Winter 2013 View from the Highlands

View from the Highlands39 Years Protecting the World’s Oldest Mountains

Winter 2013, Volume 43, No. 3

- The View Inside:• Yellow Mountain Gateway, p. 4• Blackrock Mountain, p. 5• Stream Restoration, p. 6 - 7• Conservation in Action, p. 8 -11• Hikes and Outreach, p. 12 - 13

• Partnerships in Business, p. 14• Legacy of Land & People, p. 15 • Members’ Corner, p. 16 - 17

• Annual Report, p. 18 - 31

As we prepare to celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2014, we are proud of our accomplishments wrapped into this Annual Report issue of the View. We’ve protected two more stunning, incredible tracts — one near and visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway and one in the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area in Avery County. We also want to send out a huge thank you to all our supporters and incredible volunteers who make our work possible.

Little Hump and Hump Mountains In the Highlands of Roan Photo courtesy of Witt Langstaff, Jr.

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Board of TrusteesMilton “Buddy” Tignor, Jr., President Waynesville, NCNancy Edgerton, Vice President Asheville, NCJay Leutze, Secretary Minneapolis, NC Jack Hamilton, Treasurer Asheville, NCJeanette Blazier, At-Large Kingsport, TN

Courtney Blossman Asheville, NCLeslie Casse Asheville, NCBruce Cunningham Kingsport, TNPatty Cunningham-Woolf Asheville, NCLyman “Greg” Gregory, III Asheville, NCJim Houser Charlotte, NCAnne Kilgore Kingsport, TNFlorence Krupnick Asheville, NCBill Lowndes Asheville, NCKathy Singleton Kingsport, TNMary Bruce Woody Asheville, NC

Main Office34 Wall Street, Suite 502, Asheville, NC 28801-2710

828.253.0095 • FAX [email protected]

Stewardship Field Office804 Rock City Road, Kingsport, TN 37664

423.323.4993 • [email protected]

StaffCarl Silverstein Executive Director Kristy Urquhart Associate Director Michelle Pugliese Land Protection DirectorWilliam Hamilton Farmland Program DirectorHanni Muerdter Stewardship & Conservation Planning DirectorJudy Murray Roan Stewardship DirectorCheryl Fowler Membership DirectorLisa Fancher Finance Compliance DirectorAngela Shepherd Communications Director Chris Coxen Roan Field EcologistAllison Kiehl Farmland Stewardship & Sustainability Director Pauline Heyne Donor Relations ManagerAndrea Thompson AmeriCorps Stewardship Associate Joe Lovenshimer AmeriCorps Stewardship Associate Anna Zanetti AmeriCorps PR & Outreach AssociateCaitlin Edenfield AmeriCorps Land Protection AssociateValerie True Coordinator, Blue Ridge Forever

Appalachian.org

Happy Birthday to Us!Next year we’ll be celebrating our 40th anniversary!In early 2014, check your e-News and our online calendar at Appalachian.org for more details about our celebratory events planned for both the Tri-Cities and Asheville areas.

Save the Date! Thursday, May 15, 2014 Appalachian Spring Annual Member Event – at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, NC.

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.

Upcoming “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Events & Hikes:Devil’s Britches Release Party – January 104:00 to 8:00 pm • Highland Brewing Company, Asheville, NC

Highland will donate a percentage of pint sales from the event to SAHC. Enjoy free music & raise a pint for conservation!

Devil’s Britches Hike — February, date TBALittle Hump Hike — May, date TBA

As we anticipate great things ahead in 2014, we can look back over the events and accomplishments of the past year with great pride.

We’ve protected two more incredible tracts of land in our Highlands of Roan and Smoky Mountains focus areas.

The 357-acre Yellow Mountain Gateway (p. 4) adjoins hundreds of acres we’ve already protected in the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area.

Our purchase of 250 acres with the summit of Blackrock Mountain (p. 5) secures scenic views along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

In addition to our ongoing land protection work, we completed construction on the stream restoration project at our Community Farm in

Alexander, NC (p. 6-7) and hosted a variety of volunteer work days. We were thrilled to welcome National Geographic Traveler’s

Digital Nomad Andrew Evans to the Highlands of Roan during our Nature Valley/NPCA ‘Preserve the Parks’ partnership work day (p. 11).

With the opening of new Stanback Trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway (p. 12), we recognize the efforts of our conservation allies. You can also look forward to a full schedule of upcoming

guided hikes on our protected properties (p. 13).

This year we have a very full annual report! We hope you will take a few moments to read our members’ stories in this issue and

celebrate how our organization has grown over the years.

Carl Silverstein Executive Director

Letter from the

Director

Highlights:• Yellow Mountain Gateway

(see page 4)

• Blackrock Mountain (see page 5)

• Stream Restoration on Our Community Farm (see pages 6-7)

• AmeriCorps (see page 8)

• Conservation Field Journal (see page 9)

• Perspective on Grassy Ridge (see page 10)

• Nature Valley/NPCA Volunteer Day (see page 11)

• Stanback Trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway (see page 12)

• Upcoming Hikes (see page 13)

• Partnership in Business (see page 14)

• Legacy of Land & People (see page 15)

• Members’ Corner (see pages 16-17)

• Annual Report Snapshot (see pages 18-19)

• Thank you to our Supporters (see pages 20-28)

If you have a photo or story to share, please contact us at 828.253.0095 or [email protected].

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.

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For monthly updates and upcoming events, visit us online at Appalachian.org.

The Yellow Mountain Gateway is one of those rare treasured jewels — a large contiguous swath of mountain land handed down generation after generation. Rather than risk it being subdivided in the future, eight heirs of the Vance & Odom families came together to sell the tract to SAHC, ensuring that it will remain protected forever.

Known as ‘Spear Farm’ by the family, the newly protected tract is situated in the center of the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area and can potentially provide public access to the state natural area in the future.

The tract rises to 4700 ft on Spear Tops Mountain and also includes a lower pasture that fronts on Hwy 19 E. We protected two adjoining tracts in 2011 and 2012, and this new conservation success completes our protection of the iconic Spear Tops Mountain.

The property is crossed by a main branch of Justice Creek and several smaller tributaries. The quality of clean headwater stream sources in the North Toe watershed made this tract a conservation priority for clean water.

Working agricultural lands on the recently protected tract include winter pastures for cattle herds that graze at Big Yellow Mountain in the summer. Preserving this land and allowing their winter grazing grounds to remain intact supports our commitment to management of the grassy balds in the Roan.

We plan to hold the tract with the intent to transfer it to North Carolina when state funds become available.

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

Yellow Mountain GatewayWhen we closed on the 357-acre Yellow Mountain Gateway tract in Avery County, we preserved more than unspoiled streams, wildlife habitat, and working lands. We opened a way for future generations to connect with the rich history of Avery County.

Saving the way for future generations

Highlands of Roan Focus Area

“The view of the two ‘spears’ that form Spear Tops mountain as you drive south on US Highway 19 E from Plumtree to Spear is as iconic a mountain view as you can imagine. The Vance and Odom families are pleased to know that with the sale of our family farm to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy that view will never change. Ancestors of the family actually lived on the farm in the late 1800s, and subsequently our families have enjoyed decades of picnics and hikes on the farm. The multiple creeks that run through the property provided a cool spot in the heat of the summer and lovely waterfalls of various heights as they run down to join the North Toe River.”

Risa Larsen, Landowner

This impressive 100 ft. waterfall on Justice Creek, known as Cutler Falls by the Vance and Odom families, will be accessible to the public in the future, thanks to our acquisition of the Yellow Mt. Gateway.

Winter pasture for cattle that graze Big Yellow Mtn.

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We purchased the summit of Blackrock Mountain and more than 250 surrounding acres in October. We plan to hold the property and manage it as a nature preserve until it can eventually be transferred to public ownership as park lands.

Blackrock Mountain is located in the Plott Balsam Mountains of Jackson County, and the summit is clearly visible from the Plott Balsam overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway (mile post 458).

The property can be seen in the foreground view from the Waterrock Knob visitor center (mile post 451.2) and multiple locations along the parkway on the drive north from Waterrock Knob.

This newly protected tract adjoins the 60-acre Blackrock Ridge tract we purchased in 2010, as well as The Nature Conservancy’s Plott-Balsam Preserve and the Sylva Watershed. The Cherokee Nation owns land in the Qualla Boundary to the north.

Two headwater tributaries of Blackrock Creek originate on the property and flow into Blackrock Creek, which empties into Soco Creek.

“Its proximity to and visibility from the Blue Ridge Parkway, as well as the high-elevation forest communities and pristine headwater sources found on the site, make it a priority for conservation,” said Executive Director Carl Silverstein.

Summit of success

Blackrock MountainSmoky Mountains Focus Area

All you need to do is stand at the Plott Balsam overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway or hike the trail from Waterrock Knob to appreciate protecting Blackrock Mountain. The 5,700 ft peak contains rare spruce-fir forest and two headwater tributaries that flow down its slopes. “We are so proud to have preserved this view for all to enjoy,” says Land Protection Director, Michelle Pugliese.

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In October, we guided a group of hikers to the Blackrock Mountain summit to enjoy clear long-distance views of the surrounding ridgelines during our Thunderstruck “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Partnership hike. We plan to lead similar hikes to the area in the future.

“Michelle surprised us with the great news while we were enjoying a mid-hike break on the summit. There was just something special about learning the mountain had been protected while we were sitting right there on it. The work of SAHC is invaluable, and it has been an honor working with such a dedicated and productive group of people.”

Ben WickerHighland Brewing

Company


SAHC hiking group on Blackrock Mtn.

Blackrock Mountain summit, notable for its spruce-fir forest.

Blackrock Mtn tract is visible from the Blue RIdge Parkway.

The newly protected tract adjoins other conservation properties.

Repairing impacted waterways

Stream RestorationThis summer and autumn, stream restoration and trail work took center stage at our Community Farm in Alexander, NC. You may have heard rumbling from heavy earth-moving equipment, but the real movers and shakers were folks on the ground working to bring our ambitious restoration and education plans to fruition.

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

Before

During construction, some trees had to be removed to repair eroded stream banks. We were able to use these trees to construct log sills for this project. Log sills are structures embedded in the stream channel that slow the flow of water to help prevent erosion and flood damage.

What’s new on the farm? We’ve restored over 3,000 linear feet of streams flowing into Newfound Creek in the French Broad River watershed. Eroded banks have been repaired and prepared for planting, and we’ve rough cut an interpretive trail across our 103-acre Community Farm to showcase stream restoration, short leaf pine reforestation, and agricultural projects.

Why stream restoration?Before we received the donated farm in 2010, a long history of agricultural use and logging on the property had left eroded banks and sediment-filled stream

beds scarring its bucolic beauty. Excess amounts of sediment in the water harms stream health as well as animals that depend on it. In fact, sedimentation is the #1 water pollutant in our region. Invasive plant species also covered the steep banks with thick vine growth.

On the road to repairIn order to improve the quality of water flowing across the farm and downstream, we contracted Altamont Environmental, Inc. to design a site restoration plan and oversee the construction process. We hired River Works, Inc., a construction company

After

Restoring Eroded Stream Banks Eroded stream banks become steep and vertical as soil washes away and fills the stream bed. To repair the damage at the farm, we gently graded the slope down to the stream and prepared the banks for new plantings. When we’re finished, the stream corridor on the farm will have 25,000 native plantings in our 150-foot stream buffer. The deep root structures provided by these plantings will keep the banks from washing away in the future.

Our stream restoration project repaired 3,000+ feet of impacted stream. We will put native plantings in the stream buffer area, to be completed by spring 2014.

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Repairing impacted waterways

Looking around our Community Farm you will see a new feature. The 1.5-mile Discovery Trail winds around the perimeter of the property and across the pastures to highlight important farm features.

The main body of the trail was cut in by Green Opportunities contract crews and AmeriCorps volunteers. This fall, French Broad River Academy middle school student volunteers also helped with invasive plant species removal and trail cleanup and refinement.

We are currently in the process of installing interpretive signs and trail markers, and we plan to host guided hikes on the trail. Look for more details in the spring!


Update: Trail Work & Invasives Removal


This fall we welcomed Yael Girard, who has been working to support trail construction and interpretive signage at the farm to enhance public education opportunities. Yael is a graduate of Warren Wilson College and spent several years as a river guide in Montana. She is a talented artist with a variety of skills, including beekeeping. Yael helped rescue a wild honeybee swarm at the farm. See our blog for the story.

Community Farm & Food Assistant: Yael Girard

A group of about 30 visitors learned about the restoration process and engineering plan behind the project.

Participants in the open house tour examine a drop pool at the farm. Drop pools provide areas of slow-moving water for aquatic habitat.

French Broad River Academy volunteers helped with invasive species management.

In November, we hosted an open house tour of the stream restoration project. We plan to offer another open house in the spring after we’ve completed native plantings along the stream corridor.

that specializes in stream restoration projects, to remove sediment and debris and uncover sections where the stream had been buried. They graded the vertical, eroded slopes of the stream channels and installed erosion control matting with features such as drop pools and log sills to prevent erosion issues in the future.

We created a 150 ft. buffer that extends on either side of the stream channel (300 ft/25 acres total), which will be planted with over 25,000 native trees and shrubs. The plantings in the buffer

area will produce deep root structures to help prevent future erosion issues, and the buffer zone will also provide habitat for native animals.

Following agricultural best management practices, we installed infrastructure, including hardened crossings and off-stream watering tanks, so that the land can continue to be grazed as a working farm while protecting stream and habitat health.

During the course of survey and design planning for the project, we discovered 19th century farm artifacts and an intact wetland habitat area along the stream corridor. Both of these areas were protected during the construction process and can be viewed from our new Discovery Trail.

Thank you for your support!We were able to accomplish this stream restoration and mitigation banking project at the farm thanks to funding from private donors and the Pigeon River Fund.

Restored stream section.

SAHC was pleased to host sixteen volunteers from AmeriCorps Project Conserve (APC) on Round Bald within the Highlands of Roan. For the last three years, SAHC has partnered with APC to get members out on the Roan’s grassy balds to complete a variety of habitat restoration projects.

This year, APC members used hand tools to cut back woody plants from the interior of the grassy bald on Round Bald. Without management, the small herbaceous plants, sedges and grasses that characterize grassy bald habitat will eventually be overgrown by woody plants. This is a natural process called “forest succession”; however in this case, it is important to keep succession in check because grassy balds are a globally imperiled habitat. Grassy balds offer a home to rare endemic plants and high elevation grassland wildlife species – a home that will slowly be lost without the help of volunteers like those from APC.

This was the first time many of the APC volunteers visited the Roan, and it is always a delight to share that experience. Empowering people to have a positive impact on public land is the hallmark of our volunteer habitat program. APC members enjoyed the clear sunny day, taking in the unrivaled views offered from the balds while working to maintain one of the Roan’s many rare plant communities.

A big thank you to all the folks who came out for the work day! Thanks also to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy — their partnership and financial support helps make volunteer work days like this possible.

Round Bald in the Roan

Partnership Work Day


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Welcome Our NewAmeriCorps Associates!Four new AmeriCorps associates joined our team for 11-month, 2013-2014 service terms.

Caitlin Edenfied, AmeriCorps Land Protection AssociateCaitlin 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.

Anna Zanetti, AmeriCorps Outreach & PR AssociateOriginally from Johns Island, SC, Anna received degrees in Sustainable Development and Communications from Appalachian State University.

Andrea Thompson, AmeriCorps Stewardship AssociateOriginally from the Asheville area, Andrea graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies from Montreat College.

Joe Lovenshimer, AmeriCorps Stewardship AssociateJoe grew up in the Morganton area and has been involved with outdoor adventure recreation since an early age. He graduated from Brevard College with a BS in Biology.

AmeriCorps volunteers on Round Bald

SAHC’s 2013-2014 AmeriCorps Associates , listed above (left to right).

ConservationField JournalOn the Roan with SAHC Field Ecologist Chris Coxen


With the advent of social media and YouTube, many of us are becoming familiar with a new use of the term “viral.” You might make a funny video and send it to your friend, who sends it to their friends, and so on, until thousands (and often millions) of people have watched that video. It seems that the Roan is going viral. Its magnificent vistas keep drawing more folks, who then tell other folks about what they have seen. I know I have done it, and why not? It is an incredible place and it’s human nature to share our experiences. But with increased visitation often comes increased user impacts. The regular presence of someone who can offer interpretive and leave no trace messaging has long been identified as a need on the Roan, but after this summer’s first Roan Ridgerunner program, it is apparent that this position fills a critical need in this delicate resource. SAHC worked with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing club to supervise the incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated inaugural Ridgerunner Katrya’na Keely (who simply goes by Kat). Kat spent almost every weekend this summer hiking the Roan section of the Appalachian Trail, speaking with hikers about leave no trace practices, hauling out pounds of trash, and repairing the impacts of fire rings on the balds. She kept regular logs of visitation numbers and notes about the types of folks she met- one weekend even peaked to 500 users. Combined with having a regular interpretive person on the ground, these data about the frequency and types of visitors are invaluable when making management decisions to limit user impacts. It is hoped that the Roan Ridgerunner program will continue long into the future. Please remember to leave no trace when you are out in the woods, and we will be sure to maintain the splendor and biodiversity of the Southern Appalachians for years to come.

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“In the morning I am woken by

yellowthroats, towhees, sparrows in the brush. The thrasher is on his beech branch and beginning his rough singing, and there is a thrush in the distance. Somewhere in the woods the thudding of a grouse.

For three weeks I kept my red-porch post, sat with thrasher, warbler, sparrow and wren and watched how the world wakes up — watched the

pears leaf out and break down into clouds of white bloom, watched the first Golden-winged Warbler come to the nearby beech. Seeking to lend myself to a place, and to lend myself to spring, which felt like a season of ceaseless hope.

Along the way I kept note of the coming. Each morning the woods would be graced by some new voice — Ruby-throated hummingbird, Ovenbird, Black-throated Green Warblers, Grosbeaks, a Black-and-white, Chestnut-sided and Golden-winged Warblers. Mornings I would walk Jerry’s Creek or Martin’s Branch, finding newts, salamanders, and always more in bloom — Squirrel Corn, Trilliums, Anemone, Trout Lilies, Violets, Phacelia, Larkspur, Showy Orchis. In the evenings the Barred Owls would keep the chorus, sometimes joined by a Saw-whet and once by a moonstruck Field Sparrow

This was my vigil. On cold mornings and evenings (and there were many) I tended and readied the cabin, sat reading by the fire, played music. Mostly I just watched, though, let myself sink into a place and let myself be filled by the music of the woods in spring. In the evenings I would take my dinner on the edge of the porch, where I had a standing date with the cottontail who slept her days beneath the house.

I am indebted to Grassy Ridge, as I am indebted to all the places I have let myself fall into. For three weeks I sought to be a citizen of it, to engage with its music and bear witness to something truly remarkable that slips beneath our gaze most days. And what can I do now but give voice? There is something incredible happening here, just waiting for a listening ear and an open eye. ‘And we pray, not for new earth or heaven, but to be quiet in heart, and in eye clear. What we need is here.’ ”

Personal Perspective on Grassy Ridge: From the Bird HouseEarlier this year, we welcomed a series of interns and researchers to our Grassy Ridge tract cabin, dubbed ‘the Bird House’ because of ubiquitous winged wildlife in this rich upland habitat. Lee Farese, a senior at Colorado College and one of our first visitors to the cabin, spent several weeks observing and photographing the tract. Here is an excerpt from Lee’s account of his stay in the early spring:

See the full personal narrative text on our blog at southernappalachian.wordpress.com

View from the Bird House at Grassy Ridgephoto by Lee Farese

Trillium blooming by a stream – photo by Lee Farese

Lee on the porch of the Bird House.

“and let myself be filled by the music of the woods...”photo by Lee Farese

We began forty years ago with a mission to protect the Highlands of Roan. Today Roan remains wild and free because of the hard work and care that so many people have contributed. There is still much to accomplish in order to protect the globally significant habitat on Roan. Good people keep working, and SAHC is lucky enough to count many of these willing people among our ranks.

In late October we hosted a volunteer work day on our Grassy Ridge property in the Highlands of Roan. The day was a culmination of work sponsored through a grant from the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), which has partnered with Nature Valley to fund projects that benefit National Parks

around America. Nature Valley also partnered with National Geographic travel journalist Andrew Evans to help document the importance of our project.

Grassy Ridge is an essential piece of the conservation landscape, home to threatened plant and animal species and an access point to places that offer incredible vistas of the Roan landscape. We focused on habitat restoration and trail building during this volunteer work day.

In the morning, volunteers worked in a Golden-winged

Warbler habitat restoration area. The Golden-winged Warbler has experienced one of the steepest population declines of any songbird over the last 45 years. Grassy Ridge is home to several breeding pairs, and through projects like this, we hope to create additional habitat for the imperiled bird.

In the afternoon volunteers used loppers, saws, and swing blades to clear brush for a future hiking trail that will eventually allow the public to stand on Little Yellow Mountain and look onto Mount Mitchell, Roan Mountain, and Grandfather Mountain — some of the most distinctive peaks in the Southern Appalachians.

A tremendous thank you to all of the volunteers and our partners at NPCA and Nature Valley for making the day a success!

Nature Valley & NPCA join us

On the Roan

About ‘Preserve the Parks’ PartnershipFor the fourth consecutive year, Nature Valley has partnered with the National Parks Conservation Associate to advance important restoration projects in support of America’s national parks so that future generations may find inspiration & enjoyment in these places of rare beauty. This year, SAHC received a $25,000 grant from the ‘Preserve the Parks’ partnership to fund efforts to restore habitat for migratory songbirds and other wildlife, remove non-native invasive plant species, and enhance visitor accessibility and learning opportunities.

Check out the blog & video at: digitalnomad.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/21/the-case-of-the-golden-winged-warbler

Andrew Evans, Digital Nomad for National Geographic Traveler, documented our volunteer work day. Check out his blog article & video on the day (address above).

Don Barger of NPCA (far left) joined the volunteer group on the Roan.

Nature Valley/NPCA/SAHC work day volunteers

Volunteers helped with trail work and habitat restoration.

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Calendar

E v e n t s | O U T R E A C H

Stanback Trails Along the

For many years Fred and Alice Stanback have supported efforts to protect land and water resources across NC, and have particularly emphasized protecting the beautiful mountains and special places along the Blue Ridge Parkway. In their honor, a series of Stanback Trails have been established on lands protected along the Parkway by the State of NC, opening a portion of a National Historic Trail to the public and for the first time making it possible for visitors to follow marked and well built trails to two major mountain peaks along the crest of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Saddle Mountain TrailDistance: 2.0 milesDifficulty rating: ModerateThis trail forms a loop on Saddle Mountain and also leads to the Horn of Saddle Mountain, thereby providing the first marked hiking trail to this dramatic point on the crest of the Blue Ridge rising 2,000 feet above the Piedmont below.

The trail travels mainly through oak and mixed oak-pine forests. At the summit of Saddle Mountain hikers can view the Mitchell and Fisher River valleys to the south and east. The Sauratown Mountains including Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain may also be seen in the distance.

The 502 acres in the Saddle Mountain portion of the Mitchell River Game Lands of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission are next to the Blue Ridge Parkway between US Highway 21 and the Virginia state line.

Little Tablerock Mountain Trail2.1 miles (4.2 miles roundtrip)Difficulty rating: ModerateThis trail leads to Little Table Rock Mountain which stands on the Eastern Continental Divide and provides the first marked hiking trail to this outstanding point along the Blue Ridge. At the summit of Little Tablerock Mountain, hikers can view the North Toe River Valley to the north. Roan Mountain is visible at the skyline to the north on clear days.

The 544 acres in this portion of the Pisgah Game Lands of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission adjoin the Blue Ridge Parkway between Altapass and the village of Linville Falls.

Rose Creek TrailDistance: 1.3 milesDifficulty rating: EasyThis trail is part of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. It generally follows Little Rose Creek for much of its length through oak and cove forests.

The 534 acres in this Rose Creek portion of the Pisgah Game Lands of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission adjoin the Blue Ridge Parkway near Heffner Gap just north of Altapass.

For all trails: It is recommended that hikers wear a blaze orange garment during hunting seasons (September - February and April - mid May).

Enjoy the View!

For directions, maps and more details about these trails and the protected lands they access, visit: www.appalachian.org/community/stanbacktrails.html

Blue Ridge Parkway

Saddle Mountain Trail

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The creation of these trails and protection of the land through which they pass has been made

possible by the valiant efforts of many conservation partners, including:

The Conservation Trust for North CarolinaPiedmont Land Conservancy

The Wildlife Resources CommissionBlue Ridge Conservancy

Please visit our website below for more details on their contributions.

Please check applicable boxes.New Member __ Renewal __ Gift Membership __ Business Membership__

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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. Know that whatever you give will go toward active, focused, and sensible land conservation work. Thank you! Join today at Appalachian.org or fill out & mail this form.

(Donations and annual membership dues are tax deductible. Make checks payable to SAHC. Mail to: 34 Wall Street, Suite 502, Asheville, NC 28801)Jo

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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.

UpcomingHikes

Winter Tree Identification HikeDate: Sunday, January 19 Time: 10:00 am Where: Montreat Wilderness, outside Asheville, NC Difficulty: Easy/moderate Cost: Free for members and $10 for non-members Leaders: Chris Coxen, SAHC Field Ecologist & Anna Zanetti, AmeriCorps Associate What to Bring: Sturdy hiking shoes, rain gear, water bottle, backpack lunch, camera, warm clothes and a bag to carry all personal items Join us for a 3.5-mile hike and learn how to identify trees in winter through concepts of native forest communities, tree form, and basic tree parts (bark, leaves, and fruit). We will also offer a presentation that will include simple tips to help identify some of the common trees you see while hiking around Western North Carolina. The location, date and time for the presentation is TBA.

Love of Nature & Farmland HikeDate: Saturday, February 15 Time: 10:00 am Where: Faiview Farming Community, NC Difficulty: Moderate Cost: Free for members and $10 for non-members Leaders: Anna Zanetti and Caitlin Edenfield, AmeriCorps Associates What to Bring: Sturdy hiking shoes, rain gear, water

bottle, backpack lunch, camera, warm clothes and a bag to carry all personal itemsThis 2.5-mile out-and-back hike will venture up to Tater Knob to overlook a forested area adjoining the surrounding farmland. Hikers will learn about farmland security and how conservation of farmland is an important component of preserving NC’s natural history.

E v e n t s | O U T R E A C H

January 19Winter Tree ID HikeMontreat, NC

February 15Love of Nature & Farmland Hike Fairview Community

February, Date TBA“For Love of Beer & Mountains” Devil’s Britches Hike Location TBA

March TBAOwl Prowl Night HikeBarnardsville, NC

March 22Snowball Mtn. HikeNear Craggy Gardens

April 12Wildflower ID HikePopper Memorial Tract

May, Date TBA“For Love of Beer & Mountains” Little Hump Hike Highlands of Roan

June 7Land Trust Day HikeOur Community Farm Alexander, NC

June 14June JamboreeHighlands of Roan

For most current info about upcoming hikes & events, see our calendar at Appalachian.org


Conservation Partnerships work to benefit the

Environment and Economy

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

Altamont is an Asheville engineering and hydrogeology firm with strong ties to SAHC. Altamont is composed of 24 professionals and provides a range of environmental remediation, engineering, and land planning consulting services throughout WNC and the South. Altamont has provided environmental consulting services to SAHC for several years and was proud to become an SAHC Corporate Partner in 2012.

“It is a pleasure to work with Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy on land conservation and restoration projects,” says Altamont co-owner Stu Ryman. “I really admire and appreciate the work they do to

protect the natural environment and Altamont is pleased to be associated with their projects. Plus, the folks at SAHC are just nice people and easy to work with.”

Altamont has provided due diligence environmental assessments for several prospective SAHC land conservation acquisitions including the Grassy Ridge, Lost Cove, and Blue Ridge Pastures. Altamont was also the designer of the stream restoration project at our Community Farm.

In addition to rendering comprehensive site assessment and remediation and

ecological restoration, Altamont also ensures that a wide variety of clients meet solid waste or industrial environmental compliance, and provides civil engineering, land planning, and field services for public and private clients.

1 4 | W i n t e r 2 0 1 3

In this issue, we’re highlighting local corporate partners that helped us succeed in the stream restoration project at our Community Farm (p. 6-7). In addition to providing reliable and excellent professional contract work, Kee Mapping & Surveying and Altamont Environmental each contribute financially to SAHC at a corporate partner level, making them strong allies in our conservation work across the landscape.

Kee Mapping & Surveying, P.A. serves Western North Carolina (WNC) with professional and comprehensive services of surveying and mapping.

“Kee Mapping & Surveying is honored to have worked with the SAHC over the past six years. As avid outdoor enthusiasts, we are privileged to work with an organization that shares our passion for conserving scenic areas, clean water and farmlands for the enjoyment of present and future generations,” says owner Brad Kee.

“This partnership has allowed us to be involved in protecting some of the most remote and pristine areas in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.” Kee Mapping & Surveying looks forward to continuing our relationship with the SAHC and supporting them as they work to protect our natural resources and the world’s oldest mountains.”

Brad Kee, surveying a conservation project for SAHC.

Zan Price, group leader at Altamont, explains aspects of the stream restoration design at our Community Farm.

Jim Martin has been with SAHC for almost 30 years. His friend Bob Carlisle was a big supporter of SAHC and shared his passion for our organization with Jim by inviting him to come up for a hike on Roan Mountain. Since that time, Jim has continued to create a legacy for the Roan, passing his love of the mountains to other friends and family.

“I’ve probably been up to Roan Mountain about a hundred times over the years and always enjoyed it,” he says. He lives in Winston-Salem but doesn’t mind the 3.5 hour drive to the mountains. “It’s a bit of a stretch but well worth it. I’m a flatlander, but I love the mountains.”

Realizing the powerful impact of the vista from the Roan, Bob and Jim once chartered a

bus from Winston-Salem to take a group of around 40-50 people up to the highlands.

“It was a great way to show them the mountains and get them involved in the mission,” he says.

An avid birder, Jim also brought people up to Roan to look for Saw-whet owls. Former SAHC Seasonal Ecologist Travis Knowles introduced him to the mountain songbirds. “As we hiked on the mountain, Travis

told me all about the birds he was hearing, and I became determined to do that,” recalls Jim. “It was a great gift — being up there and learning to identify birds by song.”

Hiking in the Roan was a major inspiration for Jim. He loved the area, loved hiking, and became concerned with protecting the mountains. He served as chairman of the SAHC board and became friends with founders Stan and

Judy Murray. Jim has hiked a lot along the Appalachian Trail and is especially partial to the Southern Balds. Twenty years ago he became a volunteer with the annual Grassy Ridge Mow-Off.

He and his wife Mary Allen have continued hiking and enjoying the mountains, especially in the summer when they come to enjoy the cooler air. They’ve organized trips to bring up other couples and friends from the Winston-Salem area, and they especially enjoy sharing experiences in the mountains with family, including their children and grandson.

L e g a c y | L A N D & P E O P L E

Let us welcome you into the Legacy Society. Learn how you can help protect our beloved Southern Appalachians through your:

• Will• Living Trust• Retirement Plans• Life Insurance• Gifts of Real

Estate• And more...

A Legacy for the Future: Jim Martin

Gifts that Keep GivingOur passions draw us to the mountains, and connections to friends and family perpetuate our love. Generation after generation, mountain love keeps growing — handed from one person to another, one shared moment at a time.

Members of the Legacy Society receive special invitations to events and outings and annual recognition in View from the Highlands (page 29). This special recognition acknowledges the long-term impact of their support, which builds a strong, solid foundation for SAHC’s ongoing land conservation work.If you would like more information about creating your legacy, please contact Kristy Urquhart at 828.253.0095, ext. 201. Gifts of any amount are sincerely appreciated, and we can tailor your legacy to meet your unique financial and conservation goals. All inquiries will be held in confidence.

| 1 5Jim with grandson Cedar

Jim Martin & Bill Davis hiking at Mt. Rogers

“Mary Allen and I have included SAHC in our estate plan. We have enjoyed many memorable times in the Southern Appalachians and we want others, including our grandson, to have those same experiences. SAHC is the right organization to protect these mountains.”

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

William & Jill AbernethyAndrew & Jennifer AngyalBrian & Wendy BaileyLee & Emily BidgoodRobert BrewerJaime Burnham

& Gay Marie LogsdonJerry & Doris BushRose ButlerAva CarrMorna ChildersTom & Mary CorsJohn & Nancy CosgroveHarvey Crouch Leigh DeForthTim DellKim Drye

Sherry DubesterFrances EizemberLois EvansSara FelsenSuzanne FisherRobert GaddisWilliam & Ellen GaddyLydia GarveyDick GibsonYael GirardEthan GougeJohn & Lori GroceHeidi HannapelCamilla Durban HapnerJonathan HartsellLee HilliardDan Hitchcock

Raymond HohenbergerRandall HolcombeMelisa HolmanSharon HughesDavid HumphreyMary KarnisChristine KeelinPerry KeysPenny LonghurstRyan LubbersDr. Mary MacQueenMichael MalloryMarc Hunt and Cat PottsBev MacDowellJohn McCrearyPat & Doug McDowellJonathan & Kim Miller

Mike Mooney & Marja Warehime

David & Karen MuowNancee Neel

& Kirk AventTony OnekaCarol PolsgroveTravis ProctorMichael RacineLarry ReevesTerry & Sarah ReinckeRobbins RichardsonGlenn RohrbaughEllis Worth SarverBarbara ShawDr. Steven SiegelDr. Wendell

& Rachel SkinnerDavid Slobodin & Jane FantJanet Smith Sandra S. SpoonerPeg & Bill SteinerKeith StewartMary SundstromGeorge Testerman, M.D.Paul ThrailkilBrian VasilikMargot WallstonMark & Sandra WelkerSheila WellingPaul WesterveltElizabeth WilkersonBill & Debby Wolcott

TributesTributes are gifts in honor of someone or a special occasion.In honor of Porter & Martha Ann Claxton Sara MarxIn honor of Bill Fairley Anna PowellIn honor of Lee Galloway & Nancy ThompsonZach GallowayIn honor of Yael Girard Ronald & Heather Girard Theresa JeffriesIn honor of Will Hooker Blue Heron WhitewaterIn honor of Jay Leutze Charlie & Ann Baker Thomas OkelIn honor of Bill & Dee Dee Maxwell Thomas OkelIn honor of Allan Morgan Sylvia Dry

M e m b e r s ’ | C O R N E R

11th Annual Reception for the Blue Ridge Society

Members of the Blue Ridge Society and guests gathered at the home of Jack and Florence Krupnick on a beautiful night in September to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the Society, benefiting the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and the Conservation Trust for North Carolina. Blue Ridge Society members

Joe and Sharon Goldston.

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Blue Ridge Society members Paul and Wyndy Bonesteel.

Guests had the opportunity to hear from both executive directors about the importance of their leadership gifts and how the organizations are working together to further conservation efforts in North Carolina. Thank you to all our Blue Ridge Society members who raised over $35,000 this year for conservation.

MemorialsWe share in honoring the memory of those friends who have passed. In memory of David C. Bailey Lisa & George Francisco George & Marcia Gsell Kate Henry Lagoon Villas HOA Mr. & Mrs. Gary Lowe Mary E. Powell John & Cynthia Winkenwerder Mary Bruce & Stephen W. WoodyIn memory of Cara Gwen Becker Eric BeckerIn memory of Margaret Brumfield Helen C. GiftIn memory of Richard Coker Nelson LevingsIn memory of Lynne Devine Kathy & Jim WickerIn memory of Mike Harkleroad Ron NealIn memory of Jon Lober Tracey Fender Erik & Dina JacobsIn memory of Carrie Lyle Summers McCaskill Anne & Claude LibisIn memory of Patricia E. McMahon Jim SchreiberIn memory of Ben Pace Jamie PaceIn memory of Herman F. Preston Jim SchreiberIn memory of Natalie Ryan Bill Ryan & Lynn BledsoeIn memory of David Scheidt Linda CooperIn memory of David A. Tate Ray Ellis Mrs. K A VaughanJoel & Jennifer Burgess Rion & Susan DeMars

In Memoriam: David C. Bailey

David Coleman Bailey, 92, passed peacefully into eternal life Monday, December 2, 2013.

David was one of SAHC’s first board members, serving from 1976 - 1981. He was elected as Chairman of the Board in June 1980. One of his duties was to oversee endowment funds and finances of the organization. He volunteered to be Public Relations Chairman of SAHC, mostly focusing on public relations for the Roan Legislative Initiative. This initiative was formed to create constructive dialogue with legislators, media and the public about SAHC’s intent for land conservation on Roan.

“I remember going with him to SAHC meetings back in the 80s when Stan Murray headed it up in TN. A small group would meet in Banner Elk. David was proud of his involvement in such a worthy cause and worked hard back then to pick the right AVL patrons to make the organization what it is today,” said Cathey Bailey.

Born in New York City to Margaret Phillippi Bailey and Charles Robert Bailey, David came to Asheville with

his family during the Great Depression He attended Asheville High School and graduated from the University of North Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

During World War II, he enlisted in the US Army and became a First Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps. During the Korean War, he was called to active duty and became Captain. While enlisted, he also became a graduate of Haverford College in Pennsylvania, majoring in Romance Languages.

He became an account executive with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Beane and later a partner in the firm. He authored several books, including Farewell to Valor, Fashionable Asheville 1880-1930, and The Penland Chronicles.

David was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. He will be remembered for his sharp intellect, keen sense of humor, subtle wit, generosity of time and talent, dignified character, and strong faith.

“He was an active and influential board member who helped us make key contacts in the Asheville area, which markedly advanced SAHC. David was a true gentleman of the mountains.”Rick Phelps, former SAHC Trustee who served with David Bailey.


In lieu of flowers, the family asks friends to please consider a memorial donation to SAHC or CarePartners Hospice.

M e m b e r s ’ | C O R N E R

Percentage of Acreage Protected by Project Type

A n n u a l | R E P O RT

S n a p s h o t - O u r C u m u l at i v e L a n d P r o t e c t i o n

Map:SAHC Focus AreasIncorporated 1974 , the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy protects land in six distinct focus areas, spanning the region from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the Highlands of Roan.

Across this region, we have protected 63,000+ acres in242 completed projects

Cumulatively, the land we have protected would cover over 98 sq. miles, larger than the cities of Kingsport and Asheville put together!

Appalachian Trail Countryside

Highlands of

Roan

Black Mountains

Balsam Mountains

French Broad River

ValleySmoky

Mountains

Year

2,486 3,973 5,459 7,007 8,554

12,572

32,104

51,590

63,000

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2011 2012 2013

Land Protection 1974 to 2013 (Acreage)

Acr

eage

Pro

tect

ed

Land Protection 1974 to 2013 (Acreage)

Fee Simple PurchaseFee Simple Purchase Transferred to Gov’t/OtherConservation EasementEasement Transferred to Gov’t/Other OrganizationAssist

8% 6%

42% 14%

30% Fee Simple Purchase

Fee Simple, Conveyed to Government/Other OrganizaEon ConservaEon Easement

ConservaEon Easement, Conveyed to Government/Other OrganizaEon Assist (SAHC not in Etle chain)

7% 7%25%

50%

11%

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A n n u a l | R E P O RT

$0

$1,000,000

$2,000,000

$3,000,000

$4,000,000

$5,000,000

$6,000,000

1975 1985 1995 2000 2005 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013

Endowment & Investment Growth, 1975 - 2013

Other 2%

Contributions 78%

Grants 20%

Contributions............. $5,038,326GrantsPublic ............................. $1,008,059Foundation .................. $ 256,181Other ............................. $ 112,465 (Interest, sales, events)

2013 Revenue

2012-2013 Fiscal Year Summary - Program & Operations

Program..................................... $4,657,382General & Administration.. $ 222,883Fundraising ............................. $ 47,549

2013 Expenses

Program 94%General & Administration 5%

Fundraising 1%

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: [email protected]

Financial Summary (Year Ended June 30, 2013)

Endowment & Investment Growth (1975 - 2013)

Assets 2103 2012Current AssetsCash & Equivalents 1,524,810 1,297,518Receivables 81,311 50,000Prepaid Expenses 17,346 9,078Total Current Assets 1,623,467 1,356,596

Long-‐Term AssetsProperty & Equip. Net 367,293 224,838Long term Planned Gift Receivable 132,959Trade Lands 54,000 54000Life Estate, Net 1,095,991 1,073,651Permanently Protected Property 22,736,448 19,339,984Investments/Endowments held by brokerage firms 2,854,758 2,538,814Funds/Endowments held by CFWNC 857,297 787,996Total Long-‐Term Assets 28,098,746 24,019,283Total Assets 29,722,213 25,375,879

LiabilitiesTotal Current Liabilities 56,036 582,213

Long-‐Term LiabilitiesNotes Payable, Net of Current Maturities 3,185,906 378,058

Total Liabilities 3,241,942 960,271

Total Net Assets 26,480,271 24,415,608Total Liabilities & Net Assets 29,722,213 25,375,879

A n n u a l R e p o r t | 1 9

Th a n k Yo u | V O L U N T E E R S

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Altogether, you gave 3,291 hours of service in 2013. That’s the equivalent of 82 full 40-hour work weeks! In other words, your volunteer hours

amounted to a full-time staff of eighty-two people. We depend on our dedicated volunteers throughout the year, and thank you for giving your time in service.

T h a n k Yo u t o o u r Vo l u n t e e r s !

Invasive Species Removal & Stewardship VolunteersSadie AdamsJulia BartleyTim BoissyLana BurnsAndra CagleLuke CannonSarah CarterAnna CoheeCatrina DillardJennifer EastmanGardner GoodallLorelei GottPriya JaishankerMadison JamesDiane JohnsonSteve KatzRyan LeCoursMeghan MontgomeryPeggy NewenBenjamin NewmanBill NixdorfTaylor PackardElizabeth SchadrackEd SchwartzmanKaitlin ShannonDanielle ShollyKathy SingletonValli SmithKeith Viglietta

French Broad River Academy Students

Outreach and Office VolunteersEmily Bidgood Rose ButlerStuart Camblos Charlotte Caplan Leigh DeForthKim Drye Nancy EdgertonCharlotte EllisArt EllisMary FanslowTom Gatti Mike GreenJay Leutze Josh KellyFlorence KrupnickLee Heyne Katey MacDonald Carolyn NovakDavid Ramsey Shirley Schultz Sarah Sheeran Kathy Singleton Brooke Smith David Smith Drew StevensonBen Wicker Patty WoolfJoan Worth Lach Zemp

Stewardship Volunteers (outside Roan) 34%

Roan Stewardship Volunteers 54%

Outreach & Office Volunteers 12%

Earth Day - REI/Highland Brewing Company Partnership Trail Building & Trash Clean Up Jerud CrandallChing FuPhil HartgerLibby HendersonSam HubbardAnne HubbardKatey MacDonaldMeghan MontgomeryBill NixdorfDaniel WardBen Wicker

Invasive species removal volunteers.

Th a n k Yo u | V O L U N T E E R S

Little Hump “For Love of Beer & Mountains” Partnership Work DayPeter ArnoldJoe ColemanEric DamtoffLisa Fancher Yael Girard Katey McDonald Kristy UrquhartDrew StevensonDave StromanBen Wicker Charles Williamson

BALDS MANAGEMENT UPDATE: 27 acres managed Grassy Ridge Mow-offWe coordinated another successful and very wet Grassy Ridge Mow Off weekend this year. Fifteen intrepid volunteers braved long periods of rain, stiff winds, and even a little bit of hail to help maintain the grassy bald plant community on Grassy Ridge. Despite the conditions, volunteers managed just under four acres on Saturday before a soggy hike out for dry clothes and warm houses on Sunday. A big thank you to all of the volunteers for your unshakable contribution, and special thanks to Brian Bailey, who drove five hours from Georgia for his first Mow Off!

Roany BoyzThe Roany Boyz completed their 12th consecutive year of volunteer mowing on Round Bald, Jane Bald, and Engine Gap. Just over three acres were managed this year by the tireless Boyz. There are not many groups of friends that would dedicate a long weekend to mow grassy bald while camping out- it’s an impressive and inspiring feat to have done it for over a decade. Their longevity is surely due to the fellowship and fun atmosphere they create around the work site. They are always looking for more volunteers to join the Boyz’ ranks — please contact us if you are interested joining this great group of folks to help protect the Roan’s grassy balds.

Roan Management Volunteers


Roany BoyzBruce ByersCarol Coffey Mike Fisher Dave Goforth Jerry Thornton

Grassy Ridge Mow OffTerry AlexanderBrian BaileyEmily BidgoodLee BidgoodSarah FraserTom GattiEthan GougeKatryana KeelyDale KirkleyKatey McDonaldCarolyn NovakRandall RogersJwalanta ShresthaDavid SmithOtto Smith

AmeriCorps Round Bald Work DayAutumn Amici Seirisse Baker Kirby Callaway Caitlin Edenfield Suzanne FleishmanSarah Kellogg Joe Lovenshimer Brenna McCollThomas Pagels Jess Peete Kimber RaySerena ShahKat Selm Lizzy Stokes-CauleyAndrea ThompsonAnna Zanetti

NPCA/Nature Valley Work DayLaura Boggess Erin Buchholtz Rose Butler Joe DeLoach Allison Kiehl Nancy EdgertonRon Edgerton David Hall Joe Lovenshimer Katey McDonald Lynn Patton Reid Patton Rich PreyerMichelle PuglieseJim RandAndrea ThompsonPatty Woolf

Litle Hump Partnership Work Day volunteers.

Allison Kiehl volunteers for the NPCA/Nature Valley work day.

Th a n k Yo u | S U P P O RT E R S & D O N O R S

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$10,000+John & Annie AgerAnonymous (2)Robert DetjenJay Gleason &

Hershella SmithSusie & Will HamiltonJacqueline Michel &

Miles HayesBrad & Shelli StanbackFred and Alice StanbackTim Sweeney

$5,000 - 9,999Fred and Cleone BlackLisa & George FranciscoDinesh & Alexandra JainBill and Dee Dee Maxwell

$2,500 - 4,999Vicki Bennett &

Richard LukerJim Blose and Sarah RubinCourtney BlossmanPhyllis BosomworthDavid & Mary Ann ErwinWilliam & Ellen GaddyJoe & Sharon GoldstonMichael & Sydney GreenJim HouserLaura KimberlyMyra (Popsie) LynchEdward Oliver

Gregory Olson & Rosalind Willis

Rich & Marilyn PreyerRobert & Elizabeth PyeattJames RossJim Samsel & Kim McGuireTerry & Elizabeth

SimmondsKathy & John SingletonCam Smail &

Wendy Willoughby

$1,000 - 2,499Becky & Ed AndersonMichael & Catty AndryAnonymous (1)Holly & Bernard ArghiereCharlie & Troy BallWarren & Larissa BareTom and Kim BarnhardtEric BeckerFrank & Ranlet BellKent & Jeanette BlazierPaul & Wyndy BonesteelClay & Leigh BordleyDave & Lin BrownKemper & Elizabeth BrownKirk & Shelley BrownNathan & Anne BurkhardtBruce & Toni ByersH. Stuart CamblosDaniel & Leslie CasseR. Booth &

Georgeanne ChapmanDorothy ChappellJohn Cheesborough &

Ellen FlanaganBilly & Cindy ClarkeDouglas & Betsy ClarkeDumont Clarke &

Shirley LinnCarol T. CoffeyElizabeth ColtonCharles &

Jeanne CummingsThad and Ingrid DavisRobert & Carol DeutschPaul & Chris DismukesVictor Dostrow &

Renee EthridgeJennie Eblen &

James PerkinsRon & Nancy EdgertonMurray Evans & Dee MontieWilliam & Carol FalenderBill & Maxine FerencePriestley & Brent FordPeter & Jas GentlingHelen GiftJeffrey GoodmanClementine GregoryJackson & Laurie HamiltonKeith & Patricia HargroveMichael & Leslie HarveyBob & Mabel HarveyLance & Nancy Herning

Barbara HiestandRobert & Jane HiteJohn Hoskins & Laura WebbMary & Randy JohnsonJim & Lynn KaregeannesLeah KarpenHenri Kieffer &

Ann BatchelderJoseph & Elizabeth KelleherAnne KilgoreJack & Florence KrupnickBetty Gayle &

Felix LaughlinKathleen LeutzeAnne & Claude LibisKeith & Barbra LoveBill & Kim LowndesWilliam & Janice MaddoxRichard & Rebecca ManskeLaura & Mike McCueCharlie & Shirley Anne

McCulloughJohn & Connie McLendonHezzy & Sharon MillerCarol Ann Mitchell &

Carrie LenburgCarol NamkoongJeff NeedhamDarrol NickelsLeonard & Esther PardueMack & Janice PearsallCathy PhillipsCynthia Poortenga

Nancy Pope & Jacklyn Tatelman

Suzy & Ed RankinSally RhoadesIvon & Blair Rohrer, Jr.Dan Rosenberg &

Jen GervaisMarc Rudow &

Deborah MilesBill Ryan & Lynn BledsoeShirley SchultzLynn SilversteinGlen SingletaryDan & Evelyn SlaglePhil and Pat SmithNina and Bill SnoddyCarole SpainhourDonna & Jim SublettTed & Terry Van DuynJean WebbDavid E. WetmoreRichard & Roba WhiteleyStephen & Kelley WilkinsonTom & Laurie WilliamsMichael & Ellen WinnerBen Woolf & Patty

Cunningham-WoolfStephen &

Mary Bruce WoodyLach Zemp

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy gratefully acknowledges the individuals, organizations, businesses, and foundations that generously supported our work during the last 12 months.

We are indeed fortunate to have such a broad group of dedicated supporters, from our leadership donors to our corporate and foundation partners who make crucial investments in our programs. Because of the

loyal commitment from those listed here and to several anonymous benefactors, we will continue to build a lasting legacy of protected lands across our Southern Appalachians.

kWe 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.

$500 - 999John & Darragh BaileyMichele BallantyneBeth BrinsonDoug BuchananJim CarrollMaggie Clancy &

Alan McGregorEllen & Rountree CollettJohn Crosland IIIPaul & Susan CrutchfieldJack & Maxine DaltonBill & Betty Gray DavisDarilyn DealyJoe DeLoachMary FanslowHedy Fischer & Randy ShullSarah Slagle Garrett &

Chris GarrettGreg & Michele GregoryRobert HarveyJeff & Lee HatlingLindsay HearnCarleton JonesPerry KeysMary KieferCharles KlabundeWitt & Beth Langstaff, Jr.Jay LeutzeFerris LyleMichael MalloryCopley &

Merriwether McLeanAllison & Kincaid MillsJennifer & Jay MillsBruce & Mary Ann MinkinJudy Murray & Tom GattiJerry & Sally NagelMargaret H. NewellRobert PeetWalter & Barbara PittsLunda & Tom ReederSandra & Bryant RileyJudith RoachJohn & Susie RuhlJim Schreiber

Charlotte SheppardDavid ShermanSandra S. SpoonerEllen & Mark StarkmanRobert & Lori ThomasChip & Melanie ThompsonBuddy TignorJason & Rebecca WarnerJoseph & Terese WilliamsJohn & Ashley Wilson, Jr.Will & Kelly Yeiser

$250 - 499Allain & Judy AndryEllis & Barbara AycockCharlie & Ann BakerBob & Carol BauerAlan S. Baumgarten, MD &

Judy Hoffman, DORegi & Katherine BlackburnPhilip & Amy BlumenthalCharles & Mary BowmanKen Brame & Judy MattoxTom & Jo BrockAndrew & Lauren BrunkRobert BrunkThomas & Linda BusharTom & Cathy ByersBarry Cooper & Sarah BivinsLinda CooperTom & Mary CorsJ. Scott CramerW. R. Cuthbertson, Jr.Robert DanielShannon & Rachel DavisWilliam DavisTeresa DealWilliam & Lydia EdisonCatharine Ellis &

Kent StewartAlan & Suzanne EscovitzLina Evans & Ira SloanTracey FenderRandy & Beth FluhartyJohn & Janet GarrettDoris Gove



“The first time I remember going up to the Roan and camping with my family, I think I was seven years old,” recalls Bruce Byers. “From that time, I realized it was a special place. I loved those high mountaintop clearings, and still have a deep fondness for the Roan.”

Bruce has been a long-time member of the SAHC family. He served as an SAHC Trustee and volunteers to maintain the grassy balds with the Roany Boyz. At times, he has even volunteered in back-to-back weekends for the Grassy Ridge Mow-Off and the Boyz.

“I love getting up there and love the fellowship,” he remarks. “It’s a great excuse to get outdoors, and I love to keep those views open. ”

Bruce first hiked the stretch of the Appalachian Trail from Carvers Gap to Elk Park around 1969. In his ‘courting’ days, he and Toni took

numerous trips and picnics to the Roan Highlands. Bruce is still an avid hiker and is especially fond of the area from Round Bald to Grassy Ridge.

He thoroughly enjoys sharing his passion for the mountains with his family. Bruce has taken them all — four sons, three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren — up to the Roan. Their most frequent trip is from Yellow Gap to Little Hump Mountain. “My five year old grandson even walked all the way to Little Hump and back.,” he says.

“I’m proud to be associated with SAHC. It’s a great organization, and my number one charity. I love to take people to these special places. I’ve met so many inspiring people through SAHC, and I enjoy being associated with great people and great cause. I plan to continue supporting SAHC and hope to inspire others to do so as well.”

“When I read about a new project, whether it’s in the Highlands of Roan or Hickory Nut Gorge, I feel like it’s a personal gift to me.”Bruce Byers

Bruce & Toni Byers

Bruce, far right, volunteers with the Roany Boyz.


2 4 | W i n t e r 2 0 1 3

David GreinerRandall HolcombeBrett Hopkins &

Julie McMillanLang & Ann HornthalZoe HoyleGinny HunnekeTom Jenkins &

Rebecca StimsonRichard KarkTravis KnowlesKeith LeviKen LinkerDamaso & Francie LopezLeah & Brian MathewsWalter & Nancy McConnell

Tracy McCrackenJohn & Cynthia McMahonCyndi & Ronnie McNeillSteve Melton &

Cheryl FowlerMark & Mary MoodyDavid V. MooreTom & Sally MooreCoralie Tweed &

Ray MorganCarolyn Novak &

Don JohnsonFountain & Carmen OdomLucy Oliver &

Tom RightmyerPat & Debbie Phillips

Karen Prus & Lewis CarsonDavid RamseyLynnell ReeseMark & Norma RicciBob & Julie RoepnackCharles & Ramona RoweEd & Ann RowellEd & Cathy RudisillKen & Patra RuleJerry & Diana RystickenCherry & Paul SaengerWilliam &

Martha ScarboroughJim & Marianne SkeenMary Kay & Bill SullivanJohn Z.C. ThomasKaren UntzMartha-Ann &

Craig WardlawPeter & Ann WeiglDoug & Pat WilliamsJohn & Cindy

WinkenwerderClark & Joanna Wright

Up to $249Andrew & Lorene AaronsKen & Jennifer AbbottWilliam & Jill AbernethyJane AdamsLaleah AdamsNealon & Goldie AgeeRoxanna Albury &

William E. ChaikenJane AlexanderLois AlexanderMax Alexander

Don & Janet AllenMelanie AllenDr. & Mrs. Edmond AlleyTom AlligoodMatt AmickDaryel AndersonDeyerle AndersonSam & Delois AndersonKathy AndrewsAshby AngellAndrew & Jennifer AngyalAnonymous (2)Elaine ApplegateBruce ArmstrongLinda & Vernon ArmstrongJuan AscoliEleanor AshtonStephen & Barbara AustinLarry & Avis AutryConnie & Gilbert BacklundRobert & Kathryn BagbyBrian & Wendy BaileyGary & Betty BaileyRod & Bess BairdBruce & Elizabeth BakerErvin L. Ball, Jr. &

Carol CousinsJohn BallJean BanghamMartin BarnesPat & Glenn BassRichard & Wallis BaudM B BaumeisterMary Ann BeasleyCroom &

Meriwether BeattyIsbell BehrerHelen BellBarbara Benisch &

Jacque AllanBob & Donna BennerDavid & Sharon BennerDeborah BennettBeverly Stubbs BensonGeorge BensonKarel & Elizabeth Bernady

G. Alex & Anne Bernhardt, Sr.

Darla Beverage & Kent Gardner

Lee & Emily BidgoodRobert & Joy BierbaumClarence & Sheila BlairElizabeth BlakelyRachel BledsoeJake & Cynthia BloodRichard & Jennifer BockMatt & Raeyanna BoeschPeter BoggsThomas BoltonJack Bonner & Jessica BayerEarl & Judy BoozeCindy Shealy & Greg BoromGeorge & Alice BossDavid & Laura BournePaige BoydJack & Amy BoylesMary BoysKathie & Risher BrabhamDr. Jane BramhamRobert & Anne BrandtRobert & Elizabeth BrannonJack BranscombJay BretzRobert BrewerBeverly & Charles BriedisCynthia BringleRichard BroadwellMatthew BrockLeah Broker &

David GreenspanDaniel & Linda BrownMyrtle BrownBecky Brown & Josh KellyWes & Nancy BrownWilliam BruceJames & Elizabeth BryanKathleen Buck & Ken MooreSteve Buie &

Billie Harper BuieJaime Burnham & Gay

Marie Logsdon

“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 today.

Bring the Roan Home

Remember SAHC with a gift of cash or stock. Our Wells Fargo account number is 5885-3209

and the DTC number for transfers is 0141. Your broker can arrange the transfer for you or

call our office for assistance. 828.253.0095

This Year...



Lana BurnsJerry & Doris BushWilliam & June BusingDon & Priscilla BynumJim CahillErnest & Berdelle CampbellRebecca & Randy CampbellSteve & Shaw CanaleGeoffrey & Patricia CantrellCharlotte CaplanRyck & Merry CaplanFrances & Stephen CappsMartha CarlisleAva CarrHank CarrTim CarstensRichard & Barbara CarterSarah Carter & Allison KiehlTheresa CarterGreg and Esther CartwrightJerry & Kathy CaseJane CastevensDudley & Joanne CateJohn & Ellen CateSamuel CatheyRobert Cherry &

Jamie LeighMorna ChildersMarguerite ClarkCalvin & Martha Ann

ClaxtonJoseph & Glenda ClendeninBob CliffordChuck CloningerErich & Linda CluxtonMartha CoatsBrian CogginsDaniel & Margaret CogswellJudy CokerRichard ColbergGay ColemanRichard & Frieda ColemanVirginia ColemanKaren & Toby CollinsChase CondonSally Cone

Barbara ConradJoan CooperSima CoopermanDavid & Linda CopleyRob & Cindy CorleyJohn & Nancy CosgroveLynn Cox & John RameyRon CoxAnne CoxeRobert & May CrawfordMary CrewsLindsay & Jeff CrickPhilip CrollJames & Marion CrowellCarol & Robert CumbieBruce & Mary CunninghamRick & Sally CurriePolly DanielKathryn DaughtonNan & Charles DauphineBarbara Ann DavisJohn DavisMadeline & Roy DavisNorman & Debbie DavisPhilip DavisSara Davis &

Dwayne StutzmanDonald De BonaLamar DeanBruce DeBruhlLeigh DeForthTim DellJane & H. Olin DesonierL.W. DickersonBrian DidierBrian & Linda DillonFrank & Donna DiMarioJamey DonaldsonPhilip & Deanna DoolyMike & Elyn DortchJennifer W. DotsonRichard &

Melinda DouglassSylvia DrySherry DubesterPat Dunn & Lee Ann Smith

Frank DurandRichard & Frances DuvallW. Mills & Nancy DyerNorman & Erna EarleM. Katherine EarlyZellie EarnestTodd & Lynn EastinC. John & Flo Ann EastonMichael & Anna EddyKevin & Marilyn EdgarDavid & Charlene EfirdFrances EizemberArt & Charlotte EllisRichard & Sylvia ElwynAmy & John EndeBrian EricsonJohn & Sandra ErwinLinda EwaldF. Miles EzellLisa FancherHeinz & Elisabeth FeilMac FelderSara FelsenBambi Fincher

John Finnegan & Stephanie Horton

Gerald FirakMichael A. Fisher &

Sherry J. HintonBob & Liz FisherSuzanne FisherChas FitzgeraldFred & Annick FlaxmanJohn FloodLou & Ignacy FonbergNorma ForbesMary Park FordLinda Frankl &

John KaufmannJacquelyn FranklinTim & Judy FrederickRobert GaddisPaul GallantLee Galloway &

Nancy ThompsonDavid GanttArt & Nancy GarrettJudy Garry

David & Jan GarverLydia GarveyWarren & Sharon GaskillBob & Susan GaultJim & Kathleen GearsSally GerhardtCharles GershonBill GibsonRon GibsonAldean GilesEd GillJohn & Minnie GillettLinda GiltzPeter GirardiGreg GlanceAndrew GlasgowAsh & Anne GobarKaren GoklanyMichael & Elizabeth GoldenJames GoldsmithJane GoldthwaitLinda M. GoodDavid Goodkind &

Marcia Giger

Make your Annual Gift today at:

Appalachian.org/donate

Yes - I can help save Mountains!


2 6 | W i n t e r 2 0 1 3

Laura GordonRoy & Ellen GortneyPeter & Polly GottEthan GougeAimee Govett &

Wayne SpeerRobert & Anne GrafDavid GrahamW. Peter & Rhonda GraperBecky GrayCornelia GreenGreg Greenhow & Sherlene

Spicer-GreenhowDorothy GriffithFred GrindleJohn & Lori GroceRobert Gross &

Diana DonovanAlbert & Betty GumpertGeorge GurleyPeggy GuthrieJoe HackneyTed & Kellie HaddockAnne Hager Ed.D.

R. Phillip HaireBen & Kathryn HallJohn HancockDanna HandKathleen & George HandleyDiane HankinsJohn & Bootsie HansenCamilla Durban HapnerKitty HardtMary HarrellArt & Hannah HarrisHerbert & Karen HarrissBob & Nancy HartWilliam & Alice HartJonathan HartsellCharles & Clara HasbrouckWanda HayesBarbara HearnDamon & Megan HearneVaughan Hedrick &

Don ParlingtonJim & Caryl HeidEberhard & Jean HeideAlan Heilman

Elizabeth HemmeCheryl HemmerBrevard HenryGlen & Mary Jo HessWilliam & Mary HessDale & Linda HeynePauline and Lee HeyneC. Carroll HeywardNancy HillSara HillCraig HirshbergDr. & Mrs. J. Parks Hitch, Jr.Charles & Pamela HodgeRaymond HohenbergerBen C. HoleDavid & Debbie HollandJames HollandsworthMelisa HolmanNorma HolmesSam & Nancy HopeDennis & Sherry HornLaura Phelps &

James HorneyDorothy Houlditch

Alan HouseholderSandra HoutsAnn & Sam HubbardIsham HudsonDaniel HugerKay HultquistJ. Randolph HumbleDavid HumphreyJohn HumphreyJohn HuntBrian & Mary Jane HunterMichael & Marsha HupkoChristina & Robert HvitfeldtClint & Ann IlesMarilyn IlesGeorge & Laura IveyJohn & Freddie JacksonErik & Dina JacobsMarlene & Jay JacobyThomas & Audrey JanzenGus JerdeeThomas & Marian JerdeeW. Eugene JessupNick Joerling & Lisa BrunsCharles & Luise JohnsonDan & Karol Lynn JohnsonDavid & Judy JohnsonLuAnne JohnsonPatty JohnsonRobert & Julie JohnsonRobert JohnsonBill & Jill JonesDonald & Ann JonesEckess & Anne JonesMalcolm & Marie JonesRobert JonesSandy JonesSteve & Jodi JonesJoan JordanL. Collier JordanConnie & Noel

Kane-MaguireBob KaplanAnn KaregeannesMary KarnisBill & Sharon Katz

Lewis & Marilyn KearneyChristine KeelinJoseph KeigerTheodore KeithDonna & Robert KellyJackie Highley KellyJudy KellyTom KenneyJesse & Phyllis KeyAda Khoury & Renee TaylorCarl & Stephanie KieferRuth KimberlyLynn KindleyKathryn KingDoris KirbyLarkin & Rosa KirkmanThomas KlagesJames KnightRobert Knight &

Debra SegalTerry & Laura KnightWilliam KnipsLaura KrattFred KrausDonald & Ruth KrehDouglas KriekCameron Kurowski &

Holly MusgroveJeanne LambrewStephen LamplAugust & Susan LandlCarol Gault LaneWitt & Helen LangstaffRobert LarsonSarah LarsonBrian & Sara LavelleGeorge & Jan LeeTom & Claudia LeeRobert LegerR. Michael LeonardT. Bentley LeonardNorma & Thomas LeonardJennifer &

Charles LewinsohnPaul LimaJudy Lincks

SAHC depends on reliable support from our monthly donors to help sustain our mission.

Monthly giving is automatic, convenient, simple & secure. And, you can enjoy our

exciting program for free year-round!

Appalachian.org/donate

Monthly Giving – Join today!



John & Jessie LittleNewton & Marilyn LockhartGeorge & Joanne LofquistCarl LoftinJerome LongLynn & Gretchen

LoudermilkDouglas LowmanDell LoylessRyan LubbersDiane & Jerry LunowMeg MacLeodDr. Mary MacQueenLee & Pat MagnessEd & Sue MahoneyJo Ann Main & Carol NicholsAlma ManenicaGail ManheimerMichele & Brad MakruckiChristina MannBrent & Lisa ManningMarch Hunt & Cat PottsMr. & Mrs. Lanty L SmithJean & Jack MargesonSharon MarloweMaggie MarshallChandler & Virginia MartinCharles & Belinda MartinElizabeth & Robert MartinJim & Mary Allen MartinCarolyn & John MartinKaren & William MartinSara MarxAnnie MascorroJane MasseyPaula MasseyBen & Ingrid MastTom & Sara MastersMark MathenyJon & Melissa MatherJohn & Nancy MathewsonGuy & Deanna MauldinDr. William MayDonald McAllisterJohn & Polly McArthurBill & Becky McCall

Jackson & Pamela McCarterSandra McCarverPatricia McCauleyRaymond & Sue McClintonRoy McClureHugh & Carol McCollumTom & Robin McCoyJohn McCrearyCarroll &

David McCulloughKenneth &

Sandra McDonaldBob McDonaldKaren & Gary McDougalPat & Doug McDowellGeorge &

Carolyn McEachernRobert & Geeta McGaheyDianne McGeeJeanne & James McGlinnJohn McGowanBarbara McIntyreMark McKenzieRichard McLain &

Lonni SchultzJean McLaughlin &

Tom SplethGeorge McLellanRobbie & Jen McLucasTom & Denise McMurrainPaula & Gerald McNabbJames MedlinBill & Wanda MeltonSandy & Jackie MeltonPeggy MelvilleNeal MenkesCarl & Holley MerschatSandra & Don MikushDavid & Jill MillarJonathan & Kim MillerKenneth MillerMeridith Miller &

Ken ChristensenRobert MillerWilliam E. MillsSusan Minkler

Rick Mitchell & Cynthia Martin

Lou & Linda ModicaCynthia ModlinJohn MooreJoy MooreTim & Debi MooreEric MorganAaron & Anna MorrisCatherine MorrisPam & Joe MorrisJosephine MorrisonIrene Moser &

Robert ShepardDavid & Linda MoultonKaren & David MouwSusan MuehlJennifer MullendoreDavid & Karen MuowJohn & Sherry MurphyWilliam MurphyKatharine Tilson MurrayMarillyn & Ron NationsJames NealNancee Neel & Kirk AventRobert & Julia NesbitEd & Laura NevesMargaret NewboldGordon NewlandMarianne Newman

Donald & Barbara NewtonTed & Ronda NewtonBuddy & Joan NickelsClaudia & Mike NixJohn NoelJung J K Noh, MDW.T. Norris, Jr.Philip & Julie OglesbyThomas OkelTony OnekaTeresa OnofrioDoug & Darcy OrrJohn OscarsonJanet & James OuztsCarol Owens

Jamie PaceAnne PaineRebecca PaluzziJim & Sarah ParhamC.E. ParkerDavid ParkerJoseph & Mary ParksJon & Emma ParsonsJoy PastuchaMichael PawlykJohn & Wanda PayneSam & Linda PearsallGeorge J. Peery &

Mary M. StairCliff & Sarah Pennell

American Rhododendron Society Middle Atlantic Chapter Valley Forge Chapter

Four Seasons Garden ClubFrench Broad River Garden Club

FoundationMountain View Garden ClubShady Oaks Garden ClubSmoky Mountains Hiking ClubTennessee Eastman Co. Recreation ClubToe River Club, LLCC.Town & Country Garden Club

Outdoor Clubs

For Love of Hiking“Ron and I are true supporters of SAHC and its land conservation mission. However, there’s nothing like actually stepping foot on these protected properties to really feel their worth. I learn something new about forest systems, native plants or animals, or water quality on every hike. Besides, you meet the nicest people in the woods!”

Nancy Edgerton, Trustee


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Matthew PerryIsak PerteeSusan PetersScott & April PetersonFred PfohlGeorge PhillipsTaylor PickardSteve PignatielloParrie PinyanCecil & Grace PlessLaurance & Dana PlessRebecca Plummer &

Jon Ellenbogen

Carol PolsgrovePenny & Ray PonderDeborah PopeJerry & Barbara PorterDick & Laurie PotteigerAnna PowellHoward & Nancy PowellMary Louise PowellRobert & Sandra PowellKathleen & Philip PrattRalph & Marty PrevostRobert PriceDavid & Amanda Proffitt

David PurdyMary PurvisGlen PylesMichael RacinePatrick RaftScott & Joanne RascoDavid & Christine RayTerry & Sarah ReinckeTed & Zibs ReiterPaul Ressmeyer &

Alison LeeBob ReynoldsCharles & Caroline Ribelin

Margaret RichRobbins RichardsonCraig & Diane RightmireDaniel RineerGerald RittenbergJane C. RobertsThomas RobertsAnne & Kenneth RobichauxBrenda Robinson &

Larry RodgersCharles RobinsonE. Wilson RobinsonHeman RobinsonSusan RoderickCharles Roe &

Charlotte Jones-RoeGlenn RohrbaughDavid RollinsHolmes & Jane RolstonDuke RoseDavid & Norma RoysterDan & Rosalie RussoDarlyne SaharaCarolyn Sakowski &

Alton FranklinMarti & Gary SalkAnn SatterthwaiteDaniel & Susan SauerTobin & Katherine SavageDavid Scanlon &

Jewel TaborGary & E. A. SchenkJohn SchmidNorbert & Peggy SchneiderNancy & Samuel SchumanJohn SchwartzEdward SchwartzmanJonathan ScottMary ScottMike & Lana ScottVictor & Diane ScottMichael SebertAlice SebrellEdgar & Nancy ShackelfordDonald ShafferBarbara Shaw

Rob & Sarah SheeranDr. Steven SiegelRobert SigmonGail & Scott SilverMark SkeltonWilliam SkeltonDr. Wendell &

Rachel SkinnerJim & Jane SleevaDavid Slobodin & Jane FantGordon & Ginny SmallBruce SmithDavid & Melissa SmithEugene & Marianne SmithEugenia Smith &

Charles CaldwellJeff SmithJim Brooks & Janet SmithKarl SmithLaurence SmithMargaret SmithPeter & Carolyn SmithSherwood & Eve SmithT.A. & Kitty SmithThomas SmithBecky & Rocko SmuckerAlan SolomonPaul & Lois SomersLewis & Marcia SongerDaniel SparlinDonald SpudeZach SpurgeonStefan StackhouseLucia & Philip StadterSharon StaffordShelley J. Stahlman &

Creel PickelCaesar & Dorothy StairDavid & Carolyn StaleyJoe & Mary StandaertJohn & Ashley StanierBrooke & Isabel StanleyGreg & Dawn StarksLida & O.E. StarnesFrank & Jaqueline SteelePeg & Bill Steiner

Wear a piece of SAHC:

Show your support with our merchandise! Our “Access” line of shirts celebrates access to those things

you support - Trails for recreation, Local Farms for local food, Habitat for wildlife, and Clean Water. Our “For Love of Beer & Mountains” shirts celebrate our partnership with Highland Brewing Company and the US Fish & Wildlife Service, raising awareness of the natural treasures that make our area unique.

Appalachian.org/shop

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. (See page 31 for a list of employers who made a matching gift in the past year.)

Double or Triple Your Gift!



Robert & Audrey StellohJohn SterlingLorna SterlingJohn StevensWyatt & Kim StevensNancy StewartAnne & Jim StokelyIrene & Michael StollLee & Margaret StoreyNorris & Vivian StoweRobert & Marea StrattonAlfred StrayhornJerry StrotherAllen SublettMary SundstromPaul &

Anna-Catherine SuperSally Sutton-HiltonJudy SuttonMegan Sutton & Andy TaitNancy & David SwannAlicia SwaringenHarold SweetmanSusan & Allen SweetserDavid & Carol SwingShannon SzwarcGary & Carol Ellen TaftCharles & Brenda TateDavid & Debra TaylorDouglas TaylorJonathan TaylorSylvia TeagueCarolyn & Remo TerminiWilliam & Jo TerryDonna TerzakGeorge Testerman, M.D.Philip ThomasRichard Thomason &

Heide GoldsteinSarah ThomasonCraig ThompsonHugh & Marilyn ThompsonBob & Mary ThompsonPeggy TibbitsDr. & Mrs. John C. TooleDavid & Alice Torbett

Reba & Don TottenKristina TrainqueCathy King TravelMary TriceNancy & Richard TruluckAmy TurnerHarrison TurnerHope TurnerKristy Urquhart &

Drew StevensonBrian VasilikMrs. KA VaughanMichael & Fran VavrekBeth & Joe VoglerJim Von BramerCathy & Tony WalgateAustin & Abigail WalkerCharlie & Cathy WalkerSam WalkerTom & Debbie WallaceFlorence WallinDemming & Susan WardHarold & Libby WardJeff WardeskaRobert & Ruth WarnerAnthony & Janice WarrenBill & Judy WatsonWilliam WebbStephen Weissman &

Gary Ross-ReynoldsGladys WelchMichael Welch &

Marquette CrockettMark & Sandra WelkerSheila WellingWard & Laura WellmanDewey WellsKeith & Barbara WellsRuth WellsTerri Wells & Glenn RatcliffPaul WesterveltHugh WhiteJulie & Jim WhiteSterling WhitenerBen Wicker &

Libby Henderson

Joelle WickerKathy & Jim WickerMelvin WiebenSam & Teenya WiestElizabeth WilkersonVicky WillardBarbara &

Yardy WilliamsJackie WilliamsSusan WilliamsCharles & Karen WilsonEileen WilsonMason & Prue WilsonPam WilsonSteven & Judith

WinchesterJohn WingerterDennis WinnerGeraldine WinsteadWilliam &

Shirley WinstonBill & Debby WolcottOscar & Anna WongEmily WoodJane & Jack WoodsideRosemary &

Merle WoodworthSidney & Dick WootenCharles &

Nancy WorleyJoan W. WorthLaurie WrightPatricia &

Terry Lee WrightJo WykoffElizabeth Ann WyndeltsMatt YetterCarroll YoungHank & Nancy YoungHal & Ann YungmeyerLauran ZiegierDonald ZobelSherrill & Ted Zoller

Leaving a Legacy for Conservation

The Legacy Society of SAHC exists to recognize the extraordinary commitment and foresight of people who make a life income or bequest provision for SAHC.

When you include a gift to SAHC in your estate plans, you join a growing number of visionary conservationists committed to protecting the special places of Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. If you have provided for a lasting gift, please let us know so we can thank you.

We gratefully recognize members of the Legacy Society of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy:Katherine Bachman*

Mildred Blaha*

Tom & Jo Brock

Robert D. Brown*

G. Kimberly Carter*

Carol Coffey

Lee Davis

Robert Detjen

Jerome Drown*

Pauline Dunne*

Alan & Suzanne Escovitz

Bill & Maxine Ference

Robert & Kerri Ford

Mildred Hawk*

Julia Irwin*

David & Judy Johnson

Julia Jones*

Jim & Mary Allen Martin

Laura & Mike McCue

Sandy & Jackie Melton

Carol Ann Mitchell & Carrie Lenburg

Kay Murray*

Rick Phelps

Bill Popper*

Lynnell Reese

Caroline & Charles Ribelin

Allan Safford*

Shirley Schultz

Terry & Elizabeth Simmonds

William Smith*

Susan Stone*

Pat Tompkins

Charlotte Umholtz*

Nancy Wallace*

Amelia Jo Wier*

Ben Willis*

*those whose gifts have been fulfilled


2 6 | F a l l 2 0 1 1


Grants Strengthen Our Strategic Conservation Work:We would like to thank the following grant makers for awarding grants that strengthen our work.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy: $5,000 to fund research and outreach through the summer Highlands of Roan Ridgerunner position.

Buncombe County: $50,000 to complete conservation easements in the Fairview farming community along the corridor of the Drovers’ Road Scenic Byway.

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

Community Foundation of WNC: $10,000 to support a new regional Farmland Access Service position, which will link farmers to available and affordable farmland in Western NC.

The Conservation Fund: $45,000 to support legislative outreach with the NC General Assembly to preserve funding for conservation in the state.

Conservation Trust for North Carolina: $18,840 to support our land protection projects along NC scenic byways. We also received $3,300 for a paid summer internship through the Max Mukelabai Diversity Intern program to support our online public outreach.

Edward E. Haddock, Jr. Family Foundation: $5,000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle to enable SAHC’s stewardship team to access and monitor permanently protected properties.

Nature Valley & National Parks Conservation Association: $25,000 to fund efforts to restore habitat for migratory songbirds and other wildlife, remove non-native invasive plant species, and enhance visitor accessibility and learning opportunities in the Roan Highlands.

NC Department of Agriculture: $75,870 to purchase conservation easements on agricultural lands in the Fairview and Alexander communities.

NC Department of Transportation: $350,400 to purchase conservation easements along the Drovers’ Road Scenic Byway, protecting the scenic views and rural community character enjoyed by travelers along this route.

New Belgium Brewing Company: $5,000 to help purchase equipment for our beginning farmer incubator program at our Community Farm in Alexander, NC.

Open Space Institute: $25,000 to support legislative outreach and relationship building to build support and leadership for dedicated funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Pigeon River Fund: $20,000 to help fund stream restoration at our Community Farm to improve water quality in the French Broad River watershed. $20,000 to support inventorying of plant and wildlife habitat in the Plott Balsam Mountains.

SARE Grant: $10,000 to fund farmland access, specifically the agricultural business incubator program at the Anderson Farm.

USDA - NRCS: $458,250 from the Federal Farm and Ranch Protection Program to purchase conservation easements on working agricultural lands in Leicester and the Sandy Mush community.

Blue Ridge ForeverWe are the fiscal agent for this collaboration of 10 local land trusts in Western North Carolina. The following grants were awarded to the partnership: Merck Family Fund – $20,000 NC Dept. of Justice – $175,000 Park Foundation – $15,000 Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation – $21,600

3 0 | W i n t e r 2 0 1 3

Our local business partners and organizations of all sizes provide invaluable support for SAHC’s mission and operations. We are grateful for their support, so please support them.

Business MembersAlley Kat Sandwich ShopAlpine Ski CenterAndrade, Roy HouseholdArbor Investment AdvisorsBBR Associates, LLCBear N Friends Toy ShoppeBiltmore EstateBlack Mountain Savings BankBlue Heron Whitewater LLCBROO HaircareCafé Lola BistroCampbell’s Morrell MusicCarolina Native NurseryCheadle’s Art & Sign Co.Common Ground Distributors, Inc.David A. Ramsey PhotographyEarly Girl EateryEast Tennessee State University Evergreen Home & Garden

ShowplaceFairview Town CrierGiuseppe’s Italian RestaurantHighland Mapping, Inc.Jack of the Wood

Jonesborough Farmers MarketLaughing Seed CaféThe Local TacoMahoney’s OutfittersMauk’s of JonesboroughNatural Pet SupplyNona Mia RitrovoOne Center & Lighten Up! YogaOne Stop Wines & LiquorsPainters Greenhouse, LLCPisgah Map CompanyRed Chili Korean RestaurantRush Street Neighborhood GrillSandy Mush Herb NurserySecond GearSensibilities Day SpaShoji Spa & LodgeSisters McMullen BakeryTen Thousand VillagesThe University of TennesseeWeinhausWilson, Worley PCWCQS


Matching Gift CompaniesBank of AmericaCNA FoundationDuke EnergyGLAXOSMITHKLINE FoundationJP Morgan Chase FoundationO’Brien & GereParsec Financial ManagementPfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Prudential Foundation Matching GiftsShell Oil Company Foundation Matching Gifts

Corporate Partners

Waterrock Knob Partners: (elevation 6,292 ft.) - $15,000+

New Morning Ltd, including: Bellagio Art to Wear Bellagio Everyday Blue Spiral 1 Gallery Fine Arts Theatre New Morning Gallery

Roan Mountain Partners: (elevation 6,285 ft.) - $10,000+

Highland Brewing Company Salesforce

Cold Mountain Partners: (elevation 6,030 ft.) - $5,000+

Mast General Store New Belgium Brewing Co. Roberts & Stevens, Attorneys at Law

Big Yellow Partners: (elevation 5,480 ft.) - $2,500+

Altamont Environmental, Inc First Citizens Bank Friends at Jubilee! Community

Max Patch Partners: (elevation 4,629 ft.) - $1,000+

Eastman Credit Union Equinox Environmental Keith Hargrove Architect PC Hickory Nut Gap Meats Kee Mapping & Surveying Navitat Canopy Adventures Network Computer Solutions Parsec Financial Management Samsel Architects

We are currently expanding our corporate partner program and would love to create a benefits package for you.

Contact Cheryl Fowler at 828.253.0095 ext 209 or [email protected] to find out more. | 3 1

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDAsheville, NC

Permit No. 460

34 Wall Street, Suite 502Asheville, NC 28801-2710

(828) 253-0095

Return Service RequestedPrinted on Post Consumer Recycled Paper

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A p p a l a c h i a n . o r g

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.

Get Connected!with SAHC online @:Blog:www.southernappalachian.wordpress.com

Twitter:www.twitter.com/SAHC

Facebook:www.facebook.com/southernappalachianhighlandsconservancy

YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/SAHCMEDIA

Upcoming!Save the date for our 40th Anniversary Party! May 15, 2014

More hikes & events inside, or visit online:

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What will be Your Legacy?

Documents

Winter 2013 View from the Highlands