Upcoming Events
Land Trust Day
Businesses Partner to support
Land & Water Conservation
Date: Saturday, June 1
On Land Trust Day (Saturday, June 1), local businesses join us in recognizing the importance of land and water conservation. Why? The natural assets we work to protect are a major economic driver, making this region an international destination for hiking, biking, camping, boating, fishing, and hunting. Our work also helps farmers preserve their farmland, so they can continue to produce locally grown food. On Land Trust Day, local businesses celebrate and support conservation through promotional partnership, placing information in stores/restaurants and donating a percentage of the day’s sales to SAHC.
Participating Businesses:
| Mast General Store (Asheville & Waynesville locations) |
Blue Spiral 1 Gallery | New Morning Gallery |
| Bellagio Art to Wear | Bellagio Everyday | Fine Arts Theatre |
| Navitat Canopy Adventures | Second Gear (Downtown & West Asheville stores) |
The Laughing Seed |
| Jack of the Wood | Early Girl Eatery | The Weinhaus |
This year, we are once again working with the Project POWER after school program to decorate Land Trust Day posters. Project POWER, which stands for Putting Opportunity Within Everyone’s Reach, is a local program of AmeriCorps and Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County.
We’d love for you and/or your business to join us for Land Trust Day! For more information, contact Cheryl Fowler, at 828.253.0095 ext. 209 or cheryl@appalachian.org.
Volunteers Needed!
We are in need of a few good SAHC Volunteers on Land Trust Day, Saturday, June 1 at Mast General Store's Waynesville and Asheville locations. In Waynesville, we need volunteers for two to three hour shifts starting at 11:00 a.m. and throughout the day until 5:00 p.m. In Asheville, we need volunteers for two to three hour shifts starting at 10:00 a.m. and throughout the day until 6:00 p.m.
There will be a table set up at the front of each store full of information about SAHC. Volunteers will be responsible for talking with interested parties about the work of SAHC. Donations and memberships may be taken.
Contact me if you're interested in helping out at cheryl@appalachian.org or by calling 828-253-0095, ext. 209.
June Jamboree
Hikes & Adventures in the Highlands of Roan
Date: Saturday, June 22
Time: 7:30 am (start times vary, see descriptions for details)
Where: Highlands of Roan, near TN/NC border
Social & Presentation
Time: 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm (following hikes)
Where: Roan Mountain State Park, recreation/conference center
Click here to register online for the June Jamboree!
Roan Mountain State Park in the Bold, Breathtaking, & Bald Highlands of Roan is our headquarters again this year for the June Jamboree on Saturday, June 22. We will offer a wonderful array of choices for hikes on the Roan Massif, one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. Each hike will have its own departure location and time (see below for details). You will receive directions to the departure location and carpool information upon registration. Following your hike, enjoy a cold beverage while sharing stories at Roan Mountain State Park.
Be sure to bring: sturdy hiking shoes, camera, walking stick, water, lunch, sunscreen, binoculars, and appropriate clothing for your hike. The weather may be sunny, rainy, windy or cool. Hikes are rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most difficult. Plan early to join us for a full day of high adventure, hiking & fun with friends in conservation!
Hike #1 – Bring it to the Balds -
The Triple B Challenge
Leader: Tom Gatti, SAHC’s first Seasonal Ecologist
Start time: 7:30 a.m. Difficulty: 10+ Most Difficult
Departure Location: Carver’s Gap to 19 E
Are you Bold enough to hike the Breathtaking
grassy Balds of the Roan Highlands?
Take the Triple B Challenge in 2013: join us in traversing 17 miles across the longest contiguous stretch of grassy balds in the world. The Highlands of Roan is our flagship focus area; we’ve protected over 19,000 acres of globally significant, rare habitat and incredible views here – and we want to show it off! We’ll offer special rewards for those who successfully complete the Triple B Challenge. We will post the names of Triple B Challenge hikers, along with their stories and pictures, on our website and blog. Those who complete the Triple B on June 22 during the June Jamboree will get a free Triple B T-shirt, as well as a new or renewing membership to SAHC.
It’s perhaps the most challenging, but also most rewarding, hike that we have ever offered. Hikers will tackle all 17 miles of the Appalachian Trail that stretch across the Highlands of Roan. Along the way, enjoy many of the same sites that can be seen from the Grassy Ridge Hike, but the group will also see the iconic Overmountain Shelter, views from Hump and Little Hump Mountains, and seize chance to complete the “Triple B Challenge” in one go. (Contact Rich Preyer at 828-253-0095 ext. 205 for more details about the Challenge!)
Hike #2 – Carver's Gap to Grassy Ridge
Leader: David Smith, former SAHC Trustee
& Seasonal Ecologist
Start time: 9:00 a.m. Difficulty: 7.5
Departure Location: Carvers Gap Parking Lot
This classic hike is an adventure through the highest elevation Roan Balds, which are considered among the most spectacular scenery along the entire Appalachian Trail. Grassy Ridge, elevation 6,189 feet, is the highest point near the AT with a natural unobstructed 360 degree view and offers so much more with rhododendron, flame azalea, patches of spruce fir forest, and rare plants such as Gray’s lily and Roan Mountain bluets. Those wishing an easier hike can enjoy the flowers and expansive views from Round Bald or Jane Bald instead of going all the way to Grassy Ridge.
Hike #3 – Yoga on the Mountain
Leader: Kim Drye of Lighten Up Yoga and
Michelle Pugliese, SAHC Land Protection Director
Start time: 10:00 a.m. Difficulty: 4
Departure Location: National Trails Tract Entrance/Roaring Creek Road
Lay your yoga mat in the open, tucked within the stunning landscape of the Highlands of Roan. Prepare to move into your exalted warrior or tree pose while feeling the sun warm your skin and the high elevation breezes simultaneously cool you. SAHC Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese will lead you on an easy to moderate hike through our protected National Trails Tract in the Roaring Creek Valley, along pristine streams and critical bird habitat, to the Pisgah National Forest for a gentle yoga practice. The meadow lies below the Appalachian Trail and Yellow Mountain, overlooking one of our most cherished conservation focus areas. After the yoga practice, we will walk the short gravel road that is the route of the Overmountain Victory Trail back to our cars. We also have the option of visiting nearby Elk Hollow Creek waterfall after the Yoga session. Namaste.
Hike #4 – One Bird, Two Bird, Red Bird, Blue Bird —
How Biologists Monitor Bird Populations in the Field
Leader: Chris Coxen, SAHC’s Field Ecologist
Start time: 8:00 a.m. Difficulty: 4.1
Departure Location: Roaring Creek Road
Join Field Ecologist Chris Coxen on a trip to Golden-Winged warbler habitat sites, where participants will conduct avian point count surveys. By estimating the density of different species of birds in one area, point counts are one tool biologists use to measure bird response after habitat management. The group will explore sites in various stages of regeneration to see what birds are utilizing these sites. Previous experience with avian surveys is not required. Participants will be taught a basic point count survey protocol before hiking. A brief list of common birds we may see/hear: Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Towhee, Least Flycatcher, Field Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Vesper Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Wood Thrush, Hooded Warbler, and the Common Yellowthroat.
Hike #5 – Roll & Stroll at the Rhododendron Gardens
Leader: Mary Fanslow, former SAHC Trustee
Start time: 10:00 a.m. Difficulty: 2
Departure Location: Roan High Bluff Parking lot
The Rhododendron Gardens on top of Roan will be blazing with color this time of year. Former SAHC Trustee, Mary Fanslow, will take hikers along gentle terrain with stunning views of the Roan landscape. On this leisurely stroll hikers will learn about SAHC’s newest land protection projects including several tracts in the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area like the Justice Creek property on Spear Tops and Hawk Mountain Farm. This hike is designed to give people of all hiking abilities the opportunity to get outside and enjoy some of the property that SAHC has diligently protected over the last four decades.
* * This trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. **
Hike #6 – Kids’ Day in the Creek
Leader: Rich Preyer, SAHC Americorps Outreach Associate
Start time: 10:00 a.m. Difficulty: 3
Departure Location: National Trails Tract Entrance/
Roaring Creek Road
Bring your kids to play in the creek on SAHC’s beautiful National Trails Tract. This shorter hike is designed to get kids outdoors and explore some of the beautiful water protected by SAHC. Kids will learn about some basic stream ecology, look for crayfish and salamanders, and potentially see some native brook trout. Kids are welcome to bring fishnets, buckets, or other toys to play with in the creek. This hike is for kids 7 and older. Parents are welcome to participate as well. Please bring water appropriate clothing & shoes, plus day hike clothing & shoes.
Don't forget to register for the June Jamboree! Use our online form here.
