The Tri-County Traverse

The Merschat hike group enjoyed clear views from the corner where Buncombe, Madison, and Yancey counties meet.

Trekking up Maney Fields.

You would think that crossing three counties in one day would be an impossible task. Nay, with this grizzled group of veteran hikers, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) and land owners Carl and Holley Merschat were able to summit the top of Maney Fields where Buncombe, Madison, and Yancey Counties converge. Despite only having to hike 1.5 miles to the top, the group gained over 1,200 feet of elevation, climbed through cattle gates, and avoided high voltage fences. Truly, a successful day!

The family grows Shitake mushrooms on the property.

For over thirty years, Carl and Holley Merschat have lived in their home tucked away in Barnardsville, NC. There, they raised two kids, and gradually buffered their home with additional land to explore and enjoy. They bought their house in 1974 and the next year bought 58 more acres. Over the next 30 years, the Mershats were able to tack on an additional 60 acres. They heat their home every winter from the wood on their property, grow Shiitake mushrooms, and continue to cultivate a strong relationship with their land.

So earlier this fall, when they were able to put their land under conservation easement it, “It just felt right,” says Carl Mershat. “We are pleased and proud to protect this property and help maintain the integrity and spectacular beauty of the mountains of Western North Carolina for perpetuity.”

Carl pointing out peaks towards Tennessee.

Carl, a retired geologist, knows these mountains like the back of his hand and can easily identify several of the prominent peaks of the Blue Ridge landscape, such as Mount Mitchell, Mount Pisgah, Roan, or Grandfather mountain. When the group made it to the top of Maney Fields, everyone was impressed when Carl pointed and named every mountain top on the horizon, including some recently protected SAHC projects such as Snowball Mountain and Spear Tops. Carol hiked 100s of peaks in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee as a geologist, giving him a unique opportunity to memorize the landscape.

The group enjoyed lunch on a beautiful December day.

After the group’s mountain peak identification skills increased tenfold, everyone enjoyed a picnic lunch on top of the meadows and a visit from a local four-legged friend named “Little Dog.” It was a beautiful December day for a hike! The Merschats were wonderful hosts and the hikers were keen and excited to learn. Thanks to everyone who came out. Stay warm and keep an eye for a hike or two in January or February.

Caught in a Webb (Property)

The last post in this sizzling-hot blog was a saga of swashbuckling adventure, a daring tale of trials and tribulations overcome, AND a story about a bunch of hikers just living the dream in western North Carolina. The hike at the Webb’s property was quite different–it still included a lot of dream living but much less of those pesky yellow jackets.

If you like hiking, beautiful landscapes, and a little southern hospitality, then you probably should have joined Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) for an adventure to the Webb property a few Saturdays ago. Laura Webb and family generously opened the doors to their property and hosted an incredible hike and picnic for SAHC and members.

A view from the Webb’s porch

The Webb property is nestled deep in Jackson County, where it boasts a lake for fishing, untouched views from Laura’s Rock, and a secluded feel that gives visitors the thrilling sensation that they are truly “in the wild.” Originally (and still) used as a fishing cabin for family and friends of the Webbs, the 615-acre property protects a pristine lake and creeks that flow into the nearby Tuckaseegee River. Parts of the property sky to almost 4,500 feet high and afford hikers with breathtaking views of the valley below.

Part of the group enjoying a view from Laura’s Rock

Hikers were greeted at the fishing cabin with a crackling fire and warm beverages to drink. After learning about the rigors of successfully completing a conservation easement from Laura, the group pushed on from the warmth of the cabin and began the journey to hike the property’s extensive network of trails. After a 30 minute warm up over flat acidic cove forest, the hike quickly ramped up in difficulty as participants began the arduous ascent up to the Webb’s house near the top of the mountain. There, everyone was rewarded with a view from the porch and stories about the Webb’s land. Laura’s Rock lay ahead, so the group kept moving.

With a gentle saunter up to Laura’s Rock, the group took photos of the flaming Fall foliage and caught some rejuvenating rays of sunlight. You could hear everyone’s stomach rumbling from a mile away; so, not wanting anyone to perish from hunger, we decided to head towards the lush spread of food at the base of the lake. The picnic baskets were full, the company was DELIGHTFUL, and the weather outside was certainly not frightful. It was a great day playing in the web of the Webb property. Thanks to everyone that came out and a special thanks to the Webb family for graciously sharing their land.

Folks enjoying the picnic

Rockin’ at Rocky Fork with Mars Hill College

Mars Hill College students and faculty with David Ramsey (Back Row: 2nd to the right)

On Sunday, Septemeber 9th, David Ramsey led Mars Hill College 17 faculty and students on a hike to the protected 10,000-acre ecological treasure, known as Rocky Fork. It was the perfect day for some learning, hiking, and fishing.

Ramsey has been leading hikes for politicians, concerned citizens, and anyone else interested in protecting Rocky Fork’s vulnerable land since the mid-nineties, so when Karen Paar, director of The Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies at Mars Hill College, approached Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) about leading a hike with her department for this fall, SAHC suggested David Ramsey.

David Ramsey leads the group to the battleground of Flint Creek

In the lead up to Ramsey’s field trip to Rocky Fork, The Center for Regional Studies hosted several events that focus on the theme, “Where There Are Mountains.”

“We adopted it as a theme for our last academic year continuing into this fall as a way to address a range of issues facing this region, as well as the physical realities of this landscape and the meanings that humans place on mountains,” says Professor Paar.

As part of this series and to get people excited about Rocky Fork, Paar asked, SAHC Board of Trustees member and author of “Stand up that Mountain,” Jay Leutze, to speak about Rocky Fork and the process of “Protecting Southern Appalachian Biodiversity – and Scenery – One Acre at a Time” on Tuesday, Sept. 4th. As always, Leutze made Rocky Fork come to life for his audience and paved the way for an exciting hike the following weekend with David Ramsey.

It was another beautiful day for a hike as cool winds from the Saturday before had pushed a refreshing and crisp Fall feel into the air. Hikers enjoyed a softer summer light that crept through the trees as the group made their way through just a small part of the 10,000 acre tract. Along the way, Ramsey shared childhood stories or romping through Rocky Fork’s woods, explained how much time, energy, and effort different individuals and organizations poured into protecting Rocky Fork, and even demonstrated the purity of Rocky Fork’s waters by catching a rainbow trout on his fly rod.

This rainbow trout was caught in the pristine waters of Rocky Fork

If you like a good conservation success story, it is imperative to come out and personally hear the gripping tale from David Ramsey. His eloquence and passion pervade every aspect of the hike, whether it is the account of Rocky Fork slipping through the grasp of conservation’s hands three separate times before finally being protected for a pricey forty million dollars; or walking through the hallowed ground where the Battle of Flint Creek took place nearly 223 years ago and where nearly 150 Cherokee lost their lives from John Sevier’s surprise ambush; or maybe it was seeing Rocky Fork’s pristine waters that are home to native brookies and wild rainbow trout. Ramsey painted a compelling picture. The whole crowd was convinced — Rocky Fork is worth every penny of that forty million.

Foraging for Mushrooms

Charlotte Caplan identifies the mushroom as participants listen.

It was the perfect storm for finding mushrooms last weekend in gorgeous Yancey County. In recent days, thunderstorms had soaked the ground, paving the way for an explosion of boletes, chanterelles, little brown mushrooms, and many others.

On July 22nd, SAHC & guests were led on an intriguing excursion by Asheville myco-hunter and expert, Charlotte Caplan. Everyone learned some tricks of the trade when identifying these mysterious fungi. The common question was, “How do you know if a mushroom is edible or not?”

“There is only one way to know if its edible or not – and that is to eat it,” joked Caplan. We all leaned in closer to hear more. From her basket, Charlotte pulled out a small white and harmless-looking mushroom with gills — A destroying angel. The name says it all; just one small bite is deadly enough to shut down a person’s liver and kidneys. What a comforting lesson to start the hike!

We dispersed along the edge of the forest to forage for some ‘shrooms, and within minutes everyone was filling baskets with russulas, boletes, puffballs, and morels galore. Caplan explained that identifying mushrooms is a challenging task, and even the most experienced mycologist cannot identify every mushroom.

Caplan holds a Jack O’Lantern Mushroom, which glows faintly in the dark

Smell is one of the primary methods in the identification process for some mushrooms. Many have a signature fragrance. Some smell sweet when they are young, and as they mature the odor becomes fishy. Others have that fresh, dirt-like smell.

Our adventurous scavengers found the bioluminescant Jack o’lantern mushroom, chanterelles, umbrella mushrooms, and many more. For lunch, everyone took their spoils to the top of the property and enjoyed beautiful views of Mt. Mitchell, Cattail Peak, Winter Star, and Celo Knob. Storms looked eminent in the distance, juxtaposed beautifully next to the sunlit mountains to the west of the property. Caplan searched each basket to ensure that there were not any deadly mushrooms, and then folks hopped into cars to escape in the incoming storms.

The mushroom hike was such a fruitful experience that Caplan offered to lead another expedition sometime in the near future. If you missed this hike, please check out www.appalachian.org to find other SAHC hikes and events, and we’ll see you next time!

Baa-tany Goat Project another Success!

27 Goats and two Great Pyrenees waiting to head up to Jane Bald

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC), Friends of Roan Mountain, and the Chargers hiking club had a terrific day herding goats up to Jane Bald in the Highlands of Roan for the 5th Annual Herding of the Goats for the Baa-tany Goat Project. Todd Eastin, who watches the goats for the majority of the year, led the charge and got 27 goats, two Great Pyrenees, and about forty people to the paddock on Jane Bald.

The rooster still had not crowed when participants arrived at Carvers Gap and although it was early, everyone was ready to lend a hand to get the goats to their new home for the summer atop Jane Bald. Todd gave the group a tactical breakdown of how to herd the goats up the mountain and after a safety briefing from Jamey Donaldson, the primary Botanist and Coordinator of the project,  everyone was ready to go. The first goats out of the trailer were a three day old baby and her mama. One of our volunteers, six year old Sophia, had the task of carrying the baby goat all the way to Jane Bald. Hiking up Round Bald and Jane Bald empty-handed is hard enough so everyone was impressed with Sophia’s resolve.

Toad Eastin with Sophia and a baby goat in her arms get ready to head up the mountain.

There were several hiccups along the way as three of the more strong-willed-goats escaped the clutches of the volunteer herders. One of the those goats was recaptured while the other two remained at large for the next two days. Fortunately, goats #215 and #709 wandered back up  to the paddock several days later and now the herd is safe and happily munching on blackberry.

Every June and September, SAHC participates in the Baa-tany Goat Project. As an avid reader of this blog, you might ask, “why would a land trust tend the field and shepherd a herd of goats?” The answer is surprisingly simple. The Highlands of Roan, SAHC’s flagship focus area, is one of the highest summits in the Appalachian Mountain range. Roan Mountain is unsurpassed in the south for the diversity of “northern” plant and animal species, remnants of the last Ice Age which have persisted in its cool high elevation climate. Thus, the purpose of the project is to restore the grassy ridge corridors using goats as an experimental management tool.

If you are interested in finding out more about the project or participating with SAHC next time, we will be helping Todd and Jamey bring the goats down from Jane Bald sometime in September.

Little Hump Partnership Hike

Sunday, May 20th, was a beautiful day for a hike in the Highlands of Roan. Thirty six ambitious hikers joined Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC), Highland Brewing Company, and US Fish and Wildlife Service for a full day of hiking.

Heading up the Trail

Hikers started their journey along Roaring Creek down in the valley below Little Hump by hoping onto the Overmountain Victory Trail. This was a good warm-up for everyone as we gradually ascended to connect with  the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail traverses 17 miles in the Highlands of Roan and provides some of the most spectacular views in the Southern Appalachians. The grade of the trail became immensely more difficult as the group set their sights on summiting Little Hump Mountain. A little ways up, hikers took a break to look back down into the valley and admire the iconic Overmountain Shelter.

Almost 1,500 feet later, the crew made it to the top where everyone enjoyed breathtaking views and good company. The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and Highland Brewing Company became partners in 2010 to raise awareness of the importance of land protection in our region. To do that, Highland Brewing Company names their seasonal ales after protected peaks in the region. Little Hump Mountain was the inspiration for their spring seasonal.

Group Shot on Little Hump

Climbing on the rocks on Little Hump

On top of Little Hump, the Ridge and Valley Province lies to your west in Tennessee and the renowned peaks of Grandfather Mountain, Table Rock, and Linville Gorge rise to the east in North Carolina. Depending on the season, you could have  bluets at your feet and flame azaleas in your line of vision as you look out across the mountains. Much of the panoramic viewshed from around Little Hump is untouched by houses or developments and perhaps the best part is that you can enjoy these views for free anytime of the year.

50,000 Acres — For You, Forever!

We had a phenomenal time at our member event last week at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, NC! On Thursday May 17, we celebrated our 50,000 acre milestone with members, volunteers, sponsors, and guests.

The energetic April Fools Old Time Band (out of Moore County, NC) took the stage at 6:00 p.m., as the Tasting Room began to fill with celebrants.  Nona Mia Ritrovo provided an exceptional spread for dinner, and exciting raffle items filled the foyer of Highland Brewing Company’s Tasting Room.

During the evening program, Executive Director Carl Silverstein presented a brief recap of the 2011 projects which pushed us over the 50,000 acres protected milestone. He also addressed the question “What does it take to protect 50,000 acres?” The answer — Determined volunteers, members, staff, trustees, conservation partners, and supporters!

Carl and Jeanette Blazier, President of the Board of Trustees, presented the 2012 Stan Murray Volunteer of the Year Award to four Warren Wilson Forestry Students: Nick Biemiller, Kira Santulli,  Sarah Jamison, and Rhys Brydon-Williams.

Nick, Kira, Sarah, and Rhys provided extraordinary help to SAHC in our initiative to restore Golden-winged warbler habitat on Little Hump Mountain in the Highlands of Roan. This is a major restoration project of SAHC to increase early successional habitat on Little Hump, funded by a grant from the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Nick, Kira, Sarah, and Rhys hiked several miles with their own heavy equipment and offered their forestry skills to further our conservation efforts on the mountain. Their volunteer hours leveraged our paid grant work, allowing us to further increase the amount of early successional habitat on Little Hump mountain.

This project solidified an enduring partnership between SAHC and Warren Wilson Forestry department. The school naturally attracts dedicated individuals with an enthusiasm for environmental stewardship. SAHC hopes to continue this wonderful partnership for years to come.

Jeanette also recognized the inspiring achievements of retiring trustee Jay Leutze and presented him with an engraved award for his service.

Jay grew up hiking, camping, and exploring the Southern Appalachians.  He deeply loves these mountains, and revels in their fragile wonder.  He is driven to ensure that their ecology will remain intact for the future.

In 2008, Jay helped pass state legislation authorizing the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area adjacent to the Highlands of Roan. Since then, he has led the protection of more than 1,500 acres of critically important high elevation habitat there, with a long-term goal is to protect 30,000 more acres. He also stopped the proposed Putnam Mine, which would have devastated views from the Appalachian Trail in the Highlands of Roan.

Jay played a crucial role in protecting the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork tract along the Appalachian Trail in East Tennessee. He worked tirelessly with SAHC’s partners to secure the property, and he has been a trusted advocate in Congress for funds to help pay for the tract being added to the Cherokee National Forest for present and future generations to visit and enjoy. As a constant and heroic advocate for conservation, Jay testified on Capitol Hill in support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.  His constant presence and vigilance in Washington, DC has advanced conservation locally as well as nationally.

Patty Cunningham-Woolf and Greg Gregory were elected each to a first 3-year term on the Board of Trustees, and Leslie Casse and Florence Krupnick will return to each serve a second 3-year term with the Board.

Patty Cunningham-Woolf
Patty is a REALTOR with Keller Williams Professionals in Asheville. Her summers were spent backpacking and camping in the Smokies and surrounding mountains, where she developed her deep love of the area’s natural resources.  Patty is a long time member of SAHC, the Blue Ridge Society, and The American Chestnut Foundation. While a Director for the Asheville Board of REALTORS, Patty helped to create an Eco designation for area brokers, a first of its kind in the U.S. She is a 12-year resident of Asheville with her husband, Ben, son Joseph, and daughter Katie.

Lyman J. (“Greg”) Gregory, III
Greg is an attorney with the Asheville firm of Marshall, Roth, and Gregory. He is a native of Asheville and actively volunteers in numerous community activities, focusing in particular on land use planning and environmental law. He has served on the SAHC Land Management and Stewardship Committee for several years, and has advised SAHC on legal questions relating to conservation easements and other matters. Greg, his wife Michele and their son Gabriel enjoy hiking in North Carolina’s mountains.

Leslie Casse
Leslie has brought her broad professional background in public relations, marketing, journalism, law, and public policy to SAHC’s Membership Development and Communications programs. She has a longstanding love of Roan and other special places in the Southern Appalachians. She, her husband Daniel and their two children live in Asheville. Leslie’s father Charlie McCullough is a past President of the SAHC Board of Trustees.

Florence Krupnick
Florence is active on the SAHC Membership Committee and has hosted cultivation events on behalf of SAHC. She is active in a number of causes on behalf of outdoor recreation, the environment, and children. She, her husband Jack and their children live in Asheville. Florence has worked hard on behalf of the Blue Ridge Society, a philanthropic giving society that benefits SAHC and CTNC.

We had a wonderful celebratory party with our members & guests. Thank you for joining us! We also want to extend an enormous THANK YOU to all our event sponsors and raffle item donors!

Highland Brewing Company Roberts & Stevens, PA Webb Investment Services White Oak Financial Management Nature’s Knots Custom Furniture USA Raft Molly Dingledine Jewelry Eberhard & Jean Heide Carolyn Novak Sandy Mush Herb Nursery Carolina Native Nursery The Frame & Mirror Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Nona Mia/Ritrovo Shoji Spa & Lodge Grove Arcade Navitat Canopy Adventures Henco Reprographics Biltmore Company The Silver Smith Thyme in the Garden Batton Clayworks The Weinhaus Advantage Printing Sundance Farms Outdoor Bird Company Omnium Body WorksA

Altamont Environmental, Inc. Second Gear Green River Woods Mahoney’s Outfitters TheFoundling.com Common Ground Distributors, Inc One Center Yoga Ken Maness David A. Ramsey, Nature Photography Reems Creek Nursery Linville River Pottery Black Dome Mountain Sports

 

Jammin’ at the Gott Farm

Gott Farm with White Rocks and Camp Creek Bald in the distant background

Last Thursday, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) staff members enjoyed another sensational day at Peter and Polly Gott’s idyllic farm. Tucked away deep in Madison County, the 218-acre Gott Farm is surrounded by Pisgah National Forest on two sides, there are abundant springs, wet coves full of wild edibles, viable soil for farming, and breathtaking views. Their farm is truly an ecological gem.

Peter and Polly Gott with dog Katie

Our visit started out with a tour of the Gott’s log cabin, which Peter meticulously made using hand tools and historic methods. The precision and perfection of Peter’s craftsmanship was exhibited in every other building on their property as well. Peter’s tools were impeccably organized and the woodsheds were stacked so systematically, you would think the logs were books in a library. After a tour of Polly’s old art studio (which Peter also made) and their sauna by the river, the staff headed to the top of their property to enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking White Rocks and iconic Camp Creek Bald.

The real fun began after lunch when the instruments were pulled out for some old-fashioned music making. Peter led the charge on his banjo, while SAHC’s Emily Bidgood and Margot Wallston piped in on the fiddle, Jamie Ervin played the guitar, and Hanni Muerdter strummed on the mandolin. Peter’s daughter and grandsons brought it altogether with a rendition of “Bury me Beneath the Willow.” The celebration culminated with SAHC staff dancing their socks off. Peter called each dance and his daughter Susie played on the fiddle. It was a grand ol’ time.

Peter and SAHC crew playing some tunes

Visiting the Gott Farm has become a tradition that all the staff look forward to every year. When the trees start blooming and the flowers are out, everyone knows it is time to visit the property again. “Peter and Polly are two of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. Their generosity towards others and love for their land is pervasive in everything that they do.” Said SAHC Membership Director, Cheryl Fowler.

“It was also nice for our staff to see and experience the fruits of our labor firsthand. Because we do much of our work sitting in front of desks everyday, it’s easy to sometimes lose track of the bigger picture and forget why we protect these pieces of land.”  Said SAHC executive director, Carl Silverstein. “After a trip like today, it reaffirms for SAHC staff on a personal level, why we continue to protect land that has so much conservation and sentimental value.”

The Plateau

On December 28, SAHC recorded a conservation easement on 112 acres of land in Madison County, near the Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests.

“The Plateau is remarkable because it fills an immensely significant gap between the Cherokee National Forest and the Pisgah National Forest. One of our primary focuses is to protect land adjacent to State and National Forests; thus, to secure a tract of land that bridges two National Forests is a spectacular accomplishment,” said Carl Silverstein, SAHC Executive Director.

As another SAHC-held conservation easement that is highly visible to the public, the Plateau project helps secure the scenic landscape for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, visitors, and residents of Western North Carolina. The Plateau property can be seen from the French Broad River, Appalachian Trail, and the Dixie Highway.

View of the French Broad River

The Plateau also lays in close proximity to five Natural Heritage Areas: Lower French Broad Aquatic Habitat, Paint Rock Road Natural Area, Davis Branch Floodpain, Mine Ridge, and Murray Branch Slopes.

With approximately 17,610 feet of streams on the property, the conservation easement will positively affect water quality of the Lower French Broad River.

SAHC protects additional land adjoining the Sandy Mush Game Lands

Land adjacent to the Sandy Mush Game Lands in northern Buncombe County has been donated to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. The newly donated 88-acre tract of land will connect the Sandy Mush Game Lands on two different sides.

This property bridges the gap between major portions of state-owned game lands, which are managed by the Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC).

“SAHC has played a role as a major partner in the protection of the Sandy Mush Game Lands,” said Carl Silverstein, SAHC’s Executive Director. “This property will protect a corridor for wildlife in the largest contiguous network of protected lands in this portion of northern Buncombe County. We are so pleased we were able to continue our work in preserving this area.”

The state holds a conservation easement on the donated property. The land will be enjoyed for birding and hunting in the future.

“It is always encouraging to protect land that benefits the public,” said SAHC’s Land Protection Director, Michelle Pugliese. SAHC hopes to utilize this protected property this Spring or Summer with a creek walk or hike along one of the streams.