June 2024 - Supporter Update
Dear Friends of FCNC,
This year at Flavors of the Foothills, I was reminded of the community’s dedication to our land trust work. So many people expressed their gratitude for the tireless efforts our staff and volunteers devote to making positive impacts in our eight-county service area. Enthusiasm from guests and sponsors permeated the atmosphere, invigorating our staff and board to be resolute in our mission to protect the natural and cultural heritage of this region for generations to come, and connect people to nature.
Oak Hill Community Park & Forest was the perfect venue to showcase the beauty of the lands we are called to protect. The park represents a nexus of our capabilities as an organization to conserve important landscapes and offer community benefits that last forever and for the benefit of all.
On behalf of FCNC’s staff and board of directors, I offer sincerest thanks for making this year’s Flavors of the Foothills our most successful yet! We look forward to seeing familiar and new faces next year.
FCNC Partners with USFS in Catawba Falls Reopening
Last Thursday was a special day for Foothills Conservancy of NC and the Grandfather District of the Pisgah National Forest with a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the grand reopening of the Catawba Falls Trail alongside our partners: G5 Trail Collective, National Forests in North Carolina, McDowell County, and others.
Our land trust played a crucial role in securing the trailhead land that exists today. In 2007, FCNC acquired and protected a 23-acre tract of land that separated the public road from the boundary of the Pisgah National Forest. In 2010, we combined this land with 65 acres of adjoining Conservancy land and conveyed 88 acres to the U.S. Forest Service, ensuring public access to Catawba Falls in perpetuity. This land is the site of the public trailhead, and FCNC’s 1,900-acre Catawba Headwaters Preserve adjoins and buffers the Pisgah National Forest at this location. A section of the new Catawba Falls Trail passes through this Preserve.
It was an honor to be a part of this special celebration with partners and elected officials from across the Great Trails State. The reopening of the trail introduces an intermediate loop to the upper falls, and an astounding staircase and deck system, equivalent to the height of a 30-story building, that allows hikers to safely reach the upper falls.
Introducing: Trail Work Thursdays & Wildlife Wednesdays
Beginning on June 12th & 13th, FCNC will host Wildlife Wednesdays & Trail Work Thursdays! From June through August:
Every Wednesday from 3 P.M. - 5 P.M., volunteers are invited to join us at FCNC’s office to help maintain our Certified Wildlife Habitat area.
Every Thursday from 10 a.m. - 1 P.M., volunteers will meet at an FCNC trailhead to help maintain and keep the public trails safe for all to enjoy!
These events are subject to weather conditions, so be sure to RSVP for updates. Below is our June schedule. Please reach out if you are interested in getting involved!
Oak Hill Trail Development
The next phase of trail construction at Oak Hill Community Park and Forest is underway! This project will add four miles of multi-use trails to the park, and serve as the backbone to future trail expansion, connecting the parking lot to upper portions of the property near NC 181. The new section of trail will form a loop and be built as an intermediate-level mountain bike experience (commonly known as blue trails) that can be enjoyed by new and experienced riders alike. The new trails will highlight areas of the park where various forest management techniques are implemented by FCNC and provide access to one of the most established tree canopy areas in the park.
As we expand the trail system at Oak Hill Park in the upcoming years, it will be designed around the park’s community-forward programs: community agriculture, stream restoration, environmental education, and land stewardship. The trail system will become an inclusive gateway to sustainable land use and management to be enjoyed by the community in perpetuity.
FABULOUS Flavors of the Foothills 2024!
Flavors of the Foothills 2024 has officially wrapped up, and it was a smashing success! The energy at the event was palpable, the conversations were riveting, and the food and drinks were *chefs kiss* deliciosos!
A HUGE thank you to executive chef Daniel Wheeler and the ten amazing chefs, our generous sponsors (see below),Joe Hasty and Centerpiece Jazz for the lovely tunes, our volunteers who made the event logistically smooth, and our guests who brought their smiles, support and perfect weather!
As we pivot into summer, you will soon receive our mid-year update publication and have an opportunity to support Foothills Conservancy of NC through our annual Summer Appeal. Keep an eye on your inbox and mailbox for more information.
We rely on your advocacy and donations to make conservation magic happen!
We love to hear from our donors, volunteers, and supporters. Please get in touch with us! Reach out to us with the email address in the footer of this page. A member of our team will be in touch with you.
For questions regarding a donation, please reach out to Marketing and Development Director, Katherine Ehrlichman. (kehrlichman@foothillsconservancy.org) or call 828-437-9930.
