2018 Newsletter
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Blue Ridge Conservancy Saving The Places You Love Annual Report 2018 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Cover photo by Lynn Willis/High South Creative Zika Rea Panoramic view of the distinctive Grandfather Mountain ridgeline with Hanging Rock Chairperson and Peak Mountain in the foreground. Ann Browning Vice Chairperson Shot from 4700’ in Banner Elk at the home of BRC supporter David Brooks. Meagan Phillips Secretary Tim Gupton Treasurer ACCREDITATION RENEWAL Dale Caveny TABLE OF CONTENTS Don Mikush The accreditation seal is a mark of Cobb Milner distinction in land conservation. It Margaret Newbold is awarded to land trusts meeting Jesse Pope MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR...3 the highest national standards Wade Reece John Sherrill WELCOME, NEW BRC BOARD OF TRUSTEES...4 for excellence and conservation permanence. Bonnie Weyher WELCOME, NEW BRC STAFF...5 Steve Wylie Each accredited land trust completes STAFF LAND PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP HIGHLIGHTS...6 a rigorous review process and joins Charlie Brady MIDDLE FORK GREENWAY...10 a network of organizations united Executive Director BRC IN THE COMMUNITY...12 by strong ethical practices. This Caroline Gandy trusted network of land trusts has Development Associate VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR...13 demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound Eric Hiegl NEWSLETTER SPONSORS...14 Director of Land Protection & transactions and lasting stewardship of Stewardship BRC FINANCIAL SUMMARY...15 the lands they conserve. Ben Lucas Associate Director of Land 2017 DONORS...16 The seal is awarded by the Land Protection & Stewardship Trust Accreditation Commission, an Wendy Patoprsty independent program of the Land Middle Fork Greenway Director Trust Alliance. The volunteers who serve on the Commission represent Nikki Robinson a diverse group of land conservation Communications and Outreach Associate and nonprofit management experts from around the country. For Maria Whaley more information, please visit Director of Finance & Operations landtrustaccreditation.org 2 • blueridgeconservancy.org ast year was one of transition and accomplishment for Blue Ridge Conservancy. We celebrated Walter Clark’s leadership and successes as he left to become Executive Director of North Carolina’s Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Walter will continue to accomplish great things for North Carolina. BRC is proud and thankful for his many years of service. We Lare just as proud and thankful for the steady leadership and direction provided by Eric Hiegl as Interim Executive Director. In October I was delighted to join a smoothly operating and efficient land conservancy staff that has over 125 years of experience in land and water conservation, natural resource management, environmental education, nonprofit management, real estate and law. Due largely to our staff’s expertise and professionalism, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission has awarded BRC a renewal of our Certificate of Accreditation. Accreditation is the highest national distinction for land conservancies. It is only awarded to organizations that exemplify standards of excellence, uphold the public trust and ensure conservation achievements are permanently protected. BRC is again proud to be recognized as a national leader in land and water conservation. In 2017, a land protection milestone was reached when the total cumulative acreage conserved by Blue Ridge Conservancy surpassed 20,000 acres! In the following pages you will see descriptions of some of our exciting ecological and farmland protection projects, as well as public access trail projects involving the Spruce Pine Greenway/ Overmountain Victory Trail, and Peak Mountain in Avery County. The Middle Fork Greenway was significantly advanced in 2017 by securing funding to build the Trailhead and Section One which will connect The Town of Blowing Rock to the Foley Center, a distance of 1.3 miles. Additionally, funds were procured to make Section Four shovel ready. Section Four connects the existing Greenway at Tweetsie to Goldmine Branch Park, to be built at Niley Cook Road. Thanks to the efforts of BRC’s dedicated staff, trustees, supporters and volunteers much was accomplished in 2017. Still, we must look forward and plan for the future. We have begun a new strategic planning initiative to address and refine our mission and to meet our future challenges. Much work has been done to gauge and understand our stakeholders’ interests in BRC’s future direction. The new strategic plan, to be adopted before the end of the year, will provide us with a clear vision for the future. The plan will advance our commitment to continue BRC’s core investments in land conservation and will identify new strategies to increase our effectiveness. We are thankful for your support, honored by your trust, and eagerly look forward to another year of accomplishments worthy of your investment in our mission to save the places you love. Sincerely, Charlie Brady dge Conser Ri va e nc lu y B OUR MISSION Working with willing landowners and local communities to permanently protect land S and water resources with agricultural, ecological, cultural, recreational and scenic value av ve in o g u L The Places Yo in northwest North Carolina. blueridgeconservancy.org • 3 Welcome, New BRC Board Trustees! Margaret Newbold Jesse Pope Margaret Newbold is a driving force for Jesse is the Executive Director land conservation in North Carolina. of the non-profit, Grandfather Margaret recently retired after 20 years Mountain Stewardship with the Conservation Trust for North Foundation. Jesse has 16 years Carolina (CTNC). She served CTNC as of experience working for the Associate Director, Senior Associate, and nature park in many capacities, Interim Executive Director. Margaret most notably as Backcountry will continue to play an integral role Ranger, Animal Keeper, and Chief in the conservation community. She is Naturalist. More Recently Jesse an avid outdoorswoman and is looking has worked as the Assistant Vice forward to many new adventures in the President helping oversee day to Blue Ridge Mountains. day operations of the park. Margaret was recently honored with the Jesse was born in Baraboo, Order of the Longleaf Pine by Governor Wisconsin, not far from the Roy Cooper. She was named the 2017 famous shack purchased by Aldo Land Conservationist of the Year by the Leopold and inspired his famous book, A Sand County Almanac. Jesse’s North Carolina Wildlife Federation at their Annual Governor’s Conservation family moved to Grayson County, Virginia while he was only 11 months Achievement Awards. old. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a While Jesse wasn’t technically born in Appalachia he grew up on the bachelor of arts in Religious Studies and holds a master’s degree in Public banks of the New River on a small family farm, often listening to old time Administration from N. C. State University. Her career path has clearly been bluegrass music, wandering through the fields and forests of rural southwest driven by her passions for recreation, travel and exploring other cultures, and Virginia and embracing the culture and rich history of the Appalachians. conservation. Jesse attended Lees-McRae College for his undergraduate degree and Getting out and enjoying nature has always been what Montreat College for graduate studies in environmental education. He is renews my spirit. Being able to do that and encourage others to very passionate about the Stewardship Foundation’s mission to inspire experience nature in their own way has been a great gift. conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. Margaret is encouraging the conservation sector to work closely with the economic development sector to chart a course that fosters healthy, whole “communities because land is the foundation of this work and the common ground that connects us all. 4 • blueridgeconservancy.org ” Welcome, New BRC Staff! Caroline Gandy Tristan Thomas Development Associate Digital Media Intern Caroline was born and raised in Tristan Thomas is a senior at Drexel, North Carolina. She moved Appalachian State University with to Boone in 2006, after receiving an a double major in Graphic Arts & undergraduate degree in Political Imaging Technology and Biology. Science from American University in Washington, DC. A love of animals and the environment led to her decision to She completed master’s degrees in become a Biology major and later Appalachian Studies and Geography a second major in Graphic Arts & at Appalachian State University, and Imaging Technology to express this served as the Executive Director of passion in an artistic form. the Valle Crucis Community Park from July 2009 until May 2018. Her biology degree allows her to Valle Crucis Community Park is develop a deeper understanding of the an immensely popular community environment and the organisms that resource. Caroline not only ensured the Park’s financial sustainability, but also inhabit it. expanded the park’s environmental education programs, community events, and amenities. It is her hope that through a graphic arts degree she can use her talents to educate others about the environment and allow them to develop a love for BRC holds a donated conservation easement on the Park’s riparian corridor. being outside and protecting nature. Before joining as an employee, Caroline served on BRC’s Land Protection Committee. Tristan loves Boone because being in the Blue Ridge mountains brings her a sense of excitement and calmness. From all the breathtaking experiences that In her free time, Caroline enjoys hiking with her husband and dog, reading, and happen in the mountains like sunrise hikes to just sitting on the porch, the watching live music. mountains are her favorite place to be. Land conservation has been a passion of mine When she’s not designing you can find Tristan exploring the High Country, for many years, and I am thrilled to have the training for triathlons, or playing with any dog she can find. opportunity to devote my time and talents to “ an organization I care so deeply about.