SAHC - What We Do
What Is A Land Trust?
Land Trusts are local, regional, or statewide nonprofit conservation organizations directly involved in helping protect natural, scenic, recreational, agricultural, historic, or cultural land. They work to preserve open land that is important to the communities and regions where they operate. Land trusts now operate in every state in the nation protecting land of local, regional, and national importance.
For additional information about how SAHC protects the Southern Appalachian Highlands, please browse the following links:
- Conservation Methods;
- Areas of Conservation Priorities;
- and read about a real success story.
The Conservancy’s Land Protection Involves:
- Working with landowners to determine the best conservation outcomes to meet their needs.
- Encouraging the use of conservation easements and other non-regulatory land conservation methods.
- Building partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, and regional private and non-profit organizations to facilitate land conservation in the region.
- Engaging local communities in land conservation.
The Highlands of Roan, an area of remarkable scenic majesty, biological diversity, and historic significance, is the Conservancy’s flagship focus area. Writer Hiram Rogers recognized the Conservancy's accomplishments in preserving the Roan in the Appalachian Trailway News:
"Walk the 18 miles of the Appalachian Trail over Roan Mountain today and you’ll discover hundreds of acres of protected, high-elevation grassy balds. You’ll experience a precious ecosystem, home to numerous rare plants and animal species, including the renowned Gray’s lily.
Visit in June to enjoy the famous bloom of Catawba rhododendron and flame azalea. Any time of year, the views from the mountain are fantastic, stretching north to the Mt. Rogers area, east to North Carolina’s Black Mountains, and south toward the Smokies...
Were it not for the efforts of SAHC, the Roan Highlands today could be a mix of nearly reforested balds, forests at risk of logging, second-home developments, and ski areas, with the Appalachian Trail only a thin thread connecting them."
