunted by the
presence of garlic mustard down
below on the forest floor.
Deer and other herbivores don’t
like garlic mustard, either, so they
leave it to flourish, preferring to
nibble on other plants, which
This year we had a total of 60 volunteers in five different groups
further compromises native plant
help expand our invasive species removal work, including the
Whole Body Team at Greenlife Grocery in Asheville, NC.
populations.
This spring volunteers stepped up to
prevent the stinky invasive from taking
over an otherwise beautiful and healthy
rich cove forest in the Sandy Mush Valley
near Asheville, NC. They removed garlic
mustard from two adjoining rich cove
forests, and we were heartened to see
less garlic
mustard
sprout up
in the area
attended by
volunteers
last year.
Thank you
to all the
volunteers
who helped
beat back
Sampling garlic mustard pesto along
invasives
with native wild edibles brings an
this year!
added dimension to volunteer days.
View from the Highlands | 5
C o n s e r v at i o n | I N A C T I O N
Trail Building at our
Community Farm
It was hot – probably the first really hot day since an early summer monsoon
season drenched Western North Carolina, and the ticks were already out in
full force. But that didn’t stop the work crew from Green Opportunities (GO)
as they rigorously tackled trail building at the SAHC Community Farm.
As part of our multi-faceted Farm and Food Project, the completed trail will eventually
loop approximately 1.5 – 2 miles across the 100-acre farm property. Our interpretive
signs will educate visitors about the farm and our short leaf pine and stream restoration
projects. We have partnered with GO to continue the trail building project begun by
AmeriCorps volunteers in March.
Grant funds awarded for our Community Farm and
Food Project enable us to employ a team of six GO
Labor Crew members on the trail. The GO Labor Crew
is an as-you-need it labor service aimed at providing
local contractors with dependable, short-term labor,
while offering paid work experience to participants
of GO’s green collar job training programs. They are
equipped to provide work in construction, agriculture,
landscaping, weatherization, solar installation, waste
management, and general labor.
After a brief review in trail work from SAHC
Conservation Planning and Stewardship Director
Hanni Muerdter, the work crew from GO dug into the
ground, giving definition to the trail.
GO Project Manager Anthony Ray
begins installing a water bar to prevent
erosion problems in the new trail.
Work progressed by outsloping – creating the trail at a
slight slope away from the hillside, rather than at a 90-degree angle, in order to disperse
rainfall in sheets, as quickly as possible, and prevent erosion in deep struts. Thinking
ahead to proper trail design and planning, GO project crew manager Anthony Ray also
began installing water bars in the first section of the trail.
GO Labor Team commences trail
building on the SAHC Community Farm.
The crew used Pulaski axes to dig deep into the soil to remove roots of grassy
undergrowth. Hanni explained that the best way to construct a trail is to dig down to
SAHC Community Farm, located in Alexander, NC. Panoramic image courtesy of Ken Abbott Photography — www.kenabbottphoto.com.
6 | Summer 2013
Personal Profile: Living in Transformation
Meditating on his life in Miami,
Jerry Pearcy felt a pull to return
home to the mountains of
Western North Carolina.
Over the course of five work days, the GO crew advanced trail
building a quarter mile. Images courtesy of Ken Abbott Photography
— www.kenabbottphoto.com.
Jerry Pearcy, GO crew
“Something was just telling me
that I needed to go home, and that
everything would work out
if I did,” he said.
the mineral layer, removing all the growth and roots
in the top layer of soil, using tools called Mcleods to
rake away the removed plants and firmly tamp down
the disturbed soil.
A native of Leicester who attended Erwin High School,
Jerry was already familiar with Green Opportunities.
He followed an uncle’s advice to apply as soon as he
returned, and he was accepted into the training program.
“If you don’t remove the roots,” cautioned Hanni,
“the undergrowth will bounce back just as lush and
verdant as before, and we’ll be back out there doing
the same work again.”
The GO Training Team is a paid training and placement
“pre-apprenticeship” program designed to prepare
low-income, unemployed young adults (ages 18-24)
for living wage jobs. They use a hands-on curriculum
which combines service projects, life skills training, case
management, and on-the-job experience in promising
fields like green construction, clean energy, recycling,
ecological landscaping and restoration, and sustainable
agriculture.
Other crew members used a weed eater to remove
grassy growth along the course of the trail, pruning
shears to remove thicker stalks and woody plants,
and a tiller to more effectively break up the soil over
a long stretch. It was a beautiful, clear day with the
sun brightly bearing down as the crew advanced
through thorny blackberry thickets and stinging
insects, slipping at times on slick red clay still wet
from days of rain underneath the underbrush.
Anthony Ray, crew manager from GO, and
Allison Kiehl, SAHC Farmland Stewardship and
Sustainability Director, are serving as project
managers for the trail team. In June the GO crew
performed five trail work days, advancing trail
construction about a quarter mile, and will return
again in the fall.
SAHC received a grant from Conservation Trust for North Carolina
& Z. Smith Reynolds for the Community Farm and Food project at
our farm in Alexander, NC. Funds from that grant are being used to
employ local Asheville residents to sculpt the trail from the dense
shrubby growth spreading across much of the farm. In an example
of partnership for economic development and enhancing healthy
communities, SAHC has partnered with Green Opportunities to
contract temporary labor for trail construction. To learn more
about GO, visit www.greenopportunities.org.
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education
(SARE) funds were used for the interpretive
trail as an educational component of the farm.
“GO promotes unity,” said Jerry, “It promotes bringing
community together and opening up people’s minds to
recognize that we all need each other.”
Jerry was on the GO Training Team for four months before
he started working on outside projects. He learned skills
used on SAHC’s trail building project from his time with
the training program.
About the trail building project, Jerry said, “I loved it loved being outside,
putting my hands in the
dirt, and being in nature.”
“Being part of something
that is bigger than just
one person – that’s what
drives me,” he continued.
“Knowing what the trail
would be used for in the
future, that I’ll be able to
come back here and say
‘I had a hand in creating
this.’ It’s good for the
soul.”
View from the Highlands | 7
C o n s e r v at i o n | I N A C T I O N
Recognition!
In June, North Carolina
Senator Richard Burr
received the Great Outdoors
Champion Award for
working to restore revenue
to the Land and Water
Conservation Fund (LWCF),
which is currently being
diverted for other purposes.
LWCF is the nation’s premier
conservation program,
helping protect parks, wildlife
refuges, forests, rivers, trails,
battlefields, and urban
parks for current and future
generations.
“Senator Burr has stood up for
a simple but powerful idea:
that a portion of revenues
from offshore oil and gas
development – not taxpayer
dollars – should go to states
like North Carolina to protect
our outdoor heritage,” said Jay
Leutze, representing SAHC.
“Unfortunately, LWCF – and
the North Carolina land and
heritage it protects – is at
risk. If Congress doesn’t act to
reauthorize LWCF before 2015,
it could completely disappear
next year, ending the nation’s
most effective program
to keep lands open for
hunting, fishing, and outdoor
recreation.”
Senator Burr, Senator Max
Baucus of Montana, and
Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon
are the bipartisan sponsors of
S.338, a bill that would fully
fund LWCF.
8 | Summer 2013
Grassy Ridge: An Investment
For the Future
Like much of the land protected by SAHC, the Grassy Ridge property is a
stabilizing tree — an investment in the landscape, providing shade to cool the
creeks and firm roots to hold the soil.
But more than many of our other
protected lands, Grassy Ridge also
provides a place for birds to sing. Rare
birds that are becoming rarer still, like
the Golden-winged Warbler, will nest
around the hawthorns in tall clumps of
grass and forbs. At night, a Northern
Saw-whet Owl will call out into the
dense northern hardwood forest.
Thanks to help from our first Grassy
Ridge intern Lee Farese, over 70 species
of birds have been documented this May
alone.
On this unique property we thought we
might never be able to protect, it is now
common to see biologists scampering
around in the meadows and forests. The
Audubon Society is actively searching
for Golden-winged Warbler nests and
banding birds as part of their regional
monitoring effort. Biologists from the
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
have used the property’s cabin as a
launching point for Roan bird surveys.
We also expect to get botanists out to
catalogue the abundant plant life soon.
This is the new beginning of a place that
will support ecological research around
the Roan for many years to come, all
while protecting the very land these
plants and creatures call home.
For the Future by Wendell Berry
Planting trees early in spring,
we make a place for birds to sing
in time to come. How do we know?
They are singing here now.
There is no other guarantee
that singing will ever be.
Rose-breasted grosbeak, sited at Grassy Ridge
Roan Ridge Runner
If you’re out on the Roan this summer, you may notice a young woman logging
some serious miles and talking to hikers. This year we welcome Kat Keely as
the new Roan Ridgerunner, a position provided by a partnership between
SAHC, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Tennessee Eastman Hiking &
Canoeing Club, and the US Forest Service. Kat will help address concerns about
recreational impacts to the grassy balds and sensitive plant and animal species
by educating visitors about the unique ecology of the area and encouraging
them to tread lightly when hiking the Roan Highlands. Welcome, Kat!
C o n s e r va t i o n
with SAHC Field Ec
ologist Chris Co
xen
Field Journal
This May was an espe
cially memorable on
e for me, as it offered
a unique
opportunity to yell ou
t in celebration on Li
ttle Hump. To anyone
that hasn’t howled
on Little Hump — I
highly suggest that yo
u make some time to
try it. Some folks
might do it after reac
hing the bald itself, so
aking in the wonderf
ul views after the ste
ep
climb up from Yellow
Mountain Gap, proj
ecting the beauty an
d feeling of victory ou
t
through their lungs.
Some might feel the
urge after admiring
the rugged,
unmistakable ridgeli
ne on Grandfather M
ountain,
only to then lower th
eir gaze at the
(also unmistakable)
Sugar Top hotel. You
mig
have wildly varying
reasons to holler atop
mountain on any pa
rticular
ht
a
day, but on May 21st
,
my reason was two
years in the making.
I found Golden-win
ged Warblers in new
habitat areas create
d specifically to attrac
t them in
Fall 2011. I was alw
ay
s optimistic, but it w
as immensely
gratifying to find th
ese lit
for them. All I could
do
Golden-winged warbler
tle gray, black and ye
llow critters in a plac
e
was shout out loud
in
on
Little Hump
I helped make
celebration. Shout an
d celebrate the
many volunteers an
d agency partners w
ho made this happen
.
View from the Highlands | 9
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Wildlife Conservatio
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Most importantly, w
arren
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ps
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life Service, and man
ild
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Coming off of this su
ill add
st Foundation, we w
re
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restoration project on
d threatened
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an
er
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ar
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d
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in
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r the Goldeneven more habitat fo
cline.
associate species in de
any partner efforts
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th
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New golden-winged war
ttle Hump Mountain
Li
on
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st
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t
ta
contributing to habi
10 | Summer 2013
C o n s e r v at i o n | I N A C T I O N
Making an Impact
Summer Interns
Congratulations!
This summer, we have a host of talented summer interns,
strengthening our capacity to save the places we love.
Pulin (Spring) Shi is one of our Nicholas School of Environment
Stanback Interns, spending 11 weeks with us this summer mapping
prime agricultural districts in East Tennessee, including Johnson, Carter,
Unicoi, Greene, Cocke, Washington, and Sullivan Counties. Spring is
pursuing her Masters of Environmental Management degree at Duke
University.
Mimi Gong is also one of our Nicholas School of Environment Stanback
Interns. Mimi joins us this summer to help more accurately map invasive
species on our fee simple properties. She will also help determine a
prioritization plan for management of these invasives. Mimi is pursuing
her Masters of Forestry degree at Duke University.
Crystal Johnson is our Max Mukelabai Diversity Intern, through
the Conservation Trust for North Carolina. Her 10-week internship
will produce interactive online maps to help us better communicate
the impact of our work to the public. This fall, she will attend the
East Tennessee State University School of Graduate Studies for the
Geosciences.
Amber Ellis will be out and about in the Highlands of Roan, conducting
a plant inventory to help us plan for management of this imperiled,
fragile ecosystem. Amber has a special interest in lilies and orchids, and
has also been conducting tissue culture studies of Gray’s lily.
Farewell, AmeriCorps Associates!
People are the hearts and hands of conservation
efforts. Through collaboration, partnership,
sacrifice, and listening we can savor the tranquility
at the mountain’s edge and enjoy the efforts of many.
Persevering service members of AmeriCorps Project Conserve
demonstrate each year that conservation requires more than just
dedicated individuals – it builds on the synchronicity of team work.
This summer we say farewell to AmeriCorps Stewardship Associates
Margot Wallston & Amy Annino, Land Protection Associate Jamie
Ervin, and PR & Outreach Associate Rich Preyer. Please join in
wishing them the best success for future endeavors!
View f
Left to right: Tom Kiernan, NPCA; Fred Stanback; Don
Barger, NPCA; and Jay Leutze, SAHC.
Fred Stanback Honored with National
Parks Conservation Association’s
First-Ever Sequoia Award
Fred Stanback, long-time
conservationist and philanthropist,
has been awarded the National Parks
Conservation Association (NPCA)’s
first-ever Sequoia Award. The new
award, presented to Mr. Stanback in
May, will honor individuals who have
enhanced NPCA’s efforts to protect the
National Park System or individual
national parks.
“Fred Stanback embodies the very
definition of the Sequoia Award, and it’s
fitting that he is our initial recipient,”
said NPCA Senior Southeast Regional
Director Don Barger. “For many years,
he has provided support to NPCA and
helped to foster the next generation of
park stewards through the Stanback
Internship Program.”
In 1995, Stanback and his wife Alice
established the Stanback Internship
Program within the Nicholas School of
the Environment at Duke University.
The program enables students to
intern at conservation organizations
throughout the summer months. Meet
SAHC’s two 2013 Stanback interns on
this page (left).
rom the Highlands | 11
Pa r t n e r s h i p s | B U S I N E S S C O M M U N I T Y
Supporting Conservation to Secure the
Forest for the Trees
Our partnerships in the business community strengthen the vitality of our
local economy and give us the capacity to protect regional natural treasures
which we mutually depend upon. Navitat Canopy Adventures became an SAHC
Corporate Partner in 2012, and expanded their support for our programs by
joining us this year for Land Trust Day.
In the trees: Sarah Sheeran,
Navitat Education & Conservation Director
Below, Navitat Education & Conservation Director Sarah Sheeran reflects on the
philosophic principles that guide Navitat, as well as their partnership with us:
“As stewards of our property, we believe
we have a responsibility to maintain
and even improve the health of the
environment entrusted to us.
While our focus is on trees — we build
in trees, play in trees and explore trees
in fun and unique ways — we care
deeply about conservation and chose
this location because of its stunning
views, natural beauty and seclusion.
Our hope is that if we can foster a
sense of place and help our guests forge
connections with trees, they will be
inspired to spend more time outdoors
appreciating beautiful places. We
believe recreating in trees can change
your perspective on and relationship
with the natural world.
stunning mountain views afforded to
us by conservation organizations like
SAHC are a highlight of the canopy
tour experience. For example, Razor
Mountain is protected by a conservation
easement in our front yard, and SAHC
continues to conserve land in and
around our
property. I
think the
canopy tour
would be
diminished
without this
viewshed.
SAHC’s efforts to protect the
natural resources that draw outdoor
enthusiasts to our region is important
to our business. A large part of our
Our partnership with SAHC is an
success is due to the region’s thriving
intuitive one. Not only does the
tourism industry. Navitat, in turn,
mission of SAHC dovetail with our
can elevate the visibility of SAHC
environmental commitment, but the
among our guests. With over 20,000
people expected to come
SAHC works to preserve the viewshed treasured by Navitat’s clients.
through our doors this
year, I believe we have
a real opportunity to
further the support of the
organization’s conservation
work.
As a former consulting
ecologist and member
12 | Summer 2013
of SAHC’s Land Management
Committee, I have been involved with
the organization and land trusts in
general for years. When Navitat began
looking for ways to give back to the
community that supports our business,
I immediately thought of SAHC. As
“As stewards of our
property, we believe
we have a responsibility
to maintain and even
improve the health
of the environment
entrusted to us.”
one of the country’s oldest and most
respected land trusts, the formation of
our partnership adds important value to
our business. I look forward to working
with SAHC in the future to discover fun
and novel ways we can strengthen our
relationship.”
Pa r t n e r s h i p s | B U S I N E S S C O M M U N I T Y
On the National Trails Tract
Partnerships at Work!
This spring, we celebrated Earth Day by
cleaning up illegal dump sites and building
trails in the beautiful Highlands of Roan
alongside friends from our dedicated
business partners, Highland Brewing
Company and REI Asheville.
Business partners and AmeriCorps
volunteers team with SAHC for trail
building on the National Trails tract.
Twenty adventurous volunteers (representing
SAHC, REI, Highland Brewing Company, and
AmeriCorps Project Conserve) trekked to our
National Trails Tract to excavate long-abandoned
trash troves and build a section of our new 1.5
mile loop trail through a diverse array of habitats
and natural communities. Thank you for a fun
and successful day of direct action in service to
conservation and the environment!
Thank You for Supporting
Land Trust Day!
Each year, local businesses show their support for land & water conservation
by donating a percentage of sales to SAHC on the first Saturday in June - also
known as “Land Trust Day.” This year, we raised a record over $16,000!
We would like to thank the following businesses for participating this year:
Corporate Partners
Roan Mountain:
(elevation 6,285 ft.) - $10,000+
Highland Brewing Company
Mast General Store
New Morning Ltd, including:
Bellagio Art to Wear
Bellagio Everyday
Blue Spiral 1 Gallery
Fine Arts Theatre
New Morning Gallery
Salesforce
Cold Mountain:
(elevation 6,030 ft.) - $5,000+
Bank of America
Roberts & Stevens, PA
Big Yellow:
(elevation 5,480 ft.) - $2,500+
Altamont Environmental, Inc
First Citizens Bank
Friends at Jubilee!
Max Patch:
(elevation 4,629 ft.) - $1,000+
∏
WEINHAUS
∏
A
Welcome, New Business Members:
Blue Heron Whitewater, LLC
Café Lola Bistro
Campbell’s Morrell Music
The Duke Energy Foundation
Matching Gifts Program
Evergreen Home & Garden
Showplace
Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant
Jonesborough Farmers Market
Natural Pet Supply
•
S
•
H
•
E
•
V
•
I
•
L
•
L
•
E
Pisgah Map Company
Red Chili Korean Restaurant
Shell Oil Company Foundation
Matching Gifts
Wislon Worley, Moore,
Gamble & Stout PC
Carolinas Investment
Consulting, LLC
The Duke Energy Foundation
Eastman Credit Union
GoAsheville.com
Hickory Nut Gap Meats
Kee Mapping & Surveying
Navitat Canopy Adventures
Network Computer
Solutions
Nona Mia Ritrovo
Southwings
For more information about our
Corporate Partner Program, contact
Cheryl Fowler at 828.253.0095 ext. 209
or [email protected]. | 1 3
Events | OUTREACH
Upcoming Events & Outings
Blue Ridge Society Reception
Calendar
Razor Wit Partnership Hike
August 9
Asheville Big Love Festival
September 15
Blue Ridge Society Reception
September 26
Sandy Mush Cycle to Farm
September 28
Thunderstruck Hike
October 5
Clawhammer Hike
October 12
Nature Valley Roan Stewardship
October 19
Hickory Nut Gap Farm Tour
October 19 & 20
(See our website at Appalachian.org
or monthly e-News for updates on
these and other upcoming events.)
Sandy Mush Cycle to Farm
Date: Saturday, September 28
Location: Leicester, NC
The Sandy Mush & Leicester area
is rich in tradition, history, and
local farmers that provision our
restaurants, stores, and families.
This innovative supported bike ride
combines our love of climbing on
these beautiful roads with sampling
the fabulous food of these intrepid
farmers. Proceeds go to farmland
preservation efforts conducted by
Buncombe County Soil & Water.
SAHC volunteers will be on hand at
a farm stop along
the route and at the
after party.
Two options to ride:
$65 Half Century
$65 Metric Century
For more information, visit
www.CycleToFarm.org
14 | Summer 2013
Date: September 26
Since 2002, the Blue Ridge Society (BRS)
has been a leadership giving society that
supports land and water conservation in
the Blue Ridge Mountains. BRS serves as
an innovative fundraising collaboration
between SAHC and the Conservation
Trust for North Carolina.
Blue Ridge Society Reception, Fall 2012
To become a BRS member, an annual
donation of $1,000 or greater is given and divided equally to support the work
of the two organizations.
All current Blue Ridge Society members will be honorary hosts at our celebration
event on Thursday, September 26 in Asheville and will be recognized on the
invitation and at the event.
If you would like to become part of this committed core of leaders, please contact
Pauline Heyne, Donor Relations Manager at [email protected] or
828.253.0095 ext. 216.
Nature Valley Roan
Stewardship Work Day
Date: Saturday, October 19
Join SAHC, Nature Valley, and
the National Parks Conservation
Association (NPCA) for a field day in
the Highlands of Roan. Volunteers will
help restore and enhance habitat for
migratory songbirds and other wildlife
and remove invasive non-native plant species.
Habitat restoration volunteers from 2012
Nature Valley/NPCA/SAHC volunteer day
For more information or to register as a volunteer for this field day, contact Chris
Coxen at [email protected] or 828.253.0095. This project is made possible by
grant funding from Nature Valley and NPCA.
Hickory Nut Gap Farm Tour
Date: Saturday, October 19 & Sunday, October 20 Time: 11:00 AM to 4:00
Want to know why land trusts are important to farmland preservation?
Visit us at the Hickory Nut Gap Farm Store for the fall harvest and learn about how
our Farmland Program helps keep local families working on local farms.
We’ll have activities planned for the kids, too. Contact Cheryl Fowler at
[email protected] or 828.253.0095 ext. 209 for more info.
Outreach | EVENTS
Season to Celebrate the Roan
June Jamboree
Flame azaleas and brilliant Catawba rhododendron
painted the Roan spectacular for the June Jamboree this
year. A hundred people joined us on the mountain for
five hikes in our annual summer event!
Hikers from Carver’s Gap to Grassy Ridge enjoyed spectacular
scenery, Catawba rhododendron (left), & Flame azalea (right).
Families on our Kids in the Creek hike found a host of
thriving salamanders and crawfish in Roaring Creek.
This year, we also offered a “Roll & Stroll” in the
Rhododendron Gardens.
Triple B Challenge: Bold, Breathtaking, Beautiful
Reflections by SAHC member & volunteer Drew Stevenson
“If a picture is
worth a thousand
words, then it
just might take
days for me to
describe all the
incredible views
and memorable
moments
experienced
Triple B hikers stop for lunch, with stunning views.
during the Triple
B Challenge of the
June Jamboree — Views that live, breathe and wrap around you
like a hug from Mother Nature.
This particular hike covered 14.3 miles across the longest
continuous stretch of grassy balds in the world, located on the
NC/TN border in an area where SAHC has protected almost 20,000
acres of globally significant, rare habitat and incredible views.
I was in a group of twelve that began at Carver's Gap around
8:30 am and strolled through blooming Flame azalea and
Rhododendron on our way up to Round Bald, Engine Gap, Jane
Bald and Yellow Mountain Gap. We rested briefly at the base of
Yellow Mountain before heading up to Little Hump. The ascent
up to Little Hump was a fairly steep climb that eventually opened
up to one of the most beautiful stretch of mountains you can
imagine. The boulder-sized rocks on Little Hump provided us with
places to sit while grabbing lunch and admiring breathtaking 360
degree views.
This was my first time hiking up to Hump Mountain, and I found
myself stopping every 8-10 steps in order to turn in all directions;
with a steady climb to 5,587 feet, Hump provided some of the
most memorable views of the day.
At the top of Hump Mountain is Houston Ridge, where a plaque
honors Stan Murray, founder of SAHC, and commemorates his
legacy to the Highlands of Roan and the Appalachian Trail.
I've lived in Western North Carolina my entire life and have hiked
and camped throughout the region, thanks to a family that taught
me the importance of being a steward of the land. This enabled
me to experience and enjoy all the rewards from giving back to it.
A hike like this lets you truly experience the people, the purpose
and the properties that SAHC represents.”
View from the Highlands | 15
Members’ | CORNER
Bringing it Home to Kingsport
Appalachian Spring Member Event
Kristy Urquhart, SAHC Associate Director & Kingsport
native, and Jeanette Blazier, President SAHC Board of
Trustees & former mayor of Kingsport.
Thanks to everyone who made our event a success! Around a hundred
guests, volunteers, and staff enjoyed beautiful weather for the
afternoon at the Barn at Allandale Mansion.
We were overjoyed to see so many friends and family – some new to our
organization as well as long-time supporters and founding members. The
assembled company came out to enjoy delicious food, fellowship, and
music provided by local musicians Trae McMaken & Will MacMorran.
While the crowd enjoyed dinner at picnic tables outside the barn,
SAHC Executive Director Carl Silverstein highlighted some of
our recent conservation successes and spoke of our ongoing
commitment to excellence.
Local musicians Trae McMaken & Will McMorran entertained.
The weather was beautiful for an outdoor dinner & event.
We thanked and recognized retiring
trustees for their dedicated services:
Richard Coker, Lindsay Hearn, Bill Maxwell,
and David Ramsey. The assembled
membership body also elected new and
returning trustees to the board, and honored
our Stan Murray Volunteers of the Year.
Members who purchased raffle tickets helped
us raise money from the event.
Our volunteers and planning committee for this event went above and
beyond to land a solid success. Thank you all for your sincere and dedicated
efforts. We raised $1,000 and gained new friends and members!
2013 Stan Murray Award for Volunteer Services
The leaders and longest serving members of the Roany Boyz (Carol
Coffey, David Goforth, Mike Fisher, Jamie Burnham, Bill Ryan and Bruce
Byers) were recognized as our 2013 Volunteers of the Year. The Boyz are a
dedicated group of on-the-ground stewardship volunteers whose tireless
efforts have dramatically advanced the restoration of the open grassy
habitat at Engine Gap in the Highlands of Roan.
L to R: David Goforth, Carol Coffey, and Jamie Burnham were on
hand to accept the award. (with Jeanette Blazier & Carl Silverstein)
This will be the 12th year that the Roany Boyz have worked at Engine
Gap. They take great pride in what they have accomplished in restoring
the area between Round and Jane Balds, and get pleasure from doing it.
We also want to give a shout of thanks to all the others who have worked alongside Carol, David, Mike, Jamie, Bill,
and Bruce over the years. A huge THANK YOU to all the Roany Boyz!
16 | Summer 2013
Members’ | CORNER
Congratulations Trustees:
We congratulate and welcome the following trustees who were
elected to a new 3-year term:
We welcomed many friends, old and new.
Dinner provided by Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant.
Former trustee Joe Deloach, newly elected trustee
Anne Kilgore, and Ellen Turner.
Jim Houser, Charlotte, NC
Jim is a commercial real estate developer who has been a member
of SAHC since 2007. Jim is enthusiastic about helping SAHC manage
our real estate assets such as cabins we own, explore options for
the organization’s office space, and continue ramping up our land
protection and farm sustainability programs.
Anne Kilgore, Kingsport, TN
Anne is Director of Global Sustainability for Eastman Chemical
Company. She is a 2002 graduate of Leadership Kingsport, a
former chapter president of APICS -The Association for Operations
Management, and a Woman of Excellence honoree from Altrusa, the
international volunteer service organization.
Jay Leutze, Minneapolis, NC
Jay serves on SAHC’s Land Protection Committee and previously
served as an SAHC Trustee and Secretary of the Board. Avid
conservationist, trout fisherman and author of the bestselling book
Stand Up that Mountain, Jay is a nationally recognized advocate
on behalf of public funding to help conserve special places in the
Southern Appalachians. He also serves on the NC Mountain Resources
Commission.
Mary Bruce Woody, Asheville, NC
Mary Bruce is a committed long-term supporter of SAHC and
conservation in the region. Mary Bruce has served as a leader of the
NC Arboretum, the French Broad River Garden Club, Trinity Episcopal
Church, Lake Logan Center and Friends of the Smokies. Mary Bruce is
an avid hiker who has explored every corner of SAHC’s service area.
Retiring trustee David Ramsey, recognized for his service.
We also congratulate and thank Milton “Buddy” Tignor and Nancy
Edgerton, who were elected to serve a second 3-year term.
Executive Director Carl Silverstein highlights recent conservation successes.
Member Witt Langstaff, Sr. and former trustee Witt Langstaff, Jr.
Thank You
to the Sponsors &
Raffle Item Donors
for this event:
Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant
Mahoney’s Outfitters
Shoji Spa & Lodge
Highland Brewing Company
One Stop Wine & Liquors
Blue Heron Whitewater
Mauk’s of Jonesborough
Evergreen Home & Garden
Showplace
David A. Ramsey
Photography
Carolyn Novak
Corridor Properties, LLC
Wilson Worley Moore
Gamble and Stout, PC, of
Kingsport
Bear N Friends Toy Shoppe
Natural Pet Supply
Sensibilities Day Spa
Screen Door
Alpine Ski Center
Julie Calhoun-Roepnack,
Potter
ETSU Center for Appalachian
& Community Service
Biltmore Estate
Roy Andrade
Campbell’s Morrell Music
Carolina Native Nursery
Ten Thousand Villages
Jonesborough Farmers’
Market
Café Lola Bistro
Red Chili Korean Restaurant
Pisgah Map Company
Flour Fancies Bakery
Alley Kat Sandwich Shop
| 17
Members’ | CORNER
New Members
Welcome to SAHC!
We couldn’t do it without you!
Matt Amick
LuAnne Johnson
Daryel Anderson
Bob McDonald
Kathy Andrews
Robbie & Jen McLucas
Elaine Applegate
Neal Menkes
Gary & Betty Bailey
Allison & Kincaid Mills
Michele Ballantyne
Jennifer & Jay Mills
Paige Boyd
John Oscarson
Dr. Jane Bramham
Rebecca Paluzzi
Jay Bretz
Isak Pertee
Hank Carr
Deborah Pope
Theresa Carter
Rich & Marilyn Preyer
David & Linda Copley Patrick Raft
Kathryn Daughton
David Rollins
Teresa Deal
John Schwartz
Leigh DeForth
Karl Smith
Rion & Susan DeMars Nancy Stewart
Brian Didier
Alfred Strayhorn
Lynn DiFiore
Shannon Szwarc
Corinne Duncan
Charles & Brenda Tate
Ed Gill
Carolyn & Remo
Termini
Peter Girardi
Oliver Thames
Kitty Hardt
Mary Trice
Michael & Leslie
Harvey
Amy Turner
Walter & Katrina
David E. Wetmore,
Heeb
Ph.D.
Dale & Linda Heyne
Jackie Williams
Dorothy Houlditch
Pam Wilson
Ann & Sam Hubbard
Mary Hamlin Womble
Inspired by views on the Roan, Terry Alexander
renewed his SAHC membership at 5,000 ft. during the
Grassy Ridge June Jamboree hike. Pictured with new
SAHC Donor Relations Manager, Pauline Heyne.
18 | Summer 2013
Founding Member Powell Foster Recalls SAHC’s Early Days
“Because I Loved Mountains”
The Appalachian Spring membership event in Kingsport, TN
this year was a homecoming for many who were involved at the
beginning of SAHC in the 1960s, when it originated as the Roan
Mountain Preservation Committee (RMPC). Powell Foster was one
of those founding members.
outlining the project area - hiking
the periphery of the mountain and
getting elevation sightings to outline
on a map what places needed to
be procured in order to secure the
scenic views. “We were deciding
‘What do we want to protect, to see
in the future,’ and what we needed to
do to bring it to fruition.”
Powell grew up hiking the
Shenandoah Mountains and moved
to Kingsport directly after graduating
college. The job offer he recieved here
may not have been the most lucrative,
but the location was key. “Because
I loved the mountains,” Powell
explains. “That’s why I’m here.”
“When I first came to the area, I
decided to hike on Roan,” he recalls.
He became familiar with the Roan
landscape on a hiking and camping
trip, and learned that it was a truly
remarkable place.
Powell became involved with both
the TN Eastman Hiking & Canoeing
Club and RMPC. He was given
the job of coordinating property
procurements on the TN side, and
worked in that capacity for a decade
or more. One of his favorite tasks was
“Working with SAHC gave me the
opportunity to be on the mountain
a great deal, and be involved in a
project that I really believed in.”
His favorite part of the Roan is Grassy
Ridge, where he would lead sunset /
moonrise hikes at one time for the
Eastman Chemical Company and
others. Powell retired from a career
as a chemist with Eastman in 1986.
He continues to hike, going out every
week for approximately 4 - 5miles.
“SAHC has been a very effective
organization, and an asset to the
preservation of the mountains,” he
remarked. “I never dreamed we
would reach all the way to the edge of
Smoky Mountains.”
We are thankful for all the founding
members of SAHC, and their
remarkable insight in early on land
preservation efforts.
In Memoriam: Georgia Ruth Osborne Nickels
Love and devotion are like the mountain. They last through
the ages and weather storms that make them soft and
beautiful. How fitting that Darroll Nickels this year
honored the passing of his late wife Georgia Nickels with a
major gift to SAHC.
Memorials
We share in honoring the memory
of those friends who have passed.
Memorial gifts are gifts of flowers
in perpetuity.
In memory of Charles Gulden
& Adeline Brown Lyle
Georgia was born in Dungannon, VA in 1920 and
graduated from Dungannon High School in 1937. She
received her teacher’s certificate from Radford State Teachers
College, VA in 1940 and taught at several one and two
room schools in Scott County, VA to earn money to further her
education. She attended summer school at East Tennessee State
College and in 1947 graduated with a BS degree in Business Administration. Georgia
was hired by Bennet & Edwards Insurance Agency in Kingsport, who sent her to the
Insurance Company of North America School for insurance agents. She was the first
woman to attend the school and graduated with honors. In June 1948, Georgia married
Darrol Nickels, and they spent the next 64 years living in Kingsport, TN. Georgia
passed away on November 17, 2012 from complications of a broken hip. She was
extremely proud of her children and grandchildren.
Estate of Charlotte Umholtz
Founding member Darrol Nickels was active in the TN Eastman Hiking &
Canoeing Club when he heard about SAHC. He became involved because he
wanted to see it get off the ground.
In memory of Dr. Burgin
Dossett
Mountain View Garden Club
Join SAHC - Hike for Free!
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Phone
E-mail
Please check applicable boxes.
New Member __ Renewal __ Gift Membership __ Business Membership__
In memory of David A. Tate
Amy Turner
Peter Girardi
Ed Gill
Charles & Brenda Tate
John Schwartz
In memory of Dr. Bernard
Kaiman
Judy Murray and Tom Gatti
East Tennessee State University
In memory of Frank J. Guest
Lee Galloway and Nancy
Thompson
“It was easy for me to appreciate SAHC, because it involved one of the things I
loved deeply,” recalls Darrol. “There’s just something about being on top of the
mountain, and seeing all around, as far as you can see.”
Darrol particularly treasures the Highlands of Roan. He section hiked the
Appalachian Trail between 1969 and 1985, taking long vacation weekends
to complete sections with fellow hikers. Georgia accompanied him on some
stretches, including Walnut Mountain over Hump, and to the top of Mt. LeConte
in the Great Smoky Mountains. The couple also loved to travel together and
spend time with family. After completing the AT, Darrol frequently returned to
do trail work, until July 2007.
In memory of Dan Schifeling
Helen Gift
In memory of Gayle Childress
Michele Ballantyne
In memory of Jim Crews
Don & Priscilla Bynum
Founding member Darrol Nickels
at the Appalachian Spring event in
Kingsport, TN in May.
Membership Benefits:
As a member 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.
Level: __Family $50 __Single $35 __Organization $100 __Other $___
Know that whatever you give
Credit Card #:__________________________________________
Name as it appears on the card: ____________________________ will go toward active, focused,
and sensible land conservation
Expires: _________ 3-digit security code: _________
work. Thank you! Apply at
___ Please enroll me in monthly giving at $_____ per month for ___ months
(Donations and annual membership dues are tax deductible. Make checks Appalachian.org or fill out
payable to SAHC. Mail to: 34 Wall Street, Suite 502, Asheville, NC 28801) & mail this form.
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.
In memory of Georgia Nickels
Darrol Nickels
Judy Murray & Tom Gatti
In memory of Ollie (dog)
Judy Murray & Tom Gatti
Tributes
Tributes are gifts in honor of
someone or a special occasion.
In honor of Hannah Dunnuck
Paige Boyd
In honor of Michael Andry
Happy Birthday from
Bill & Jill Jones
In honor of Michael Harvey
Happy Birthday from Leslie,
Cullen, Vassar and Roan Harvey
| 19
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Get Connected!
with SAHC online @:
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Blog:
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Upcoming!
To leave a legacy for future generations, remember SAHC in your estate planning.
The Legacy Society of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
secures our incredible landscape and mountain heritage for future generations.
Contact us at 828.253.0095 to be recognized as a part of the Legacy Society.
Razor Wit Partner Hike
August 9, 2013
Blue Ridge Society
September 26, 2013
Use this QR code to view
our mobile website.
More details & events inside, or visit online:
Appalachian.org