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October 19, 2007
Southern Appalachians Highland Conservancy acquires 430 acres in Roan Highlands
Roan Highlands in June
Anytime land adjacent to a trail is acquired and protected in perpetuity, it's a good thing. When land near the Appalachian Trail in the Roan Highland, it is a special occasion. The Roan Highlands are beloved by hikers, and many cite the area as one of their favorite places along the entire 2,175 mile length of the trail.
Today the Asheville Citizen Times is reporting that a 430 acre parcel known as the Powdermill tract has been acquired after many years of complicated negotiating. Here is the full article from the Citizen Times;
Conservation partnership protects part of Highlands of Roan
Paul Clark
October 18, 2007
NEWLAND - A pristine 430-acre tract of land in the globally significant Highlands of Roan has been purchased by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, adding to a network of protected lands that are rich in wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.
The land in Avery County is near the Appalachian Trail and the Pisgah National Forest and includes a high altitude ridge more than 5,000 feet in elevation.
The conservancy closed the deal on the property, known as the Powdermill tract after the creek that runs through it, last week. The purchase was a complex transaction, taking years to complete and involving partnerships among various government agencies, non-profit organizations and individuals.
The project is intended to further the goals of the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan, adopted by the state of North Carolina in 2005 as its blueprint for fish and wildlife conservation for the next half-century. The plan calls for conservation of a wide array of aquatic and terrestrial species and their associated habitats and prioritizes the need for conservation of key large-acreage areas of high-quality habitat like the Powdermill tract.
“Several developers had approached the landowners, offering to buy the property,” said Carl Silverstein, the conservancy’s executive director. “If we were not buying it now for conservation and protection of wildlife habitat, it would very likely have been lost to development.”
The Powdermill tract is part of a 24,000-acre ecological network that is beloved by the public for its scenic value and recreational opportunities and is enjoyed by thousands every year, including Appalachian Trail hikers and campers; wildflower lovers, bird watchers, and other naturalists; students and classroom field trips; fishing and hunting enthusiasts; and winter recreationists such as cross-country skiers. The Highlands of Roan are also a key wildlife corridor for game and non-game species including black bear, grouse, turkey, and neo-tropical songbirds and is prime habitat for native speckled trout.
Conservation | By Jeffrey Hunter | 8:21 PM
