Our Mission Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy partners with landowners and organizations to protect land and water resources vital to our natural heritage and quality of life. Dedicated to saving the places you love, CMLC works to permanently conserve and actively care for an ever-growing regional network of locally and nationally significant farm, forest, park and natural lands.

winter 2012VOLUMe 17 iSSUe 3

About 2,000 more acres at the east Fork Headwaters (eFH) in transylvania County are slated for permanent protection and public ownership by early 2013. eFH is also part of a new proposal by the US Fish and wildlife Service to establish the Mountain Bogs national wildlife refuge—which would be the first such federal designation in the southern Appalachians. Learn how your help is instrumental to advancing conservation at the Headwaters on a landscape scale. SEE PAGE 3.

check out what’s new at cmlc! • New CoNservatioN easemeNts at mystiC waters; twiN Lakes P. 5 & 8 • CmLC weLComes New staff, ameriCorps P. 10 & 11 • HikiNg CHaLLeNge versioN 2.0 is Here P. 13 • JoiN our summits soCiety P. 14 • Be part of CmLC's faLL CampaigN P. 15

SAVinG tHe PLACeS YOU LOVe SinCe 1994

More acres to be saved at East Fork; new proposal for inclusion in National Wildlife RefugeHEADWAY AT THE HEADWATERS

From the Executive Director

americorps project conserve: an asset to cmlc and the regionthe Asheville-Citizen times recently awarded CMLC an “A” in its weekly editorial report Card citing AmeriCorps Project Conserve for

“educational and outreach activities, recruiting and coordinating volunteers for outdoor con-servation projects and supporting conservation initiatives.” this recognition came soon after the presentation in August of the Land-of-Sky regional Council’s Friend of the River Award to Project Conserve for “conservation and river enhancement projects” benefiting the French Broad river watershed.

these accolades, while well-deserved, only confirm what our region’s conservation orga-nizations have known for years: that Project Conserve — ably led by Program Director Amy Stout — and the AmeriCorps members who serve in it are exceptional assets to western north Carolina. Starting in 2004, CMLC has overseen Project Conserve and placed hundreds of community-minded folks – from recent college graduates to experienced professionals – in 11-month terms of service at host conservation organizations across western north Carolina. these folks, who receive a modest monthly stipend in ex-change for full-time placement from September through July, bring their skill, energy, and dedication to western north Carolina’s conservation challenges: land conservation, water quality protection, local food and farmland preservation, and energy conservation.

this past September, a brand new team of 32 AmeriCorps members began a new project year – five based at CMLC and the remaining 27 housed at one of 18 other conservation or education organizations, from Boone to Sylva. From promoting volunteerism with riverLink, to weatherizing homes with Green Opportunities, to supporting local farms with the Polk County Office of Agricultural economic Development, these members contribute much to the communities in which they serve.

in looking at CMLC’s recent successes described throughout this newsletter, it is striking how many of them have been advanced with the help of the current and previ-ous AmeriCorps members at CMLC. Land conservation at places such as east Fork Headwaters and Mystic waters, educational programs such as our Hiking Challenge 2.0, and restoration at places such as Ochlawaha and Cedar Mountain bogs – all of these accomplishments have been made possible, in part, by the support of engaged AmeriCorps members.

How can you, CMLC’s members and friends, help us sustain the great work made possible by Project Conserve? Let your congressional representatives know that the federal AmeriCorps program and the funding it provides to local programs such as Project Conserve are being matched and leveraged many times over and this program is vital to our communities and our state. And when you have a chance to meet our Project Conserve members, either at CMLC or elsewhere in the region, share your appreciation of them for dedicating a year of their lives to conserving western north Carolina and its natural treasures.

kieran roe, executive director

Board of TrusteesLynn Carnes Pitts PreSiDentLee Mulligan ViCe PreSiDentGenien Carlson treASUrerChirs Braund SeCretArYrick Merrill PASt PreSiDentKen Adamsruth BirgeGrant Bullardtom DavisBrenda HillyerJohn HumphreyMeredith KeeverBernard KithekaMarshall McCallieBill MoyerMary Jo PadgettDiana richardsKen SheltonMike tateMark tooley

CMLC Staff Kieran roeexeCUtiVe DireCtOrtom FanslowLAnD PrOteCtiOn DireCtOr Lynn Killian neillDeVeLOPMent DireCtOrJulianne JohnsonADMiniStrAtiVe DireCtOrrebekah robinsonADMiniStrAtiVe DireCtOrAmy StoutAMeriCOrPS PrOJeCt COnSerVe PrOGrAM DireCtOrnancy MarshallFinAnCe DireCtOr Sarah FraserStewArDSHiP DireCtOrPeter BarrtrAiLS & OUtreACH COOrDinAtOrMary Ann HaileyADMiniStrAtiVe & i.t. COOrDinAtOrAimee McGinleyMeMBerSHiP & DeVeLOPMent COOrDinAtOrrachel HodgeAMeriCOrPS PrOJeCt COnSerVe PrOGrAM COOrDinAtOrKristin HarkeySPeCiAL PrOJeCtS DireCtOrBonnie MillarMOnitOrinG COOrDinAtOr

AmeriCorps Members Project Conserve:

Cheryl BoltonStewArDSHiP ASSOCiAteSarah BromleyOUtreACH ASSOCiAteJenn woodLAnD PrOteCtiOn ASSOCiAteMeghan MontgomeryVOLUnteer & StewArDSHiP ASSOCiAte David LeeHiCKOrY nUt GOrGe StewArD

847 CASe Street, HenDerSOnViLLe, nC 28792-6503 PHOne (828) 697-5777 FAx (828) 697-2602www.CArOLinAMOUntAin.OrG

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At 8,000 acres, transylvania County’s east Fork Headwaters (eFH) tract is one of the largest remaining undeveloped tracts of privately-owned land in western north Carolina. it contains the headwa-ters of the east Fork of the French Broad river, rare southern Appalachian moun-tain bogs, and miles of the bio-diverse Blue ridge escarpment. the eFH project may be the last opportunity to conserve a landscape-scale portion of our beloved mountains and their precious natural resources.

in 2009, CMLC and partners began working towards conservation and public access at eFH in order to protect the scenic beauty and critical natural resources that so positively impact our quality of life. we’re eager to report on our progress, and we’re even more eager to seek your help to keep it going.

new partners emerge at eFhin 2010, CMLC and its partner, the Con-servation Fund, achieved the acquisition of 786 acres at the eFH. the purchase spanned the tract’s highest elevations and included nine miles of the venerable

Foothills trail system, completing a corridor of publicly-accessible pro-tected lands that now stretches nearly 100 miles across the Blue ridge from the nantahala national Forest to DuPont State recreational Forest.

But much remains to be conserved at eFH, so our efforts haven’t stopped there. CMLC is excited to receive support from new partners working to protect the eFH tract—most notably the north Carolina Forest Service (nCFS), who will become the owning and man-aging entity for public acquisitions at eFH. the US Fish and wildlife Service (USFwS) also seeks to protect eFH by supporting further acquisition of the tract. these new allies, in addition to our long-standing partners, make up a coalition dedicated to the public acquisition of the remainder of the eFH.

more acres to be purchased & protectedPartners have sought funding from multiple sources in an effort to acquire more eFH lands. recent funding granted from north Carolina’s natural Heritage

trust Fund and Clean water Manage-ment trust Fund will soon enable the purchase of about 1,800 more acres of the eFH tract. the acquisition will include turkey Mountain and more than a mile of Bursted rock Creek, as well as land that buffers the Mountain Bridge wilderness Area and CMLC’s conservation easement at Happy Acres.

protecting the east Fork headwaters:conservation on a landscape scale

worlds edge join our Fall campaign

to date, you have made it possible for CMLC to conserve nearly 23,000 acres of natural lands throughout western north Carolina—places like the Hickory nut Gorge, French Broad river watershed, and the Blue ridge escarpment. But we’re just get-ting started. Be part of protecting more special places in our region by joining us in our 2012 Fall Campaign. together we can ensure that our mountains and their natural resources will always enrich our lives. Make your tax-deductible gift today.

SEE page 15 for more iNformatioN

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CMLC will contribute about $800,000 for an additional 200 acres of land acqui-sition at eFH. the funding, obtained from the nC Department of Agriculture, is the result of a legal settlement awarded to the State stemming from air pollution gen-erated by the tennessee Valley Authority. Altogether, about 2,000 more acres at eFH are slated for purchase for perma-nent protection and public ownership by early 2013.

eFh: a national wildliFe reFuge?in 2012, the USFwS announced a new proposal for the protection of southern Appalachian mountain bogs, one of the nation’s rarest and most imperiled plant and wildlife habitats. the proposed Mountain Bogs national wildlife refuge (nwr) aims to protect some of the last remaining southern Appalachian bogs in our region, conserving habitat for migratory birds and protecting habitat for federally threatened and endangered species (including the bog turtle, pic-tured on Page 1). if realized, the nwr would be the first such federal designa-tion in the southern Appalachians. the project scope includes support for the potential acquisition of eFH—home to several mountain bogs—to serve as one of the nwr’s large “anchor” tracts, in addition to protecting many smaller bog sites across the region.

where compatible, the nwr also intends to provide increased opportuni-ties for wildlife-oriented recreation such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, education, and inter-pretation on lands currently closed to the public.

Mountain bogs, like those found at the eFH, possess a natural capacity for regulating water flow by holding floodwa-ters like giant sponges and slowly releas-

ing the water to minimize the effects of droughts and floods. these mountain wetlands play an important role in many aquatic food chains, and contribute to the productivity and high water quality needed by downstream fishes, including native brook trout.

eFh needs Your helpProtecting more land and water resourc-es at the east Fork Headwaters can’t be

achieved by CMLC alone. the project has benefited from strong partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels. But the most important partner of all is YOU. without widespread support of the community, the effort to conserve the natural treasures at eFH on a landscape scale cannot come to fruition.

Some of the resources needed to preserve eFH may be available in various funds set aside by our state and federal governments. in north Carolina, the Clean water Management trust Fund, natural Heritage trust Fund, and other funds were created to invest in conser-vation projects that have significant positive impacts on water quality and biodi-versity—projects like eFH. On the national scale, the Land and water Conserva-tion Fund was established by Congress to support the acquisition of special natural lands for public ownership. these funding sources have conserved some of the most beautiful natural treasures in our state and

in our nation. But their future is in jeopar-dy, and these funds likely won’t continue unless you make your voice heard. Call or write your government representatives and let them know of your support for these funds that make land conservation possible—and why YOU need them to protect eFH.

8,000 acres For You, because oF Youwhile advocating for the conservation of eFH is crucial, the most impactful way that you can join us in saving places like the eFH is by supporting your local land trust. CMLC works for YOU—and we can’t do it without you. Consider making a meaningful contribution to CMLC— however large or small—to support our tireless efforts to conserve eFH and other special places that are cherished both locally and nationally. turn to pages 14 and 15 to learn more about how to become a CMLC member, make a contri-bution, or join our new Summits Society. Be part of protecting 8,000 acres—8,000

acres for you, and forever.

proteCtiNg tHe east fork Headwaters: CoNservatioN oN a LaNdsCape sCaLe CoNtiNued

Altogether, nearly 2,000 more acres at EFH are slated for purchase for permanent protection and public ownership by early 2013.

east fork falls

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walking the walk: board president donates conservation easementBoard of trustees president, Lynn Carnes Pitts, and her husband, russ, deepened their commitment to land conservation by placing 82 acres of their property south of Lake Lure into a permanent conservation easement with CMLC. the land, which first hosted the Lake Lure Camp for Girls beginning in 1927, had been home to the Camp Occoneechee Girl Scouts Camp since 1956. the easement donated by russ and Lynn will forever preserve the picturesque setting that has inspired learning and leadership on the land for nearly one hundred years.

in 2011, russ and Lynn, Lake Lure residents, purchased the camp when the Girl Scouts acquired a larger property to accommodate more campers. with the belief that being on the land provides enhanced awareness and a deep connection to self, the couple now operates a retreat center, Mystic waters, on the grounds of the former camp. Mystic waters promotes leadership development by bringing people closer to self through immersion in nature. According to Lynn, “it still seems to carry the memories of all that those girls learned over the years. the spirit of the land here inspires people to get back to their roots and to be creative.”

the Pitts’ act to conserve their land prevents future development on the forests surrounding the core camp, conserving its scenic beauty as well as its precious natural resources. the easement permanently buffers nearly two miles of tributaries to nearby Cane Creek and maintains suitable habitat for three dozen rare species found nearby. it also appropriately reflects the Pitt’s belief in stewarding the land now and forever. “Lynn and russ share a strong conservation ethic—they asked for rigorous land use restrictions in order to do what’s best for the land that has been entrusted to them,” explained tom Fanslow, CMLC Land Protection Director.

the conservation easement took nearly two years to come to fruition, but the Pitts’ dedication to conserving land in our region persevered. Selflessly committed to keeping their property in its natural state, the Pitts donated the entire value of the easement. this generous gift honors the generations of campers who were shaped by the land in the last century, as well as future visitors who will learn among the land’s natural treasures that are now protected forever.

grant Funds coalition to save the east Fork headwaters CMLC is extremely grateful to the Conservation Alliance for the award of a $30,000 grant in support of our ongoing efforts to permanently conserve the 8,000-acre east Fork Headwaters (eFH) tract in transyl-vania County. the grant will fund the development of a coalition of commu-nity organizations, government agen-cies, non-profits, and local citizens to forever protect eFH’s abundant natural resources and to support the establishment of a new national wildlife refuge. the Conservation Alliance is made up of outdoor businesses that fund and partner with organizations to protect north America’s wild places for their habitat and recreation values. we owe great thanks to Henderson-ville’s own Outdoor Sports Marketing for nominating CMLC and the eFH for this award, and for their commit-ment to conserving and increasing access to land in our region for public recreation.

Lynn Carnes Pitts & MystiC Waters

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cmlc supports muddY sneakers with grantA grant awarded to CMLC will help support the outdoor-based curriculum provided by Muddy Sneakers in Hender-son County elementary schools. the grant provides $4,000 to fund Muddy Sneak-ers expeditions at edneyville elementary and the Mountain Community School in Hendersonville.

Muddy Sneakers provides field-based experiential education to 5th grade stu-dents at public schools across western north Carolina. their mission is to awak-en in children a deeply felt connection with the natural world, one that inspires

curiosity, stimulates learning, and brings new life to classroom performance.

Founded by CMLC-conservation landowner Sandy Schenck, Muddy Sneakers serves 16 schools across five wnC school districts. Muddy Sneakers has developed curriculum for expedi-tions at CMLC-conserved Green river Preserve and CMLC’s Florence nature Preserve. “Muddy Sneakers cannot begin to express our gratitude to CMLC for securing this significant funding,” said the organization’s new executive director, ryan Olson. “this funding is

precedent in our continued partnership and shows an incredible commitment by CMLC to support education that directly ties into creating the next generation of conservationists.”

the grant was awarded by the Z. Smith reynolds Foundation through the Conservation trust for north Carolina (CtnC). in the last eight years, CtnC has directed more than $10 million of private and public funding to local land trusts in north Carolina.

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Preserving our PastSeptember 15th 2012 at Camp Pinnacle

thank you for making this year’s Conservation Celebration a grand success! More than 250 conservation supporters came out to support our work and celebrate the past year in conservation. More than $50,000 was raised for our mission, and the town of Fletcher was honored with the Lela McBride Award for their stewardship of the Cane Creek Greenway. Thank you 2012 Sponsors

shagbark hickorY Camp Pinnacle Posana Café

river birch BrB Appraisal Associates Duke energy Dixon Hughes Goodman Dixon Hughes Goodman wealth Advisors First Citizens Bank Kee Mapping & Surveying Krull & Company Liquidlogic Parsec Financial wealth Management tD Bank David & Charlene effird Bill & Jerry McAninch todd & Melinda Morse Bill & Dot Moyer

eastern hemlock Blue ridge Metals David Gantt Law Office north Carolina Appraisal Company Dean egly John Humphrey Chuck & Jean McGrady George & Margaret nixon Fred & Lauren weed

Yellow poplar businesses Adventure treks * Kareem Arrushdi - wells Fargo Advisors * Bird and Branch LLC * Carland & Andersen CPA * Classic event rental * Confluence engineering * equinox environmental * Foxworth Advisors * Hendersonvile Oil Company * Hometrust Bank * Strauss & Associates * Southern Appalachian Brewery * Katherine B. therrell - LPC Counseling Services * wolf Creek engineering

Yellow poplar individuals ruth Birge * Chris Braund & Karen Van Sickler * Charles Breckheimer & Sandra Schorr * Jay & Linda Casselberry * Gary & Judy Cyphers * Jere Dabbs * Karen Jackson * Mickey Kilpatrick & Bruce Beaudin * Chris and Mary Jane McDonnell * Bob and Karen Mitchell * Lee and tom Mulligan * Jim & Barbara neal * Jacquelyn and Bruce rogow * Carl and Jean Schoendorfer * George and Sylvia tennille * Mark and Ameran tooley

auction & raFFle donors Alleman Law Firm - Cynthia Alleman Blue water Abby Cain Clint Calhoun Camp Lake James Jane Davis Diana wortham theatre Falderal Flat rock Playhouse Carol Hampson Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra Jerry & Bill McAninch Jerrybuilt Jewelry by Jerry McAninch Laurey’s Gourmet Comfort Food Liquidlogic & Legacy Paddlesports nC Stage Company Diana richards Dixie robinson Mary Ann Silvey Slick rock Country emporium Sycamore Cycle Simon thompson wendy whitson wild Birds Unlimited

special thanks to tHe CeLeBrAtiOn tASKFOrCe (CO-CHAirS:

Genien CArLSOn & MereDitH KeeVer), JOHn

AnD JAne DOCKenDOrF OF CAMP PinnACLe,

MOtOwnBLUe, POSAnA CAFe, tAMSin

ALLPreSS OF tAMSin & COOKe, LLC , SOUtHern

APPALACHiAn BrewerY, JerrY StOne, OUr

SPOnSOrS, ALL OUr AUCtiOn AnD rAFFLe

COntriBUtOrS, VOLUnteerS, AnD CMLC

SUPPOrterS FOr MAKinG tHiS eVent SUCH A

SPeCiAL CeLeBrAtiOn!

more CoNservatioN CeLeBratioN pHotos oN page 10

Carolina Mountain land ConservanCy’s

1 2 t h A n n u A l

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Saluda Community Land trust (SCLt) and CMLC have partnered to permanently protect 21 acres of the locally-cherished twin Lakes park land in southeast Henderson County near Saluda. the project, completed in early August, ensures the long term availability of twin Lakes Park for public recreation to residents and visitors of the community, as well as protects the natural character of its surroundings.

the twin Lakes tract—named for its two large ponds—was purchased by James t. and Helen wilkes in the late 1950s. For more than 60 years, the wilkes family generously made it available to the Saluda

community for fishing, swimming, and picnicking. the park has since been a popular community gathering spot, hosting weddings, baptisms, and family reunions. Current owners James t. wilkes iii, of Sarasota, Florida and william wilkes, of Hendersonville—children of the late Mr. and Mrs. wilkes—and Holly wilkes, of Saluda, have continued to manage twin Lakes as a community park. to ensure that the park would be available to Saludans forever, the trio decided to donate the land to SCLt who will own and manage it as a public park in perpetuity.

SCLt partnered with CMLC, who placed a conservation ease-ment on the parklands to restrict future development. in addition to ensuring the perpetuity of the park, the easement preserves the scenic forest surrounding the lakes and safeguards water quality of the lakes and a tributary of the Green river.

“Generations of Saluda residents have reveled in the beauty and fun atmosphere at twin Lakes—long made generously available by the wilkes family. the continued gener-osity of its current landowners has ensured the park will remain open to generations to come,” said tom Fanslow, CMLC’s Land Protection Director. “the collaboration between SCLt and CMLC achieves our mutual goal of enhancing community access to natural lands in the Saluda area.”

Saluda Community Land trust was formed in 2007 to preserve Saluda’s rural character by preserving farm and forest land in and around the town. CMLC is excited to partner with SLCt to conserve natural resources surround-ing the town of Saluda in Henderson and Polk counties. For more information about SCLt, visit saludaclt.org.

park land in saluda preserved in partnership with saluda communitY land trust

William Wilkes at tWin lakes

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Yellow Lady Slipper Volunteer rich leppingwell Known as “the Birdman” around the CMLC community, rich Leppingwell has volunteered his time and expertise for well over ten years. Hailing originally from new York City, rich served in the US Air Force and lived in Dallas, washington, DC, Boston, and nashville before settling in western north Carolina. what brought rich to the magical Blue ridge? “Mountains,” he said with a sigh, “and the birds that call this area home.” rich and his wife joined family in Hendersonville, and immediately found a strong community that quickly felt like home. As an avid birder, rich found that the area offered the added bonus of excellent bird habitat and high diversity of bird species. it was his passion for birds, and desire to teach others about them, that ultimately brought him into the fold of the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy community. He found CMLC to be a comfortable, welcoming place where he could always find a way to be involved and to lend a hand. rich is a regular volunteer with CMLC and has been instrumental in an array of important projects. He often leads bird walks and conducts bird counts on easement properties. each year, rich assists staff with building, installing, and monitor-ing bird boxes at CMLC’s Lewis Creek nature Park. in addition to spearheading educational programs, rich has consistently been involved behind the scenes in committee work, and currently serves on the Human resources committee. And last but not least, rich makes weekly trips to the bank to safely deliver CMLC deposits. rich is celebrated around the CMLC office for his wry sense of humor and his consistency.

“i’ve seen great volunteers come and go. rich is a rare constant,” said Administrative & it Coordinator Mary Ann Hailey. in addition to volunteering with CMLC, rich has dedicated his time, energy and labor to the Pisgah Center for wildlife education, where he has spent the past eleven years leading educational programs, teaching fishing courses, and building bird boxes with kids. He also serves as president of the Henderson County Bird Club, for which he regularly leads birding programs in the area. CMLC thanks rich Leppingwell for his long, dedicated service and always brightening the day of staff when at the office. we are honored to present rich with our Yellow Lady Slipper Award.

volunteer opportunities coming in 2013 • HaBitat restoratioN • maiLiNgs/offiCe HeLp • speCiaL eveNts • traiL work

www.CaroLiNamouNtaiN.org/voLuNteer

What brought Rich to the magical Blue Ridge?“Mountains,” he said with a sigh,

“and the birds that call this area home.”

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cmlc welcomes new staFF sarah Fraser StewArDSHiP DireCtOr CMLC is excited to welcome two new full-time members to our staff. Sarah Fraser joins CMLC after gaining experience as a Land Steward at the nature Conservancy in the upstate of South Carolina. She spent several seasons on the Blue ridge Parkway as a biological science technician and has worked to protect hemlocks from the hemlock woolly adelgid in north and South Carolina since 2007. A native of north Florida, Sarah began exploring the southern Appalachians as a child while attending eagle's nest summer camp in transylvania County and later as a college student at Appalachian State University in Boone. She and her husband Matt completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian trail and settled in Asheville in 2005.

rachel hodge AMeriCOrPS PrOJeCt COnSerVe PrOGrAM COOrDinAtOr rachel Hodge joins CMLC after serving last year as the water Quality Administrator with eCO through AmeriCorps Project Conserve. Originally from Savannah, Georgia, rachel earned a BS in environmental Science from Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville where she studied human-environment interactions in the Bahamas and Belize, freshwater ecology/ichthyology in tennessee, and field paleontology throughout the western US. in 2011, she earned a Master of Science in Planning from Florida State University, specializing in environmental Planning & natural resources Management.

Carolina Mountain land ConservanCy’s

1 2 t h A n n u A l

CoNservatioN CeLeBratioN piCtures CoNtiNued from page 7

Rachel hodge, SaRah FRaSeR

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meghan montgomery, jenn wood, sarah bromley, cheryl bolton, david lee

each year, AmeriCorps Project Conserve members contribute countless hours, endless passion, and immeasurable talent to CMLC’s mission of protecting and caring for land in our region. we are especially excited to welcome five new AmeriCorps Project Conserve members to CMLC for the 2012-2013 service term.

meghan montgomerY VOLUnteer AnD StewArDSHiP ASSOCiAte Meghan was born and raised on the Front range of Colorado’s rocky Mountains. She attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, earning a BA in international Affairs and environmental Studies in 2012. Meghan spent two seasons as an AmeriCorps member with western Colorado Conservation Corps leading youth crews in trail construction, chainsaw work, and invasive species removal. She enjoys backpacking, trail running, whitewater and bluegrass jams, sustainability, and pop culture trivia.

jenn wood LAnD PrOteCtiOn ASSOCiAte Jenn is from Greenville, SC and attended warren wilson College where she earned a BA in environmental Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Forestry in 2011 while working on the Forestry Crew. Jenn has interned with tropical Forestry initiative in Costa rica and the wilderness Society in Sylva, both of which have furthered her passion for conservation. Jenn loves concerts, traveling, Latin America, trail running, and mountain biking.

sarah bromleY OUtreACH ASSOCiAte Sarah grew up in Fargo, nD and attended San Jose State University where she earned a BFA in Graphic Design in 2010. After college, Sarah moved to Las Vegas, nV, where she served for a year as an AmeriCorps nevada Conservation Corps (nCC) member. She spent another year working as an nCC supervisor for the Great Basin institute leading trail and chainsaw crews. On the weekends, you’ll find Sarah exploring the outdoors while rock climbing or hiking.

cherYl bolton StewArDSHiP ASSOCiAte Cheryl attended Coastal Carolina University where she earned a BS in Biology and a minor in environmental Science. Following college, she worked as a Biological Science technician for the U.S. Geological Survey in Henderson, nV where she participated in vegetation restoration research in the Mojave Desert. when not caring for the land, Cheryl enjoys hiking, backpacking, and going on road trips to new places.

david lee HiCKOrY nUt GOrGe StewArD David lived most of his life in Florida but spent many vacations in the southern Appalachians where he developed a sense of appreciation for the environment and a commitment to conserve it. After earning a BS in environmental Science from the University of west Florida in 2010, he relocated to Asheville to serve as a Bog Steward for the nature Conservancy. David’s service will be dedicated to facilitating the weed Action Coalition of the HnG (see page 12).

americorps project conserve

impacting our region AmeriCorps Project Conserve provides 32 members to 19 environmental non-profits across western north Carolina—including five members at CMLC. Members serve 1,700 hours over an eleven month term in focus areas of land conservation, water quality, local foods and farmland preservation, and energy conservation.

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public park opens at alexander’s Ford A new public park in Polk County enables you to walk a section of the same path marched two centuries ago by the Overmountain Men on their journey to the Battle of Kings Mountain. the Brad-ley nature Preserve at Alexander’s Ford opened on October 4th—232 years to the day after the patriot militia marched through. the Preserve features a picnic pavilion and about two miles of walking trails that have been certified as part of the Overmountain Victory national Historic trail.

in 1780, the Overmountain Men bravely marched more than 300 miles across the southern Appalachians to fight for our nation’s independence. Before the battle, soldiers camped on the banks of the Green river at what is known today as Alexander’s Ford. their resounding victory at Kings Mountain was later called the

“turning point of the American revolution” by thomas Jefferson.

the Alexander’s Ford tract was pur-chased by Polk County in partnership with the Bradley Fund of the Polk County Community Foundation in 2011. CMLC facilitated the acquisition by securing and administering funding from north Caro-lina’s natural Heritage trust Fund, Clean water Management trust Fund, and Parks and recreation trust Fund. CMLC now oversees a conservation easement on the 162-acre park.

For driving directions and information about visiting the Bradley nature Preserve at Alexander’s Ford, visit carolinamountain.org/alexandersford.

hickorY nut gorge weed management CMLC is excited to announce the estab-lishment of a group aimed at protecting the scenic beauty and natural communi-ties in the Hickory nut Gorge by combat-ting invasive plants. the mission of the newly formed weed Action Coalition of the Hickory nut Gorge (wAC-HnG) is to thwart the further establishment and spread of invasive and exotic plants in the Gorge through invasive species management. the Coalition, made up of land trusts, businesses, municipalities, state agencies, and private landowners, is made possible by a grant from the national Fish and wildlife Foundation.

wAC-HnG will work throughout the Lake Lure watershed which encompasses more than 66,000 acres of publicly- and privately-owned land. invasive plants pose a risk to many of the Gorge’s unique habitats. encroaching non-native plants decrease biodiversity and disrupt complex interactions that rare and endangered species depend on. the spread of inva-sives also decreases the Gorge’s scenic beauty cherished by residents and visitors.

wAC-HnG has made the management of invasive plant species its top priority. Currently focused on inventorying the existing invasives in the Gorge, it will begin providing resources to interested landowners this winter, with invasive treatments beginning in the spring.

bill imhoFAlexAnder's Ford

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Save the date: May 5th, 2013

Get reADY FOr tHe 2nD AnnUAL bearwallow beast 5k race on roads and trails to the top of Bearwallow Mountain—one of the best views in the Blue ridge. Join CMLC in celebrating your conquest with local beer and bluegrass music at top.

CMLC’s Bearwallow Beast 5K was voted one of wnC’s best footraces by Mountain xpress!

For more information, visit:www.bearwallowbeast.com

wish to sponsor one of the coolest new footraces in our region? Contact: Julianne Johnson 828-697-5777 ext. 207 email julianne@carolinamountain.org

Congratulations to Hiking Challenge Completers July through november:

bearwallow beast 5k SAVe tHe DAte

race to the top of Bearwallow Mountain—one of the best views in the Blue ridge. Join CMLC in celebrating your conquest with local beer and bluegrass music at the summit. tO reGiSter, ViSit:

BearwaLLowBeast.Com

wAnt tO SPOnSOr One OF tHe COOLeSt new

FOOtrACeS in OUr reGiOn? COntACt:

JuLiaNNe JoHNsoN

pHoNe 828-697-5777 ext. 207

e-maiL JULiAnne@CArOLinAMOUntAin.OrG

hiking challenge 2.0 tAKe tHe CHALLenGe

8 Hikes. Free Gear. Save Land.

Participation in CMLC’s Hiking Challenge is free for members. explore and protect wnC’s most amazing lands with us—join CMLC today. SiGn UP tODAY At :

CaroLiNamouNtaiN.org/HC2 Congratulations to Hiking Challenge Completers July through november:

hiking challenge 1.0 ronnie Fortenberry Chris Kitchens edward Less Maria Lund robert Metzger nancy Obre Larry rostetter Kay Shurtleff Jude & Quentin Stalker Cathy walgenbach David weintraub

hiking challenge 2.0 Sawako Jager John Quinn David weintraub Bill & Kathy warner

hike or run to save land

earn this patch!

voted one oF wnc’s best Footraces

May 5th, 2013

Bearwallow Beast 5K Finish line

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each of the Society’s five giving levels is named after a mountain summit or vista of special significance to our region and CMLC. read about these special places CMLC has conserved and be inspired to choose your "summit" level gift or pledge. worlds edge societY $10,000 & UP the phenomenal view from worlds edge is representativeof the extraordinary effort that a group of dedicated CMLC members pursued in 2005. their commitment and innovation saved 1,586 acres on the Blue ridge escarpment from immi-nent development. these individuals pledged their farms, homes, and bank accounts as collateral to purchase this tract brimming with picturesque waterfalls, stunning biodiversity, and scenic cliffs. the conservation of worlds edge was the key element that led to the eventual formation of Chimney rock State Park. bearwallow mountain $5,000 ~ $9,999 Bearwallow Mountain is one of Henderson County's most iconic peaks and the keystone in CMLC’s plans to develop a public trail network in the Hickory nut Gorge. it features a 360-degree view of noteworthy peaks such as Mt. Mitchell and Mt. Pisgah, as well as the Hickory nut Gorge, downtown Hendersonville, and the lowlands of South Carolina. sassaFras mountain $2,500 ~ $4,999 transylvania County's Sassafras Mountain overlooks the 8,000-acre east Fork Headwaters, a project of significance, in terms of both scale and water quality. the tract hosts headwaters of the French Broad river, rare southern Appalachian bogs, and more than 25 scenic waterfalls.

little pisgah mountain $1,500 ~ $2,499 Little Pisgah Mountain's southern slopes are home to the Flor-ence nature Preserve, the first donation of land ever received by CMLC. the 600-acre Preserve includes a publicly-accessible five-mile hiking trail network and features old growth forest, pristine mountain streams, and scenic rock outcroppings. jumpoFF rock $1,000 ~ $1,499 the panoramic view from Jumpoff rock includes much of the service region in which CMLC strives to protect, including the French Broad river watershed, DuPont State recreational Forest, and Blue ridge escarpment. residents and visitors alike have adored its scenic vista of our beautiful mountain region for generations.

You can save the places you love!

introducing cmlc’s summits societY carolina mountain land conservancY is excited to announce the Formation oF our summits societY Our newly formed annual giving society, the Summits Society, encourages and recognizes a higher level of giving and commitment from our donors. through this new partnership with our loyal and dedicated supporters who contribute at least $1,000 annually, we hope to secure the financial resources necessary to pursue extraordinary conservation opportunities.

• Choose Your Summit • SUMMitS SOCietY BeneFitS:

•SatiSfaction of Saving more of the placeS you love

•liSting in our Special conServation championS book

•Special recognition in our annual report

•an invitation to an excluSive, Society memberS-only

GALA HeLD eACH SPrinG

view from SaSSafraS mountain

pennY longhurst

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Thank you for your contribution! our 2012 Fall campaign is underwaY

make Your tax-deductible giFt now each fall we offer you a unique opportunity to make Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy a part of your annual charitable giving. Please help us continue our work and further expand our vision by making a generous, tax-deductible gift to our Fall Campaign. Your gift at any level and at any time of year is greatly appreciated and we thank you tremendously.

All donors automatically receive an annual membership to CMLC and new donors at the $60 or higher level receive a Diamond Brand gift card. Gifts can also be made in honor or memory of a friend or loved one.

Please use the enclosed remittance envelope to conveniently send us your gift. Or go directly to our website giving page at carolinamountain.org/giving_donation. FOr ADDitiOnAL inFOrMAtiOn ABOUt CMLC

Or GiVinG OPtiOnS, PLeASe COntACt:

LyNN kiLLiaN NeiLL, deveLopmeNt direCtor

pHoNe 828-697-5777, ext. 202

e-maiL LYnn@CArOLinAMOUntAin.OrG

take the leap & join todaY

Summits Society Giving Levels Mountaintop Contribution Levels

“Thank you for all you do to help us conserve and care for the farms, forests, parks, mountains, streams and scenic views that make our region special.”KierAn rOe, exeCUtiVe DireCtOr

bearwallow mountain

little pisgah mountain

worlds edge

Summits Society Steward Patron Protector Household Membership individual Membership Student Membership (age 25 & under)

$1000 $500 $250 $100 $60 $35 $20

worlds edge Society Bearwallow Mountain Sassafras Mountain Little Pisgah Mountain Jumpoff rock

$10,000 & Up $5,000 ~ $9,999 $2,500 ~ $4,999 $1,500 ~ $2,499 $1,000 ~ $1,499

pennY longhurst

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847 CASe St HenDerSOnViLLe nC 28792

US POStAGenOn PrOFit

PAiDHenDerSOnViLLe, nC

PerMit nO. 713

stand with us at the summitBecome a member of our new Summits Society to help CMLC save more of the places you love. ensure that our natural heritage endures for generations. Make a com-mitment to CMLC that stands out above the clouds. See PAGe 14

upcoming events

saturdaY, december 15 Hike to Pretty Place viaGreen river Preserve

mondaY, december 31 reminder: Make Your Year-end Contribution to CMLC

saturdaY, januarY 26Hike to Bridal Veil Falls at DuPont State Forest

sundaY, maY 5Bearwallow Beast 5K

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carolinamountain.org 847 CASe Street, HenDerSOnViLLe, nC 28792-6503 PHOne (828) 697-5777 FAx (828) 697-2602www.CArOLinAMOUntAin.OrG