February 19, 2009 Issue
Colossal Conservation
High Country Conservancy Celebrates Biggest Year Ever For Land Protection
In 2008, High Country Conservancy protected 703 acres of land in Watauga, Avery and Ashe counties through 15 separate projects, marking the “biggest year ever” for the land trust, according to High Country Conservancy Land Protection Director Eric Hiegl and High Country Conservancy Program Associate Zachary Lesch-Huie.
“It was a big year for us in 2008,” said Hiegl, who added that High Country Conservancy has now protected more than 2,700 acres of High Country land in 52 places in its 12-year history.
The mission of High Country Conservancy is to protect the natural resources of Appalachia by conserving land with significant ecological, cultural, recreational or scenic value in the High Country.
Why 2008?
Scenes like this from the new Bear Paw State Natural Area will be commonplace in the High Country for years to come thanks to High Country Conservancy. In 2008, the local land trust protected 703 acres of land in Watauga, Avery and Ashe counties through 15 separate projects. Photo by Lynn Willis
Hiegl and Lesch-Huie noted three factors concerning the banner year for land conservation. In 2008, Hiegl and Lesch-Huie said, state government officials increased funding for land conservation trust funds; the federal government added tax incentives for donated conservation easements, which continue in 2009; and the slumping economy created new opportunities for discussions with landowners who had not thought previously about protecting their land.
“One reason the struggling economy is immediately beneficial to us is because we are afforded more land opportunities than ever before,” explained Lesch-Huie. “Since the real estate market is not working, more people are coming to us as the next option.”
“Also, conservation is becoming even more important now that there is financial stress on our government systems. For instance, there’s no money for land trusts in the stimulus package,” said Hiegl.
2008 HCC Land Protection Successes
In 2008, High Country Conservancy closed on 15 projects, including:
Bear Paw State Natural Area
High Country Conservancy partnered with North Carolina State Parks to create a new state natural area located between Seven Devils and Valle Crucis. The Bear Paw State Natural Area totals 325 acres and protects rare plant communities and Hanging Rock Ridge.
Elk Knob State Park
High Country Conservancy added four critical tracts of land to Elk Knob State Park. The project’s protected strategic in-holdings and key tracts are adding valuable access points and scenic protection.
Banner Valley Conservation Easement
High Country Conservancy completed the third conservation easement in Banner Valley along the North Toe River in Avery County. A total of 132 acres have been protected in the Banner Valley.
Robinson Farm Conservation Easement
The 57-acre farm is located along Three Top Creek in Creston and is currently being used to graze cattle. The property boasts 1,600 feet of stream frontage including a seep area that contains rare plant species.
Oliver Hill Conservation Easement
Located off of Oliver Hill Road in Matney, the 97-acre property encompasses a highly visible knoll, a portion of an unnamed tributary to Crab Orchard Creek and is within the viewshed of Scenic Byway 194.
Bridal Cove Conservation Easement and Natural Area
The 44-acre conservation easement protects a small stream, Golden-winged warbler habitat and 2,000 feet of the North Fork New River. A 64-acre mature hardwood forest was also donated in fee simple to High Country Conservancy.
Wellspring Farm Conservation Easement
Located in Avery County, the 95-acre farm is adjacent to Pisgah National Forest and on the lower slopes of Grandfather Mountain.
In addition to the projects in 2008, High Country Conservancy secured $700,000 in funding from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund to purchase 55 acres on Bluff Mountain; secured three options to purchases on Snake Mountain, totaling 377 acres; and secured an option to purchase on a bargain sale conservation easement protecting 39 acres adjacent to Moses Cone Memorial Park along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The conservancy also partnered with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to secure $657,000 in funding from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and National Heritage Trust Fund, $233,000 in private funding and an option to purchase on the Miller and Hufnagel tracts on Three Top Mountain.
For more information, click to www.highcountryconservancy.org or call 828-264-2511.
2008 Western North Carolina Land Trust Successes
In 2008, the 10 land trusts serving western North Carolina protected a total of 10,298 acres in 25 counties, the equivalent of 7,801 football fields. These 10 land trusts comprise the Blue Ridge Forever coalition that has a five-year goal to protect 50,000 acres by 2010. During the first three years of the campaign—2006 to 2008—the coalition has protected 34,746 acres in the North Carolina’s mountains. In other words, at least 250 willing landowners made the commitment to permanently conserve their property, resulting in an average of 1.6 closings each week.
“Our coalition is on track to meet our goal with a little over 15,000 acres to protect in the next two years. That will require commitments from about 166 more families if the last three year’s trends continue. However, our members are not immune to the economic crisis and are going to have to be extremely strategic to meet this ambitious goal,” said Phyllis Stiles, campaign director for the coalition.
For more information, click to www.blueridgeforever.info.
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