Places We Protect
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Highlands of Roan
Soaring to 6,000+ feet, the Roan Massif contains globally significant ecosystems that provide habitat for imperiled species.
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The well-known grassy balds, rhododendron gardens, and rich spruce fir forests are also treasured for outdoor recreation. This is SAHC’s ‘flagship’ conservation focus area – where we began our conservation efforts more than 50 years ago. We continue to coordinate broad multi-partner collaborations to manage and preserve the Highlands of Roan.
Black Mountains
The Black Mountains and Great Craggy Mountains reach above 6,000 ft and include Mt. Mitchell – the highest peak in the eastern US.
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In this conservation focus area, SAHC has protected tracts of land for inclusion in Mt. Mitchell State Park, sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway, headwaters of the South Toe & Catawba Rivers, thousands of acres in the Montreat Wilderness, hiking trails adjoining Warren Wilson College, headwaters of Reems Creek and habitat along the Snowball Mountain Trail, water sources adjacent to the Asheville watershed, and much more.
French Broad River Valley
The French Broad River (the world’s third oldest river) is central to our region’s economy, tourism, agriculture, and way of life.
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This SAHC conservation focus area includes a significant portion of the French Broad River Basin, as well as surrounding high grassy meadows, forested coves, and bottomland farms. Here, we have focused on farmland conservation in the Sandy Mush and Leicester community, and surrounding areas. SAHC’s Community Farm is located in this area, less than a mile from the French Broad River.
Appalachian Trail Countryside
Our conservation work helps preserve the recreational experience for hikers along the Appalachian Trail (AT).
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The opportunity to hike along the internationally recognized AT attracts upwards of 3 million visitors annually and brings tourism dollars to local Appalachian communities. We have helped protect special places near the AT, including the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork tract – Tennessee’s gateway to the Southern Appalachians!
Smoky Mountains
SAHC’s protects land adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, buffering the eastern edge of the park.
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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a World Heritage Site that draws over 10 million visitors annually. SAHC works to expand the non-fragmented network of conservation land and create habitat corridors along the edge of the park. Highlights in this conservation focus area include Cataloochee Ranch and viewpoint on the Hemphill Bald Trail, Blackrock Mountain – a prominent peak near the Blue Ridge Parkway, the 408-acre White Oak Mountain tract (now transfered to the NC Widlife Commission), SAHC’s Stevens Creek Preserve, and more.
Balsam Mountains
This area features the Balsam and Plott Balsam Mountains, with high elevation spruce-fir habitat, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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In this geographic area, SAHC protects pristine headwaters, high-biodiversity streams, mature forests, and high-altitude ridges. Approximately 42 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway pass through the area, attracting eco-tourists from around the world. Highlights here include land along the Parkway, headwaters of the Tuckaseegee River, the Waynesville watershed, and tracts conserved on Cold Mountain, surrounded by the Shining Rock Wilderness.