Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s annual June Jamboree is a celebration of land protection and resource management in the stunning Highlands of Roan. This year, we continue our annual celebration of outdoor recreation and conservation in the Roan Highlands, along with other SAHC focus areas, with a week-long schedule of virtual events as well as a month-long challenge to get involved in citizen-science! Join us for one or all of these events. Can’t make it? All events will be recorded and shared on our YouTube channel.
Straddling the Tennessee and North Carolina border, the tight cluster of peaks and ridges known as the Roan Massif is a showcase of globally significant biological diversity, punctuated by Appalachian grassy balds, rhododendron gardens, high-elevation rock outcrops, southern Appalachian bogs, and rich spruce-fir forests. The Roan’s ecosystems contain one of the richest repositories of temperate zone biodiversity on Earth.
Lunch & Learn: The Ecological and Human History of the Roan Massif’s Grassy Balds
Monday, June 7 at 12 pm
Presented by Travis Knowles
Roan Mountain’s grassy balds have delighted hikers for decades. They also represent a long, enduring mystery for ecologists and biogeographers. What explains their presence and persistence in this landscape and why are they so special?
This presentation addresses what we know about these fabled grasslands’ history, including a summary timeline, as well as remaining uncertainties. We examine these unique ecosystems in the context of protecting this landscape for the future.
About the presenter: Travis Knowles is an Associate Professor of Biology at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC; Director of Wildsumaco Biological Field Station in Ecuador; and former Roan Seasonal Ecologist with Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.
Three-part Video Tour of the Roan Highlands
Tuesday, June 8 via YouTube
Presented by Marquette Crockett and Travis Bordley
Join Roan Stewardship Director Marquette Crockett and Roan Seasonal Ecologist Travis Bordley for a virtual journey through the Highlands of Roan, highlighting Golden-winged Warbler Habitat Management, Spruce-fir Habitat, and High Elevation Streams.
In this 3-segment video tour, you will discover what makes these Roan habitats unique and learn about interesting species that live here. Find out about active stewardship efforts, in which Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy works to manage or restore habitat. SAHC’s Roan Stewardship program manages and restores globally significant resources, working alongside many partners across the region. The Roan Highlands are one of the most biodiverse locations in our nation, and conservation of these irreplaceable resources is an ongoing process. SAHC serves as a leader in continued stewardship of these habitats in the face of climate change and other ecological threats. So, come take a tour with us and enjoy footage filmed on-the-ground during annual bird surveys, tree planting projects, and more!
Lunch & Learn: 7500 acres in the Highlands of Roan, Now What?
Wednesday, June 9 at 12 pm
SAHC is thrilled to accept a generous donation of 7,500 acres in the Highlands of Roan in 2022, but what does it take to make that happen? Hear from our leadership team at SAHC to learn more about how this incredible project came to be and what steps SAHC is taking to ensure this remarkable landscape will be managed and protected for generations to come.
June Jamboree Social via Zoom
Thursday, June 10 at 5:30 pm
Join us for this engaging and informative social hour where you will have the opportunity to hear updates about our program work. We will announce the 2020 Stan Murray Volunteer of the Year and recognize our Board of Trustees leaders. You won’t want to miss this fun virtual program filled with stunning photos and compelling stories.
Virtual Hike Video Premiere
Friday, June 11 via YouTube
Join us AmeriCorps member Shaylyn “Sarge” Sargent for an informative virtual hike to learn more about biodiversity in our region and appreciate how SAHC’s conservation efforts help protect the mountains you love. More details TBA.
Link to join virtual hike premiere via YouTube – TBA
iNaturalist Scavenger Hunt Challenge
All month long!
Participating in citizen-science is a great way to get engaged with conservation. This month, we challenge all our members, volunteers, and your friends to participate in SAHC’s iNaturalist Scavenger Hunt and record as many observations as you can!
Ever wondered about what plants or animals fill your yard? Populate your nearby favorite trail? Or what that vibrant mushroom you found is? Join SAHC’s ongoing scavenger hunt to learn about and discover with your friends, family, and your community all the wonderful creatures that inhabit our mountains. Interact with SAHC staff and other hunters to help identify plants and animals, learn new fun facts, and explore beautiful photos.
If you have never used iNaturalist before, iNaturalist is a great place to identify plants and animals with the help of the internet and the surrounding community. You can learn about what the names of plants and animals are in your area and much more. Explore the great outdoors and find plants, animals, fungi, insects, etc. and take pictures of them. Once you have your pictures, you can upload them to the mobile iNaturalist app, or from your computer on the iNaturalist website.
June is Conservation Month!
Sunny summer days make the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures in the mountains you love. National Trails Day falls on the first Saturday in June – along with Land Trust Day! Conservation land trusts like Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy play a critical role in protecting and managing land and water resources that benefit you and millions of people in the Southeast. We are so grateful to local businesses who have stepped up to pledge matching gifts and other ways to support SAHC on Land Trust Day – Saturday, June 5 – and throughout the entire month of June!
Wicked Weed Brewing – Matching donations in June!
Double your impact on conservation this month. Wicked Weed Brewing has generously offered to MATCH all donations to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy throughout the month of June, up to $10,000!
Celebrate outdoor recreation, local food, rivers, streams, trails, and more by making a gift to conserve the mountains you love – and watch your gift grow.
Mast General Store – Land Trust Day/Week
We are so grateful to Mast General Store in Asheville and Waynesville for continuing to support SAHC’s land, water, and farmland conservation as a Land Trust Day sponsor! These two Mast General Store locations will donate 20% of proceeds from sales on Saturday, June 5 to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.
PLUS – this year they are running a special “Round-Up” campaign for conservation from June 1st through 6th. Shoppers have the opportunity to ’round up’ their purchase total to the dollar when checking out, and the Asheville and Waynesville locations of Mast General Store will donate those ’round up’ proceeds to SAHC, too!
Highland Brewing Company – Seasonal Release June 26
This month Highland Brewing Company is releasing the NEW seasonal brew “Peachful Picnic”. The seasonal release party will be held in the Meadow on Saturday, June 26 from 3 to 7 pm. For each pint of Peachful Picnic sold during the release party, Highland Brewing Co. will donate $1 to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to support land and water conservation.
Second Gear – Nonprofit of the Month = SAHC
Second Gear in Asheville, NC is donating 1% of proceeds from all sales during the month of June to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy – their Nonprofit Partner of the Month. PLUS – as Land Trust Day sponsors, Second Gear will donate 10% of proceeds from sales on Saturday, June 5. Get the outdoor gear you need at a great price, and help support local conservation efforts while you do it – it’s a win-win for everyone!
