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X-WR-CALNAME:Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://appalachian.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
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DTSTART:20240101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250314
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250315
DTSTAMP:20250218T222323Z
CREATED:20250218T220715Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250218T222323Z
UID:27161-1741910400-1741996799@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:Organic Growers School Pre-Conference Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Friday\, March 14 – Pre-Conference Class at SAHC Community Farm\nWater Wise Management for a Changing Climate\nJoin Pat Battle from Living Web Farm and Thomas Leonard from Contour Lines for a comprehensive workshop on water management strategies. Participants will learn about stream restoration\, contour farming\, and agroforestry practices with demonstrations\, a site tour\, and a panel discussion featuring experienced farmers addressing water management challenges.  This class will include hands on activities including the opportunity to get behind the controls of an excavator\, tour\, and tree planting.\n\n\n\n\nOrganic Growers School Spring 2025 Conference\n\nOn March 15-16\, Organic Growers School (OGS) will host its 2025 Spring Conference at Mars Hill University. Pre-conference classes are being held at Warren Wilson College and the SAHC Community Farm. This year’s theme\, Resilience\, Recovery\, and Renewal\, focuses on rebuilding stronger\, more sustainable communities following Hurricane Helene while equipping attendees with tools and knowledge for long-term resilience. \nSince its inception in 1993\, the Spring Conference has grown into the Southeast’s largest gathering of farmers\, gardeners\, educators\, and sustainability advocates. The 2025 event combines OGS’s hallmark practical education with new offerings tailored to meet today’s challenges\, including: \n\nNew Workshop Tracks: Explore three tailored tracks focusing on urgent topics related to rebuilding. These include solar and other off-grid systems\, mutual aid\, resilience practices such as cooking and food preservation\, and understanding water and soil contamination\, among others.\nCore Curriculum: OGS will continue to offer a familiar core curriculum for gardeners\, farmers\, and those interested in sustainable living. It will feature over 32 workshops across eight tracks\, including Gardening\, Soils\, and Mushrooms.\nExpert Speakers: Learn from leading voices like Ben Hartman (The Lean Farm)\, Dan Brisebois (The Seed Farmer)\, Pam Dawling (Year-Round Market Farming)\, Ira Wallace (Southern Exposure Seed Exchange)\, Kamal Bell (Sankofa Farm) and Chris Smith & Chris Keeve (The Collard Atlas). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSouthern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is proud to be a “Farm Pathways” partner with Organic Growers School and NC Farmlink.  \n\n\n \nSAHC’s Community Farm is funded in part by grants from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina\, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (for Beginning Farmer Success – Farm Pathways to Long-Term Land Tenure)\, and a cost-share grant from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/organic-growers-school-pre-conference-workshop/
LOCATION:SAHC Community Farm (Event Venue)\, 180 Mag Sluder Road\, Alexander\, NC\, 28701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Farm Workshop Series,Upcoming,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/agroforestryproject-e1739902006681.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250314T093000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250314T140000
DTSTAMP:20250228T185343Z
CREATED:20250227T220643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250228T185343Z
UID:27285-1741944600-1741960800@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:2025 Hike Series: Tanasee Ridge
DESCRIPTION:Date: Friday\, March 14th\nTime: 9:30am\nWhere: Tuckasegee\, NC\nDistance: Approx. 6.5 miles out-and-back\nDifficulty: Moderate (6/10)\nCost: Free for all.\nJoin Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for our very first guided hike through our Tanasee Ridge tract near Panthertown Valley!  The Tanasee Ridge property encompasses 109 acres on the border between Jackson and Transylvania Counties.  It is surrounded by Nantahala National Forest on three sides and significant because of its potential to provide an alternative public access to popular outdoor recreation areas in Panthertown Valley.  It also contains important water resources in the Wolf Creek-Tuckasegee River watershed and forested habitat in an important wildlife corridor. \nHikers can expect to walk along the ridgeline using forest service roads before gradually descending into the Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area.  While traversing this 6.5-mile route we’ll move through tunnels of mountain laurel enveloping the trail\, cross streams and maybe stop for a snack at a waterfall or two. \nDue to limited parking\, please be prepared to carpool. \nRegistration for this event will close at end of day on Wednesday\, March 12th. \n 
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/2025-hike-series-tanasee-ridge/
CATEGORIES:Hikes and Outings,Upcoming
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DJI_0611.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250318T093000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250318T150000
DTSTAMP:20250312T200344Z
CREATED:20250307T190807Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250312T200344Z
UID:27140-1742290200-1742310000@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:2025 Volunteer Workday: Reviving Montreat Trails
DESCRIPTION:Date: Tuesday\, March 18th\nTime: Starting at 9:30 am\nWhere: Montreat Conference Center\nJoin Us for a Volunteer Workday at Montreat – Tuesday\, March 18th \nCome take part in a volunteer workday with the Montreat Conference Center on Tuesday\, March 18th\, focused on enhancing and restoring key areas of the Montreat trails. This collaborative effort is part of SAHC’s ongoing work to preserve the Montreat Wilderness area\, a pristine area in the Southern Appalachian Mountains known for its stunning natural beauty and rich biodiversity. \nVolunteers will play a crucial role in maintaining these trails by helping with several important tasks\, including: \n\nStair Installation: Installing pre-built stairs up the hill to improve trail access and safety.\nSign Installation: Placing trail markers to guide hikers and provide essential information about the trails.\nTrail Cleanup: Performing a second-pass brush cleanup to clear debris from areas that have already been chain-sawed\, ensuring the trails are safe and fully accessible.\n\nThe day will begin at the Montreat Conference Center\, where volunteers will be provided with light tools\, safety gear\, and instructions. A team of Montreat Conference Center members will lead the project\, offering guidance and support throughout the day. Whether you’re an experienced volunteer or new to trail work\, your help will directly contribute to maintaining the health and beauty of this cherished area. \nSAHC began protecting land at Montreat through conservation easements in 1998. Through the efforts of SAHC and volunteers like you\, we can continue to safeguard its ecosystems and ensure sustainable access for future generations. By participating in this workday\, you’ll be helping preserve the trails\, wildlife habitats\, and scenic vistas that make Montreat a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. \nWe look forward to seeing you there and working together to keep Montreat’s trails accessible and safe for all! \nRegistration for this event will close at end of day on Sunday\, March 16th. \nIf you have any questions\, please reach out to justin@appalachian.org. \n 
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/volunteer-workday-reviving-montreat-trails/
CATEGORIES:Hikes and Outings,Upcoming,Volunteer Opportunity
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Montreat-IMG.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250322T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250322T120000
DTSTAMP:20250307T205542Z
CREATED:20250224T221834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250307T205542Z
UID:27206-1742637600-1742644800@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:2025 Winter Hiking Challenge Celebration @ SAHC Community Farm
DESCRIPTION:Date: Saturday\, March 22nd\nTime: 10:00am\nWhere: SAHC Community Farm\, Alexander\, NC\nThis is a private event for individuals who registered for the 2025 Winter Hiking Challenge.\nWe at Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy are excited to wrap up another successful Winter Hiking Challenge!  Over 300 participants took on the challenge with us in pursuit of 60 miles hiked in 60 days\, and we managed to raise nearly $10\,000 along the way!  For those who took part in the winter fun\, we invite you to join us at our Community Farm in Alexander\, NC for a mid-morning picnic and celebratory gathering.  SAHC will provide pastries and other sweet treats as we share stories of our winter adventures! \nOur 140-acre Community Farm\, located just outside of Asheville\, is a dynamic hub for conservation projects and agricultural initiatives. An ideal place for photographers\, nature-lovers\, and individuals interested in regenerative agriculture\, our stream restoration project\, shortleaf pine reforestation project\, farm incubator program\, and education center\, are a few of the highlights. \nPlease be aware that the Community Farm is an active facility not open to the public without the accompaniment of SAHC staff.  To ensure the safety of all participants\, maintain staff capacity\, and create a positive experience\, pre-registration for the hike is mandatory.  Upon registration\, you will receive an email containing specific information about where to meet on the farm and other essential details. It’s crucial to note that a significant portion of the hike may not be disability accessible. \nRegistration for this event will close at end of day on Thursday\, March 20th. \nIf you have any questions please email Justin Tucker at justin@appalachian.org. \n 
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/winter-hiking-challenge-celebration/
LOCATION:SAHC Community Farm (Event Venue)\, 180 Mag Sluder Road\, Alexander\, NC\, 28701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hikes and Outings,Special Event,Upcoming
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Silvopasture-DSCF9067.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250325T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250325T130000
DTSTAMP:20250307T013541Z
CREATED:20250305T234311Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250307T013541Z
UID:27346-1742904000-1742907600@appalachian.org
SUMMARY:2025 Geology of the Southern Appalachians - Lunch & Learn and Hike
DESCRIPTION:Virtual Lunch & Learn: The Geology of the Southern Appalachians\nThe Southern Appalachian Mountains are renowned for their breathtaking beauty\, drawing visitors year-round. But what makes these mountains so captivating? While the diverse flora and fauna play a key role\, the underlying geology tells a deeper story—one that predates the trees themselves. Join South Yellow Mountain Preserve Manager Park Greer as he explores the fascinating formation of these ancient mountains and how they’ve shaped both our local biosphere and history. This Lunch & Learn will provide a basic overview of the formation of the Southern Appalachians and will serve as a foundation of knowledge for future Geology Lunch & Learns. \n\n  \nNOTE: This is the virtual learning component of a two-part Lunch & Learn + Outing combination. Learn more and register below! This hike is the same amazing route as last year’s Geology L&L Hike\, with similar talking points. We wanted to give participants that joined us last year a heads up!\nGeology Lunch & Learn Outing\nDate: Saturday\, March 29\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 Southern Appalachian mountains. This hike is rated as moderate with a few steep sections\, uneven ground\, and variable 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 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\nDue to moderate terrain and the 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.  \nNote: This hike is the same amazing route as last year’s Geology L&L Hike\, with similar talking points. We wanted to give participants that joined us last year a heads up! \nIf you have any questions\, please reach out to justin@appalachian.org.
URL:https://appalachian.org/event/2025-southern-appalachian-geology/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming,Virtual Conservation Experience
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachian.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_9834.jpg
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