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Appalachian Spring 2019

Join us in celebrating SAHC’s 45th Anniversary at USA Raft Adventure Resort outpost on the banks of the Nolichucky River in Tennessee! This year, we have an extra-special annual Appalachian Spring Conservation Celebration planned, with outdoor adventures available thanks to our generous friends at USA Raft Adventure Resort.

 

Discounted Rafting Adventures

Before the event, guests have the option of two rafting trips. Please note: You will need to book these activities through USA RAFT, using the links and discount codes below.

  • Nolichucky Gorge Half Day Trip – Class 3-4, begins at 1:30 pm, back by 5 pm. Use promo code SAHCGORGE for a 25% discount; total $56 per person. Click HERE to register.
  • Lower Nolichucky Half Day Trip – Class 1-2, begins at 2 pm, back by 4:30 pm.  You can take inflatable kayaks on this section.  Use promo code SAHCLOWER for a 25% discount; total $34 per person. Click HERE to register.

If you would like to bring your own kayak – then you can join the trip for FREE. 

On-site Pre-Event Activities begin at 3 pm

These activities are offered FREE for Appalachian Spring guests:

Stand-up Paddleboard with instructors on site. Boards of all different shapes and sizes for kids to adults. Come prepared to get your feet wet!

Onewheel lessons and demo on site for all ages.

Self – Guided Hikes – Options of 3 different hikes to discover nature’s beauty along the Nolichucky or Appalachian Trail: 15 minute stroll along the Nolichucky, 1 hour or 2 hour along the AT.

Fly fishing – A guide will be on hand for demos and equipment use. No license required.

Plant Walk with HERBalachia — 4 pm

Join Michelle Bouton of HERBalachia for a brief introduction to several of our most appreciated wild foods and medicines in the eastern TN bio-region. When we visit plants in their natural habitat, we are introduced to plant communities, giving us hints as to the delicate balance of interrelationship of plant species, natural environment, and human interaction. We will discuss basic wildcrafting ethics and reciprocation: what can we give back? Good footwear and a hand lens (if you have one) are useful.

Appalachian Spring Conservation Celebration – 5 pm to 8 pm

Enjoy a stunning setting, surrounded by lush mountains and the gorgeous Nolichucky River while the ETSU Old-Time Ramblers perform. We will have a silent auction with exciting outdoor packages — and all proceeds benefit ongoing conservation efforts. Dinner will be catered by Southern Craft BBQ, with veg options.

Join us in honoring the 2019 Stanley A. Murray Volunteers of the Year. 

In 1989 the Stanley A. Murray Award for Volunteer Service was created to honor persons who have made outstanding volunteer contributions to the work of SAHC emulating the lifelong dedication of our founder, Stanley A. Murray.

This year, we honor the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club for its extraordinary volunteer help over the years, particularly in 2018 managing Golden-winged Warbler habitat around our Grassy Ridge “Birdhouse” property. TEHCC members made numerous trips to the Grassy Ridge property to open up 2.5 acres of new habitat for Golden-winged warblers. They donated fuel, equipment, and more than 383 hours cutting locusts on the property, then spent another 403 hours de-barking and transporting the locust to be used in repairing sections of the Appalachian Trail across the Roan Highlands. In addition, several members of the club participated in trail planning and building on our Elk Hollow preserve.

Appalachian Spring Tickets:

$35 member, $40 non-member.  $25 Student/AmeriCorps. $50 at the door.
Includes: Dinner (veg option),  beer/wine/drinks, music, and on-site activities.

Prefer to purchase tickets by check? Use the form below to register now, and send your payment to SAHC, 372 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 (please note Appalachian Spring on payment).

  • Please list Appalachian Spring registrants for the guest list, separated by commas. Providing ages for any kids attending would be helpful for planning.

Thank you to our Event Sponsors!

 

 

Wilson Worley PC, Attorneys at Law

Asheville Hiking Tours

Picnic for Public Lands

Join Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, The Conservation Fund, The Wilderness Society, and Appalachian Trail Conservancy for a special TN event, part of a 52-week tour celebrating the public lands that have been protected thanks to funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

You and your family are invited to this special public lands picnic by the river! 

We will picnic on the grounds of the USA Raft Outpost on the banks of the Nolichucky River, near the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. America’s most important conservation and recreation program, LWCF will expire in less than a year unless Congress acts. For 52 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has protected national parks and open spaces in every corner of the nation. Come celebrate the incredible places the LWCF has helped protect.

Enjoy free local beer, soft drinks & hors d’oeuvres, provided by Southern Craft BBQ and Great Oak Brewing of Johnson City, TN.

Hosted by USA Raft & Mountain River Guides

 

On Property Activities include:

  • Stocked Trout Pond
  • Appalachian Trail access
  • Onewheels
  • Paddle Boards

For directions, visit USARaft.com.


52 years of success. 52 places to highlight. 52 weeks to #SaveLWCF

America’s most important conservation and recreation program, which has saved places in nearly every state and every county in the U.S., will expire on September 30, 2018 without action from Congress.

The last week of March, Tennessee is in the spotlight! Here are some of the stunning places across the state that have been protected because of the LWCF.

Corporate Partnership Rafting Trip with USA Raft!

Location: Nolichucky River near the protected Lost Cove

Date: Saturday, May 20th

Start Time: 9 AM; Carpool info TBA

Difficulty: No experience required – recommended for healthy active people. Must be 10 years or older.

Leader: Experienced USA Raft River Guides

Cost: $30 for SAHC members; $40 for non-members. This is a heavily discounted rate for this trip, and all proceeds will benefit SAHC.

Registration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED.

On Saturday, May 20th, our corporate partner USA Raft will be hosting a rafting trip on the Nolichucky for SAHC staff, board, and supporters. This full day trip will include a picnic riverside lunch and will feature over 25 named Class II-IV rapids along a 9-mile stretch of river. The trip will also include extra time to play, swim and surf in the rapids. We are excited to offer this trip at a discounted rate thanks to the generosity of USA Raft! We will also be joined by local brewers from JRH Brewing Company and Gypsy Circus Cider Co.

Register online now for our Corporate Partner Rafting Excursion with USA Raft!

 
  • First NameLast NameEmailOver the Age of 18 (Y/N)? 
  • By providing your phone number, you ensure that we have a way to contact you in the rare event of any last-minute changes to this outing.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Click the ticket link below to submit a donation for your outing — $30 for members/$40 non-members. If you have questions about your membership status, please contact Membership Director Cheryl Fowler at cheryl@appalachian.org or 828.253.0095 ext 209.

Raft Out the Trash!

GroupwithTrashOnTractWhere would we be without our volunteers and amazing AmeriCorps Project Conserve members? Our “Raft Out the Trash” event  earlier this year reflects a stellar example of how these team members’ incredible initiative, drive and dedication help us achieve conservation success.

Since protecting the Lost Cove tract in 2012, we at SAHC have heard over and over how much this special place resonates with people. Unfortunately, however, years of illegal use had marred the beauty of the cove – and left literally tons of trash strewn about. When our AmeriCorps Outreach & PR Associate, Anna Zanetti, first scouted a hike into Lost Cove, she was appalled by what she found and commenced to plan an ambitious volunteer excursion to take care of it.

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