High Country Conservancy Year in Review (High Country Press)
January 28, 2010

High Country Conservancy Year in Review

Organization Completes Eight Land Protection Projects, Totaling 573 Acres

In 2009, High Country Conservancy (HCC) completed 8 land protection projects, totaling 573 acres of permanently protected land in Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties. HCC is a Boone-based nonprofit land trust that works to protect the natural resources of Appalachia by conserving land with significant ecological, cultural, recreational and scenic value, focusing on Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties. Despite the downturn in the economy last year, HCC managed to complete a comparable number of projects and protect a steady amount of acres compared to years past.

“The number and quality of projects completed last year were encouraging,” said Eric Hiegl, HCC’s acting executive director. “Thanks to the dedication of local, regional and statewide conservation supporters, 2009 was an overall success.”

Many of HCC’s projects permanently protected critical wildlife habitat identified by the N.C. Wildlife Action Plan. Important habitat types include early successional, oak forest, cove forest, northern hardwood habitats and high elevation rock outcrops like that of the recently expanded Bear Paw State Natural Area.

“Protection of these priority habitat types is essential to ensuring the prosperity of wildlife species in southern Appalachia,” Hiegl said.

According to Blue Ridge Forever, a coalition of 13 partnering land conservancies in Western North Carolina, including HCC, in the last two decades, developed land in the Southern Blue Ridge has increased by 77 percent and the population of North Carolina is expected to increase by 50 percent from 2000 to 2030. HCC, like other North Carolina mountain land trusts, is working to balance this growth with preservation, and to ensure that growth is conducted in a sustainable way. In fact, HCC and many other Blue Ridge Forever partners had notable land protection success stories in 2009 despite projected development and population growth, said Hiegl.

Some 2009 project highlights include:

• Snake Mountain: Two large tracts of land were added to Elk Knob State Park at the northern end of Snake Mountain. A total of 315 acres were added through these transactions. The properties include a grassy ridge, two headwater streams of the North Fork of the New River and road frontage along Meat Camp Road. The northern end of the mountain offers views of Grandfather Mountain State Park to the south and Mount Rogers, Va. to the north.

• Three Top Mountain: Forty-four acres were added to the Three Top Mountain Game Lands, allowing direct access off of Ben Bolen Road. With a mix of pasture and hardwood forest, this property hosts a diverse array of wildlife. The Wildlife Resources Commission will own and manage the land within its Game Lands system.

• Bear Paw State Natural Area: A 10-acre tract was purchased with the help of a private donor to expand Bear Paw State Natural Area along Hanging Rock Ridge. Bear Paw State Natural Area now consists of 355 acres of forest, headwater streams, rock outcroppings and 6,000 feet of ridgeline.

• Banner Valley Conservation Easement: This is the fourth conservation easement completed in Banner Valley in the past three years. Located outside of Newland in Avery County, this donated conservation easement, totaling 55 acres, protects prime agricultural soils, scenic views and frontage along the North Toe River. To date, 188 acres of land have been protected in Banner Valley.

• Tater Hill Bog Preserve: Assisting the Plant Conservation Program, HCC purchased 37 acres with the help of a private donor. This purchase expands the Tater Hill Bog Preserve and protects an additional portion of the Tater Hill/Rich Mountain Significant Natural Heritage Area.

HCC’s success in 2009 can largely be credited to the strong support of the High Country community.

“A big part of our success was due to a private donor whose financial contributions made several of our projects come to fruition,” Hiegl said.

The difficult economy has provided challenges for nonprofit organizations like HCC, but as HCC President Bob Cherry said, “HCC’s mission remains urgent, and HCC is a sound philanthropic investment.”

One challenge is that there are fewer state funds available. The North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund resources have been reduced by 50 percent, down from $100 million to $50 million statewide.

“HCC will adjust to this challenge in 2010,” Hiegl said, “by focusing more on donated conservation easements, rather than on purchased land projects.”

Despite the economic downturn, HCC feels that it is on solid footing entering 2010 and is looking forward to another strong year.

In fundraising events and attendance, 2009 was also an immensely successful year for HCC. In fact, last year HCC had its most successful Stick Boy Mayview Madness 5K Race to date, with 190 runners and more than $8,000 raised. Stick Boy Bread Company joined as the presenting sponsor of the race, which began in 2000.

“This success was unprecedented for any previous Mayview Madness race, and much of the success can be attributed to Stick Boy’s support,” said Zachary Lesch-Huie, HCC’s program associate.

In addition, HCC’s annual Wine Tasting and Auction at the Gamekeeper Restaurant in September was quite effective with more than 50 auction items donated, about 100 people in attendance and more than $9,000 raised for land protection. In November, HCC led an open-to-the-public hike at Bear Paw State Natural Area, which was quite successful.

“Over 40 hikers were in attendance and we could not have asked for better weather,” said Hiegl.

Due to overwhelming interest, HCC plans to lead monthly hikes in 2010.

To date, HCC has protected more than 3,300 acres of land in Avery, Ashe and Watauga counties. For more information about HCC, click to www.highcountryconservancy.org.