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Rocky Fork, by David Ramsey

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Do you know the story of Rocky Fork, TN?

SAHC is proud to have been a leader in protecting the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork watershed. This stunning scenic watershed is a unique, fragile ecosystem with rare and endangered species. Former SAHC Trustee and nature photographer David Ramsey elaborates in his new book Rocky Fork: Hidden Jewel of the Blue Ridge Wild.

David will donate 20% of each copy pre-ordered through his website using promo code SAHCRF by Nov. 30.

He says, “In this book, I’ve aimed to capture in words and images, along with fellow photographer Jerry Greer, the remarkable story of this 10,000-acre region. It is the story of how thousands of people who love these ancient mountains, including hunters, hikers, mountain bikers, fishers, horsemen and many elected leaders of the region found common ground and worked hard to save this treasured place for the common good.”

Be sure to use code “SAHCRF” for SAHC to get a donation from your book purchase. **This code also gets you 10% off the cover price** Please disregard any other promo codes on the website.

https://www.ramseyphotos.com/image-use-/-licensing

Special Note from the author:

“Greetings SAHC Supporter and Friend,

I’m David Ramsey, former SAHC Trustee and long-time fellow supporter. First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for supporting SAHC. It is through your engagement and help that it has become one of the most effective and important mountain land protection organizations in America.
Since its organization in the early 1970s, SAHC has achieved some incredible conservation wins for the southern Appalachian Mountain region. One of the greatest of these victories was saving the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork Watershed from imminent destruction.
As a native resident of Unicoi County, TN, where Rocky Fork is located, I was very fortunate and proud to be part of that effort. In fact, when I first learned about the scope and seriousness of the threat to Rocky Fork in late 2005, I sounded an alarm to regional and national conservationists, the news media and the people of the region — and I’m proud to say the first call I made was to Carl Silverstein, SAHC Executive Director.
What happened next, in my view, is one of the great stories of the last half-century about the coming together of diverse people and groups to fight for the protection of a true Appalachian and American treasure. I hope you will choose to read my first-hand account of that story in my new book, Rocky Fork: Hidden Jewel of the Blue Ridge Wild.
 
The Holiday 2018 release of the book honors SAHC’s key role in saving Rocky Fork through the donation of 20% of sales made to visitors to my website who use the code: SAHCRF.
Please visit www.ramseyphotos.com to learn more about the book and/or to make a purchase. The deadline for taking advantage of this opportunity to further support SAHC’s vital work is November 30, 2018.
Thank you again for all you do!
Best regards, David Ramsey “

2018 Salamander Night Hike

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Location: Rocky Fork State Park
Date: June 22, 2018
Time: 8:00 PM
Difficulty: Moderate (4-5)
Leaders: Marquette Crockett, SAHC Roan Stewardship Director
Cost: FREE

Come out and join the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for a guided night hike in Rocky Fork State Park near Flag Pond, TN. We will creep and crawl through the forest in search of salamanders and other night creatures in one of the most diverse areas for amphibians in the world! The hiking will be limited to less than 2 miles, but will include lots of climbing and crawling as we search for our slimy friends. In addition to field and rain gear, participants should bring a headlamp!  This hike is limited to 15 people.

Registration for this hike is now full. To be placed on the waitlist, or if you plans have changed and you can no longer join us, please contact emily@appalachian.org. Thank you!

 

Focus Area Feature Hike: Appalachian Trail Countryside

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Location: Rocky Fork State Park, TN

Date: Sunday, May 7

Start Time: 10 AM; Carpool info TBA

Difficulty: Strenuous (8-9)

Leader: John Beaudet, local naturalist and AT thru-hiker

Cost: FREE for all participants

Registration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED.

In this conservation focus area, we will learn about SAHC’s work in the landscape surrounding the Appalachian Trail (AT) between Hot Springs, NC and Watauga Lake in TN.

We will hike along the Flint Creek Trail past a battle site and old fish hatchery to meet up with the AT. The trail is beautiful with the creek running beside it most of the way. We will be joined by John Beaudet, a local who is familiar with the Rocky Fork area and will recount the story of the “Battle of Flint Creek,” the 1789 militia attack led by John Sevier against the Cherokee.

May is also a great time for wildflowers, and John, a self-described naturalist, will help us identify wildflowers and other plants along the way for those who are interested. Once on the AT, we will continue on the trail for about 2.5 miles to Devil Fork Gap, where we will carpool back to the start.

Presented as part of our Focus Area Feature Hike Series. Have you ever wanted to learn more about SAHC’s land protection work, particularly our conservation focus area priorities? This year we are offering a series of six Focus Area Feature Hikes, each highlighting one of the six distinctive greographic regions where we work. Over the past 43 years, our members and donors have protected over 70,000 acres across ten counties in NC and TN. Join us in learning about these successful projects and find out what makes each of our six Focus Areas unique.

This hike registration is now FULL. For questions, or to be added to the waitlist, contact hike coordinator Haley Smith at haley@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext 205.

Not a current SAHC member? Click Here to join SAHC. Members hike for free all year! If you have questions about your membership status, please contact Membership Director Cheryl Fowler at cheryl@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext 209.

SAHC helps Rocky Fork State Park acquire tract for public access

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RockyFork_triplefallsToday we celebrate Earth Day with the closing of an exciting new project which will enable more people to learn about and enjoy the incredible Rocky Fork region!

We worked with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to purchase a 1-acre tract to facilitate public access for Rocky Fork State Park.

“This 1-acre tract is a critical acquisition because it contains the only public access into Rocky Fork State Park,” said SAHC Executive Director Carl Silverstein. “We are proud to have been able to work with the State of Tennessee and other partners over the past decade to conserve the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork watershed. This recent acquisition is an integral part of these efforts, as it will afford public access for visitors to enjoy trails and trout streams in this stunning area.” Read more

Rice Creek – Protecting the View from the Appalachian Trail

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tipton_peopleviewing.jpgLocated barely 500’ from the Appalachian Trail (AT), the beautifully wooded Rice Creek tract has been a conservation priority for the US Forest Service (USFS) and Appalachian Trail Conservancy for over 15 years. We purchased the 77-acre property near Rocky Fork in Unicoi County with the intent to later transfer it to the Cherokee National Forest. Read more

Rockin’ at Rocky Fork with Mars Hill College

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group-shot.jpgOn Sunday, Septemeber 9th, David Ramsey led Mars Hill College 17 faculty and students on a hike to the protected 10,000-acre ecological treasure, known as Rocky Fork. It was the perfect day for some learning, hiking, and fishing.

Ramsey has been leading hikes for politicians, concerned citizens, and anyone else interested in protecting Rocky Fork’s vulnerable land since the mid-nineties, so when Karen Paar, director of The Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies at Mars Hill College, approached Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy about leading a hike with her department for this fall, SAHC suggested David Ramsey. Read more

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