DOCSLIB.ORG

Rhododendron Species Study at Gregory Bald

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Rhododendron Species Study at Gregory Bald Aerial photo of Gregory Bald. Photo by Aerial Surveys. ARS Middle Atlantic Chapter copyright©. Gregory Bald: From Species Study Group to Annual Treks, Azalea Photos, Aerial Photo, and a Mower Sandra McDonald Hampton, Virginia Jim Brant Gloucester, Virginia Text on next page. More photos on page 66. Aerial photo of Gregory Bald, close-up of above photo. ARS Middle Atlantic Chapter copyright©. JOURNAL AMERICAN RHODODENDRON SOCIETY 63 and photograph local native azaleas before 17th, 1995, and hiked Gregory Bald on starting our longer annual treks to the June 21, 1995. Present on this first trip mountains. were David and Debby Sauer, Bill Bedwell, Some of the mountains and scenic George McLellan, Don Hyatt and Ken and places we visited during our many annual Sandra McDonald. We made the mistake treks include Mount Mitchell, Andrews of not learning about bicycle access only Bald, Yellow Mountain, Pilot Mountain, and arrived early on a Wednesday morning Hooper Bald, Wayah Bald, Wine Springs and had to start our hike late. t one of our Middle Atlantic Chapter Bald and Copper Bald in North Carolina; Gregory Bald is a 4,949-foot bald A (MAC) meetings in 1989 the late Black Mountain on the Virginia/Kentucky mountain with a wonderful natural stand Terry Sheuchenko mentioned she and line; Brasstown Bald, Slaughter Mountain, or swarm of native azaleas hybrids on it. several others of us were interested in Tray Mountain, Providence Canyon, and The hike is 5.5 miles to the top on the trail studying the species of rhododendrons, and Blood Mountain in Georgia; the Blue most in use now for a round-trip total of 11 that we should form a MAC species study Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North miles. Our first trip was even longer because group. Our chapter liked the idea, and we Carolina; the Mountain to Sea Trail in we had to walk a couple miles on the road had the first meeting of our MAC Species North Carolina; Cherohala Parkway in instead of driving because of problems with Study Group on January 20, 1990, after North Carolina and Tennessee; part of the bridge. a MAC board meeting in Charlottesville, Mount LeConte in Tennessee; Gregory Our group changed over the years Virginia. Bald, Parson’s Bald, and the Highlands of with various members and visitors joining George McLellan became chairman Roan (Roan Mountain, Jane Bald, Round us in some years and dropping out in of the MAC Species Study Group. He Bald and Grassy Ridge) on the Tennessee/ others. Some of the participants over the obtained some material for botanical North Carolina border; Dolly Sods in West years include a German film crew headed study of rhododendrons that also included Virginia; and Mount Rogers and Grayson by Dr. Hartwig Schepker of “Botanika,” 8 units of slides (600 slides) from the Highlands in Virginia. a biodiversity project in the Botanic Rhododendron Species Foundation for Sandra and Ken McDonald had first Garden and Rhododendron Park Bremen, study over an approximately two-year taken a trip to Gregory Bald on June 23, Germany, along with a couple of porters to period. We also put together material of 1979, with Joan Winter, a member of carry the heavy camera equipment (June 20, our own for the study of plant taxonomy, the now disbanded Tidewater Chapter 2002); Anita and Doug Burke of Canada biosystematics, distributional history, ARS and after that the Middle Atlantic who are associate members of MAC (several propagation, and other topics related to Chapter. In talking to our Species Study trips); Tijs Huisman from the Netherlands the botany of rhododendrons. We usually Group, Sandra mentioned that she would (June 2006); Buddy Lee from Louisiana, had eight to twelve people attending our like to visit Gregory Bald again before she Karel Bernady from Pennsylvania, Tom meetings which also included luncheons. died since it was such a beautiful place. Nuccio from California, Brent Heath and At the first meetings we went through Our group then planned to make a trip Mike Andruczyk from Virginia, and Neil the classroom material, and then at later to Townsend, Tennessee, and the Great Jorgensen from Maine. meetings we went through the batches of Smoky Mountain National Park and to On one of our trips one of the group slide trays and found that the trays did not hike up to Gregory Bald. Townsend is climbed a tree to get a better view of contain much on East Coast native azaleas, the usual base camp for non-locals when Gregory Bald and when Jim Brant saw him and those particular slides were not up to making this long hike. After spending the up there he said we needed to get an aerial our expectations. We decided to explore for night in Townsend, it doesn’t take long to photo of the bald. We searched to see if ourselves the species throughout the East drive to Cades Cove in the park which is the there was an existing aerial photograph of Coast and photograph and make slides starting point. Cades Cove, an 11-mile one- the bald. Don Hyatt located on Microsoft’s of the natives for a slide presentation that way loop road in the park is closed to motor Terra Server a black and white image from could be given to our chapter and other traffic until 10:00 a.m. two mornings per USGS taken in March of 1992, and it was ARS meetings. week, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the only aerial photograph the Park Service One of our early study group meetings to allow bicyclists and hikers to enjoy the had to do maintenance work up on the was at David and Debby Sauer’s home in road from May to September. It opens for bald. Chester, Virginia, and afterwards George motor vehicles at 10 a.m. on those days and Our study group started putting McLellan and Ken and Sandra McDonald at sunup on other mornings. together a possible project with the goal visited stands of Rhododendron atlanticum We made our first Species Study of studying the azaleas on the mountain, in southeastern Virginia on the way home. Group trip to the mountains of North preserving them on film, and eventually We visited a few other local sites to see Carolina and Tennessee the week of June describing what we could. The infor-mation 64 SPRING 2007 was to be used for educational purposes, dendron Manuscripts archives at Special brush and trees. The Park Service personnel presentations to ARS chapters and other Collections at the University of Virginia and volunteers couldn’t use the previous groups, using the Special Collections of Library. The first copy we had made of mower they had to do the job because it was ARS archives at the University of Virginia this was presented to Dale A. Ditmanson, purchased in 1990 and was in such poor Library as a repository for information Superintendent of the Great Smoky condition that it was unsafe to use. Our obtained, studying some selected azaleas, Mountain National Park Service, for group went to the MAC board and to see getting GPS descriptions and descriptive use in the park. The framed picture that if they would approve of us writing a grant data, naming and registering some plants, we donated will be hung in Sugarland’s proposal for the ARS Endowment Fund to perhaps creating a web site, getting an Visitor’s Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. try get a suitable brush cutter for the upkeep aerial photo (possibly several over a period Kris Johnson, Ken Culbertson, and Steve of Gregory Bald. We drew up a proposal of years), and making a video to show Shaper of the National Park Service have in December 2005 and presented it to the individuals who could not make the trip. also been helpful in our work on this ARS Endowment Fund Committee which The aerial photo seemed like the project. approved it and forwarded it to the ARS next step since we had been observing According to National Park Service Board of Directors who gave their approval and studying some plants on an annual information the bald was first measured at the meeting in Rockville, Maryland, in basis already. Jim Brant got in touch with in 1944 at 15.7 acres surrounded by open May 2006. Continental Aerial Surveys in Alcoa, forest dominated by northern red oak trees The mower was quickly shipped to Tennessee. After several contacts with them with scattered old azaleas in the understory. Gregory Bald where it was used in the to see if they could take an aerial photo of By 1975 the grassy area of the bald was down summer of 2006 to help clear the weeds Gregory Bald, and get prices for it, we went to approximately 7.9 acres. By 1983 it was and brush from the bald to the joy of the to the MAC board to get funding for the down to approximately 7 acres. At that time workers who maintain the bald. project which included a large 30x40-inch Park Service started the clearing of trees and Our Study Group has put together color print, one set of contact prints, one other woody vegetation off the bald. The several presentations on various aspects AutoCad mapping file on CDROM, and first year employees and volunteers put in of the native azaleas. Several of us have scanned images of negatives on CDROM, over 1,000 hours of work clearing trees and given talks and slide presentations or video and six sets of 35 mm negatives of 6 frames. about 8 acres were restored to the bald as presentations about these trips.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pilgrimage Schedule
    43RD ANNUAL SPRING WILDFLOWER PILGRIMAGE MAY 04 - 06, 2012 CLAYTON, RABUN COUNTY, GEORGIA & ADJACENT AREAS Clayton, our headquarters for the 43rd Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northeast Georgia just a stone’s throw from the Carolinas. The Sumter National Forest is to the east, the Nantahala National Forest is to the north, and the Chattahoochee National Forest is all around Clayton. Some of Georgia’s highest mountains are but a short drive. A diverse group of interested persons from four or more states are expected to participate. The pilgrimage will consist of a Friday night social with a program and great food, a Saturday banquet with a special presentation program and more great food, and fantastic field trips to some very special places located in the region. Clayton and the surrounding area have a diversity of interesting shops that will entice you to shop for local arts, crafts, and foods. Clayton is the county seat for Rabun County, founded in 1819 from land formally inhabited by the Cherokee and named for Governor William Rabun. The 377 square miles of Rabun County comprise the most northeastern section of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Geographical Province, a region that encompasses a mere 5% of Georgia. Sixty percent of the county is public lands under the management of the US Forest Service or the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. This beautiful area of scenic valleys, high rugged mountains, clear streams, and lush forests is attractive year round, but offers a special floristic bounty each spring. Join the Georgia Botanical Society for the Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage and share in this rich and beautiful bounty.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIT HISTORIES Regimental Histories and Personal Narratives
    A Guide to the Microfiche Edition of CIVIL WAR UNIT HISTORIES Regimental Histories and Personal Narratives Part 1. The Confederate States of America and Border States A Guide to the Microfiche Edition of CIVIL WAR UNIT HISTORIES Regimental Histories and Personal Narratives Part 1. Confederate States of America and Border States Editor: Robert E. Lester Guide compiled by Blair D. Hydrick Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Civil War unit histories. The Confederate states of America and border states [microform]: regimental histories and personal narratives / project editors, Robert E. Lester, Gary Hoag. microfiches Accompanied by printed guide compiled by Blair D. Hydrick. ISBN 1-55655-216-5 (microfiche) ISBN 1-55655-257-2 (guide) 1. United States--History~Civil War, 1861-1865--Regimental histories. 2. United States-History-Civil War, 1861-1865-- Personal narratives. I. Lester, Robert. II. Hoag, Gary. III. Hydrick, Blair. [E492] 973.7'42-dc20 92-17394 CIP Copyright© 1992 by University Publications of America. All rights reserved. ISBN 1-55655-257-2. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction v Scope and Content Note xiii Arrangement of Material xvii List of Contributing Institutions xix Source Note xxi Editorial Note xxi Fiche Index Confederate States of America Army CSA-1 Navy CSA-9 Alabama AL-15 Arkansas AR-21 Florida FL-23 Georgia GA-25 Kentucky KY-33 Louisiana LA-39 Maryland MD-43 Mississippi MS-49 Missouri MO-55 North Carolina NC-61 South Carolina SC-67 Tennessee TN-75 Texas TX-81 Virginia VA-87 Author Index AI-107 Major Engagements Index ME-113 INTRODUCTION Nothing in the annals of America remotely compares with the Civil War.
    [Show full text]
  • Georgia BMT Mile Features Services Elev. at Miles
    Georgia 16.7 CAUTION: Turn sharply left here, leaving the ridgeline. Avoid old path that continues along the ridge. Descend steeply. BMT Features Services Elev. AT 17.0 Intersect old woods road and turn left, descending more gradually. Cross streambed (flowing in wet weather) and swing w Mile Miles right along streambed in cove. Leave cove, avoiding cabin straight ahead, and swing left. 17.4 -0.2 Springer Mountain—Springer has served as the A.T.’s southern terminus since 1958. Before that, Mt. Oglethorpe, to Descend steps to reach GA 60 (2028') at its intersection with FS 816. To left, GA 60 leads 16.6 mi. to the southwest, was the southern terminus. In 1993, GATC members and the Forest Service installed a new plaque Blue Ridge; to right it leads 30.8 mi. to Dahlonega. WARNING: The water from Little Skeenah Creek (across the marking the Trail’s southernmost blaze. The hiker register is located within the boulder on which the plaque is mounted. highway) is not for human consumption. There is a store 0.3 mi. to the right on GA 60 (south). Limited supplies, water, The origin of the mountain’s name is a bit foggy. The best guess is that it was named in honor of William G. Springer, a and telephone are available there. From GA 60 (2028'), proceed north 100 feet to cross Little Skeenah Creek on a bridge settler who, in 1833, was appointed by the Georgia governor to implement legislation to improve conditions for North constructed by the USFS and the BMTA in 1989.
    [Show full text]
  • America the Beautiful Part 1
    America the Beautiful Part 1 Charlene Notgrass 1 America the Beautiful Part 1 by Charlene Notgrass ISBN 978-1-60999-141-8 Copyright © 2020 Notgrass Company. All rights reserved. All product names, brands, and other trademarks mentioned or pictured in this book are used for educational purposes only. No association with or endorsement by the owners of the trademarks is intended. Each trademark remains the property of its respective owner. Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Cover Images: Jordan Pond, Maine, background by Dave Ashworth / Shutterstock.com; Deer’s Hair by George Catlin / Smithsonian American Art Museum; Young Girl and Dog by Percy Moran / Smithsonian American Art Museum; William Lee from George Washington and William Lee by John Trumbull / Metropolitan Museum of Art. Back Cover Author Photo: Professional Portraits by Kevin Wimpy The image on the preceding page is of Denali in Denali National Park. No part of this material may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. You may not photocopy this book. If you need additional copies for children in your family or for students in your group or classroom, contact Notgrass History to order them. Printed in the United States of America. Notgrass History 975 Roaring River Rd. Gainesboro, TN 38562 1-800-211-8793 notgrass.com Thunder Rocks, Allegany State Park, New York Dear Student When God created the land we call America, He sculpted and painted a masterpiece.
    [Show full text]
  • Georgia's Mountain Treasure Areas - 2018
    Georgia's Mountain Treasure Areas - 2018 In previous Mountain Total Name Cluster Treasures Acres County Trails Hidden Creek Armuchee yes 6,429 Gordon None Johns Mountain Armuchee partially 8,451 Walker, Chattooga, Floyd Pinhoti, Keown Falls, Dry Creek Rocky Face Armuchee partially 8,624 Whitfield, Walker Pinhoti Rabun Bald Chattooga Watershed yes 17,814 Rabun Bartram, Three Forks, Pinnacle Ellicott Rock Extension Chattooga Watershed partially 3,969 Rabun None Rock Gorge Chattooga Watershed yes 3,881 Rabun Foothills Three Forks Chattooga Watershed yes 6,075 Rabun Three forks Five Falls Chattooga Watershed yes 7,488 Rabun Water Gauge, Raven Rcok Thrifts Ferry Chattooga Watershed yes 5,976 Rabun Bartram, Chattooga River Big Shoals Chattooga Watershed partially 5,635 Rabun Bartram, Willis Knob Horse Grassy Mountain Cohutta yes 9,746 Murray Windy Gap, Rocky Flats, Milma Creek Mountaintown Cohutta yes 15,604 Gimer, Fannin Benton MacKaye, Pinhoti, Bear Creek Cohutta Extensions Cohutta partially 5,239 Fannin, Murray Benton MacKaye, Pinhoti,South Fork, Horseshoe Bend Emery Creek Cohutta yes 4,277 Murray Emory Creek Buzzard Knob Northern Blue Ridge yes 9,612 Rabun, Towns None Kelly Ridge Northern Blue Ridge yes 10,408 Rabun, Towns AT Patterson Gap Northern Blue Ridge yes 5,591 Rabun None Southern Nantahala Extensions Northern Blue Ridge yes 7,200 Towns, Rabun None Andrews Cove Northern Blue Ridge partially 4,706 White, Towns AT, Andrews Cove, Rocky Mountain Brasstown Extension Northern Blue Ridge partially 5,087 Towns, Union Miller Trek High Shoals
    [Show full text]
  • Research Article Developing a Topographic Model to Predict The
    Research Article Developing a Topographic Model to Predict the Northern Hardwood Forest Type within Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus) Recovery Areas of the Southern Appalachians Andrew Evans,1 Richard Odom,2 Lynn Resler,3 W. Mark Ford,4 and Steve Prisley5 1 Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, USA 2 Geospatial and Environmental Analysis Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA 3 Department of Geography, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA 4 DepartmentofFishandWildlifeConservation,VirginiaCooperativeFishandWildlifeResearchUnit,U.S.GeologicalSurvey, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA 5 Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA Correspondence should be addressed to W. Mark Ford; [email protected] Received 12 May 2014; Revised 14 July 2014; Accepted 18 July 2014; Published 28 August 2014 Academic Editor: Piermaria Corona Copyright © 2014 Andrew Evans et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The northern hardwood forest type is an important habitat component for the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel (CNFS; Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus) for den sites and corridor habitats between boreo-montane conifer patches foraging areas. Our study related terrain data to presence of northern hardwood forest type in the recovery areas of CNFS in the southern Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and southwestern Virginia. We recorded overstory species composition and terrain variables at 338 points, to construct a robust, spatially predictive model.
    [Show full text]
  • Safe Haven in Rocky Fork Hiawassee
    JOURNEYS THE MAGAZINE OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY January – February 2013 INSIDE: Safe Haven in Rocky Fork ❙ Hiawassee, Georgia ❙ Creative Collaboration ❘ JOURNEYS From thE EDitor THE MAGAZINE OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY Volume 9, Number 1 PRACTICAL MAGIC. WHEN I HEAR THE woRDs “MAGIC,” aNd “ENCHANTMENT” January – February 2013 to describe the Appalachian Trail, I think of another kind of magic that happens behind the scenes. Consider how closely the Trail skirts a densely-populated portion of the country; then consider any A.T. trailhead from Georgia to Maine a doorway to a peaceful, wooded path, strewn Mission with pristine waterways, grassy balds, and high ridge lines, and it does indeed sound like illusion The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail — ensuring — but the magic is real. that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, A recent letter sent to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) headquarters especially and for centuries to come. punctuates this message. “In a way, it was like going back in time — leaving the modern and finding a much less complicated way of life alive in our country,” wrote ATC member Mary Holmes after completing her hike of the Trail. She continued with these Board of Directors A.T. Journeys poignant words: “The Trail is a miracle — first that it exists intact and J. Robert (Bob) Almand ❘ Chair Wendy K. Probst ❘ Managing Editor that it weaves through the most developed part of the country. It William L. (Bill) Plouffe ❘ Vice Chair Traci Anfuso-Young ❘ Graphic Designer should be an example in years to come of the value of conservation On the Cover: Kara Ball ❘ Secretary and inspire ever-greater conservation efforts.” The Trail is a model for “As winter scenes go, very few top the Arthur Foley ❘ Treasurer Contributors success, due to the serious and pragmatic work of the ATC staff beauty of fresh snow and ice clinging Lenny Bernstein Laurie Potteiger ❘ Information Services Manager members, A.T.
    [Show full text]
  • Summits on the Air – ARM for the USA (W7A
    Summits on the Air – ARM for the U.S.A (W7A - Arizona) Summits on the Air U.S.A. (W7A - Arizona) Association Reference Manual Document Reference S53.1 Issue number 5.0 Date of issue 31-October 2020 Participation start date 01-Aug 2010 Authorized Date: 31-October 2020 Association Manager Pete Scola, WA7JTM Summits-on-the-Air an original concept by G3WGV and developed with G3CWI Notice “Summits on the Air” SOTA and the SOTA logo are trademarks of the Programme. This document is copyright of the Programme. All other trademarks and copyrights referenced herein are acknowledged. Document S53.1 Page 1 of 15 Summits on the Air – ARM for the U.S.A (W7A - Arizona) TABLE OF CONTENTS CHANGE CONTROL....................................................................................................................................... 3 DISCLAIMER................................................................................................................................................. 4 1 ASSOCIATION REFERENCE DATA ........................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Program Derivation ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 General Information ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Final Ascent
    [Show full text]
  • Curt Teich Postcard Archives Towns and Cities
    Curt Teich Postcard Archives Towns and Cities Alaska Aialik Bay Alaska Highway Alcan Highway Anchorage Arctic Auk Lake Cape Prince of Wales Castle Rock Chilkoot Pass Columbia Glacier Cook Inlet Copper River Cordova Curry Dawson Denali Denali National Park Eagle Fairbanks Five Finger Rapids Gastineau Channel Glacier Bay Glenn Highway Haines Harding Gateway Homer Hoonah Hurricane Gulch Inland Passage Inside Passage Isabel Pass Juneau Katmai National Monument Kenai Kenai Lake Kenai Peninsula Kenai River Kechikan Ketchikan Creek Kodiak Kodiak Island Kotzebue Lake Atlin Lake Bennett Latouche Lynn Canal Matanuska Valley McKinley Park Mendenhall Glacier Miles Canyon Montgomery Mount Blackburn Mount Dewey Mount McKinley Mount McKinley Park Mount O’Neal Mount Sanford Muir Glacier Nome North Slope Noyes Island Nushagak Opelika Palmer Petersburg Pribilof Island Resurrection Bay Richardson Highway Rocy Point St. Michael Sawtooth Mountain Sentinal Island Seward Sitka Sitka National Park Skagway Southeastern Alaska Stikine Rier Sulzer Summit Swift Current Taku Glacier Taku Inlet Taku Lodge Tanana Tanana River Tok Tunnel Mountain Valdez White Pass Whitehorse Wrangell Wrangell Narrow Yukon Yukon River General Views—no specific location Alabama Albany Albertville Alexander City Andalusia Anniston Ashford Athens Attalla Auburn Batesville Bessemer Birmingham Blue Lake Blue Springs Boaz Bobler’s Creek Boyles Brewton Bridgeport Camden Camp Hill Camp Rucker Carbon Hill Castleberry Centerville Centre Chapman Chattahoochee Valley Cheaha State Park Choctaw County
    [Show full text]
  • Comments on the U.S. Forest Service's Nantahala and Pisgah
    Comments on the U.S. Forest Service’s Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest Proposed Land Management Plan By Donald W. Hyatt - Potomac Valley Chapter ARS http://www.arspvc.org/newsletter.html Introduction The U.S. Forest Service has proposed a Land Management Plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests that will guide their actions for the next 15 years. Having studied this 283-page document carefully the past few weeks and having read other related research, I do have concerns. In this article, I will share my thoughts about preserving the beauty and diversity of this spectacular region. These two National Forests cover over a million acres of forest land and some of the best displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, kalmia, and wildflowers in the Southern Appalachians. It includes Roan Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain, the Linville Gorge, and Hooper Bald just to name a few. The plan does not include Gregory Bald since it is in the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park and not part of the National Forests. Overview The following four headings summarize my main points but I will explain those assertions in greater detail later in the discussion portion of this document. 1. Biodiversity and Endangered Species Although the plan claims to be addressing biodiversity and rare species, I feel that some of the assumptions are simplistic. The Southern Appalachians have an extremely rich ecosystem. Besides the eighteen Federally endangered species referenced by the document, there are many other unique plant and animal communities in those forest lands that seem to be ignored. Many are quite rare and could be threatened even though they may not have made the endangered species list.
    [Show full text]
  • NATIONAL FORESTS Forest Service Celebrates Weeks
    2011 Recreation Guide to the National Forests in North Carolina www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc Forest Service celebrates Weeks Act PHOTO BY MARY NOEL From the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Green Knob Overlook, drivers can view the Burke-McDowell Tract, the first land purchased for eastern national for- ests through the 1911 Weeks Act. Known as the Curtis Creek tract, the land is part of the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. which solidified ownership with one A century of entity and allowed the government to buy the land without a cloud on conservation: the title. Over the last 100 years, North 1911-2011 Carolina has become home to the by Mary Noel Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie and magine if no national forests Croatan national forests, which existed in North Carolina. encompass more than 1.2 million This was reality in the early acres — about 4 percent of North 20th century. Early national Carolina’s land. forests in the West were These North Carolina national Iestablished from public lands by forest lands now include: 1909. However, the U.S. government l 11 congressionally designated needed to purchase land from wilderness areas. private landowners if national forests PHOTO COURTESY OF FOREST SERVICE l Three research experimental were to exist in the East. THE LANDS NOBODY WANTED: Most lands acquired in the early 1900’s were stripped of trees and excessively eroded from farming. forests (Bent Creek, Coweeta and With strong public support, the Blue Valley) Weeks Act became law on March 1, a price of just over $7 per acre. Later often had only a general idea of l Three National Wild and Scenic 1911, under the leadership of Rep.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to the Southern Blue Ridge Ecoregional Conservation Plan
    SOUTHERN BLUE RIDGE ECOREGIONAL CONSERVATION PLAN Summary and Implementation Document March 2000 THE NATURE CONSERVANCY and the SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN FOREST COALITION Southern Blue Ridge Ecoregional Conservation Plan Summary and Implementation Document Citation: The Nature Conservancy and Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition. 2000. Southern Blue Ridge Ecoregional Conservation Plan: Summary and Implementation Document. The Nature Conservancy: Durham, North Carolina. This document was produced in partnership by the following three conservation organizations: The Nature Conservancy is a nonprofit conservation organization with the mission to preserve plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition is a nonprofit organization that works to preserve, protect, and pass on the irreplaceable heritage of the region’s National Forests and mountain landscapes. The Association for Biodiversity Information is an organization dedicated to providing information for protecting the diversity of life on Earth. ABI is an independent nonprofit organization created in collaboration with the Network of Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers and The Nature Conservancy, and is a leading source of reliable information on species and ecosystems for use in conservation and land use planning. Photocredits: Robert D. Sutter, The Nature Conservancy EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This first iteration of an ecoregional plan for the Southern Blue Ridge is a compendium of hypotheses on how to conserve species nearest extinction, rare and common natural communities and the rich and diverse biodiversity in the ecoregion. The plan identifies a portfolio of sites that is a vision for conservation action, enabling practitioners to set priorities among sites and develop site-specific and multi-site conservation strategies.
    [Show full text]