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Preserving Wild Spaces | Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust
Written By: Sarah Pursel | Issue: April - 2022
Outfitted with youthful energy and field-tested ideas, Andrew Renfro is leading Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust’s stewardship efforts.
Andrew Renfro
As the weather warms and the Plateau comes alive, there will be much to see on a visit to Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust’s public access properties.
Sprouting wildflowers at Brushy Face Preserve, a view of the greening valleys from Sunset Rock – whichever HCLT property you find yourself exploring this season – keep a lookout for more than just signs of spring as you may just have the pleasure of seeing a new smiling face working on the trail!
Back in February, HCLT brought on a new staff member to lead our stewardship efforts. We are proud to welcome Andrew Renfro to the team!
As Stewardship Coordinator, Andrew will be responsible for managing our public access lands, including trails and habitat restoration projects, and monitoring our conservation easement properties.
Having been born and raised on the Plateau, environmental stewardship has played a big role in Andrew’s life. Andrew grew up in Cashiers, attending Summit Charter School from kindergarten to 8th grade and then Highlands High School through 12th grade.
He went on to college at Appalachian State University where he graduated with a BSBA in Marketing and Risk Management & Insurance. Upon graduation he returned to Cashiers to accept a role as Lonesome Valley’s Resident Services and Activities Director. While at Lonesome Valley, Andrew worked extensively with a local environmental consulting group to create environmental management plans for the community greenspaces.
Andrew has also worked to help improve other trail systems in the area by volunteering with local trail groups, such as the Highlands Trail Trimmers.
Now living in Highlands, Andrew enjoys fly fishing, photography, hiking, and hunting. Throughout his lifetime, Andrew witnessed the local impact of the invasive plant species, the hemlock woolly adelgid, increased tourism and development, and the ensuing environmental strains on our treasured natural areas. Andrew’s direct connection and experience with the local area fuels his passion to protect, preserve, and promote wild spaces and the natural beauty of the Plateau. We are thrilled to have him as a part of our team!
The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that conserves more than 3,700 acres of ecologically rich lands in Highlands and Cashiers. Visit hicashlt.org to learn more.
