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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241211T120000
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SUMMARY:2024 Lunch and Learn Approaching Recovery\, Panel Discussion Part I
DESCRIPTION:Virtual Lunch & Learn: Approaching Recovery: Conservation in the Wake of Helene\, Panel Discussion Part I\nWednesday\, December 11 at 12:00 pm EST\nHear from experts in the conservation\, stewardship\, and forestry management fields on how their organizations and agencies are beginning to approach recovery in the wake of Hurricane Helene. There will be an opportunity for Q&A at the end of the panel. Please find more information about our panelists below and please feel free to submit questions in advance through your registration. A recording of this panel will be made available after its conclusion on our YouTube Channel. Part II of this Lunch & Learn will focus on our partners who work with public lands. \n\n  \nPanelists:\n Michael Cheek\nMichael 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. \n  \nLiz Hillard\nLiz is the Senior Wildlife Biologist for the Appalachian Region at Wildlands Network. Wildlands Network uses science-based research and innovative policy to reconnect and restore Wildways\, helping prevent biodiversity loss and promoting climate resilient landscapes. By collaborating with local partners and people like you\, we empower communities across North America to safeguard and connect their wild spaces. \nDr. Liz Hillard helps direct and manage the study design\, implementation\, and analysis of Wildlands Network’s road ecology research focused on the important Pigeon River Gorge/Interstate 40 corridor within the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. In addition\, she works to build partnerships and engage the public in wildlife habitat connectivity and conservation efforts throughout the Southern Appalachian region. Liz currently serves on the Board and as the Secretary for the North Carolina Chapter of The Wildlife Society. \n  \nLang Hornthal\nLang 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. \n  \nSarah Sheeran\nSarah 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. \nSarah 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.
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/lunch-and-learn-approaching-recovery-part-one/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Blow-Downs.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241120T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241120T130000
DTSTAMP:20241120T200654Z
CREATED:20240925T001439Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241120T200654Z
UID:26320-1732104000-1732107600@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:2024 Lunch and Learn: Elk Habitat Management
DESCRIPTION:Virtual Lunch & Learn: Elk Habitat Management with Wildlife Biologist Justin McVey\nWednesday\, November 20 at 12:00 pm EST\nJoin NC Wildlife Resources Commission‘s Wildlife Biologist Justin McVey and SAHC’s Stewardship Director Sarah Sheeran for a virtual Lunch & Learn about Elk\, their habitat\, and ongoing research and management at SAHC’s Stevens Creek Preserve adjoining Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In 2001\, 52 Rocky Mountain Elk were released into Cataloochee Valley as part of an experimental program to reintroduce elk to the park. Native elk had been eliminated from the region by over-hunting and loss of habitat. A 2022 DNA study estimated there are now approximately 240 elk in Western North Carolina. \n\nIn 2023\, SAHC’s partners at NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) received grant funding to improve elk habitat on SAHC-owned land on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. SAHC’s 147-acre Stevens Creek Preserve\, located at the northern end of Cataloochee Ridge in Haywood County\, was purchased in 2017 to protect habitat for elk\, turkey\, deer and other wildlife\, to protect water resources\, and to provide a buffer on the edge of the national park. \n“We had noticed a few elk using the Stevens Creek tract\, mostly bachelors\,” said Justin McVey\, District Biologist with NCWRC. “However\, more elk which have been living just over the ridge since the release have not used the tract. We were curious – ‘why not?’ We wondered if the open areas on SAHC’s tract were converted to native grasses and plants\, would more female and young elk come onto that property? It’s so beautiful\, just a gorgeous little valley\, and we’d love to see more elk using that space. The elk population is slowly growing\, and we have high hopes that if we continue to create quality habitat we will increase the number of elk.” \nWith that in mind\, NCWRC applied for a grant from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to support removing non-native plants in favor of native vegetation on SAHC’s property at Stevens Creek. In conjunction with the grant for habitat management\, they secured funds to put radio collars on elk to track their movements and see if more elk use SAHC’s property. Read more about the project at – appalachian.org/elk-habitat-management-at-stevens-creek. \nClick here to read more about the 147-acre Stevens Creek Preserve protected in 2017\, and here to read more about the nearby 13-acres protected in 2021. \nBiologist Justin McVey conducting Elk research.
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/lunch-and-learn-elk/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/TrailcameraElkbyJustinMcVey.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240912T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240912T130000
DTSTAMP:20240821T212624Z
CREATED:20240821T202252Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240821T212624Z
UID:26044-1726142400-1726146000@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:2024 Lunch and Learn: MountainTrue
DESCRIPTION:Virtual Lunch & Learn: MountainTrue’s Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC\nThursday\, September 12 at 12:00 pm EST\nWhy should environmentalists support building more housing? Join MountainTrue’s Housing & Transportation Director Susan Bean as she explores the answers to this question. \nWe know that healthy communities exist within the context of a healthy environment — and right now\, both are threatened. There is a housing shortage across the country creating an urgent need to build more homes. There is also a climate crisis\, with greenhouse gas emissions threatening the stability of all our planet’s ecosystems and biodiversity. How and where our communities build these much needed homes for families will have implications for our carbon footprint. Join us to learn more about MountainTrue’s newest program\, Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC\, and about part of the solution to both these crises. \n\n 
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/lunch-and-learn-mountaintrue/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Robbie-Sweetser-and-Michelle-McGee-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240807T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240807T130000
DTSTAMP:20240805T234917Z
CREATED:20240716T185629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240805T234917Z
UID:25877-1723032000-1723035600@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:2024 Geology of South Yellow Mountain Preserve - Lunch & Learn
DESCRIPTION:Virtual Lunch & Learn: The Geology of South Yellow Mountain Preserve\nJoin SAHC’s South Yellow Mountain Preserve Manager Park Greer as he outlines the geological features and history of South Yellow Mountain Preserve. See examples of geological features on the preserve such as intrusions\, folds\, and mines. This virtual Lunch and Learn webinar will be accompanied by a separate outing to SAHC’s South Yellow Mountain Preserve to observe geological features and a waterfall. \n\n\nNOTE: This is PART ONE of a two-part Lunch & Learn + Outing combination. Please find information and register for the accompanying in-person outing on Saturday\, August 10 below.\nGeology of SYMP Lunch & Learn Outing\nDate: Saturday\, August 10\nTime: Starting at 9:00 AM\nWhere: South Yellow Mountain Preserve\nDistance: 3.8 miles\nDifficulty: Moderate (6/10)\nCost: Free for Members\, $10 for non-members\nRegistration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED\n\n \n\nJoin Preserve Manager Park Greer for a 3.8 mile hike exploring the geology of the South Yellow Mountain Preserve. This hike is rated as moderate with a few steep sections\, uneven ground\, and hot weather. Please come prepared with sturdy footwear\, plenty of water\, and snacks.\n\nHikers will climb nearly 900 feet in elevation to a rocky outcrop overlooking the southern portion of the preserve before returning to the cool\, shaded groves of a rich cove forest. Meandering through the rhododendron and oaks\, Park will interpret the ancient and modern history of the rocks that form the foundations of our majestic Southern Appalachians. Participants will see and feel examples of what built these peaks\, and explore the abandoned ruins of a mine that was carved into them.\n\nBecause of the moderate terrain and educational aspect of the hike\, SAHC is limiting it to 20 participants. Please sign up early for this opportunity to explore the South Yellow Mountain Preserve!\nDue to moderate terrain and educational aspect of the hike\, SAHC is limiting it to 20 participants. Please sign up early for this opportunity to explore the South Yellow Mountain Preserve! A separate registration form must be completed for each participant.  \nNote: There is NO cell service at the trailhead\, and the gate will be locked after the group departs\, so if you are late you will not be able to go on the hike.  \nIf you have any questions\, please reach out to justin@appalachian.org.
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/geology-of-symp-lunch-and-learn/
CATEGORIES:Hikes and Outings,Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_9834.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240605T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240605T130000
DTSTAMP:20240511T002243Z
CREATED:20240511T002243Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240511T002243Z
UID:25470-1717588800-1717592400@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:2024 Sunflower Flo Virtual Yoga Class: Find Your Inner Flow - Lunch & Learn with SAHC Board Member Allison Williams
DESCRIPTION:Virtual Lunch & Learn: Sunflower Flo Yoga Lunch & Learn w/ SAHC Board Member Allison Williams\nJoin SAHC Board Member Allison Williams with Sunflower Collective Outdoors for an all levels virtual yoga class. The class will end with a sound bath and meditation.\nFollow Allison through Sunflower Collective Outdoors on YouTube and Instagram. \n\n 
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/2024-sunflower-flo-virtual-yoga-class-find-your-inner-flow-lunch-learn-with-sahc-board-member-allison-williams/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_5647.jpeg
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240507T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240507T130000
DTSTAMP:20240419T183602Z
CREATED:20240419T183602Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240419T183602Z
UID:25340-1715083200-1715086800@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:2024 Lunch and Learn: Made X Mountains
DESCRIPTION:Virtual Lunch and Learn with Made By Mountains Partnership Building Outdoor Communities Program \nTuesday\, May 7 at 12:00pm\n\n\nThe MADE X MTNS (Made By Mountains) Partnership is working to expand the outdoor industry and economy across North Carolina’s Appalachian region and catalyze rural development by building vibrant outdoor communities\, growing outdoor businesses\, and amplifying outdoor culture. This work is funded by Appalachian Regional Commission\, Dogwood Health Trust\, and Mountain BizWorks.\n\nJoin the Building Outdoor Communities Program Specialist\, Bradley Spiegel to learn about the 7-month capacity building program that 19 WNC counties have completed to holistically and proactively plan for outdoor assets that balance conservation and community development. FREE virtual presentation.\n\n\n  \n\n 
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/2024-lunch-and-learn-made-x-mountains/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BOC-Web-Banner-Climbing-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20231116T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20231116T130000
DTSTAMP:20231019T211633Z
CREATED:20231019T211633Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231019T211633Z
UID:23943-1700136000-1700139600@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:2023 Virtual Lunch and Learn: StoryMap - Birding in the Roan Highlands and Hampton Creek Cove
DESCRIPTION:Virtual Lunch and Learn: Birding in the Roan Highlands and Hampton Creek Cove StoryMap\nWhen: Thursday\, November 16 at 12 pm\nPresenter: Rachel Whiteman\, ETSU Masters Candidate for Geospatial Analysis\nRachel Whiteman is an experienced GIS student at East Tennessee State University. Her thesis is identifying habitat for threatened birds in the Eastern Tennessee area. She has created many story maps\, one of which inspired her thesis topic: Roan Mountain and Hampton Creek Cove Birding Areas. This StoryMap was created for the Elizabethton Bird Club as part of their outreach. \nRachel will walk through her Roan Mountain and Hampton Creek Cove Birding Areas StoryMap during the presentation\, with plenty of time for questions afterward. \nFREE and open to the public. Please join us!
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/roan-birding-storymap/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Image.jpeg
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230919T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230919T130000
DTSTAMP:20230803T195747Z
CREATED:20230726T214152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230803T195747Z
UID:23622-1695124800-1695128400@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:Lunch and Learn Part One - Online Webinar - Utopian Seed Project
DESCRIPTION:When: Tuesday\, September 19th at 12:00 pm\nFree. Open to the public.\nThe Utopian Seed Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit that explores and promotes regional agro-biodiversity in Western NC. In 2022\, the Utopian Seed Project expanded their experimental farm to a second site at the SAHC Community Farm focusing on a range of crop and variety trials\, seed work\, and supporting a WNC Seed Growers Collective. Hear from Executive Director and Founder\, Chris Smith to learn more about our partnership and how their work inspires\, educates and celebrates diversity in food and farming. \nClick here to Register for the Virtual Lunch & Learn \nThis is Part 1 of a 2-part series. In conjunction with this online webinar program\, we will offer an in-person event on Friday\, September 22 at 12 p.m. You are not required to sign up for both\, although it is encouraged. The Community Farm Tour is FREE\, but registration is required – Click here to register for the Community Farm Tour.
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/virtual-lunch-and-learn-utopian-seed-project/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Farm-Tour-and-Greenhouses.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230503T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230503T130000
DTSTAMP:20230412T215745Z
CREATED:20230406T213347Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230412T215745Z
UID:22944-1683115200-1683118800@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Lunch and Learn: Birding for Beginners
DESCRIPTION:When: Wednesday\, May 3 at 12 pm\nFree. Open to the public. \nBirds are everywhere. There are about 10\,000 species in the world\, a fact that helps any beginning birder find birds. If you have ever been curious about what it takes to become a birder\, join us for this beginning birding program to learn tips on how to bird and how you can connect more deeply with nature. Presentation by Chris Soto\, SAHC Trustee and member of the Elizabethton Bird Club and Joe McGuiness\, vice-president of activities for the Elizabethton Bird Club.  \nWe will also record the Virtual Lunch and Learn to share on SAHC’s YouTube Channel. \n\n\n\nThis is Part 1 of a 2-part series. In conjunction with this online webinar program\, we will offer an in-person event the following week on Wednesday\, May 10 at 8:30 am. Put your new birding skills to use at our Beginning Birder Walk at Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area. You are not required to sign up for both\, although we recommend it. The bird walk outing is FREE\, but registration is required – Click HERE for more info and register for the Beginner Birder Walk.
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/virtual-lunch-and-learn-birding-for-beginners/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Golden-Winged-Warbler.jpeg
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230420T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230420T130000
DTSTAMP:20230331T194009Z
CREATED:20230331T194009Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230331T194009Z
UID:22853-1681992000-1681995600@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Lunch and Learn: Women in the Wilderness
DESCRIPTION:What: Virtual Lunch & Learn: Women in the Wilderness – Safety\, Communication and Awareness \nWhen: Thursday\, April 20 | 12 p.m.\nFREE and open to the public \nPresentation by Katie Gray\, SAHC Community Engagement & Education AmeriCorps member. \nAs a woman who has spent a great deal of time in some of the country’s most remote wilderness areas\, Katie Gray will cover topics about how to stay safe\, comfortable and aware in the backcountry. Learn topics such as self defense\, communication techniques\, and Wilderness First Aid to keep in your back pocket on your next outdoor adventure. \n\nAfter registering\, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. \n 
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/virtual-lunch-and-learn-women-in-the-wilderness/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8269.jpeg
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230214T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230214T130000
DTSTAMP:20230209T224914Z
CREATED:20230131T031620Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230209T224914Z
UID:22537-1676376000-1676379600@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Lunch and Learn: Roan Highlands Visitor Use Management
DESCRIPTION:Do you love the Highlands of Roan? Join Marquette Crockett (Roan Stewardship Director at Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy)\,  Jen Barnhart (District Ranger at U.S. Forest Service\, Pisgah National Forest\, Appalachian Ranger District)\, Morgan Sommerville (Director\, Visitor Use Management at Appalachian Trail Conservancy)\, and Jerry Kyle (High Country Regional Manager at Appalachian Trail Conservancy) for a special presentation on visitor use management in this fragile landscape. \nThe Roan Highlands are one of the most unique landscapes in the Eastern United States – How Can We Keep It That Way?\nOur public lands have become even more popular than in years past with the readily available information online and social media. We want folks to get outdoors\, connect with their public lands\, and hopefully become stewards of those lands. Unfortunately\, this can also cause visitor use management issues that can have negative ecological impacts\, loss of character of that landscape\, and/or decreased visitor experiences. What are land managers and stakeholders to do? Come learn what the US Forest Service and partners are doing to address these issues in the Roan Highlands through the collaborative efforts of the Roan Highlands Visitor Use Management committee. \nClick HERE to Register in advance for this webinar: \n\nAfter registering\, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. \nTo learn more\, check out this PDF about the Roan Highlands Visitor Use Management Committee: Roan Highlands_VUM_Committee_About.Us_1.27.2023
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/virtual-lunch-and-learn-roan-visitor-use-management/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_9349.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230125T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230125T130000
DTSTAMP:20221213T223634Z
CREATED:20221213T223634Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221213T223634Z
UID:22453-1674648000-1674651600@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Lunch and Learn: Alphabet Soup - Navigating Government Farm Programs
DESCRIPTION:Lunch & Learn: Alphabet Soup – Navigating Government Farm Programs\nWednesday\, Jan. 25 | 12:00 p.m.\nUSDA\, Extension\, FSA\, NRCS\, Rural Development – at times\, the acronyms and jargon associated with farming programs can seem overwhelming. Hosted by our partner Stephen Bishop\, NC FarmLink Western Director\, this presentation will provide a brief overview of the most common government farm assistance programs\, as well as tips and advice on applying for assistance and where to get started. \n \nRegister in advance for this FREE webinar:\n\nAfter registering\, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. \n 
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/virtual-lunch-and-learn-alphabet-soup-navigating-government-farm-programs/
CATEGORIES:Farm Workshop Series,Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/communityfarmcompostspreading.jpg
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