Toasting the Land Trust

Written By: Wiley Sloan | Issue: 2016/08 - August | Photograph By: Marjorie Christiansen Photography

Nestled on the southern end of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, these mountains, which some believe to be the oldest in the world, are among the most biologically diverse.  A century ago a group of forward-thinking Highlands residents realized that it was their responsibility to ensure this mountain paradise was not developed to the point of ruin.  

Thanks to the efforts of those who formed the Highlands Improvement Association back in the late 1800’s and the ongoing dedication of those who continue to be champions for the land, to date we have conserved over 3,000 acres in our mountains.  

One hundred years later, the organization that is now named Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust continues to protect our most treasured places – conserving new properties and caring for those entrusted to our care.  Some of them are open to the public like Satulah, Ravenel Park, Rhodes Big View, and Kelsey Trail.  Many of our conserved lands are conservation easements that are privately owned but protected from development forever.  

All of them protect wildlife habitat, rare plants and animals, water quality, scenic vistas, and more.  

 In order to achieve our land conservation and stewardship goals, we have developed programs in Education, Land Conservation, and Stewardship.  The Education Program includes our popular Eco Tours, the Village Nature Series (family-friendly community programs held one evening each month during the summer), and our thriving Kids in Nature program that engages and educates over 800 youth annually.  The Land Conservation Program is on track in 2016 to conserve four new easements.  The Stewardship Program keeps our trails passable, monitors our lands, and takes care of the largest living hemlock in the world, the Cheoah.

Thanks to an enthusiastic board of directors, dedicated staff, and the strong support of our community, we are able to help protect the quality of the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the natural habitat for all who live here.  We depend on the support of people like you.  To learn how you can be involved or to become a member visit us online at hicashlt.org, email [email protected] or call (828) 526-1111.  Together we are saving our most treasured places. 

This article is one of a series featuring tenants of the Peggy Crosby Center and how they serve our community.

The Peggy Crosby Center is a non-profit organization established to provide office space for other non-profits and start-up organizations.  Rental rates to the tenants are held as low as possible to allow the tenants to use more of their funds to
serve the community.