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. As an effective nonprofit organization 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 2011VOLUME 16 ISSUE 3

S AV I N G T H E P L A C E S YO U LO V E S I N C E 1 9 9 4

SAVING MORE THAN MOUNTAINS

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It was October 4, 1780. A patriot army of some 1,600 men made camp for the night on the banks of the Green River at a crossing that would later become known as Alexander’s Ford. The militia had traveled nearly 300 miles, with some

soldiers having come from as far away as Tennessee and Virginia, in pursuit of Major Patrick Ferguson and his British army. Unbeknownst to the patriots, it would be their final rest before fighting the Redcoats in the bloody Battle of Kings Mountain.

“For many of the soldiers, Alexander’s Ford was to be the final place they lay their heads down to rest on this earth,” noted Paul Carson, Superintendent of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVT). The OVT, a unit of the National

Timeless History at Alexander’s Ford Protected Forever, Forever Remembered

Board of TrusteesLynn Carnes Pitts PRESIDENT

Lee Mulligan VICE PRESIDENT

Mike Tate TREASURER

David Efird SECRETARY

Rick Merrill PAST PRESIDENT

Ruth BirgeChris BraundAbby CainGenien CarlsonTom DavisJohn HumphreyMelanie JohnsonMeredith KeeverBill McAninchMarshall McCallieMary Jo PadgettDiana RichardsMark Tooley

CMLC Staff Kieran Roe EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Tom Fanslow LAND PROTECTION DIRECTOR

Kristin Harkey DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS

Julianne Johnson ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

Rebekah Robinson ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

Amy Stout AMERICORPS PROJECT CONSERVE

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Nancy Marshall FINANCE DIRECTOR

Peter Barr TRAILS & OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Julie Brockman STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR

Mary Ann Hailey ADMINISTRATIVE & I.T. COORDINATOR

Aimee McGinley MEMBERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Bonnie Millar MONITORING COORDINATOR

AmeriCorps Members Project Conserve:Laura Bochner STEWARDSHIP ASSOCIATE

Chet Howland OUTREACH ASSOCIATE

Laura Stroud LAND PROTECTION ASSOCIATE

Mark van der Linden VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

847 Case StreetHendersonville, NC 28792-6503

PHONE (828) 697-5777FAX (828) 697-2602EMAIL info@carolinamountain.org

Dear Supporters of Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy:

The top of Bearwallow Mountain is a spectacular place to be on a crisp autumn afternoon. On one such recent day, more than one hundred and fifty friends and supporters helped CMLC celebrate the grand opening of the Bearwallow Mountain hiking trail at the Bearwallow Oktoberfest. We enjoyed great food and music, against a backdrop of fall colors blanketing rows of peaks and ridges as far as the eye could see.

When a small group of local residents came together 17 years ago to form what has become CMLC, they could not have foreseen all that has been accomplished – 22,000 acres protected at more than 100 sites to date.

On days like the Bearwallow Mountain celebration, I think about these founders and how their initiative laid the foundation for protection of many marvelous places over the past decade and a half.

Conservation and trail development at Bearwallow Mountain, like all of our work, was made possible by many gifts – from members, volunteers, public and private funders, and conservation-minded landowners.

The Bearwallow project in particular is a testament to an amazing collection of volunteers, starting with our partners at the Carolina Mountain Club, who led and trained dozens of the individuals that strenuously labored for every foot of the mile-long trail over the past couple of years.

Some volunteers gave many days of their time, others just a few hours. Just like CMLC’s founders, these volunteers might not have clearly envisioned the full importance of their individual efforts. But at the Oktoberfest, it was clear that each contribution, when added together, resulted in a magnificent hiking trail that local residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come.

Similarly, your support as a CMLC member is making possible an ever-growing network of protected farm, forest, park and natural lands in our region. Acre by acre, with your support, our natural heritage, our quality of life, and our economic well-being are protected for future generations.

To see first-hand how your support saves great places, I encourage you to check out the Bearwallow Mountain trail at your earliest opportunity. For details and directions, go to the Hiking Challenge section of CMLC’s website. After hiking Bearwallow you’ll be well on your way toward earning a coveted white squirrel patch!

KIERAN ROE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

From the Executive Director

THANKS CMLC would like to thank The Fernandez Pave the Way Foundation for its support of conservation and the public access in the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge. The Fernandez family, through conservation of their own 150-acre farm in Edneyville and their ongoing support of our work at Bearwallow Mountain, are helping to ensure that generations to come will be able to appreciate the natural beauty of Henderson County.

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CONTINUED PAGE 1 REENACTMENTPark Service, travels through Virginia, Tennessee, and North and South Carolina, retracing the route of patriot militia as they tracked down the British to Kings Mountain.

For two centuries, the events at Alexander’s Ford were barely remembered. But now the memory of the patriots’ long journey and their sacrifices for a new nation are revived and forever preserved through creation of the Bradley Nature Preserve at Alexander’s Ford. The new preserve, permanently protected by a 162-acre conservation easement, is the result of persistent efforts of Polk County, the Marjorie M. and Lawrence R. Bradley Endowment Fund of the Polk County Community Foundation and Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy.

“We couldn’t ignore the history of this place,” explained Ambrose Mills, project manager for Polk County who oversaw the preservation efforts at Alexander’s Ford. This fall—on the anniversary of the patriot encampment—Mills and Carson commemorated the conservation of Alexander’s Ford by officially certifying it as part of the OVT. More than two centuries after the American Revolution, colonial re-enactors from the Overmountain Victory Trail Association gathered with their muskets to fire a volley in celebration and honor.

Every autumn, re-enactors travel the 330-mile route of the Overmountain Men, as the original patriot militia came to be known, camping in the same locations and following the same trails and roads. The patriots marched in pursuit of Major Ferguson in retaliation for his threats to colonial settlers in the southern highlands. “Lay down your arms and swear allegiance to the King or I will march my army over the mountains, hang your leaders, and lay waste with fire and sword to your home and fields,” he warned.

In response, it was the patriot settlers that took up arms. They marched on horseback in pursuit of Ferguson, crossing both the Appalachian and Blue Ridge ranges—hence “Overmountain”— through rugged terrain and poor weather, and with limited provisions. In less than two weeks, the volunteer army reached Alexander’s Ford. Two days later, they finally caught the British troops in South Carolina, and defeated them at the infamous Battle of

Kings Mountain.

The battle proved to be a decisive turning point in our young country’s fight for freedom. Thomas Jefferson later wrote, “Kings Mountain was the joyful annunciation of that turn of the tide of success which terminated the Revolutionary War with the seal of our independence.” The victory by the Overmountain men bore our nation.

But what happened at Alexander’s Ford was critical to the militia’s success at King Mountain. “While Kings Mountain was a turning point in the war, it was Alexander’s Ford that was a turning point in the march”, said Carson. “It is one of the most important places along the entire OVT.”

It was at Alexander’s Ford that General William Campbell, commander of the patriot army, made two critical decisions. With many soldiers near their breaking point, Campbell sent ahead only his best men and horses to fight the Redcoats. While this decision split his force, the soldiers who continued onward had more speed and fervor.

Also at Alexander’s Ford, Gen. Campbell received crucial intelligence—Ferguson and his troops were headed east to unite with the main British Army. The patriots then changed their course to intercept the Ferguson’s men. Carson speculated on the consequences had events at Alexander’s Ford not occurred as they did. “It is possible that Kings Mountain would have never happened…and the outcome of the war may have been very different.”

The Bradley Nature Preserve at Alexander’s Ford hosts more than just history. Its verdant forests and botanical

diversity make it an ecological treasure, too. Both its history and its natural bounty will soon become accessible for visitors to appreciate. The county plans to build a picnic shelter, a bike path, and hiking trails; a portion of the property will open to the public as early as next summer. “This is historic and hallowed ground,” said Carson. “When you come to a place like Alexander’s Ford, and you stand on that ground and you know what happened, it’s something that’s really moving.”

The project partners worked tirelessly on the Alexander’s Ford project for more than six years. “Worthwhile experiences are seldom easy, and that is certainly true in this case,” said Tom Fanslow, CMLC’s Land Protection Director. CMLC worked with the landowner and Polk County to garner grants from three North Carolina trust funds—Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, Natural Heritage Trust Fund, and Clean Water Management Trust Fund. “That’s a record for us,” explained Fanslow. “Each funder had its own emphasis: water quality, historic preservation, wildlife habitat and public recreation.” Funding from these agencies was used to match a generous donation from the landowner.

More than 230 years after the historic Overmountain march, a second long quest has come to a close at Alexander’s Ford. Like the Overmountain Men, CMLC and the project’s many supporters persevered to protect something important for future generations. The permanent conservation of the land will forever honor those who bravely sacrificed for our nation’s freedom. For as long as the forest grows and the river flows, the memory of the patriots’ heroism will now endure at Alexander’s Ford.

Caption here

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Shagbark HickoryDiamond Brand Outdoors

Mast General Store

Scarlet OakPark Ridge HealthBill & Pam BeasonDixon Hughes Goodman LLPDixon Hughes Goodman

Wealth Advisors LLC

River BirchDuke EnergyTD BankDoctors ManagementParsec Financial Wealth

ManagementMike & Lee Armstrong-LumpkinWiley & Nori BourneBill & Jerry McAninchChuck & Jean McGradyTodd & Melinda Morse

Eastern HemlockEquinox EnvironmentalNorth Carolina Appraisal Company

Yellow Poplar BusinessesAdventure TreksBRB Appraisal AssociatesCarland & Andersen CPAClassic Event RentalKatherine B. Therrell – LPC

Counseling ServicesRoberts & Stevens, P.A.Southern Appalachian BreweryStrauss & AssociatesTaylor Land & Cattle CompanyWells Fargo – Kelly JohnsonUnique Mountain PropertiesWaggoner & Rhodes

Yellow Poplar IndividualsBob & Martha AdamsKareem Arrushdi – Wells Fargo

AdvisorsJay &Linda Casselberry Gary & Judy CyphersChuck HaileyKaren Jackson Chris & Mary Jane McDonnellJim & Barbara Neal Marc RudowPaul & Simone ShoemakerKatherine & John TherrellMark & Ameran Tooley Fred & Lauren Weed Bryant & Mary Williams

Market VendorsAppalachian JoineryA Walk in the Park NurseryBaker’s BoxConn-Artist StudiosDeep Woods MushroomsGarden of Beadin’Grommin Farm HoneyJerry-built JewelryLaurel Spring NurseryMelting Mountain PotteryMetalheadMetal imprintingMichaels SilksN. Mills River Pottery and BroomsPrism WeavesV Square Designs

On-Site Raffle DonorsVeryle Lunn CoxEverett Farms BeefRick MerrillRose SenehiPaul ShoemakerConnie Vlahoulis

Special Thanks ToGreg and John J. Redden of Deerfields, The Lonesome Road Band, 12 Bones Smokehouse, Tamsin Allpress of Tamsin & Cooke, LLC , Larry Blunt of WLOS, the Celebration Taskforce (Genien Carlson, Meredith Keever, Gwen Kuhns, Jerry McAninch, Rick Waggoner), our sponsors, market vendors, raffle contributors, and CMLC supporters for making this event such a huge success!

THANK YOUTO OUR 2011 SPONSORS

CAROLINA MOUNTAIN LAND CONSERVANCY’S

1 1 T H A N N U A L

B R I N G I N G T O G E T H E R OUR MOUNTAINS’ FINEST

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Actively protecting both land and water in the Mills River watershed has been one of CMLC’s highest priorities since our very beginning. In 1994, John P. Humphrey donated CMLC’s first ever conservation easement on his 180 acre farm on Foster Creek, a tributary of the North Mills River and host of a rare mountain bog. CMLC has strived to conserve land and protect water quality in the Mills River watershed ever since, completing projects that protect nearly 750 acres on portions of Seniard Creek, Queen Creek, McCall Branch and Rock Creek. We also carried out easements that protect riparian buffers where the North and South Forks join to form the Mills River itself as well as the confluence of the Mills River and French Broad River. Our land protection work in the South Mills River watershed directly safeguards drinking water quality for tens of thousands of Henderson County residents.

CMLC is excited to announce the protection of an additional 100 acres at Deerfields, a forested mountain sanctuary that hosts headwaters of the Mill River watershed. Bordered on three sides by the Pisgah National Forest and hosting the Queen Creek tributary of the South Fork of the Mills River, the new conservation easement completed in 2011 builds upon 80 acres CMLC conserved at Deerfields in 2009.

More than 180 acres at Deerfields are

now permanently protected, and CMLC is working to conserve up to 800 total acres of its unspoiled forests and pristine mountain streams. Greg and John J. Redden, grandsons of former Congressman Monroe Redden, spent much of their youth on the property. The Redden brothers are conserving their property in part as a tribute to their grandfather’s love for Deerfields. “I want it to always be like my granddad had it here, when we were kids,” said Greg.

The Reddens have had much interest from developers wishing to purchase Deerfields over the years, including many lucrative offers. But Deerfields has always meant far too much to them to let it be spoiled. “With that amount of money, I could go anywhere in the world,” Greg explained. “Anywhere except home.”

CMLC’s achievements in the Mills River area, including protecting drinking water, are furthered through the official incorporation of the Mills River Partnership (MRP) earlier this year. The MRP is a collaboration of many key stakeholders who share the goal of protecting and enhancing the water quality of the river that now serves as a source of drinking water for more than 90,000 residents of

Henderson and Buncombe counties.

Initially formed in the late 1990s as an informal partnership, the now incorporated MRP formally brings together representatives of local governments, conservation and water quality preservation organizations, and agricultural landowners who are working to promote and implement voluntary water quality conservation practices.

“CMLC has played a leading role in the Mills River Partnership at every stage, providing land conservation services as one important element of the long-term strategy to protect this vital water supply for the region,” according to executive director Kieran Roe. “Because it impacts so many people, protecting the Mills River will always remain one of our top priorities.”

On October 15, CMLC celebrated our conservation successes at Bearwallow Mountain, the opening of a hiking trail to its summit, and the many volunteers who made the trail possible with a mountaintop party. The leaves were colorful, the views were spectacular, and the sunset was breathtaking. Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the food, fun, and foliage and for supporting our work at Bearwallow Mountain!

CMLC would like to recognize the Carolina Mountain Club, Trail Dynamics, REI and the North Carolina BRIDGE crew for making the new hiking trail possible. We would also like to recognize the National Scenic Byways program, Conservation Trust for North Carolina,

Fred & Alice Stanback, Bill & Nancy Stanback, the Fernandez Pave the Way Foundation, and Buncombe County for their support of the permanent conservation and public access at beautiful Bearwallow Mountain.

Thank you to our event sponsors:Pisgah Brewing CompanyREI AshevilleBikewaysEverett FarmsHickory Nut Gap MeatsApple Wedge Packers & CiderHenderson County Community

Foundation

Thank you to CMLC volunteers for your hard work and to Sherri Lynn & the Mountain Friends Band for the great mountain music!

CMLC Oktoberfest celebrates new Bearwallow Mountain trail

Mills River: Protecting Drinking Water for Tens of Thousands

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Visiting Bill and Jerry McAninch’s home makes it easy to understand their commitment to conservation. When asked the most beautiful place he has ever been, Bill responded without hesitation: “Right here.” Between stories of 6,000 year old Native American artifacts and rusty moonshine stills, bird-seed pilfering black bears, and playful river otters, it’s easy to miss the quiet message the McAninchs’ have learned from their home: “We don’t really own this property,” Bill believes, “we are merely stewards of it.”

This land ethic spurred the McAninchs’ deep involvement with Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, initially through the effort to save Worlds Edge, a 1,586-acre project now part

of Chimney Rock State Park. Bill’s dedication to stewarding western North Carolina’s protected lands fuels his commitment to conservation volunteerism. Once Worlds Edge was protected, Bill

volunteered to monitor the property and soon got involved with our Stewardship Committee,

which he now chairs. As a Board Trustee, he has ensured that CMLC’s stewardship program is adequately supported. Bill also chairs the Risk

Management Committee and continues to serve as a volunteer easement monitor for CMLC as well as other local conservation organizations.

Jerry finds new and creative ways to volunteer her talents to CMLC events each year. She first got involved in planning the annual Conservation Celebration when she saw how much fun her friends had preparing for the event. In addition to hours spent planning and securing donations for the event, Jerry supports CMLC’s fundraising efforts through the donation of her handmade jewelry and unique experiences such as a geology hike in the Hickory Nut Gorge complimented by an exquisite home-cooked meal. Jerry especially enjoys seeing the culmination of her work through people having a good time at CMLC events. Jerry’s dedication to details played a tremendous role in the success of this year’s Celebration.

CMLC is truly fortunate to have such dedicated and passionate individuals supporting our work. In recognition of ten years of outstanding volunteerism to CMLC, we are honored to present Bill and Jerry McAninch with our Yellow Ladyslipper Award. Thank you, Bill and Jerry, for your tremendous service to CMLC and your dedication to protecting special places for future generations—and our heartfelt congratulations on the upcoming celebration of your 50th wedding anniversary.

Contact Mark van der Linden at 828-697-5777 ext. 211 or mark@carolinamountain.org to learn about current volunteer opportunities.

OUR YELLOW LADY SLIPPER VOLUNTEERS

Bill & Jerry McAninch

We are excited to welcome two new members to our staff. Nancy Marshall, our new Finance Director, brings more than 19 years of experience in accounting and financial management to her role at CMLC. She has a B. S. in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University and is currently pursuing her MBA. Nancy and her husband, Keith, live in Forest City, and enjoy camping, hiking, cooking and gardening. They are passionate about protecting our natural environment and preserving our mountains’ heritage.

Peter Barr joins CMLC as Trails & Outreach Coordinator as well as AmeriCorps Project Conserve Program Coordinator. Peter came to CMLC in 2010 as the AmeriCorps Landowner

Information Associate. He attended UNC-Chapel Hill and has authored the book Hiking North Carolina’s Lookout Towers. Peter completed a thru-hike of the 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail just prior to joining CMLC last year. He is excited to realize his dream of a career protecting western North Carolina’s mountains. Peter and his wife, Allison, live in Hendersonville.

We also are especially delighted to welcome a new member to the CMLC family. Aimee McGinley, CMLC Membership & Development Coordinator, and husband Aaron, celebrated the birth of Kathleen Alana McGinley on October 14! Congratulations Aimee & Aaron, and welcome, Kathleen!

CMLC Welcomes New Staff & Family

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Bring a New Member to CMLC and Receive a $20 Gift Card from Diamond Brand Outdoors!

As a valued member, we are proud to offer a special gift to any new member you bring to CMLC.

Our longstanding premiere business sponsor, Diamond Brand Outdoors, will award a $20 gift card to you and the friend, relative or colleague that becomes a new supporter of our cause at the $50 level.

Our membership has been steadily growing in the last two years and we are grateful for the continued generosity, yet we strive to be a true reflection of the pride and love residents have for these beautiful mountains.

HELP US TO GROW OUR

MEMBERSHIP AND ENJOY

THE REWARDS!

Simply ask the new member to make a note of your name on either the remittance envelope or by contacting Aimee McGinley (outreach@carolinamountain.org or 828-697-5777).

O U T D O O R S

D I A M O N D B R A N D

Yes! I want to help save our Carolina mountains!¢ New Member ¢ Renewal ¢ Contribution

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

PHONE

EMAIL

GIVING LEVEL

¢ $35 ¢ $50 ¢ $100 ¢ $250 ¢ Other $_______

Donate online! carolinamountain.org

¢ Enclosed is my check payable to CMLC

¢ Please bill my credit card

n n n AmEx n

NAME ON CARD

CARD #

EXPIRATION

Contributions to CMLC are tax-deductible.

I want to learn more about how I can support Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy. Please send more information about:¢ Volunteering ¢ Conservation Easements ¢ Land Donations ¢ Bequests ¢ Life Estates ¢ In-Kind Contributions

Thank you for saving the places you love!Please return this form and payment to: 847 Case Street | Hendersonville NC 28792 or fax to (828) 697-2602

New AmeriCorps Project Conserve Members at CMLCCMLC is excited to welcome one returning and three new AmeriCorps Project Conserve members dedicated to our mission of saving the places you love. Chet Howland, returning Outreach Associate, attended Davidson College and worked as the Field Coordinator for the Obama for America campaign prior to joining CMLC. An avid runner, he coaches the Asheville High Track and Cross Country teams. “I am looking forward to taking on increased responsibility and having the chance to make programmatic decisions in my second year at CMLC.

Laura Bochner, our new Stewardship Associate, hails from eastern Pennsylvania and attended Lafayette College. Prior to CMLC, she interned with the Bureau of Land Management in New Mexico through GeoCorps and with the land stewardship program at Brandywine Conservancy. “It’s thrilling to be surrounded by CMLC’s staff, board, and volunteers who have such tangible passion for protecting land and wildlife.”

Laura Stroud, CMLC’s new Land Protection Associate, grew up in Jacksonville, NC and attended UNC-Chapel Hill. Following college, she interned at the Triangle Land Conservancy in Raleigh. “I am excited to be living and working in the mountains of North Carolina with an organization that protects such a beautiful region of my home state.”

Mark van der Linden, the new Volunteer Program Associate, comes to CMLC from the Midwest. He attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His experiences at an Oneonta Native American historical site in northwest Iowa spurred him to become involved in conservation. “I feel that I’m actively making a difference in protecting the beautiful landscape of our area. The opportunity to learn about so many different aspects of land conservation is highly rewarding.”

Give the gift of conservation this holiday season! Or consider a year-end tax deductible contribution to CMLC. Donate, become a member, or get a gift membership using the form below:

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847 CASE STREETHENDERSONVILLE NC 28792www.carolinamountain.org

US POSTAGENON PROFIT

PAIDHENDERSONVILLE, NC

PERMIT NO. 713

Take the CMLC Hiking Challenge!Support land conservation by hikingGet out and see what we protect, where we protect it, and why we protect it.

Complete 8 hikes to earn the white squirrel patch and a $20 gift certificate for free hiking gear at Mast General Store!

www.carolinamountain.org/hikingchallenge

Congratulations to the following completers of the Hiking Challenge through October:

Douglas & Susan AgorPeter & Allison Barr

Ken BorgfeldtStephanie Brown

Joy CharlesboisSean Cobourn

Emily CobournSarah CobournJulie GayheartAlan GrahamSawako JagerGwen Kuhns

Chris McDonnellJeffrey RinehartRebekah RobinsonJan TenderholtJohn & Ginny WoodhamJack Fitzgerald

See more hike photos and share your own at Facebook.com/hikeCMLC