Snowball Mountain – 64 More Protected Acres

In 2025, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy purchased 64 acres on Snowball Mountain –  adding to already-conserved land on the mountain. Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway northeast of Asheville and Woodfin, SAHC’s purchase of the land fills a gap in the protected landscape between the Woodfin Watershed (conserved in 2005) and SAHC’s existing Snowball Mountain Preserve (conserved in 2011).

Ecological Importance

“We are thrilled to protect this addition to SAHC’s Snowball Mountain Preserve,” shares Land Protection Director Michelle Puglese. “This purchase permanently protects land below the headwaters of Reems Creek, and fills a gap in the conserved landscape very near the public Snowball Mountain Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway. It also protects views from the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and preserves high elevation wildlife habitat. This is truly an exceptional property, and we are deeply grateful to the donors and grant funders who made the purchase possible.”

Reaching elevations of more than 4,300 feet, the 64-acre tract is situated within the Audubon Society’s Black and Great Craggy Mountains Important Bird Area, and the adjoining properties contain exceptional examples of rare habitat types. The property also includes three mountain streams; one is a headwater stream that originates on the property, and one is the main stem of Reems Creek that originates on SAHC’s adjoining Snowball Mountain Preserve. Reems Creek is a designated Trout Stream by the NC Division of Water Resources that flows directly into the French Broad River.

Continued Conservation

“SAHC has been working in this vicinity since 1996 when we accepted the donation of two adjoining conservation easements in the headwaters of Ox Creek, a tributary of Reems Creek,” adds Michelle. “Today, with this addition to our Snowball Mountain Preserve, SAHC-protected conservation easements and preserves in this Reems Creek area total nearly 3,000 acres.”

In 2011, SAHC purchased its original 90-acre preserve on Snowball Mountain in Buncombe County, permanently preserving scenic views for recreational visitors and habitat for native species. Nestled in the beautiful Craggy Mountains, this tract is highly visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway and national forest land. The Snowball Mountain Preserve was one of the marquee parcels that pushed SAHC past the 50,000-acres protected milestone mark at the end of 2011. Now, this purchase of the adjoining 64-acre tract from the same landowner continues our commitment to conservation in the area.

A Treasured Place

“I’ve loved this special mountainside for most of my adult life,” shares former landowner  Christine Cupido. “It’s been a remarkable healing refuge for me, and it gives me peace of mind knowing that SAHC will keep it conserved forever as an integral part of their network of nature preserves and conservation easements in the Reems Creek headwaters and Craggy Mountains.”

Conservation of the land was made possible by generous supporters of conservation, and an Appalachia Rising grant through Re:Wild.