Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

2026 March SAHC Community Farm Birding Hike
2026-03-14 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Halifax)
SAHC Community Farm Birding Hike
Date: Saturday, March 14th
Start Time: 9:00 am
Distance: 2 Miles
Cost: Free for Members, $10 for Non-Members
Pre-Registration is required below

Join us for this beginning birding walk at the SAHC Community Farm (the first of our Birding series throughout the spring) to learn tips on how to listen for birds, spot their movements, then look for marks to help you identify them. This hike will be led by experienced birder, Mike Hill, and designed for beginners. This is a great opportunity to test out that new camera or pair of binoculars, or just explore the sights and sounds of the SAHC Community Farm!
This hike will be slow and methodical. Plan to hike less than two miles in open field habitat before returning to the start.
REGISTER HERE

Livestake Planting Work Day with NCWF, at Bowditch Bottoms Preserve
2026-03-06 09:00 - 12:00
What: Livestake Volunteer Planting Workday
Where: SAHC’s Bowditch Bottoms Preserve, near Burnsville, NC
When: Friday, March 6 from 9 am to 12 pm
Join the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for a livestaking workday at SAHC’s Bowditch Bottoms in Yancey County.
Bowditch Bottoms contains a mosaic of habitat types including mixed hardwood forest, open field, natural wetland, and a riparian area that buffers over a half mile of Ayles Creek within the South Toe River Watershed.
Livestaking is a restoration technique where dormant stem cuttings from trees and shrubs are planted directly into the ground. These cuttings root and grow into new plants. Join us as we plant livestakes along Ayles Creek in areas left bare and susceptible to invasive plant species following Helene. We will plant a variety of native species including ninebark, silky willow, elderberry, and more in an effort to control erosion and enhance habitat for both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife.
This work day is a continuation of our partnership with NCWF; we joined together in managing invasive plants species through a series of volunteer work days on this preserves in 2025. Please help us continue the momentum as we repair and restore the stream corridor!
This event is free and open to the public.

2026 Winter Hiking Challenge Celebration
2026-03-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Wicked Weed Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Date: Thursday, March 5
Time: 5 to 7 pm
Location: Wicked Weed Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
You’re invited to join Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to celebrate the conclusion of the Winter Hiking Challenge! This gathering will be a chance to connect with other hikers who participated in the challenge, meeting fellow members of the conservation community. SAHC will be there with merchandise for sale and plenty of staff members if you have questions about our work. In addition, Dayna from Solstice Handmade will have a table with more of her beautiful creations and Nina Veteto from Blue Ridge Botanic will have a selection of her “Field Guide” bandanas.
There is public street parking available along Coxe Ave and other nearby streets, a private parking garage The Ironwood Parking Garage at 45 Federal Alley (2 minute walk), and a public parking deck at 11 Sears Alley (9 minute walk). Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the venue. The Funkatorium specializes in sour beer, but regular beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options are also available. Additionally, there is a full kitchen on site serving pizza, sandwiches, and more. Find their menu online here.
We’d love to know if you can make it, but feel free to drop by! Use the RSVP form below to let us know if you’re coming. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Outreach Program Manager Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org.

2026 February Hiking with Kids at Bull Creek Preserve
2026-02-22 10:30 - 12:30
Date: Sunday, February 22nd, 2026
Time: 10:30 am
Where: SAHC’s Bull Creek Preserve at Warren Wilson College
Difficulty: (3/10)
Cost: FREE for members, $10 for non-members
(Kids hike for free!)

Join SAHC on a family friendly guided hike at SAHC’s Bull Creek Preserve! This hike is specifically designed for folks to hike with children and to encourage families to get outside during the chilly winter times. The trails at SAHC’s Bull Creek Preserve meander through the 191 acre tract and are gently graded, making them perfect to bring the whole family with children of any age. This hike will be about 2 miles in length.
This newly protected preserve consists of a beautiful cove and mixed forest, an open 17-acre pasture with stunning views of the Black Mountains, and lovely sections of Bull Creek with rocky streambanks and wading pools. A tributary of the Swannanoa River, Bull Creek originates in the Black Mountains just south of Rattlesnake Lodge and the Blue Ridge Parkway, draining an area of more than 10 square miles. Approximately 3 miles of single track hiking and biking trails traverse the property in an existing trail system.
SAHC owns this land for the long-term and remains in deep partnership with Warren Wilson College, who continues to use the property for education and land management training.
If you have any questions about this hike, please email Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org
After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date. It’s crucial to note that a significant portion of the hike may not be disability accessible.
Please Register Below

Mitchell County Landscape Recovery and Preparedness Open House
2026-02-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Bowman Middle School, 410 S. Mitchell Ave., Bakersville, NC, 28705, United States
When: Saturday, Feb. 21 from 1 to 3 pm (DROP IN)
Firewise Prevention Presentation at 1:30 pm
Where: Bowman Middle School, 410 S. Mitchell Ave., Bakersville, NC 28705
Come learn from agencies, non-profits, and businesses about what resources are available to landowners, as well as recovery updates.
Drop-In Topics Include:

Wildfire Mitigation
Debris Removal and Forest Mulching
Forest Restoration
Non-native Invasive Species Control
Stream Restoration
Landslide Seeding

Host and presenters include:

2026 Rescheduled Deaverview Mountain Hike
2026-02-14 10:30 - 14:00
Date: Saturday, February 14th at 10:30 am
Where: Deaverview Mountain
Distance: 2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate (5/10)
Cost: Free for Members, $10 for Non-Members

Join SAHC for a guided group hike up Deaverview Mountain located just outside the city limits of Asheville. We will hike about 2 miles round trip on a moderately graded road bed with a steady incline through high quality forest. The summit is a stunning view of Asheville from the 343-acre mountain top. Deaverview Mountain will soon be transferred to Buncombe County to be made into a public park.
This hike is rescheduled from its original date, January 29th due to the winter storm.
After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date.
If you have any questions please email SAHC Outreach Program Manager Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org
REGISTER HERE

2026 February 13th South Yellow Mountain Preserve Hike to Pine Knob
2026-02-13 10:00 - 13:00
Date: Friday, February 13th
Time: Starting at 10:00 AM
Location: South Yellow Mountain Preserve
Distance: 3.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (6/10)
The hike is FREE for SAHC members, and $10 for non-members.
Registration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED below

Join SAHC South Yellow Mountain Preserve Manager Park Greer for a moderately strenuous hike to Pine Knob, an exposed rocky outcrop with beautiful views of the Black Mountains. Along the way Park will interpret the area’s geology and history, dating back hundreds of years. Participants should be prepared for uneven terrain, rocky inclines, and potential snowy ground.
After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date.
If you have any questions please email SAHC South Yellow Mountain Preserve Manager Park Greer at park@appalachian.org
REGISTER HERE

2026 February SAHC Community Farm Hike
2026-02-08 10:30 - 12:30
Date: Sunday, February 8th
Time: Starting at 10:30 AM
Where: SAHC Community Farm
Distance: 2.0 miles
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (5/10), several steep inclines are present on this trail
Cost: FREE for SAHC Members, $10 for non-members
Registration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED
Join us for a Guided Hike at the SAHC Community Farm
What can you see on the Discovery Trail at the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s Community Farm in Alexander, NC? The 2.0-mile loop winds through sunlit fields and shady forest edges, providing views to showcase the vibrant beauty of the farm. Learn about the positive aspects of agroforestry as you walk through silvopasture demonstration project, see apple trees growing in the Food Forest orchard, stroll through the youth-friendly Story Walk, discover how stream buffers help protect water quality, and check out the growing areas for SAHC’s Farm Incubator Program.
As you explore the 140-acre property, you may encounter Scottish Highland cattle grazing in the pastures, white-tailed deer moving quietly through the woods, or hawks soaring overhead. Summer is a lively time on the farm, when native pollinator plants blooms, birds and wildlife are active, and our conservation and agriculture projects are on full display.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, photographer, or someone curious about regenerative agriculture, this hike offers an inspiring look at how conservation and farming can work hand in hand.
Please note that the SAHC Community Farm is an active site not open to the public outside of scheduled events. To protect this space and ensure a positive experience for all, pre-registration is required. After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date. It’s crucial to note that a significant portion of the hike may not be disability accessible.
If you have any questions please email Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org
To Register for this Hike, Fill Out Form Below:

2026 February 7th South Yellow Mountain Preserve Hike to Pine Knob
2026-02-07 10:00 - 13:00
Date: Saturday, February 7th
Time: Starting at 10:00 AM
Location: South Yellow Mountain Preserve
Distance: 3.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (6/10)
The hike is FREE for SAHC members, and $10 for non-members.
Registration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED below

Join SAHC South Yellow Mountain Preserve Manager Park Greer for a moderately strenuous hike to Pine Knob, an exposed rocky outcrop with beautiful views of the Black Mountains. Along the way Park will interpret the area’s geology and history, dating back hundreds of years. Participants should be prepared for uneven terrain, rocky inclines, and potential snowy ground.
After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date.
If you have any questions please email SAHC South Yellow Mountain Preserve Manager Park Greer at park@appalachian.org
REGISTER HERE

2026 Lunch and Learn - Recovery in Motion
2026-01-30 12:00 - 13:00
Virtual Lunch & Learn – Recovery in Motion: A Follow-Up Discussion
Friday, January 30 at 12:00 pm EST
Over one year ago, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy convened two panels of experts in the conservation, stewardship, and forestry management fields on how their organizations and agencies were approaching recovery from Tropical Storm Helene. Find the recordings of those two panel discussions on our YouTube Channel: Part I, Part II.
This follow-up Lunch & Learn brings together representatives from the US Forest Service, NC Forest Service, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, EcoForesters, and Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for a discussion on how the past year of recovery has unfolded. Panelists will share key accomplishments, ongoing challenges, and how Helene has influenced priorities, management strategies, and collaboration across public and private lands. Each speaker will offer brief reflections followed by a moderated Q&A. Please submit questions with your registration in advance of the Lunch & Learn. A recording of this panel will be made available after its conclusion on our YouTube Channel. If you are unable to join the live Lunch & Learn, we encourage you to still register and submit your questions; the recording will be emailed to all registrants within a few days of the event along with links to resources and programs discussed.

Panelists:
Jennifer Barnhart
Jennifer is the District Ranger of the Appalachian Ranger District for the US Forest Service. Barnhart has been in the role since 2020 and was previously a District Ranger on the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire and Maine. Barnhart has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Recreation with a minor in Forestry from Virginia Tech University and a master’s degree in Natural Resources and Science Management from the University of Minnesota. She has a diverse background of over twenty years of experience in integrated natural resources, public service, and land management. Her positions have varied beyond working for the Forest Service with non-profit conservation organizations, universities, and land management state agencies. Barnhart has also worked as an Acting District Ranger and a District Recreation Program Manager on the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests in South Carolina and as a District Recreation Program Manager on the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana.
Michael Cheek
Michael is the Region 3 Forester and Mountain Division Director for the NC Forest Service. The NC Forest Service’s primary purpose is to ensure adequate and quality forest resources for the state to meet its present and future needs. NC Forest Service is a government agency responsible for providing land management assistance to private landowners.
Marquette Crockett
Marquette is the Roan Stewardship Director at Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. Marquette joined SAHC in 2014. She grew up on a family farm near Cumberland Gap, TN, where she learned to love nature by following her grandmother through the fields and forests. Marquette earned her BS in Biology from Lincoln Memorial University and her MS in Biological Science from East Tennessee State University. Before joining SAHC, she worked for more than 10 years as a Wildlife Biologist, including managing high elevation spruce-fir, open areas, and wetlands in Canaan Valley NWR in West Virginia. Marquette facilitates SAHC’s Roan Stewardship Program and serves as the primary land steward on SAHC-owned preserves in the Roan.
Lang Hornthal
Lang is the Co-Director of EcoForesters, a non-profit professional forestry organization dedicated to conserving and restoring our Appalachian forests through education and stewardship. Lang’s business background and sustainability mindset bring a different lens to EcoForesters mission of helping private landowners keep their forests healthy. A passionate advocate for forest stewardship, Lang can be found collaborating with partners and seeking opportunities that will help forests be more resilient in the future. He likes to spend his free time with family and friends outside and can usually be found listening to music or watching the Red Sox.
Sarah Sheeran
Sarah is the Stewardship Director at Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. Sarah joined SAHC’s Stewardship staff in 2014, but has served on the Land Management Committee since 2010 and has been a long-time volunteer. As Stewardship Director, she oversees the organization’s program of monitoring and managing our conservation easements and properties we own, manages SAHC-owned land outside of the Roan Highlands and assists landowners with caring for their property’s natural resources.
Sarah previously received her BS in Biology from James Madison University and her MS in Ecology from UNC-Chapel Hill. With a background in plant conservation and horticulture, she previously worked as a plant ecologist for a local environmental consulting firm and later served as Director of Education and Conservation at an outdoor recreation and adventure company.

2026 January Hampton Creek Cove Hike
2026-01-19 11:00 - 15:00
Date: Monday, January 19th
Location: Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area
Start Time: 11:00 am
Distance: 4 Miles
Difficulty: 6/10

Join us on Monday, January 19th for a guided hike through Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area. This hike will utilize multiple trails, the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and the Shell Hollow Trail. Starting from the parking area we will follow the footsteps of the Overmountain Victory Men, heroes of the Revolutionary War, who hiked this route in 1780 through Hampton Creek Cove! The Overmountain Victory Trail will take us to the Shell Hollow Trail which will guide us deep into the woods and through stands of old growth forest that surround the old Shell family homestead.
After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date.
If you have any questions please email Roan Stewardship Technician Travis Bordley at travis@appalachian.org
REGISTER HERE

2026 South Yellow Mountain Preserve - Pine Knob Hike
2026-01-03 10:00 - 14:00
Date: Saturday, January 3rd
Time: Starting at 10:00 AM
Location: South Yellow Mountain Preserve
Distance: 3.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (6/10)
The hike is FREE for SAHC members, and $10 for non-members.
Registration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED below

Join SAHC South Yellow Mountain Preserve Manager Park Greer for a moderately strenuous hike to Pine Knob, an exposed rocky outcrop with beautiful views of the Black Mountains. Along the way Park will interpret the area’s geology and history, dating back hundreds of years. Participants should be prepared for uneven terrain, rocky inclines, and potential snowy ground.
After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date.
If you have any questions please email SAHC South Yellow Mountain Preserve Manager Park Greer at park@appalachian.org
REGISTER HERE

2026 SAHC Winter Hiking Challenge
2026-01-01 00:00 - 2026-03-01 00:00
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is proud to announce our 6th Annual Winter Hiking Challenge!
The Winter Hiking Challenge sets a goal of 60 miles in 60 days, to be completed in your own time and at your own speed. Those can be miles you’ve walked, ran or hiked – in your neighborhood or through the woods – just make it 60 miles within the 60-day challenge time period (January 1st to March 1st, 2026). No matter your background or ability this event is designed to get folks outside in the cold winter months! Registration opens December 1st and ends on February 25th and the registration fee is $25 per person. Your registration fee directly supports conservation work in the Southern Appalachians. If you cannot afford the registration fee at this time, please use the coupon code: SAHC2026.
All participants will receive informative emails throughout the challenge with suggestions for some of our favorite places to hike across the mountains of NC and TN, including some new properties SAHC has recently protected. You may enter miles at any date during the 60 days, as long as they are all entered before March 1.
Those who complete the Winter Hiking Challenge will receive a commemorative SAHC patch, designed by Solstice Handmade, and all participants will be invited to an in-person celebration in March at the Wicked Weed Funkatorium. The top 5 finishers by mileage will receive $50 gift cards to Second Gear!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

December Sunset Yoga on the Farm
2025-12-14 16:00 - 17:00
Where: SAHC Community Farm
Gentle Flow Yoga
Date & Time: December, 14th, 4:00 pm
Cost: Free for Members, $10 for Non-members (Pre-Registration is Required!)
Bring your own mat

Join Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy on Sunday, December 14th for a gentle 60 minute yoga session in our Education Center at the SAHC Community Farm in Alexander, NC led by our Outreach Program Manager, Erin Goodpaster. As we move into this winter season, we hope to offer an invitation to slow down, ground, and turn inwards before we head into the hustle of the holidays.
This class is suitable for beginners as well as experienced students and will offer some flow, including some movements up and down off of the mat. Postures may include, but are not limited to, sitting, hands & knees, standing poses, balancing poses, etc. Expect modifications and cues to help you have the safest practice possible. This flow will be a relaxing way to wind down with the sunset and ease your way into the coming week.
Erin is a certified 200 hr yoga instructor and has been practicing yoga since 2015.

After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date. If you have any questions please email SAHC Outreach Program Manager, Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org

REGISTER HERE

2025 December Asbury Trail Hike
2025-12-13 10:00 - 15:00
Date: Saturday, December 13th
Time: Starting at 10:00 AM
Where: Asbury Trail
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (6/10), several long, steep inclines and descents are present on this trail.
Registration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED below

Join SAHC for a guided group hike on the Asbury Trail at Cove Creek Gap along the boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This hike is a steady descent and gradually becomes steeper moving towards Cataloochee Creek. This will be an out and back hike of about 6 miles total.
Along this hike we will pass five SAHC protected tracts that sit between the Smokies and Pisgah National Forest buffering its boundary from incompatible real-estate development. The last property we will come across, which we will be celebrating one year of protecting, is the 407 acre White Oak Mountain tract on the eastern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Protection of this property and others buffering the park provides exceptional habitat for a variety of plant and animal species in an important corridor for wildlife movement, scenic views from the Appalachian Trail, and water quality in headwater tributaries of the Pigeon River watershed.
No dogs are allowed on this hike.
After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date.
If you have any questions please email SAHC Outreach Program Manager Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org
REGISTER HERE

2025 November Chestnut Mountain Hike
2025-11-21 11:00 - 14:00
Date: Friday, November 21
Time: Starting at 11:00 AM
Where: Chestnut Mountain Nature Park
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (6/10), several long, steep inclines are present on this trail
Cost: FREE for members, $10 for non-members
Registration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED below

Join SAHC for a guided group hike at Chestnut Mountain Nature Park in Canton, NC on Friday, November 21st at 11 am. We will hike 6 miles on the Old Timer Loop via the Papertown Express Trail. This hike is rated moderately strenuous, containing many extended steep sections with some rocky terrain and about 800 feet of elevation gain. Be aware that bikers can also use the Papertown Trail, so we may encounter riders.
SAHC purchased the 448-acre Chestnut Mountain tract in 2020 and then transferred the property to the Town of Canton in 2022. Chestnut Mountain Nature Park opened to the public in April 2022 and hosts over 15 miles of trails.
This property is a critical piece of a larger wildlife corridor connecting the Pisgah National Forest to Sandy Mush and Cherokee Forest of East Tennessee. Conservation of the land permanently protected nine miles of streams, including a section of Hominy Creek.
Conservation of the Chestnut Mountain property was made possible through funding from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, the NC Attorney General’s Office’s Environmental Enhancement Grant Program, The Pigeon River Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, many private donors, and a bridge loan from the The Conservation Fund.

After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date.
If you have any questions please email SAHC Outreach Program Manager Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org
REGISTER HERE

Learn more about Chestnut Mountain Nature Park

2025 Pine Knob Volunteer Trail Workday - South Yellow Mountain Preserve
2025-11-21 10:30 - 15:30
Date: Friday, November 21st
Time: 10:30 AM
Where: Pine Knob Trail – South Yellow Mountain Preserve
Distance: 1-2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate (5/10), various volunteer tasks available to choose from!
Registration: Registration is REQUIRED and FREE

Calling all volunteers! While the trail to Pine Knob on SAHC’s South Yellow Mountain Preserve is in working order, it needs a lot of loving care. We need help with a variety of needs, which include: building bridges, removing trip hazards, trimming small trees, placing stepping stones, and much more. This popular trail showcases an overlook, waterfall, and historic mine, so let’s make it safe and beautiful! This property is located just outside of Spruce Pine, NC, so we will meet at the local Fox & Fig Bakery and caravan to the worksite together at 10:30 am!
What To Bring: Close-toed shoes, work gloves, lunch, water, jacket/rain gear. Please dress in many layers, the weather can be much cooler at this elevation during November.

If you have any questions, please reach out to South Yellow Mountain Preserve Manager Park Greer at park@appalachian.org
To Register for this Workday, Fill Out Form Below:

2025 November Community Farm Hike
2025-11-09 10:30 - 11:30
Date: Sunday, November 9th
Time: Starting at 10:30 AM
Where: SAHC Community Farm
Distance: 2.0 miles
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (5/10), several steep inclines are present on this trail
Cost: FREE for SAHC Members, $10 for non-members
Registration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED
Join us for a Guided Hike at the SAHC Community Farm
What can you see on the Discovery Trail at the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s Community Farm in Alexander, NC? The 2.0-mile loop winds through sunlit fields and shady forest edges, providing views to showcase the vibrant beauty of the farm. Learn about the positive aspects of agroforestry as you walk through silvopasture demonstration project, see apple trees growing in the Food Forest orchard, stroll through the youth-friendly Story Walk, discover how stream buffers help protect water quality, and check out the growing areas for SAHC’s Farm Incubator Program.
As you explore the 140-acre property, you may encounter Scottish Highland cattle grazing in the pastures, white-tailed deer moving quietly through the woods, or hawks soaring overhead. Summer is a lively time on the farm, when native pollinator plants blooms, birds and wildlife are active, and our conservation and agriculture projects are on full display.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, photographer, or someone curious about regenerative agriculture, this hike offers an inspiring look at how conservation and farming can work hand in hand.
Please note that the SAHC Community Farm is an active site not open to the public outside of scheduled events. To protect this space and ensure a positive experience for all, pre-registration is required. After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date. It’s crucial to note that a significant portion of the hike may not be disability accessible.
If you have any questions please email Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org
To Register for this Hike, Fill Out Form Below:

2025 November Elk Hollow Preserve Hike
2025-11-01 11:00 - 12:30
Date: Saturday, November 1st
Time: 11:00 AM
Where: Elk Hollow Preserve
Distance: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (6/10), several steep inclines and some slick surfaces.
Cost: Free for SAHC Members, $10 for non-members
Registration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED

Join SAHC for a beautiful fall hike at our Elk Hollow Preserve! This moderate two mile scenic route will guide us through stunning forests of oaks, maples, and beech trees. The trail will wander beside Elk Hollow Branch and pass some vibrant meadows perfect for birdwatching. The Preserve is home to a variety of rare wildlife, such as Golden-winged Warblers, Southern Appalachian brook trout, and Gray’s lilies. In addition, SAHC has set up a well-maintained trail system, a tent camping platform, and a moldering privy!
It is hunting season, so bright colored/blaze orange clothes and hats are strongly recommended.
The Elk Hollow Preserve is located about 1.5 hours north of Asheville, NC, and an hour from Johnson City, TN. Please plan your trip accordingly!
After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date. If you have any questions please email Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org
This event is Free for SAHC members and $10 for non-members. If you’d like to become a member, click here!

To Register for this Hike, Fill Out Form Below:

Sunset Yoga on the Farm
2025-10-26 17:00 - 18:00
Where: SAHC Community Farm
Gentle Flow Yoga
Cost: Free for Members, $10 for Non-members (Pre-Registration is Required!)
Bring your own mat

Join Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy on Sunday, October 26th for a gentle 60 minute yoga session at the SAHC Community Farm in Alexander, NC led by our Outreach Program Manager, Erin Goodpaster. This class is suitable for beginners as well as experienced students. This class will offer some flow, including some movements up and down off of the mat. Postures may include, but are not limited to, sitting, hands & knees, standing poses, balancing poses, etc. Expect lots of modifications and cues to help you have the safest practice possible. This flow will be a relaxing way to wind down with the sunset and ease your way into the coming week.
After our flow, we will have some fall treats and beverages offered in our Education Center.
Erin is a certified 200 hr yoga instructor and has been practicing yoga since 2015.

After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date. If you have any questions please email SAHC Outreach Program Manager, Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org

Cost – Free for Members, $10 for Non-members, (Pre-Registration is Required Below!)

2025 Appfest at Wicked Weed Brewing
2025-10-25 12:00 - 17:00 | Wicked Weed, 91 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Appfest 2025

October 4 12:00 pm – October 26 5:00 pm @ Brew Pub

Celebrate all Appalachia has to offer with Wicked Weed Brewing’s annual Appfest during the month of October!
Live music every Saturday at the Brewpub from 2-5 PM, plus a Makers Market hosted by the Appalachian Artist Collective.
Enjoy fall favorite beer releases, fall flights and more. This month, Appalachia Session IPA returns for a short time – on tap only at the Brew Pub in downtown Asheville.

On Saturday, October 25, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy will host an info table for Appfest at the Brew Pub – so come by and say ‘Hi!’
Wicked Weed Brewing will donate $1 of all pours, benefitting SAHC.

2025 Sneak Peek Screening of A Life ReImagined: The George Masa Story
2025-10-22 17:30 - 21:00 | High Gravity Room at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC, 28732, United States
Please join Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for a sneak peek screening of “A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story”, a new documentary by Emmy Award-winning director (and newly appointed SAHC Board Member) Paul Bonesteel/Bonesteel Films.

Event Details:
Wednesday, October 22, 2025High Gravity Room, Sierra Nevada Brewery6:30 PM (Doors Open at 5:30)
This inspiring film explores the life and legacy of George Masa (1885–1933), the Japanese-born photographer whose passion for the Southern Appalachian landscape helped inspire the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian Trail.

The screening will also feature a special silent auction of a Masa-inspired painting by beloved local artist Moni Hill. Moni, a well-known regional artist and admirer of Masa’s work, has created an original piece inspired by one of his iconic photographs. All proceeds from the auction will go toward the completion of the film, helping bring Masa’s remarkable story to a wider audience.

Tickets $15 each, general admission (+ service fee).

For more info and ticket purchase:

2025 Fire Safety and Land Management
2025-10-11 10:00 - 13:00 | SAHC Community Farm (Event Venue), 180 Mag Sluder Road, Alexander, NC, 28701, United States
When: Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10 am to 1 pm
Where: SAHC Community Farm – 180 Mag Sluder Rd, Alexander, NC

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is partnering with Blue Ridge RC&D, Mountain Valleys RC&D, Carolina Land and Lakes, Piedmont Prescribed Burn Association, and NC Forest Service to host a Fire Safety and Land Management Workshop. The training will include an introduction to forest management at the SAHC Community Farm, firewise basics, homeowner risk assessments, information about prescribed fire as a land management strategy, landscape-scale wildlife preparedness, and more. We will have training and discussion time in the Education and Event building at the farm as well as a walk on the property.

Lunch will be provided. This event is free to attend, but registration is required so that we can plan for the day, including lunch.

Fill Out Form to Register to Attend Fire Safety and Land Management Workshop

About the Presenting Partners:

Mountain Valleys RC&D
Mountain Valleys RC&D (Resource Conservation and Development) is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable stewardship of forest resources that operates in eight counties in Western North Carolina, inlcuding Buncombe County. Communities near forests or other undeveloped areas are vulnerable to wildfires because they’re essentially surrounded by fuel. Prescribed burning is a useful technique for managing forests, however, there are also many proactive steps that a community or individual homeowner can take to reduce the risk of loss; such as fuel reduction around the home, maintaining clear gutters, and fire resistant construction. Mountain Valleys RC&D works with communities and governmental/private organizations to educate homeowners on how to best protect their property.

Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP)
Carolina Land and Lakes was awarded the USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) in FY22 and FY23 to update and create Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) in 27 Counties in NC and for the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These counties are considered to have a High to Very High Wildfire Potential, are Low Income and have experienced a natural disaster which has increased their wildfire risk. The CWPPs are developed at the fire district level to identify available resources and possible community actions to reduce fuels and structural ignitability.
Piedmont Prescribed Burn Association
We are a community-based organization dedicated to increasing access to prescribed fire on lands in the Piedmont of North Carolina. The Piedmont Prescribed Burn Association welcomes individuals who are passionate about supporting conservation initiatives, including private landowners, natural resource professionals, students, and the general public. Together, we strive to foster a collaborative environment to promote the responsible use of prescribed fire for the benefit of our local landscape.

2025 Lunch & Learn: Almuerzo de Aprendizaje en Español
2025-10-08 12:00 - 13:00
Mes de la Herencia Hispana Almuerzo de Aprendizaje
Miércoles, Oct. 8 de 12 a 1 pm
Los invitamos a un almuerzo de aprendizaje en español en el cual vamos a compartir consejos para aprovechar nuestros parques y áreas naturales de forma divertida y segura. Miembro del Board de SAHC Maria Baron Palamar va a compartir recomendaciones sobre lugares para visitar, equipo para hacer la visita más divertida y segura, y reglas de las diferentes áreas naturales que se pueden visitar en la zona. Habrá oportunidad de hacer preguntas y compartir consejos con Maria y otros miembros de Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC), una organización que protege áreas naturales en las montañas de Appalachia.
Maria Baron Palamar
Maria Baron Palamar DVM., PhD. es una veterinaria y biologa de vida silvestre. Maria es originaria de Argentina, pero ha vivido en USA casi 20 años, trabajando en áreas naturales y urbanas, tratando de conectar a la gente con la naturaleza. Maria se mudo a Asheville en 2020 y poco después comenzó su mandato como miembro del board de SAHC. Maria es la co-fundadora de Resolve Conservation, una compañía que ayuda a crear cambios en organizaciones que trabajan con la conservación del medio ambiente, a través de generar capacidad y conexión. Maria disfruta de pasar la mayor cantidad de tiempo posible en la naturaleza, nadando en los ríos y descubriendo las montañas, aprendiendo todos los días algo nuevo y compartiendo su conocimiento con los demás.

Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 12 to 1 pm – Hispanic Heritage Month Lunch and Learn in Spanish.
You are invited to a lunch and learn in Spanish where we will share advice on how to better enjoy our parks and other natural areas in safe and fun ways. SAHC Board Member Maria Baron Palamar is going to share recommendations about places to visit, equipment to make the visit safe and fun, and the rules associated with natural spaces in our area. There will be a chance to ask questions and share advice with Maria and other members of SAHC, an organization that protects natural spaces in the Appalachian mountains.
Maria Baron Palamar
Maria Baron Palamar DVM, PhD. is a wildlife veterinarian and biologist. Maria is originally from Argentina, but has lived in the US for almost 20 years working in natural spaces trying to connect people and nature. Maria moved to Asheville in 2020 and soon after became a board member for the SAHC. Maria is the co-founder of Resolve Conservation, a company that helps create change in conservation and environmental organizations through capacity building and connection. Maria enjoys spending as much time as possible in nature, swimming in rivers and discovering the mountains, learning new things every day and sharing her knowledge with others.

Conservation Celebration Hike Along Bull Creek
2025-10-05 14:00 - 16:00
Date: Sunday, October 5th, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: SAHC’s Bull Creek Preserve at Warren Wilson College
Difficulty: Moderate (4/10)
Cost: FREE for all participants (Pre-Registration is Required!)

Join SAHC on a guided hike to celebrate the purchase of the new Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s Bull Creek Preserve at Warren Wilson College! This 191 acre tract consists of a beautiful cove and mixed forest, an open 17-acre pasture with stunning views of the Black Mountains, and lovely sections of Bull Creek with rocky streambanks and wading pools. A tributary of the Swannanoa River, Bull Creek originates in the Black Mountains just south of Rattlesnake Lodge and the Blue Ridge Parkway, draining an area of more than 10 square miles. Approximately 3 miles of single track hiking and biking trails traverse the property in an existing trail system.
This hike has a few steep sections along with some trip hazards such as roots and rocks, but is mostly flat ground that winds through the forest with numerous different paths you can take to continue through the woods or walk along Bull Creek. We will split up into groups for a guided hike or you can take a map and explore on your own!
SAHC’s purchase ensures protection of the property from future development, preserving the scenic beauty of the landscape as well as water resources, habitat, and places for people to enjoy outdoor recreation. SAHC will own the land for the long-term and remain in deep partnership with Warren Wilson College, who will continue to use the property for education and land management training.
If you have any questions about this hike, please email Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org
After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date. It’s crucial to note that a significant portion of the hike may not be disability accessible.
This hike is FREE, but you MUST register below first.

2025 September SAHC Community Farm Hike
2025-09-26 12:00 - 14:00
Date: Friday, September 26
Time: Starting at 12:00 pm
Where: SAHC Community Farm
Distance: 2.0 miles
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (5/10), several steep inclines are present on this trail
Cost: FREE for SAHC Members, $10 for non-members
Registration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED
Join us for a Guided Hike at the SAHC Community Farm
What can you see on the Discovery Trail at the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s Community Farm in Alexander, NC? The 2.0-mile loop winds through sunlit fields and shady forest edges, providing views to showcase the vibrant beauty of the farm. Learn about the positive aspects of agroforestry as you walk through silvopasture demonstration project, see apple trees growing in the Food Forest orchard, stroll through the youth-friendly Story Walk, discover how stream buffers help protect water quality, and check out the growing areas for SAHC’s Farm Incubator Program.
As you explore the 140-acre property, you may encounter Scottish Highland cattle grazing in the pastures, white-tailed deer moving quietly through the woods, or hawks soaring overhead. Summer is a lively time on the farm, when native pollinator plants blooms, birds and wildlife are active, and our conservation and agriculture projects are on full display.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, photographer, or someone curious about regenerative agriculture, this hike offers an inspiring look at how conservation and farming can work hand in hand.
Please note that the SAHC Community Farm is an active site not open to the public outside of scheduled events. To protect this space and ensure a positive experience for all, pre-registration is required. After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date. It’s crucial to note that a significant portion of the hike may not be disability accessible.
If you have any questions please email Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org
To Register for this Hike, Fill Out Form Below:

2025 NCWF/SAHC Volunteer Work Day at Bowditch Bottoms
2025-09-26 09:00 - 12:00
When: Friday, September 26 from 9 am to 12 pm
Where: SAHC’s Bowditch Bottoms Preserve in Yancey County, NC
Join the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for volunteer work day and invasive plant species removal at SAHC’s Bowditch Bottoms Preserve in Yancey County.
Originally protected as a conservation easement in 2020, the landowners donated the land to SAHC in 2023. (With SAHC’s ownership of the land, the conservation easement was assigned to our partners at Blue Ridge Conservancy.) Bowditch Bottoms contains mixed hardwood forest, cleared agricultural fields, valuable wetland habitat within the South Toe River Watershed, and a riparian area that buffers over a half mile of Ayles Creek.
We will focus our workday along the creek targeting Japanese knotweed. The significant length of natural stream and several wetland areas makes this property stand out as an opportunity for restoration projects (clean ups, invasive species removal, revegetation with native plants) that will directly benefit wildlife and multiple habitat types. This is part of a long-term process to restore the land – which will also include planting native species in the stream corridor. We will be working on a management plan for the property over the next year.
This is one of a series of collaborative volunteer work days on SAHC-conserved land organized by our partners at NC Wildlife Federation.

South Yellow Mountain Preserve Hike: Hellbender Festival Hike to Pine Knob
2025-08-31 09:00 - 12:00
Start time: Sunday, August 31 at 9 am
Distance: 3.8 miles
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is hosting a special hike in conjunction with the Hellbender Festival in Spruce Pine!
Join SAHC South Yellow Mountain Preserve Manager Park Greer for a moderately strenuous hike to Pine Knob, an exposed rocky outcrop with beautiful views of the Black Mountains. Along the way Park will interpret the area’s geology and history, dating back hundreds of years.
Participants should be prepared for uneven terrain, wet and rocky inclines, and plenty of bugs. This outing lasts approximately 3 hours.
Please come prepared with water, sturdy shoes, hiking poles, and lunch/snacks.
The hike is FREE for SAHC members, and $10 for non-members.
Registration for this hike will be made IN PERSON at the SAHC booth during the Hellbender Festival in Spruce Pine on Saturday, August 30.
For more info about the festival, visit Discoversprucepinenc.com/nchellbenderfestival

2025 Farmer Education Workshop: Small Engine Maintenance and Repair
2025-08-30 10:00 - 13:00
When: Saturday, August 30 from 10 am to 1 pm
Where: SAHC Community Farm, 228 Mag Sluder Road, Alexander, NC 28701
Cost: $20

Please join us at the SAHC Community farm for a small engine workshop.
We will host a classroom presentation and discussion followed by hands-on engine maintenance and repair work to help you feel empowered to tackle your own equipment issues and keep machines running better for years.
During the workshop, we will have a 55 hp tractor, two-wheel walk behind, Mule side-by-side and smaller engines on-site to reference.
Learn how to save time and money by doing your own repairs on small engines like lawn mowers and other small machinery. Diagnose and repair common problems with 2 and 4-stroke engines. Avoid costly repairs by learning maintenance, proper fluids, and appropriate settings to promote long lasting use. We will also facilitate a short discussion on the pros and cons of battery powered equipment and take a look at an electric lawnmower, weed eater and chainsaw.
** Please note – this workshop will be held at the Farmstand entrance to the farm – 228 Mag Sluder Road **

Registration for this workshop has closed. Please join us for our next Farm Education Workshop! Future dates TBA.

2025 Hellbender Festival
2025-08-30
Hellbender Festival in Spruce Pine, NC
Volunteer with SAHC and learn about one of our coolest native aquatic species!
Dates & Time: Saturday 8/30 from 12-5 pm
Location: Downtown Spruce Pine, NC
Purpose: Share about SAHC’s conservation mission, lead kids crafts and activities, and sell merchandise to festival attendees.
Table on behalf of SAHC at the Hellbender Festival in Spruce Pine, NC! Learn more about the festival at their website. This is the first-ever North Carolina Hellbender Festival and will be in Downtown Spruce Pine with live music, local art, river science, food trucks, and outdoor adventure—all inspired by the ancient Eastern Hellbender. You can expect SAHC to communicate with you ahead of the festival, sharing information, FAQs, the materials that will be on display on the table, and more. Tabling is a fun way to help people learn a little bit more about what we do and why we do it. Please sign up using the form below.
Curious about what tabling is like? Watch this volunteer training video on our YouTube Channel.
