May 2024 - Supporter Update
Dear Friends of FCNC,
Spring breathes new life into nature and calls us to immerse ourselves in the beauty of our natural environment. At Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, we're committed to protecting the very landscapes that inspire us during this rejuvenating time of year.
On Earth Day, our staff led over two dozen state and federal natural resource agency personnel on a tour of our next major conservation partnership endeavor – a 12,000-acre section of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the Eastern Continental Divide. Moments like this are essential in fostering collective action towards preserving our region's precious ecosystems for future generations.
As valued supporters of our mission, I invite you to embrace the spirit of spring and join us in our efforts to safeguard these precious lands for generations to come. Whether it's taking a leisurely stroll along one of our trails at Oak Hill Community Park and Forest, participating in a volunteer workday, or simply spreading the word about the importance of conservation, your actions make a difference.
-- Andrew Kota, FCNC Executive Director
Brittany Watkins Earns NC Environmental Education Certificate
& Converts FCNC Office Yard into a Certified Wildlife Habitat
The North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program establishes standards for professional excellence in environmental education, and awards certifications to participants who complete 200 hours of training in teaching a variety of environmental topics intended for a wide range of audiences, and who demonstrate their learned skills through 30 hours of applied instruction and a community partnership project.
Our community engagement manager, Brittany Watkins, led in-classroom workshops and hosted field trips with 9+ local schools to complete her certification. Her community partnership project involved developing educational lesson plans and workshops for the public through FCNC’s Our Big Backyard (OBB) program.
OBB engages learners of all ages in land conservation and environmental stewardship by inspiring curiosity for nature through guided outings and interactive workshops. Join us in May for several OBB events where you can learn about common birds and plants of North Carolina!
FCNC’s Our Big Backyard program also includes student internships and opportunities to study conservation-related topics. Two students from NCSSM spent the past year researching, planning, and helping Brittany plant a wildlife habitat garden at FCNC’s office. It can now be enjoyed as public greenspace during the week from 9-5 p.m., and a place where people can learn about native plants and birdwatch.
Popular Kitsuma Trail Access protected by Foothills Conservancy of NC
Kitsuma Trail is a beloved mountain bike and running trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains of McDowell County with stunning views, intense elevation gain, and an invigorating, 3-mile downhill that ends at a U.S. Forest Service picnic area near Old Fort.
Unbeknownst to most trail users, a section of the trail leading up to Kitsuma Peak passed through privately-owned land until earlier this week when Foothills Conservancy of NC acquired a 61-acre parcel of land for permanent conservation.
The tract of land, now owned by the Conservancy, features a portion of the Kitsuma Trail switchbacks, a forested ridgeline and steep slope with high biodiversity that drains into Swannanoa Creek below, and an abundance of old growth Chestnut Oak trees.
Thanks to former landowners, Sally Smith and Germaine Whitaker, who chose to sell the land to Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, this critical segment of trail and the parcel’s ecological values are now forever protected.
May is All Things Flavors (of the Foothills)!
With less than 10 days to go before our annual fundraising event, Flavors of the Foothills, our team’s nose is to the grindstone finalizing all of the details to make the event spectacular! FCNC staff met with executive chef, Daniel Wheeler, on-site this week at Oak Hill Community Park & Forest to coordinate event logistics and establish plans for the chefs.
We are proud to announce that the event will be powered by 100% renewable energy! Our solar generator will power the lights, PA system, and amplifiers for the band. We’re also utilizing compostable plates and utensils courtesy of U.S. Foods, and providing reusable metal cups for the various beverages that will be served at the event.
Guests can expect some of their local favorites, like Fonta Flora Brewery, Ginger's Revenge, and wine list curated by TREAT. We couldn't do this event without the support of our Sponsors. If you are still hoping to go, make sure that your name is on the waitlist!
Trail Construction Season is Here!
Trail development is much like an iceberg in that the finished product is what most people see, but the majority of the process and work to build a trail remains concealed. It is an intensive process of land or easement acquisition, planning, fundraising, permitting, layout and design. Construction is the last and most visible step in the process and offers only a hint of what truly lies beneath the surface.
Through the continuous and diligent efforts of FCNC staff, we are proud to announce that construction on the next phase of the Oak Hill Park public trail system will begin Friday, May 3rd! This next phase consists of 4 miles of new natural surface, multi-use trail that will extend from the existing, beginner multi-use trail to access the northeast corner of the park.
The new trail will be built as an intermediate mountain bike trail and will form the backbone of future trail expansions in the upper areas of the park. FCNC hired Long Cane Trails of Brevard, North Carolina, to construct the new trail, which we anticipate opening later this summer.
FCNC Receives Grant from Duke Energy Foundation for Oak Hill Park Community Agriculture Program
Duke Energy Foundation government and community relations manager, Robin Nicholson, recently delivered a grant of $25,000 to help FCNC establish a Community Agriculture Program at Oak Hill Community Park & Forest. The program began this spring with crop cultivation by a local, culturally diverse farming family and will expand into an incubator farm that supports sustainable food production and promotes equitable access to farmland and healthy food.
We love to hear from our donors, volunteers, and supporters. Please get in touch with us! Reach out to us by simply responding to this email. 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.
