Thanks to the recent purchase of an additional 111 acres by Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, the mountain and the Catawba’s headwaters are one step closer to protection.

So far, the conservancy has acquired 264 acres of the scenic mountain and is seeking funds to protect the remaining 425 acres before a purchase option expires in October 2013.

Wildcat Mountain shelters waters feeding the Catawba River and joins 1,647 acres already protected by Foothills Conservancy which adjoin Pisgah National Forest and Catawba Falls in the river’s vital headwaters.

“This is an important acquisition for tourists who are drawn to our region by the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and for millions of people who rely on the waters of the Catawba River everyday,” says Tom Kenney, Foothills Conservancy’s land protection director. “The protection of Wildcat Mountain will forever protect the ‘front porch’ of the Blue Ridge and water quality where many headwater streams begin – the place where it should be protected.”

In November 2010, the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) awarded grants totaling $1.34 million to Foothills Conservancy for the Wildcat Mountain project. That year, the conservancy used a donation of $713,000 from philanthropists and conservationists Fred and Alice Stanback to purchase the first portion of the mountain. Their generous gift leveraged the CWMTF grant to the conservancy for subsequent phases of the Wildcat Mountain purchase and the protection of its numerous streams.

The CWMTF will hold conservation easements on the property’s streamside riparian zones, further ensuring the protection of water quality in streams feeding the Catawba River.

Foothills Conservancy is working closely with landowners Stuart Robinson and Stephen Little to purchase Wildcat Mountain, the largest remaining privately-owned tract of the Catawba River headwaters west of Old Fort.

“My family has owned and stewarded this land since the 1920s,” Robinson says. “I’m glad that it is being set aside for conservation.”

The Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding the Catawba River headwaters have been a focus of Foothills Conservancy’s protection efforts since 2002. The conservancy has protected 1,647 acres in the area, including the 818-acre June Adams and Sheila Adams preserves, 477 private acres protected with conservation easements. In 2010, Foothills Conservancy sold the 88-acre Catawba Falls Tract to the U.S. Forest Service, providing long-awaited public access to the falls.

Newly elected officers for 2011 are Michael R. “Squeak” Smith from Morganton, serving his third year as Chairman; Vice-Chairman Mike Tanner from Rutherfordton; Janet H. Wilson, Secretary, from Lenoir; and Treasurer Robin Brackett from Shelby.

“I am pleased to welcome our new board members and confident in their commitment to the land and water conservation mission, vision and continued success of Foothills Conservancy,” said Chairman Squeak Smith. “Shara, Charles and Carl each bring their unique talents and experience to the 2011 board.”

Shara Owensby, a devoted outdoorswoman, is a pharmacist who owns Table Rock Pharmacy in Morganton with her husband, Richard.

Charles Burgin, a retired attorney who has volunteered on several other non-profit boards, was born and raised in McDowell County and was drawn to Foothills Conservancy because of his love of the outdoors.

Carl Spangler is a retired industry executive and farmer who currently serves on the governing board of the Carolina Thread Trail (CTT) and as chair of the Cleveland County CTT steering committee.

Other board members continuing their service during 2011 include: Charles Brady, III, a Lenoir attorney; Mary Jaeger-Gale, general manager of Chimney Rock Park, LLC; Kelly Hawkins, a former non-profit development director from Morganton; Jerry Stensland, Rutherford County’s Conservation and Recreation Planner; and Karla Haynes, executive director of the Cleveland County Community Development Corporation.

A nationally accredited land trust based in Morganton, Foothills Conservancy is dedicated to working cooperatively with landowners and public and private conservation partners to preserve and protect important natural areas and open spaces of the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains and their foothills, including watersheds, environmentally significant habitats, forests and farmland, for this and future generations. As a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, the conservancy depends on tax-deductible private contributions to support its work in eight counties: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford.

Founded in 1995, the conservancy has permanently protected more than 45,000 acres at places like South Mountains, Lake James and Chimney Rock state parks; South Mountains, Linville Gorge and Wilson Creek state gamelands; Catawba Falls in Pisgah National Forest; and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It also helps private landowners protect family farms and forests with permanent conservation agreements.

To learn more about Foothills Conservancy’s land and water conservation programs and become a supporter, visit the conservancy’s website at www.foothillsconservancy.org or call 828-437-9930.

“We had to overcome untold obstacles to reach this goal, working quickly to protect the places we all love in Western North Carolina before they were lost to development,” said Susie Hamrick Jones, Foothills Conservancy’s executive director. “But, whenever the goal seemed too lofty, our treasured mountains, forests, farmland and streams inspired us to press on.”

The land trusts closed on more than 350 projects, during the five years of the campaign. In total these landowners involved donated in excess of $196 million in cash and property value. Their donations leveraged more than $150 million in public and private funding to complete these land acquisitions and conservation agreements.

“North Carolina is a state with vast natural resources and we must not take those assets for granted. Not only do those assets enrich our lives, they are also a key component of our state’s economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton. “I’ve had the great privilege of working to protect some of our state’s beauty in the creation of Chimney Rock State Park. I’m proud to mark today’s milestone achievement of protecting another 50,000 acres of Western North Carolina.”

The Southern Appalachian region is the most biologically rich temperate forest in North America, with hundreds of species found nowhere else on earth. Headwater streams in the Blue Ridge provide drinking water to millions of residents in the Southeast – water that is kept cleaner when land around its sources is protected. As a guide for their efforts, the land trusts of Blue Ridge Forever created a Conservation Vision for Western North Carolina to connect protected lands and highlight places containing significant ecological qualities, important wildlife habitat, high quality water, and cultural treasures.

“For millennia the Blue Ridge has been among the most important places conserving biodiversity in the temperate world. Here one can find relicts of the past, like Oconee Bells and the highest diversity of salamanders, trillium and wild gingers anywhere on the planet. There is a reason for this – when it works in the way it has in the past, this place is resilient, resilient to change. Through the work of the Blue Ridge Forever coalition of land trusts we can count on our little slice of heaven remaining a crucible of life in the face of change and an engine of biodiversity for eastern North America,” said Patrick McMillan, Clemson University naturalist and host of ETV’s series Expeditions.

During the five-year campaign, Foothills Conservancy protected key areas in the Blue Ridge Foothills with projects including the acquisition of Chimney Rock Park to be added to the State Parks system, expansions of existing parks, and the preservation of four miles of National Wild and Scenic Wilson Creek.

In addition to the natural amenities of Western North Carolina, the region is also rich with a strong farming tradition. Farming is a vibrant industry in our mountains with nearly 13,000 working farms. During the course of the campaign the land trusts have protected 70 working farms bringing the total WNC farms they have protected to 125.

“The protection of good agricultural lands is vital to the future of farming in our mountains and in our state,” said Bill Yarborough, special assistant to North Carolina’s Commissioner of Agriculture. “Once a farm becomes a housing development it will likely never again be worked.”

Foothills Conservancy’s work during the campaign also includes nearly 600 acres protected by agricultural conservation agreements on working and historic farmlands.

The coalition was able to achieve these impressive protection numbers by creating a landscape-scale vision and sharing resources, expertise and time on projects.

While the campaign’s success is a critical milestone, Foothills Conservancy and the other coalition’s members know their work is far from over. Many important places in the Blue Ridge Mountains are still at risk of development.

“Our 50,000-acre campaign is evidence of what we can accomplish together,” said Jones. “The campaign goal may have been met, but there is much more work to be done. Once our celebration is over it is back to work protecting our Southern Blue Ridge Mountains together.”

Blue Ridge Forever is a coalition campaign led by nine local land trusts and national conservation organizations to raise public awareness and financial resources to safeguard land and water in the Southern Blue Ridge for present and future generations. The coalition works in local communities to ensure that critical lands are protected for clean drinking water, recreation, wildlife habitats, tourism, and working farms. To learn more, visit www.blueridgeforever.info.

Blue Ridge Forever members: Blue Ridge Conservancy, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, Conservation Trust for North Carolina, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Land Trust for the Little Tennessee, National Committee for the New River, Pacolet Area Conservancy, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

National Advisors: The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy (NC Chapter), Trust for Public Land

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Lake James State Park Invitation

Catawba Falls - photo courtesy of Rich Stevenson

OLD FORT, NC — Waterfall lovers now have a trail to call their own to spectacular Catawba Falls in Pisgah National Forest.

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, a regional land trust, announced today that it has sold to the U.S. Forest Service 88 acres which provide long-sought public access to Catawba Falls in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Old Fort.

Foothills Conservancy acquired the strategic tract in two parcels. The conservancy tapped its own revolving loan fund plus a loan from The Conservation Fund and a generous $124,000 gift from Fred and Alice Stanback of Salisbury to purchase the first 65 acres in 2005.

In 2007, an anonymous private lender stepped up to help Foothills Conservancy quickly purchase an adjoining 23 acres which controlled the access to Catawba Falls when the tract was listed for sale and development.

The U.S. Forest Service acquired the combined tracts from Foothills Conservancy for $713,000 using Federal Land and Water Conservation Funds secured by U.S. Congressmen Heath Shuler (D-NC, 11^th District) and David Price (D-NC, 4^th District) in legislation signed into law last December.

“Catawba Falls is a natural treasure that belongs to the people, and the people will now have full public access to it,” said Rep. Shuler. “This beautiful area is a prime destination for hiking, fishing, and hunting. Access to this natural gem will encourage tourism and boost the economy of McDowell County and Western North Carolina.”

“Catawba Falls has always been one of our state’s most popular natural resources, but it has not always been accessible,” said Rep. Price. “I am pleased that I was able to help secure the federal investment needed to preserve the Catawba falls area for future generations.”

Foothills Conservancy discounted the sale to the U.S. Forest Service by $124,000, made possible by a generous contribution to the conservancy of $124,000 from Fred and Alice Stanback of Salisbury. The conservancy combined the gift with monies from its own  revolving loan fund and a loan from The Conservation Fund, a national organization, to initially acquire 65 acres of the 88-acre tract in 2005.

In 2007, an anonymous private lender stepped up to help Foothills Conservancy quickly purchase an adjoining 23 acres which controlled the access to Catawba Falls when the tract was listed for sale.

“At long last, the public is assured access to Catawba Falls, a natural treasure in McDowell County,” said Tom Kenney, Foothills Conservancy’s land protection director. “Thanks to the efforts of many before us, Catawba Falls has been a part of Pisgah National Forest since 1989,” he explained, “but lack of trail access has kept people from seeing where the Catawba River begins. Foothills Conservancy is honored to play a role in opening the door to one of North Carolina’s most spectacular waterfalls.”

Companion legislation is pending which will expand Pisgah National Forest’s official boundary to include the newly purchased tract and a portion of the original Catawba Falls tract that remained outside the national forest’s proscribed boundary. The legislation passed the House with full bi-partisan support after being introduced by Rep. Shuler and cosponsored by all 13 members of the North Carolina Congressional delegation. A similar bill is pending in the Senate, co-introduced by North Carolina’s Senators Kay Hagan (D) and Richard Burr (R).

“Acquiring this tract has been a priority for North Carolina’s National Forests for more than a decade,” said Marisue Hilliard, Supervisor of N.C. National Forests. “We thank Foothills Conservancy, Congressman Shuler and Price, and Senators Hagan and Burr for supporting this acquisition and the boundary expansion.”

Hilliard today unveiled a plaque that will be placed at Catawba Falls in memory of Colonel Daniel Weissiger Adams whose family owned Catawba Falls prior to the USFS’s purchase of the falls in 1989.

Funding for the 88-acre purchase represents the first Land and Water Conservation Fund appropriation to the U.S. Forest Service for a North Carolina project since 2002, when federal funds added lands adjacent to the Linville Gorge National Wilderness Area and above Lake James to Pisgah National Forest – acquisitions also led by Foothills Conservancy. LWCF funds were also allocated this year for part of another N.C. National Forest acquisition – Kings Mountain in the Uwharrie National Forest.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has strong bi-partisan support as the primary program supporting strategic additions and improvements to national forests, parks – including the Blue Ridge Parkway, and wildlife refuges.  The LWCF program was established in 1965 and uses royalties from federal oil and gas leases along the Outer Continental Shelf to fund outdoor recreation and conservation land acquisition projects.

“The need for public access to Catawba Falls is a great example of why conservation funds are needed now,” Kenney said

“In addition to providing a public trail to the falls and protecting the Catawba River near its source, funding for projects like this creates opportunities for local governments and groups to develop tourism destinations and to use outdoor recreation on our public lands as a magnet to boost and benefit their economies.”

Since 2005, Foothills Conservancy has permanently conserved 1,384 additional acres which adjoin Pisgah National Forest in the headwaters of the Catawba River and continues its conservation efforts in the area. This work has been accomplished with the support of many partners at the local, state and federal levels, including private landowners and the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

Based in Morganton, Foothills Conservancy is a non-profit regional land trust working with willing landowners and communities to protect significant natural areas and open spaces, including watersheds, forests and farm land, across the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains and their foothills in eight counties: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell, and Rutherford.

Since 1995, Foothills Conservancy has protected more than 45,000 acres by acquiring lands for state parks at South Mountains, Lake James and Chimney Rock; for state game lands, including those at Wilson Creek and below the Linville Gorge; and for Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. In addition, Foothills Conservancy has assisted private landowners who wished to permanently protect farm and forest lands with conservation agreements.

Membership and other information about the conservancy can be found on-line at www.foothillsconservancy.org or by calling 828-437-9930.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. “National accreditation will assure landowners, donors, funders and conservation and community partners that Foothills Conservancy merits their confidence,” said Susie Hamrick Jones, FCNC executive director. “It is a land trust’s highest seal of approval and will help Foothills Conservancy reach a new level of service for our region.”

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see www.landtrustaccreditaion.org/getting-accredited/indicator-practices.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: 112 Spring Street, Suite 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, (fax) 518-587-3183. Comments on Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina’s application will be most useful by May 28, 2010.

Local and state officials, government staff, community leaders and local farmers attended the symposium held at the Statesville Civic Center to learn about the challenges facing our local, state and regional agriculture systems.

Organized jointly by The Land Trust for Central North Carolina and Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, both regional land conservancies, the symposium was sponsored by a grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

“The focus now is international,” Secretary Crisco said. “Agriculture is our number one industry.  Forestry is number two, and tourism is third.”

“We need to get county commissioners to help local developers see traditional agriculture as development that creates jobs,” he continued. “That’s why people move to North Carolina, because of the quality of life. We can’t kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Agriculture is key to our future.”

Commissioner Troxler agreed. “We need a big effort for farmland preservation in North Carolina,” he said. “There’s a $70 billion dollar business we have in North Carolina that’s called agribusiness. It is the engine that drives all our economies.”

North Carolina will be home to another three million people by 2030, according to Troxler. “Think about what that means. It takes two acres per person including infrastructure.”

“By 2030, we’ll need to grow 50 to 75 percent more food worldwide to feed people,” he continued. “By 2050, we’ll have to double food production again. This is a daunting task. We’ve never done this before. How can we do this if we lose the land and the people resources to do this? The average age of North Carolina farmers is 58. If we don’t preserve the farmer and farmland in North Carolina, where will we be in 2030, 2050?

“When I look at the demand for agricultural products in North Carolina,” he said, “the future is bright both for local food and exports.”

Other speakers, including Jerry Dorsett with the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Lynn Sprague from Polk County and Tim Will with Foothills Connect, discussed creative ways to turn the challenges facing agriculture as an industry into opportunities and the special problems faced by small, family-owned farming operations prevalent in the Piedmont.

“What we need is locally led agriculture,” said Sprague, who shared numerous success stories from recent efforts by Polk County to support and encourage local agriculture, including the establishment of his unique position as director of the county’s Office of Agricultural Economic Development and the Mill Spring Agricultural Development Center, taking shape with volunteer support at a former school.

Will shared similar stories including the extension of broadband internet service throughout the rural areas of the county which has allowed Foothills Connect to connect farmers with Charlotte restaurant markets for delivery of fresh produce and other farm products.

“Six thousand families own between five and 20 acres in Rutherford County,” Will said, “yet the largest crop is hay with return per acre of $102. Farmers in the county were selling virtually nothing to Charlotte. Now, we’re creating virtual CSAs [Community Supported Agriculture] that allow chefs in Charlotte to order fresh food products over the internet ‘just in time’,” he explained. “We’re recruiting more chefs, and the people who are buying our food are beginning to visit our farms.”

Farming is a $10 billon industry in North Carolina, the largest industry in the state, with over 53,000 farms covering almost 8.5 million acres. In the four counties that were the focus of this symposium- Catawba, Iredell, Alexander and Davie- there are almost 3,200 farms covering 335,153 acres with an annual market impact of $278,356,000. The average age of farmers in the area is 57.

Agriculture as an industry faces many challenges including an aging farming workforce, suburban development pressures, increased international competition, and rising costs of production. Volatility in oil prices over the past four years also exposed the inseparable link between the cost of food production and the cost of oil.  Future spikes in oil prices will continue to challenge both profitability and affordability of food in America.

“We see agriculture in a crisis state,” said Dorsett. “Considering land prices and population growth, we have to ask ‘what will keep the next generation on the land? People come to North Carolina and want that rural flavor. We need to remind elected officials about the impact of agriculture. Three million new residents will equal six million lost acres.”

Cost of community services studies show that for each $1 in property taxes paid on farmland, services cost taxpayers 30 to 50 cents, Dorsett said. For each $1 in property taxes paid on a house, taxpayers must pay out $1.50 in services.

“We must educate our leaders and citizens about the importance of farming as an industry to this region,” said Jason Walser, executive director of The Land Trust for Central North Carolina. “It’s critical for policy makers, as well as the general public, to take steps now to ensure that agriculture will remain an important part of this region’s future for both economic and quality of life purposes.”

Among topics discussed at the symposium were innovative efforts taking place across the state and country to help support the business of farming.  These include creating new marketing opportunities for farmers, establishing purchase of development rights programs, and investing public dollars into farm infrastructure such as processing centers or land to be leased at below market rates to encourage certain types of farming.

Such efforts are made towards the goal of supporting more local and smaller farming operations, and evidence presented indicates that those communities which are most intentional about saving and supporting their farmland and agricultural industry are most likely to draw new entrepreneurial investments into agricultural enterprise.

“Each county and community has a different set of wants and needs and there is no cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all solution.” Walser added. “What we – all of the partners involved in agriculture support efforts – offer is a toolbox of systems, programs, and models that each community can mix and match to their specific needs and goals.”

The partnerships mentioned by Walser include the land trusts, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Cooperative Extension Services, voluntary agriculture district boards, local goverments, and numerous other local, state and national organizations.

Susie Hamrick Jones, Executive Director of the Foothills Conservancy along with Walser moderated the meeting. Jones praised the joint effort of the two land trust organizations saying, “This is the first of what I hope will be many opportunities for those of us involved in the effort to save both the business of farming and farmland to come together and learn from each other.  There is so much change happening in both agriculture and the larger economy, and we thought it important to take a step back and remind our policy makers what we have here in Piedmont North Carolina, as well as reflect upon what the future may hold for these special resources – farms, farmers, and employees.  The future is ours to choose and shape, and we believe that the future may indeed be bright for both farmers and non-farmers living in this region in days to come if we are willing to work intentionally and intelligently towards a shared vision.”

 The tract, which is surrounded by Pisgah Forest in Caldwell County, will be managed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission as part of its game land program.  

 Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina negotiated the purchase of the land for $7 million from The Lutz Family Partnership on behalf of the State in March 2008 following the shelving of a proposed 250-home subdivision by another interested buyer.  The purchase was completed on May 13, 2009.

 The regional land trust worked with the Wildlife Resources Commission to obtain funding for the acquisition from the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund and later transferred the contract to the state.  The purchase price was based on appraisals authorized by the N.C. State Property Office.

 The scenic tract offers outstanding public access to the trout waters of Wilson Creek, a favorite destination for anglers and others drawn to the creek’s cold, clear waters. The linear forested tract is bisected by Wilson Creek and contains important terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitats. 

Also on the property are the historic remnants of a cotton mill, which later became a hosiery plant owned by O.P. Lutz.  This building was destroyed in the 1940s during a catastrophic flood that devastated the area and essentially washed away the towns of Mortimer and Edgemont.

 Foothills Conservancy is honored to announce the protection of another of North Carolina’s natural landmarks, Wilson Creek,” said Susie Hamrick Jones, Foothills Conservancy’s executive director. “We commend Herbert Lutz and his family for their long-time stewardship of this land and for working with Foothills Conservancy, Caldwell County, Wildlife Resources, the Clean Water and Natural Heritage trust funds, and the State to achieve conservation and public access for this critical section of Wilson Creek.”

 “We also applaud the Friends of Wilson Creek and the many people in Caldwell County and beyond who worked to obtain National Wild and Scenic status for this spectacular creek and who rallied once again in support of adding this important tract to North Carolina’s permanently protected landscapes.”

 “The Wildlife Resources Commission is proud to acquire this magnificent property for public use,” said Mallory Martin, chief deputy director of the Commission.  “The wildlife habitat and aquatic resource values of this tract boldly complement other public and private holdings in the Wilson Creek watershed.  We look forward to partnering with Caldwell County and other organizations to optimize public use of these lands, consistent with the wildlife and aquatic habitat stewardship responsibilities entrusted to us.”    

 “Our family is forever grateful to Foothills Conservancy and the State of North Carolina for securing this pristine natural treasure for all the citizens of Caldwell County and North Carolina to enjoy,” said Herbert Lutz, managing partner for the Lutz Family Partnership. “Our parents, O. P. and Mattie Lutz, never wanted this beautiful land to be ravaged and destroyed by poor stewardship.  They always desired to have this treasure shared by the people who enjoyed its natural beauty.”

 The Lutz family’s tract is among a number of privately owned and cared for tracts along Wilson Creek that helped earn the large, cold-water creek its National Wild and Scenic River designation in 2000. Wilson Creek is also classified as an “Outstanding Resource Water” by the N.C. Division of Water Quality.

 ”Wilson Creek is sacred ground to the people of Caldwell County,” said Caldwell County Commissioner Ron Beane, the county’s lead person for Wilson Creek including all the efforts that led to the wild and scenic designation. “This is another vital step in a vision that Caldwell County Commissioners and citizens had in the late 1990s for preserving this national treasure.  We secured the Federal Wild and Scenic River designation in 2000 and in 2002 opened a visitor center, manned by our Chamber of Commerce, which draws over 10,000 visitors a year from all over the world.  The State’s wise investment in this tract will directly benefit our local economy as trout fishermen and other outdoor lovers cast their flies, launch their kayaks, hike and picnic along this special creek.” 

 Foothills Conservancy is working closely with other landowners, Caldwell County officials and citizens to continue to enhance the protection of Wilson Creek and its forested watersheds. Last year, Andrew Kota, Foothills Conservancy’s protection and stewardship associate, completed a comprehensive protection plan for Wilson Creek. Underwritten by the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the plan identified tracts that would benefit most from either public or private protection agreements. The Lutz tract ranked among the top priorities in this study, as did several other tracts for which Foothills Conservancy is exploring private, voluntary conservation options with the landowners.

 “The Wilson Creek corridor will remain a protection priority for Foothills Conservancy for years to come,” Kota said. “We look forward to working with landowners who desire to continue private ownership while adding a layer of permanent protection with conservation agreements that allow them to take advantage of attractive federal and state conservation tax programs.”

Cane Creek Mountain extends the new state park northeast from “Worlds Edge” and offers outstanding views of Chimney Rock, the Pool Creek watershed and Lake Lure. The mountain is also part of the stunning view looking south from Lake Lure and east from Chimney Rock.

Foothills Conservancy negotiated the first purchase agreement a year-and-a-half ago with landowners Bob and Anne Washburn for a pristine 174-acre wilderness tract which was purchased by the state parks system in December. The purchase of 156 adjoining acres from John and Alan Moore was made by Foothills in February, using a loan from The Conservation Fund.

The state completed the acquisition of both tracts last week for addition to Chimney Rock State Park. Funding awards to state parks in 2007 and 2008 by the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the N.C. Natural Heritage Trust Fund made the $6.5 million needed for the purchases possible.

“Lasting protection of Cane Creek Mountain represents another milestone in safeguarding the scenic views and nationally significant natural heritage of Hickory Nut Gorge,” said Tom Kenney, Foothills Conservancy’s land protection director. “We are very grateful for these landowners’ careful stewardship of the land over many years and their wishes to achieve conservation with these sales.”

The federally endangered White irisette plant and a number of other rare plants and animals find shelter on Cane Creek Mountain, part of a nationally significant natural area. The acquisition also protects a N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Wildlife Action Plan priority habitat – forested rock outcrop complex.

Foothills Conservancy has worked closely in western Rutherford County with the state parks system and other conservation partners since 2004 to secure support for and create a new state park in the Hickory Nut Gorge by acquiring priority tracts, including Chimney Rock Park and Cane Creek Mountain.

“Our longstanding partnership with Foothills Conservancy has yielded many benefits both in the Hickory Nut Gorge and elsewhere in western North Carolina,” said Lewis Ledford, state parks director. “Targeted, high quality land acquisitions such as these result in very effective conservation as well as the creation of a world-class state park.”

To date, 4,320 acres have been set aside for the park, with acquisitions supported by the three state conservation trust funds, the N.C. General Assembly and private donors. Foothills Conservancy continues to work with the owners of other tracts that are strategic to this new park.

The only current public access is at Chimney Rock, the former 1,000-acre tourist destination. The state parks system is developing a master plan to guide long-term conservation efforts and development of facilities and access throughout the state park, and public input will be a part of that process.