Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

2024 Land Trust Day
2024-06-01
On Land Trust Day – this year Saturday, June 1 – local businesses pledge to donate a portion of sales to support Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s ongoing land and water conservation efforts.
Land Trust Day coincides with National Trails Day and is celebrated each year on the first Saturday of June to recognize the accomplishments of land trusts in our region. Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy works with partners in the U.S. Forest Service and national park system to protect land for public enjoyment along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, trails accessible off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and many more. We preserve large viewsheds enjoyed by visitors to public lands and trails in the mountains of NC and TN, as well as local farms that support the farm-to-table sector of our regional economy. Land Trust Day is an opportunity for local businesses to recognize the impact of land trusts like SAHC on our state and local economies, and to ‘give back’ by supporting ongoing conservation of natural resources – a major economic engine for WNC and East TN.

Each business that participates in Land Trust Day pledges to donate a percentage of sales from this day, or a lump sum donation, in support and recognition of Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s efforts.
“Each year as we approach Land Trust Day, it is our hope that by working together we can help people understand that we must preserve our environment – its beauty, its water, its open spaces, its inhabitants. It is what gives us life, both literally and figuratively,” says Lisa Cooper at Mast General Store.

Please mark your calendars and plan to shop and dine to support conservation! Thank you to our 2024 Land Trust Day Sponsors:

Asheville and Waynesville stores

50th Anniversary Celebration - Rooted in the Past and Growing for the Future
2024-05-31 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | TN Visitor Center on I-26 Erwin, Unicoi, 100 Fiddlers Ln, Erwin, TN, 37650, United States
Friday, May 31 from 1 to 3 pm
TN Visitor Center on I-26, Unicoi County

You are invited to celebrate with all of the SAHC family at our special 50th anniversary event. Soak in the beauty of protected land and savor the benefits conservation in the Southern Appalachians. Looking over a view of the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork watershed, one of SAHC’s keystone successes, we will toast milestone achievements of the past 50 years and announce major projects for the future of conservation.
SAHC has grown from a small group of committed volunteers brought together by a love of hiking the Roan Highlands to a sophisticated, multi-state, non-profit organization at the forefront of nationally recognized conservation efforts. Share the good stories, reminisce about the hard times, resonate with the poetry of place, and be inspired by epic conservation plans on the horizon.
This celebratory gathering will feature special guest speakers and light refreshments.

Please RSVP for this Event.
If you plan to attend the 50th Anniversary celebration on May 31, please let us know!

Featured Speakers:
Dr. Mamie Parker
Former Head of Fisheries for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Dr. Mamie Parker has been breaking barriers as a professional fish and wildlife biologist, success coach and principal consultant at Ecologix Group, Inc. She spent a successful 30-year career as a biologist and senior executive in the federal government as the FWS Chief of Staff, Assistant Director of Habitat Conservation/Head of Fisheries.
Dr. Parker made history serving as the first African American FWS Regional Director of the 13 Northeastern states after working in the Great Lakes and Big Rivers regions and in the southeastern United States. While serving as board chair of Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries Commission, the board passed a diversity resolution that’s become a model for other states, changed the board name from “game” to wildlife, and protected migratory birds threatened by major bridge construction. Instead of “rubber-stamping” a project that would have displaced many birds (allowed under the weakening of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act), the Department drafted a regulations to protect migratory birds across Virginia. Read More >>
Wiley Cash
Wiley Cash is the New York Times bestselling author of four novels – When Ghosts Come Home, The Last Ballad, A Land More Kind Than Home, and This Dark Road to Mercy – and the founder of This Is Working, an online creative community. He’s been a fellow at Yaddo and the MacDowell Colony, and he teaches fiction writing and literature at the University of North Carolina-Asheville. He lives in North Carolina with his wife, photographer Mallory Cash, and their daughters. Cash’s short stories and essays have appeared in The Oxford American, Garden & Gun, Our State Magazine, and other publications, and his fiction has been adapted for the stage and film. He has taught creative writing and literature at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Bethany College, the University of North Carolina-Asheville, and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. He holds a Ph.D. in American Literature from UL-Lafayette, an M.A. in English from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, and a B.A. in Literature from UNC-Asheville. Read More >>
Carl Silverstein
SAHC Executive Director Carl Silverstein joined the SAHC staff in 2000. He graduated from Stanford University in 1984 with a BA in History, and the University of Alabama Law School in 1988. Carl practiced law in Seattle before moving to Asheville in 1995. Carl serves on the Claims Committee of Terrafirma Risk Retention Group. Terrafirma is a charitable risk pool created by the national Land Trust Alliance to insure its members against the legal costs of defending conservation interests. With 24 years of experience as Executive Director of SAHC, Carl has guided staff through countless obstacles and navigated successful conservation outcomes for some of the most exciting and worthwhile projects in our 50-year history.

2024 Black History Bicycle Ride & Lunch with Pathways to Parks
2024-05-18 10:00 - 14:00 | SAHC Community Farm (Event Venue), 180 Mag Sluder Road, Alexander, NC, 28701, United States
Date: Saturday, May 18th
Time: Bike Ride @10:00am & Lunch @12:30pm
Difficulty: Bike ride moderate (6/10) – 16 miles roundtrip, elevation gain: 1,109′
Total ride time is estimated to be 2-2.5 hours, including stops.
Cost: FREE for all participants, but registration is required and space is limited
Join us and special guests from Pathways to Parks on a special countryside bicycle ride exploring farmland conservation and rural black history in Alexander, NC. This loop rolls over gentle hills through the Alexander/Leicester area with views of open farmland valleys and breathtaking vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The vision of Pathways to Parks is to motivate Americans of color to get outdoors and enjoy the benefits of nature in our national, state and local parks and to help make it easy and accessible for them to do so.
The ride will begin at the SAHC Community Farm and then proceed to the historic Alexander Chapel Baptist Church, site of a historic African American church and cemetery. At this stop, riders will be joined by Annette Coleman, whose family was from this area. Annette will share information about the history of the church and preservation efforts to care for the site. Annette is one of the members of ASCORE – the Asheville Student Committee on Racial Equity – which desegregated public spaces in Asheville in the 1960s.
This ride will start and end at the SAHC Community Farm where afterward everyone will enjoy a catered lunch courtesy of Pathways to Parks. If you are not interested in the bike ride but are still interested in the event, please still join us for lunch, where we will have a remarks and presentation on the history of the Alexander Baptist Church. Everyone is invited to join us for lunch and fellowship after the ride, starting at 12:30pm.
This ride is FREE and open to the public, but some road cycling experience and proper safety equipment are recommended. Helmets are required, and we recommend water bottles as well as a snack for emergency energy. You may want to consider bringing a spare tube and pump. Less experienced riders should feel comfortable on this route, however, riding in this region always involves some hill climbing and this route is no exception. There are three climbs with a 1-2% grade that will require low gears and moderate to high effort. We will be riding on rural roads with no bike lanes alongside some vehicle traffic. This is a no-drop ride, so nobody will be left behind!
Thank you for your interest in this event but the registration is currently FULL. If you are still interested in the ride and would like to be added to the waitlist, please email Travis@appalachian.org. Thank you!

Appalachia Day with Wicked Weed Brewing
2023-11-04 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview, 28730
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a wonderful event!

Appalachia Day
When: Saturday, November 4 from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Where: Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, NC
Embrace the beauty and culture of the Appalachian Mountains at Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, NC, in support of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. Appalachia Day will be held on Saturday, November 4th as a celebration for everything “Appalachia.” Come out and celebrate what you love about the mountains – the raffle, food, music by The Hill Climbers, The Holler Choir, and Dan Shearin, crafts and more!
Appalachia Day invites attendees to immerse themselves in the essence of Appalachia with an array of engaging activities. You can enter a chance to win a private farm tour guided by Farm Director Virginia Hamilton, offering insights into the workings of this regenerative farm ($250 value). Take the kids on a hay ride or pony ride (operating hours are from 11:00 – 4:00). While enjoying the festivities, you can savor delectable offerings from food trucks on-site and cold beers, including the Appalachia Session IPA by Wicked Weed Brewing.
Proceeds from beer sales and a raffle held during the event will help support the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. Wicked Weed Brewing will also match all bar sales!
Our partnership with Wicked Weed Brewing underscores their commitment to supporting the preservation of local farms, streams, watersheds, mountains, forests, and outdoor recreation areas. They do this through their #BeersThatBuild program, and your participation in this event acknowledges and appreciates their dedication to protecting the places we all cherish in the Appalachian region. We’re also grateful to our friends at Hickory Nut Gap Farm for donating the space for this event. Appalachia Day offers a unique and enjoyable way to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, natural beauty, and community spirit of the Appalachian Mountains while actively supporting conservation efforts crucial to preserving this treasured region for generations to come.
“This is a great partnership event,” says Membership Director Cheryl Fowler. “The land at Hickory Nut Gap Farm was permanently protected by Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy in 2008 with a farmland conservation easement, and SAHC is grateful to Wicked Weed Brewing for supporting ongoing local conservation efforts as a corporate partner. We look forward to enjoying a great day on the farm with friends and neighbors!”

Entertainment Schedule:
12 – 2 pm — The Hill Climbers
2:15 – 4:15 pm — The Holler Choir
4:30 – 6:30 pm — Dan Shearin

Hay Rides from 12 – 4 pm for $6 per person and Pony Rides for $5 per person. Proceeds benefit Project HNG.

Vendors:

WNC Fibers & Handweavers Guild
Blaze on Creations soy candles
Other Side Hemp products
Sweet Abode Artisan Soap home and bath products
Rosa Friedrichs pottery
Fruit Boots printmaking
Bill Jones pottery
Iris Tian Fairy Hair
Rose Hardesty pottery
Skipping Pibble Designs
Terri Friday pottery
Gather and Forage

Food Vendors:

Garage BBQ
Meadowsweet Creamery
Blunt Pretzel Cart

It’s harvest celebration time – come join us on the farm!

Appalachia Day Hike to Ferguson Peak
We are also hosting a Hike to Ferguson Peak on the Strawberry Gap Trail as part of Appalachia Day – Click HERE for more details and registration form.

2023 Clawtoberfest at Highland Brewing Company
2023-09-16 - 2023-09-17 | Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville, NC, 28803, United States
Join us on Saturday for Highland Brewing Company‘s second annual Clawtoberfest event. They will be celebrating Saturday, September 16th (main event) and Sunday September 17th.
TIP: If you’re planning to attend on Saturday, arrive early and park in the back OR carpool/rideshare. Lederhosen, Dirndls, and all festive Oktoberfest outfits are encouraged!
As with all Highland Brewing Company’s seasonal beer releases, a portion proceeds from beer sales will be donated to support Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s land conservation work. SAHC volunteers will be on site from 12 to 8 pm on Saturday, September 16 to share info about land and water conservation, and they’ll have SAHC merch for sale. Drop by to say ‘Hi’ and raise a pint “For Love of Beer & Mountains”!
Please join in thanking Highland Brewing Company for their continue support of local land and water conservation. They help us save the places you love!

What’s Pouring?
Clawhammer – Marzen Lager
B’Autumns Up – Dark Lager
Festbier – Party Lager
Hellbender – Smoked Marzen
Distance Driver – Kolsch Style Ale
Munich Dunkel – Brown Lager
Vendors
Craft Market 1-6 pm Saturday and Sunday
Custom embroidered Clawhammer bandanas (Saturday)

Music
Saturday Only
Lagerhosen Band (traditional)
1-4pm
Lazr Luvr (80s)
6-9pm
Food
German Street Food Menu from Post 25’s Outpost (Saturday)
German offerings from Cielito Food Truck (Sunday)
Plus 2-3 additional food truck offerings!

Oktoberfest Games
Saturday Only
Keg Roll
Stein Hoist
Stein Race
Moustache Contest
Best Dressed (categories for adult, child and pet)

2023 June Jamboree Drop-in Social
2023-06-10 | Little Cove Creek Preserve, 269 Stockton Rd, Roan Mountain, TN, 37687, United States
Location: Little Cove Creek Preserve, 269 Stockton Rd, Roan Mountain, TN 37687
Start Time: 1 pm
End Time: 4 pm
We will hold a drop-in social on our Little Cove Creek Preserve in the afternoon of Saturday, June 10th. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating friends, family and shared hike experiences while learning about SAHC’s recent land protection news. Drinks and light refreshments will be provided, so please RSVP so we have enough for everyone!
We look forward to seeing you and hope you all join us in celebrating the Roan Highlands!
Thank you for taking interest in our event with Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy!

I am sorry to say that our event is currently FULL and we cannot accept any more attendees at this time. However, if you are still interested in the event, please contact me at travis@appalachian.org and your name and email will be put on a wait-list. I will contact you if a spot becomes available. If you have any questions, you can contact me at travis@appalachian.org.
Thank you for your interest in SAHC!
-Travis Bordley

2023 Land Trust Day
2023-06-03 08:00 - 17:00
Support SAHC on Land Trust Day! Shop and Dine for Conservation
On Land Trust Day – June 3 – local businesses have pledged to donate a portion of sales to support Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s ongoing land and water conservation efforts.
Land Trust Day coincides with National Trails Day and is celebrated each year on the first Saturday of June to recognize the incredible land protection accomplishments of land trusts in our region.

Special thanks to Mast General Store in Waynesville and Asheville for donating almost $200,000 since 2003 and many other local businesses for supporting SAHC on Land Trust Day over the years!
“Each year as we approach Land Trust Day, it is our hope that by working together we can help people understand that we must preserve our environment – its beauty, its water, its open spaces, its inhabitants. It is what gives us life, both literally and figuratively,” says Lisa Cooper at Mast General Store.
Please mark your calendars and plan to shop and dine to support conservation! Thank you to our 2023 Land Trust Day Sponsors:
Asheville and Waynesville stores

2023 Flying Squirrel Ten Miler
2023-06-03 07:30 - 13:00 | Jus’ Running
Experience some of the best road running in Asheville with The Flying Squirrel Ten Miler, Asheville’s premier 10 Mile road race. Enjoy the ease and convenience of a road race with the spectacular views and seclusion of a mountain race. The race starts and finishes just blocks from downtown Asheville and then promptly takes runners on the winding roads of Town Mountain. Participants will enjoy shaded mountain roads typically only used by locals, such as the beautiful Sunset Drive and Patton Mountain Road. One thing about The Flying Squirrel Ten Miler is sure: you’ve got to “earn” those views. The Southern Appalachians are hilly and so is The Flying Squirrel Ten Miler.
The course features five miles of gradual uphill and five miles of gradual downhill with a bit of flat at the beginning and end. Runners will gain over 1,400′ and lose over 1,400′ throughout the 10 mile long course.
Runners will Start and Finish just north of Downtown Asheville on the corner of Orange Street and South Liberty Street.
Navigating to the race Start/Finish: Enter 55 Orange St, Asheville, NC on your device.
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy has been chosen again this year as the nonprofit beneficiary of the race!

Registration is NOW OPEN! Prices increase on April 2, 2023 – Register early to save!

Homeplace Beer Co. Celebrates Year of the Trail
2023-05-20 17:00 - 21:30 | Homeplace Beer Company, 321 W. Main ST., Burnsville, NC, 28714
2023 is the Year of the Trail!
Homeplace Beer Company and the Yancey Chamber of Commerce invite you to celebrate Yancey County, NC and all the amazing outdoor recreations in our “backyard” Saturday, May 20, 2023. NC High Peaks Trail Association lead a group hike to Phillips Knob from Homeplace Beer Company, starting at 9 am.

At 5 pm, vendors from the following organizations will be set up with information, ready to chat about all the work being done to connect folks to our wonderful natural landscapes:
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
Yancey Humane Society – Tails to Trails
NC High Peaks/Mount Mitchell State Park
NC Outdoor Adventure
Mountain BizWorks
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
The Conservancy Fund
Blue Ridge Conservancy

Hog Hollow Wood Fired Pizza will be serving delicious fare all night and the Homeplace Beer Co. taps will be flowing.

Crystal Fountains Bluegrass will perform live on the Homeplace stage starting at 6:30 pm.

CLICK HERE for more info.

Mosaic Art Walk and Benefit
2023-05-18 17:00 - 20:00
We have a winner! Thank you to all who came out to support conservation and see us at the Haen Gallery tonight! We have a raffle winner and they have been already been notified.
On Thursday, May 18, from 5-8 p.m., Mosaic Realty comes together with 12 downtown Asheville galleries to create a unique community art walk and benefit. This free fundraiser, open to the public, will be hosted by Mosaic real estate agents, with each gallery highlighting a different local nonprofit organization – including Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.
Take in the eclectic work of local, regional and international artists while learning about the fantastic work being done by each nonprofit. There will be lite fare and beverages as well as the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to win exciting prizes, with all proceeds going to the highlighted organization. Additionally, each gallery will contribute a percentage of sales to its featured nonprofit.
Haen Gallery is one of 12 galleries downtown that will host the first annual Asheville Art Walk in an effort to showcase Asheville’s talented local artists. Haen Gallery has chosen Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy as their non-profit beneficiary for the evening. SAHC will receive 10% of proceeds from the sale of artwork at Haen Gallery during the event. There will also be items for raffle, to benefit SAHC. Chris Foley, gallery owner, is donating a piece of his work for the raffle and Matt Christie of Green River Woods will contribute a hand-made butcher-block, plus SAHC and our partners at Chestnut, Wicked Weed Brewing, and Highland Brewing Company have put together a ‘local bundle’ of gift certificates and goodies.
Advance purchase of raffle tickets has NOW CLOSED. You can purchase tickets at the event. Drawing for the raffle will be 7:30 pm May 18.
The Mosaic Art Walk and Benefit is yet another way Mosaic connects community members, supporting organizations essential to the health and vitality of Asheville. Ready to take in Asheville’s art and entertainment scene, support worthy local causes, and meet Mosaic agents all at the same time? Visit MosaicArtWalk.com for more info about participating galleries, raffle prizes and featured nonprofit partners!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO at MyMosaicRealty.com

Blazing Star Flowers Workshop: Spring Floral Design
2023-05-13 11:00 - 13:00 | SAHC Community Farm (Market Stand area), 228 Mag Sluder, Alexander, 28701, United States
Treat yourself or a loved one to a colorful flower display from conserved mountain farmland while supporting a growing local business!
Blazing Star Flowers, growing in the Farm Incubator Program at SAHC Community Farm, is hosting TWO workshops this month – Saturday May 6 and Saturday May 13.
Learn to grow your own flower garden and design flower arrangements. Workshops run 11 am to 1 pm and will be followed by afternoon plant sales (1 to 5 pm). Workshops require pre-registration and class fee; afternoon plant sales are free to attend. Registration and details at www.blazingstarflowers.com/workshops
May 13 Workshop Details:
Enjoy a fun and informative visit to Blazing Star Flowers in Alexander, NC, located on the 140-acre SAHC Community Farm. Tour their half-acre farm area and take in spring mountain views. See their early season flower fields and learn about their sustainable growing methods.
Watch a demonstration in which you’ll learn general floral design principals and tips. Next you’ll create your own centerpiece to take home. Guidance will be given but students are encouraged to express their own personal style. All levels of experience are welcome. Small group size. Light snacks provided. Cost includes all tools and materials.
Makes a great companion to their Flower CSA DIY loose stem bucket options, when you can use your new skills to make weekly arrangements. After the workshop you’ll have the option to shop for flower and herb plants at the pop-up plant sale onsite from 1-5pm. They have a covered gathering space, so the workshop will be held rain or shine. Workshop refunds are not available but your space may be transferred to someone else. If the workshop is sold out, email them if you’d like to be placed on the waitlist.

Blazing Star Flowers will also have one-time seedling CSA share for a pick-up early May:
blazingstarflowers.com/product-page/cut-flower-collection-seedling-share
And a bi-weekly Flower CSA pick up starts May 17th at Olivette Farm (new in 2023): www.blazingstarflowers.com/product-page/olivette-biweekly-flower-csa-share
The rest of their Flower CSAs starts June 8th, with weekly pickups similar to previous seasons. Click HERE for more info.
BlazingStarFlowers.com

Aleblazer Festival at Highland Brewing Co.
2023-03-18 12:30 - 16:30 | Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville, NC, 28803, United States
Thanks to our partners at Highland Brewing Company for supporting Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy through the first ever Aleblazers Beer Festival!

Tickets on sale here.
Aleblazers Beer Festival takes place March 18, 2023 at the Event Center and Barrel Room at Highland Brewing Company.
This festival celebrates +25 North Carolina breweries and creativity in craft beer. It will feature new creations and some tried-and-true favorite from Birdsong Brewery, Resident Culture, Mother Earth, NoDa Brewing, Archetype Brewing, and more!
Proceeds from festival ticket sales will be donated to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.
We need approximately 18 volunteers to help out with this event.

The Festival will take place from 12:30 – 4:30 pm, however some volunteers will need to be on hand early to help set up the SAHC tent and table with information and there is also a later shift where volunteers will need to stay to help breakdown. SAHC has three volunteer shifts available consisting of five people each shift that will help pour beer.
We sincerely appreciate your help! We will provide either a shirt or hat to each volunteer.
