FCNC Spring Summer 2013

FOOTHILLSCONSERVANCY

of North CarolinaN EWS

S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

It was 1693 when the firstLattimores settled in colonialAmerica. Originally from England,they migrated south by way of theGreat Wagon Road until the familyreached the gently slopingplateaus of what is now Clevelandcounty. The Lattimores carved outan existence on this land forgenerations. Farming was the soleway of life.

John Lattimore and his wife Lelialive there today and continue touphold the heritage of their pastthrough the preservation of theland on which John's forefathersfound sustenance for over 200years. Their recently donatedconservation easement toFoothills Conservancy now protects 123acres of mixed hardwood forests andfertile farmland – farmland that has beentilled and worked by generations of

Lattimores. “My great grandfather livedhere his whole life,” John said. “After theCivil War, things were really hard, but theymanaged to hold onto the land. That wassomething that every generation of myfamily has talked about – you need to holdonto the land. You'll never starve to deathif you have some land.”

The agricultural conservation easementsignificantly limits subdivision andresidential development on the farm. Itshistory is now preserved forever,

essentially preserving theLattimore family's incrediblepast along with the landitself.

The conservation values of theproperty include farm, forestand grazing lands. It is alsolaced with streams, includingHinton Creek which directlyfeeds the First Broad River. AnN.C. Clean Water ManagementTrust Fund grant contributed$25,000 to the transaction costsdue to the easement'sstipulations that protect theriparian buffers and contributeto greater water quality.Conservation Trust of NorthCarolina's Farmland Forever Fundalso awarded a grant of $9,500 to

assist in financing the easement. A cashdonation from the Lattimores combinedwith these two grants covers the costs ofmonitoring, stewarding and legal defensethat a conservation easement entails.

The Lattimore farm is also an attractiveconservation candidate because of itsscenic location. Nestled amid the rollinghills that ripple outwards from SouthMountains State Park, the property liesalong the South Mountains Scenery StateScenic Byway along NC 226. FoothillsConservancy focuses on protecting lands

Centuries of Cleveland County History Preserved Forever

John and Lelia Lattimore on their farm

WHAT'S INS IDE

Time to Act .................................................. p. 2

Exotic Invaders ......................................... p. 3

A Rare Wilderness................................... p. 4

Foreclosure = Opportunity ............... p. 5

2012 Protection Successes ............ p. 6-7

Donor Thanks! ................................... p. 8-10

Wine Time – April 27.......................... p. 11

continued on page 3

photo by: Priya Jaishanker

FOOTHILLS WINE FESTIVALCatawba Meadows Park on Sanford Drive, Morganton

Saturday, April 27, noon-5 p.m.Taste & buy wines from more than 14 regional wineries

while enjoying local arts & an afternoon of music. Details & tickets at

www.foothillsconservancy.org

LOST COVE HIKE & POETRY CIRCLESaturday, May 11, 10-2 p.m.

Join this hike to Lost Cove led by FCNC Stewardship Director, Andrew Kota.

Bring your favorite nature poemfor a poetry circle in nature!

PRIMITIVE COOKINGLake James State Park

Saturday, June 15, noon-3 p.m.Learn how to cook fish wrapped in kudzu along

with a few tips on how to survive in the wilderness. Limited seats. Minimum donation of $10.

MADHATTER TEA PARTYInn at Glen Alpine, 105 Davis Street

Sunday, July 14, 2-4 p.m.Join Foothills Conservancy and wild foods expert Ila Hatter

at a unique tea party in Glen Alpine.Tickets available on website soon.

Seats limited for this ticketed event.

HUMP DAY FLOATLake James State Park at Paddy's Creek

Wednesday, August 14, 6-8 p.m.Let's all gather at Paddy's Creek for a middle

of the week afternoon float.Bring your kayak or canoe or rent one from the park.

What better way to get through the week!

RIVERFESTLake James State Park at Paddy's CreekSaturday, September 14, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Learn about the organizations that work to keep N.C. Cleanand green, while enjoying the beauty of Lake James.

CONSERVATION CELEBRATION & CHALLENGEDate: TBA

Join us as we celebrate the past year of conservation successes AND take part in our Nature Adventure Challenge.

Details coming soon on our website!

RSVP required for all FCNC outings [email protected] or at 828-437-9930.

Check www.foothillsconservancy.org for updates, detailsand any cancellations prior to event.

Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and bring yourown water and food if desired.

P.O. Box 3023135 1/2 West Union StreetMorganton, NC 28680

foothillsconservancy.org

Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled fiber


of North Carolina

Saving the places you love

Celebrate All Nature Has to Offer!Check www.foothillsconservancy.org for an up-to-date event list.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #593

Asheville, NC

DOUBLEYOURDOLLARS&SAVE THEPLACES YOULOVE

DURINGOURSUMMER

BLUERIDGEFOOTHILLSPROTECTIONCHALLENGE!WATCH YOURMAILBOX FOR DETAILS

E

FROM OUR DIRECTOR

N.C. Governor Pat McCrory’s recentlyproposed budget includes significant cuts inspending for the state’s land and waterconservation trust funds. The creation andconsistent funding of North Carolina’sconservation trust funds have been theresult of bipartisan leadership over the past25 years. These funds have played a majorrole in boosting our region’s and the state’seconomic drivers: tourism, agriculture,forestry, hunting, fishing and all forms ofoutdoor recreation.

Without these funds, Lake James, ChimneyRock and South Mountains state parkswould not exist. There would be no stategame lands in the South Mountains or alongthe Johns River or National Wild and ScenicWilson Creek. In our land trust’s eight countyregion alone, thousands of acres of farmlandwould remain vulnerable to subdivision anddevelopment. Thousands of miles of creeksand rivers would be unprotected.

While the current recessionary economydictates fiscal conservancy, we and otherNorth Carolina land trusts know that now isnot the time to be penny-wise andpound-foolish. With land prices at historiclows and protection opportunities plentiful,now is the best time for the state to bolster,not cut, funding of these important naturalresource trust funds.

McCrory’s budget:• Cuts the Clean Water Management Trust

Fund (CWMTF) per year to $6.75 millionfrom $10.75 million, which is a 37 percent

cut, and only provides funding for the firstyear of the biennium.

• Reduces the Parks and Recreation TrustFund (PARTF) to $15.5 million from $27.5million, which is a projected 44 percent cut.And, it reduces the Natural Heritage TrustFund (NHTF) to $4.23 million from $9.9million, which is a projected 58 percent cut.

• Removes the dedicated source of fundingfor PARTF and NHTF and leaves the statewith no reliable way to conserve treasuredlands in the future or maintain the state’sexisting parks and natural areas.

• Maintains the current funding level of $1.7million per year for the AgriculturalDevelopment and Farmland PreservationTrust Fund.

TAKE ACTION: You can help make the casefor conservation with the General Assem-bly as it works on its budget by contactingyour House and Senate members and ask-ing them to:

1) Increase or at least maintain last year’sfunding levels for all these trust funds.

2) Maintain the dedicated sources offunding for PARTF and NHTF.

Find your GA members’ phone numbersand email addresses online atwww.ncleg.net

surrounding three different N.C. Scenic Byways. That focus helps to keep NorthCarolina's pastoral beauty intact and assists in preserving the quintessentialcharacter of the farmland that the original settlers called home.

“We want to protect our land,” John said. “The idea of just breaking off an acre hereand an acre there and selling it for a homesite or something really didn't appeal tous.” The preservation of the natural beauty, resources and heritage of North Carolinaare all outcomes of a conservation easement – outcomes that both FoothillsConservancy and landowners like John and Lelia Lattimore are happy to see madepermanent.

Susie Hamrick JonesExecutive Director

Call or Email TODAY in Support of Conservation

Foothills Conservancy would like to extend a big “thank you” to MikeTanner of Rutherford County, who served on the board for six years. Mikeserved as Vice Chairman from 2010 to 2012 and played an active role inhelping build support for the protection of Chimney Rock as a new statepark. He continues to volunteer in support of the conservancy’s land andwater protection mission.

“I feel privileged to have served with such a dedicated board andprofessional staff whose mission is so crucial to the future of western NorthCarolina,” said Mike.

Saying Goodbye to Retiring Board Member

OUR MISS ION

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, a nationally accredited regional land trust, is

dedicated to working cooperatively withlandowners and public and private

conservation partners to preserve and protectimportant natural areas and open spaces of

the Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills region, including watersheds, environmentally

significant habitats, forests and farmland, forthis and future generations. The Conservancy,

a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit, serves eight counties:Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba,

Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford.

LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF DIRECTORSCarl Spangler, Chairman

Cleveland CountyCharles Burgin, Vice Chairman

McDowell CountyJanet Wilson, Secretary

Caldwell CountyRobin Brackett, Treasurer

Cleveland County

Susie Hamrick JonesEx Officio

2 3


of North CarolinaSPRING-SUMMER 2013 • 828.437.9930

John at his ancestors' gravesite on the Lattimore Farm

continued from page 1

They came on ships, planes, trains, automobiles and maybe evenhitched a ride on your own clothes. They're invasive and they'retaking up the room and resources of native plants and animals. If theydon't fall under the axe in time, these non-native species can alterlandscapes, lay waste to ecosystems and can even alter soilcomposition.

Foothills Conservancy's Stewardship Director, Andrew Kota, andAmeriCorps member, Priya Jaishanker, have been taking vastmeasures to clear the land trust's Broad Riverbend Boundary Preservein Rutherford County from the invasive Chinese Privet. The exoticplant has been so prolific and grew unimpeded for so long that nearlyeight stream-side acres were claimed by tree-height privet plants andcountless seedlings. The diversion of resources to the non-nativeexotic has made growing conditions difficult for the native species;they grow few and far between, outmatched by the sturdy import. Ifleft unchecked, invasive speciesessentially destroy the diversity ofindigenous dwellers and leave behinda homogenous layer of vegetation -altering the community's habitats,food sources and nutrient cycles.

An N.C. Clean Water ManagementTrust Fund grant of $1,700 hasgreatly facilitated efforts to restorethe natural ecology of a tributarystream that empties into the BroadRiver. Native aquatic life is alsothreatened by “invasive overload”as the river's banks deteriorate andnutrients are depleted. “Part ofgood environmental stewardshipis trying to reduce the populations

of Chinese Privet where they've become dense and are seriouslyoutcompeting native plants,” Andrew said.

Armed with an arsenal of tools and achemical rated by the EPA as safe foruse around aquatic areas, Andrew haseffectively treated many of the exoticplants on the property. Sunlight finallyreaches the forest floor, giving a freshstart to the native seedlings that havebeen outcompeted for so long. In time,biodiversity will flourish in the treatmentarea, and life will regain the balance it lostduring the invasion of Chinese Privet.

FCNC's Stewardship Director Andrew Kota removes invasive plants

Chinese Privet plants choke out native species

Reclaiming the Land from InvadersCharles A. Brady III

Caldwell CountyTom Foster

Catawba CountyMary George

Catawba CountyJim Goldsmith

McDowell CountyKelly HawkinsBurke County

Rance HendersonBurke County

Mary Jaeger-GaleRutherford CountyShara Owensby

Burke CountySusan Powers

Caldwell CountyMichael R. Smith

Burke County

STAFF

Susie Hamrick Jones, Executive DirectorTom Kenney, Land Protection DirectorAndrew Kota, Stewardship DirectorLynn Allen,Development Director

Mary Braun, Office ManagerPriya Jaishanker,AmeriCorps Outreach Associate

CONSULTANTS

Suzi Berl, Grants & Organizational DevelopmentEdward Norvell, Legal & Land Protection

Foothills Conservancy of North CarolinaP.O. Box 3023

Morganton, NC 28680

Ph 828.437.9930 Fax 828.437.9912Email [email protected]

foothillsconservancy.org


photos by: Priya Jaishanker

FOOTHILLSCONSERVANCY.ORG

Endangered species inhabit itswoodlands and over 50 miles ofpristine streams flow freely throughits forests.

Among North Carolina’s 2,400Significant Natural Heritage Areas(SNHAs), the privately-owned 5,800-acre Box Creek Wilderness on theRutherford-McDowell county line isnow ranked among the rarest of therare.

Recent rankings announced by theN.C. Department of Environmentand Natural Resources’ (NCDENR)Natural Heritage Program, placethe Box Creek Wilderness in thetop 1 percent of the state’s SNHAs– at 24th.

The ranking is based on thecollective value index, which sumsall the different rare species andcommunities weighted by theirrarity.

Box Creek Wilderness was originallyidentified by NCDENR as a SignificantNatural Heritage Area in 2004 whenthe property was known as RockyFace/Camel Knob. NCDENR’s NaturalHeritage Program identifies an SNHAas an area of land or water that isimportant to conserve to protect thestate’s biodiversity.

Last year, the state and Box Creek’sowner, conservationist Tim Sweeney,entered into a voluntary SNHARegistry agreement, making thewilderness tract North Carolina’slargest privately-owned SignificantNatural Heritage Area.

The SNHA Registry agreementrecognizes the landowner’scommitment to ecological

conservation guided bymanagement and use standardsthat protect the land’s naturalqualities and conditions.

Sweeney acquired Box Creek toprotect this natural wildernesswhich harbors more than 100 rarespecies of plants and animals andmiles of streams which feed theSecond Broad River, the drinkingwater source for many RutherfordCounty towns.

Box Creek’s ecologically diverselandscape not only harborssignificant rare and watch-listspecies, varying ecosystems andstreams supplying drinking water,but it is also a critical stepping stonein an essential corridor for wildlifetraveling between the SouthMountains and the Blue RidgeEscarpment, a wildlife corridor thathas long ranked high on FoothillsConservancy’s protection list.

Although the tract ranks near thetop of the state’s SignificantNatural Heritage Areas, the futureof several hundred acres of thiswilderness is currently “on theline” pending a decision on acondemnation petition recently

filed by Rutherford ElectricMembership Corporationrequesting a 100-foot-wide, 2 ½mile-long, power line easementthrough the tract.

For more information on the BoxCreek Wilderness and efforts toprotect and restore the tract, visitwww.boxcreekwilderness.com.

It all started when the housing bubble burst in 2007-2008. Land speculation anddevelopment had been at an all time high prompting mountain homes to spring upacross the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills. A 2,100+ acre tract in the SouthMountains was destined for a similar fate, but the market shattered and demandplummeted. Forested tracts of land lay in wait as the banks foreclosed on themone by one.

This particular tract, foreclosed upon by Wells-Fargo, borders South Mountains StatePark and is laced with the headwaters of the Henry Fork and the Jacob Fork rivers,both designated as Trout and Outstanding Resource Waters. Originating along theeastern slopes of the South Mountains in a state-designated Significant NaturalHeritage Area, these waters converge downstream, forming the South Fork CatawbaRiver.

Recognizing the large tract as a conservation jewel nestled next to the state park,Foothills Conservancy sought to protect it and began bargain sale discussions withWells Fargo in October of 2011. When negotiations stalled early last year,conservationist Tim Sweeney stepped forward and purchased the tract. In January,the conservancy signed a purchase option with Sweeney which gives the land trustthree years to raise the approximately $3 million needed to buy and protect the tract.

The land trust’s fundraising efforts began prior to Sweeney's purchase. Last year, theN.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) awarded an initial grant toFoothills Conservancy for $600,000 after the headwaters tract ranked among thehighest scoring applications. A second phase CWMTF grant application submitted inFebruary this year is pending. In addition, a private donor has pledged $250,000toward the purchase.

Additional grants or private donations will be required for Foothills Conservancy topermanently protect the remaining acres as a conservancy preserve for wildlifehabitat, forest restoration and public use. Stewardship of the property will requirerenovation of old logging roads and eroded stream banks that degrade water quality.

Although protected for the moment from mountain-top development, the future ofthis forested parcel threaded with pristine streams remains uncertain unlessFoothills Conservancy can secure all the funds needed to acquire the land.

While public grant funds contribute to the protection effort, proposed state fundingcuts would increase competition among many worthy projects. Private donationsfrom conservation-minded individuals help to leverage limited public funds andgreatly assist in keeping the non-profit world of land protection afloat.

Like a patchwork quilt, all of the many pieces must come together at the right timefor a conservation victory.

Box Creek Wilderness RankedAmong the Rarest of the Rare

2,100+ Acre Conservation Opportunity Born from Foreclosure

4

SPRING-SUMMER 2013 • 828.437.9930

5

High Shoal Falls in South Mountains State Park is fed by waters from the headwaters tract.

photos by: Lloyd Raleigh


2012: A look Back atLand Protected

2012:418 Acres ProtectedValued at $1,566,000

1995 – 2012:46,409 Acres Protected

SPRING-SUMMER 2013 • 828.437.9930FOOTHILLSCONSERVANCY.ORG

Jones Farm Agricultural Easement Protects 136 Scenic Acres in Happy ValleyThe rolling hills and wide bottomlands of the Jones Farm in Caldwell Countyare now forever protected against subdivision and development.Conservation-minded landowners, Tony and Tim Jones completed anagricultural conservation easement on their historic farm with FoothillsConservancy in 2012. “It’s one of the few places along Hwy 268 that you donot have houses breaking up the land,” Tony said. The farm is also the finalresting spot for Laura Foster, buried there in May 1865 after her murder byTom Dula, both forever memorialized in folklore and song. The preservationof both the land and a portion of the Overmountain Victory NationalHistoric Trail makes the Jones Farm a real conservation victory.

6 7

Additional 100 Acres Protected at Wildcat Mountain Wildcat Mountain’s natural beauty will keep growing, thanks to grant funds from the N.C. Clean WaterManagement Trust Fund, the N.C. Department of Justice's Environmental Enhancement Grant programand the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation. Foothills Conservancy’s tenacious land protectionendeavors led to phase three being completed in April 2012, adding 100 acres to the protection of theCatawba River’s headwaters near Old Fort. To date, the conservancy has acquired 364 acres of themountain. A fourth and final phase of this conservation project will focus on the remaining 165 acrescurrently under option for purchase pending available funding.

FUNDING A FUTURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL

HEALTH AND OUTDOOR RECREAT ION

A look back at 2012 reveals the huge role that our state, federal and privategrant funders play in our land and water conservation projects. We are everthankful for these and other vital funders who continue to makeconservation possible in North Carolina and greatly contribute to naturalresource protection and a green foundation for our region’s future.

Federal Grants• USDA Farm & Ranch Lands Protection Program

• Department of Transportation’s Scenic Byways Program

• National Forests in North Carolina

State Grants• Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund

• Clean Water Management Trust Fund

• Department of Justice Environmental Enhancement Grant Program

• Division of Parks & Recreation Trails Program

Private Grant Support • The Clabough Foundation

• The Glass Foundation

• National Fish & Wildlife Foundation

Donated Agricultural Easement Protects 182-Acre Martine FarmAnother agricultural conservation easement in Caldwell County further protects the pastoral views quintessentialto Happy Valley and North Carolina. Margaret and Richard Martine made a generous donation of the easementin the spring of 2012, permanently continuing the protection of their historic family farm handed down fromMargaret’s grandfather in 1888. “Our family has always felt very connected to the land on which we live,”Margaret said. “Placing the farm under a conservation easement was a natural fit for us.” The easement willuphold responsible use of the forests and productive farmland soils, thus ensuring that the Martines’ farmremains as sustainable in the future as it is today.

New Trailhead & Parking Invite All to Enjoy Catawba FallsIt seems easy enough today. The parking lot is there, beckoning cars to fill her lanes while a gravel pathway leadsinto the forest, signifying the trail’s direction. A few steps forward and you’re off on an adventure through thewoods as the sound of rushing water reminds you of what you came for: the Catawba Falls. The combined effortsof Foothills Conservancy, N.C. Senators Richard Burr and Kay Hagen, N.C. Governor Bev Perdue, the U.S. ForestService, Grandfather District Ranger John Crockett, Fred and Alice Stanback, Dr. Gresham Orrison and localofficials and citizens made the convenient access to the falls possible. Obtaining entry to treasures such as thistakes years of negotiating, planning and fundraising to achieve. The dedication of conservation-minded partnerstruly paved the way to public access of the magnificent Catawba Falls.

FOOTHILLSCONSERVANCY.ORG

HERITAGEConservation Trust for NC

Tony JonesMarilyn 'Dee' NorthGresham Orrison

Rostan Family FoundationFred & Alice Stanback

Tim SweeneyJanet Wilson

LEGACYBlumenthal Foundation

Camp Lake JamesCommunity Foundation of

Burke CountyCrescent Resources, LLCDover Foundation, Inc.

Foundation for the CarolinasRobert Gage & Amy Cox

David RostanLaura Ervin Smith

von Drehle CorporationThe Clabough Foundation

PATRONSMike & Joella Fulenwider

Richard & Margaret Martine*Brad & Shelli StanbackTable Rock PharmacyCarl & Kathy Whitlock

BENEFACTORSAnne & Alex Bernhardt

Atlantic Caviar & SturgeonCompany*

Bob & Donna BennerMae Parker Boles

Charlie Brown & JanetBlanchard

Charles & Bunnie BurginBurke County Travel & Tourism

Andrew & Jean CanadaCatawba County

William & Georgia CollettGeorge & Ann Costello

Edgemont LTD*Ralph & Peggy Edwards

Sarah FeelySeth & Kelly Hawkins

Bruce & Debbie Hershock

Winston & Laura HoySusie Hamrick Jones

Steve MeltonTodd & Melinda Morse

Mull FoundationNorcross WildlifeFoundation, Inc.

Clay & Joani RichardsonIverson & Marsha RiddleJames & Donna RountreeSqueak & Connie SmithCarl & Faye Spangler

Jerry StenslandRichard & Ava TurnerVulcan Materials Co.

Mideast Div.Ed Wall

Owen & Martha Whitfield*

STEWARDSSam & Caroline AveryRoby & Julie BraswellDouglas & Donna Bull

Nancy CollettMark Curry*

Jim GoldsmithSteve HairfieldRichard Kark*

Tom & Casey Kilgore*The LaFrance Center*

Randy & Lea LoftisEric & Gandhari Loomis

Jonathan & Catherine LowryEd & Susan Norvell

Wade & Liz ParksEd & Becky Phifer

Harold & Brownie PlasterSusan & Robert PowersRepublic Services Inc.

Ripshin DairyKen & Jane RobertsBill & Sandy Roork

Mike & Lynn TannerBob & Jane TrotmanJim & Robin Van Jura

Karen Van Sickler & ChrisBraund

Elisabeth Wall*Bill & Judy Watson

PRESERVERSFred Annand

John & Sehr Belle*Nina August & Lee EntrekinMarion Baker & James Jones

Richard & Cindy Barlowe*Rod Birdsong

Alice Bishopric & PeterStulginskis*

Tom & Sue BowenBrackett Insurance Agency, Inc.

Charlie BradyJohn & Janice Branstrom

Bruce & Toni ByersJoe Carey*

Graham & Anne DentonDavid & Melissa Eggers

Betty ErvinBob & Kate Esch*

Jeffrey & Peggy FabozziForest M. Edwards Insurance

AgencyMary & David GeorgeGregory Jewelers, Inc.*

Gregory VineyardsRance & Betty Henderson

Sonny & Harriet Hines*Mary Jaeger-Gale

Tom & Trish JohnsonArden Jones*

John Greene - Chrysler DodgeJeep

Kala Gallery, Inc.*Tom Kenney & Wendy Jodry

Jennifer Kersten & Tim RoushLinda Kincaid & Jim Belote

The Kitchen ConnectionBill Kopp & Linda McCall

Alex & Marian LleraJenny Mastin*

Bill & Nancy McCulloughCharlotte McMillan

Jonathan & Kim MillerMoose Vending Co.

Natural Bridge of VA*Beth ParrishJohn Payne*

Paul & Elizabeth PeraltaBrian & Elizabeth Phillips

Jim & Linda RostanCalvin & Mary Lou Sossoman

Fred & Sue SouleSouth Creek WineryTom & Anne Starnes

State Employees CombinedCampaign

Frank & Jackie SteeleRobert & Susan Stevenson

Dock & Judy TeeleMary Todd*

Allen VanNoppen, Jr.Allen & Jean VanNoppen

Jean Bernhardt VanNoppenJim & Jean Veilleux

Meredith West*John & Ashley Wilson

WNCW-FM 88.7*Ziggy & Terry Yeh

Stephen & Mary Helen Young

PROTECTORSMike & Beth AllenTim & Lynn Allen

Michael & Kim AndersRay & Mary Ann Antley

Diane ArbourEllis & Barbara Aycock

Baker Buffalo Creek WineryJohn Barron

BB&T*Beanstalk Journey*

Isbell BehrerJohn Bell & Judy Whisnant

Belle FarmMark & Sandra Bennett*

Clint BernardJim & Mary Cameron Best*

Biltmore Estate*Tom & Beth Blanton

Body Tech*Lynda Bonkemeyer*

Lee & Dorothy BowenWinifred Boyd

Gary & Caroline BradfordMary Braun

Marshall Brooks*Ray & Sarah Buchanan

Tom & Cathy Byers

Lands and Waters Protected – Thanks to You – Our 2012 Contributors

8 9

Canopy Ridge Zipline Park*Cauble Creek Vineyards*James & Linda Chester

Chimney Rock at Chimney RockPark

Bay & Lucia Clark*Charlie & Elizabeth Crotts*Dewayne & Deborah Davis

Joe & Frances Delk*Steele & Molly Dewey*

Emerson & Cheryl Dickey*Rob & Melanie Dunn

Samuel Elliott*Jerry & Lynn Eskridge

James & Marlena FairclothForrest & Becky Ferrell*

Paul & Martha Fogelman*Tom & Kathy Foster*

Tom & Sandra Foster*Sylvia Jean Fox*

Fox Mountain Guides/ClimbingSchool*

Carol Frye & Bo Hughes*GE Foundation

Pete GilbertGinger Creek VineyardsGrandaddy Fly Fishing

Grassy Creek Vineyard & WineryJim & Janice Gravely

Johnny & Connie Greene*Kristy Guillen

Steve & Sue GurleyTravis & Christie Hamby*

Margaret HampsonHampton Inn

Jim HaneyScott Harbison

Bruce & Lynn HendersonCharles & Lynn Hoffman

Roger & Robin HollandBill Holman

Dot HoulditchHoward Brewing Company*

Erma Deen HoyleJohn Humphrey

Bob & Nancy HunterInn at Glen Alpine

Donald & Janet JerchVan & Margaret Joffrion*George & Suzy Johnson

Kathryn's Custom Framing*Jim & Mary Kelbaugh

Bobby Kilby*Frank & Barb Kruesi*

Jeff & Libby KuchBeth Lattimore

Donald & Sally LesherSteven & Anne Lian

Lowdermilk, Church & Co., LLP*Willie Lowe, Jr.

Jonathan & Catherine LowryHerbert & Betty Lutz

Rainer & Roz MacGuire*Mary Maercklein

David Majka & Constance Eads

ManpowerJohn Martin

Fred & Bess MatthewsBill McCarter

Ron & Terry McCollumJohn & Joyce McCormick*Martha McMurray-Russ

Adelia McSherley*Mesh Design Group, LLC*

Jay & Jennifer MillsBurt & Ann MoncriefDaryl & Amy Morton*

Jerry & Barbara NorvellOak Hill Iron Works*

Mary Orrison*Steve & Judy Padgett

Jesse PalmerLewis Paschall

Patterson's Amish Furniture*Hugh Payton

Piedmont AudiologyMildred Plaster

Ed & Roben PlylerPoco Rhythm Ranch*

Richard Pons & NancyMcCormack*

Jack & Emily PoteetMary Louise Powell*Jim & Robin ProctorBill & Sandy Puette

Jeremy & Virginia Purbrick*Raintree Cellars

Ed & Abby RedmanDiana Richards

Dav & Eliza Robertson*John & Janice Rostan

Round Peak VineyardsTom & Leslie Ruckdeschel

James & Pamela SainCarolyn Sakowski*Salon Professional*

Sherrod SalsburyCharles & Betty Sasser

Richard & Miriam Savard*Robin Schorr*Esther Smith*

Jeffrey K. SmithLamar & Barbara Smitherman

Southern Charm WinerySheldon Stephenson

Dave & Ginny Stevens*Herb & Becky Stevens*Stony Knoll Vineyards*

Cliff StrassenburgJames & Adria Strife*

Charles Suber*Jack & Norma Suddreth

Carolyn Sullivan*Roy & Joan SummerfieldJohn & Tami Summerour

Norm & Sue TacktillTanner CorporationDoug & Terry Taylor

Jeff & Joan TaylorJames & Leslie Thacker

Harper & Julia ThayerThistle Meadow Winery, Inc.

Tobacco Barn*Ken Tolin*

Jane TownsendBill & Carolyn Vaassen

John Vail & Laura Alison FieldsTrip Van Noppen & Rivka Gordon

Nancy Van NoppenVitality Aging Center*

Garry & Ruth VogelpohlBob & Karen Vollinger

Waldensian Heritage WinesWaldensian Style Wines

Lee Watkins*Dave & Lynn Watson

Dewey WellsJohn & Nancy WhalleyBilly & Debbie Williams

Raymond & Betsy Williams*Wilson Creek Outfitters*

Betty WoernerWoodMill Winery

Rudy & Donna WrightPatrick & Elizabeth Yeatts

Agnes YoosBryan & Martha Zimmerman

CONSERVATORSAnonymous

David & Rose Abbott*Nicholas Aldridge*

Mary AlexanderGeorge & Grace Auten

Dean & Deborah BaughnDonald & Jane Bell

David BennerBill & Heather BergRonald Blackburn

Thomas & Barbara BlackburnFred Blackley

Spencer & Jayne BordenPaul & Lorraine Brady*Bob & Eleanor Brawley

Bubba O'Leary'sCharlie & Jean BurlesonRonald & Karen Cantrall

Henry Cantrell*Troy & Freda Carriker

Peggy CarterCBS Sports

Connie Clark*COMMA*

Charles & Katrina Conley*Jim & Mary Helen Cornelison

Cornerstone Wine & Gifts*David & Amy CortnerDaniel & Linda Craig

Creston DevelopmentMary Ward Danielson

Donald DeBonaScott Dergins*

Down Dog Revolution*Brian & Kristen Downs*

Cary DriverRobert Eades*

Jim, Kimerly & Ben EdwardsC.W. & Lyvonne Ellison

Sam & Mary ErvinFred Falls

Marsha FanningMarshall & Suzanne Fisher

Forget-Me-Not FarmGeneva's Riverside Lodging & Tiki

Bar*Wayne & Leslie Giese

Anthony GoinsMichael Gould*

Laird & Carol Griffin*Danny & Laura Gwyn

John HaleJud & Kimberly Handley

Bob & Marcia HillBob & Elizabeth Hodges

Bob & Ina HollandMark & Sandy Hudson

Dorothy InglisJ.V. & Rachel Jones

Thomas & Miriam JonesRobert Kaplan

Aileen KellyJeffrey & Rebecca Kennedy

Jim & Magi KingJennifer Kiziah*Bob & Patti Kota

Doris Land*John & Becky Lankford

Michael Lavender*John & Sarah MaddryBill & Phyllis Malcolm

Sammie & Ellen Martin*Robert McAdams

Thomas & Gail McClarren*McDowell County Historical

SocietySean & Sarah McElhone

Anyce McKeeDonald & Ann McNeill*Houck & K.B. Medford

John & Sondra MiddletonMillstone Meadows Farm

Richard & Julia ModeGraham & Barbara Morgan

Gary MorrowJim & Camille Moses

David & Phyllis MoultonChuck & Jerelen Ohrt

Gary & Monica OlingerMonroe Pannell

Bob & Pam PecquetBarbara Pleasants

Linda Poulton*Quaker Meadows Garden Club

Jim & Cindy RodgersRuby Falls*

Marc & Deborah RudowSusan Scroggs

Neil & Laura SiddenLynne Slasor*

SPRING-SUMMER 2013 • 828.437.9930

The Horizon Society honors those individuals,businesses, foundations and organizations who contribute $1,000 ormore during the year in support of Foothills Conservancy's land andwater conservation work. Horizon Society members are recognizedannually at a special event. Business members of the Horizon Societyreceive special logo recognition on our website and in our newsletters.For more information about ways to support Foothills Conservancyat higher levels, contact Lynn Allen, Development Director, or SusieHamrick Jones, Executive Director, at 828-437-9930 or by email [email protected].

Elizabeth Anne SmyreSt. Peter Jesuit CommunityRodney & Susan Stalheim*

Mark & Ann StalnakerWilliam Stevenson

Michael ThomasTimeless Aesthetics*John & Sue Travers*

Wayne & Beth Walker*Cheryl WaltzMike Watts*Andy White

Hamilton Williams*Richard Williams*Toni Woodham*

Donald & Pearl Younce*

FRIENDSFritz & Joyce Ackerman

Rebecca Aimone*Alice & Greg ThompsonWanjenell Barrentine*

Bruce & Rebekah BeerbowerStacey Bell*

James & Janice Berry*Hugh & Mary Catherine Black

Kenneth BonfieldWayne Bowman

Terry Brown & Fransien SchullerGeorgia Lynn Burklow

Betty BurnsStuart & Cindy Byers

James Cameron*Carolina Booty Distributing*

Carter Works Pottery*Aaron & Marsha Carver*

Bo & Novah CashCindy CausbyAndy Chused

Steve & Amy ClementLew & Angela Coates*

Kelly CoffeyAaron & Lisa Cook

Blaine & Veryle Lynn CoxDelores Deal

Rich & Sally DeAugustinisJenny Dickson

Dirty Ankle Pottery*David & Adair Dobrowski*Ronald & Lavonia Drabot

Alan & Linda EakesDoug Elliott & Yanna Fishman

Clark & Le ErwinFoothills Family Farms

Clark & Sherry FordJudy Ford

Michael & Mary FriedmanTammy Fulps*

Roy & Lynn GarrettRon & Posey George

Bob & Lee GiduzGlenwood Road Pottery*

Ana Christina GodoyBrian Halliday*Anna Hayward

Heritage Homestead*Randolph & Barbara HerseyBrendan & Laurel Hewson

Barbara HoustonWilliam Jackson*

Glynis James*Joe & Shirley James*

William & Margaret JonesJulworks*

Jeanne JuraschekJohn & Beth KeaneKing Street Café*Virginia Knouse*

Carolyn Lawrence*Patricia Lee*

Newman & Ashley LewisLimbertwig Café*

Nancy Little*Marion Golf Club*

Silvio MartinatGary McCurry

Karin McDaniels*Gary & Nancy McGill

Nicole Midgett*Karla Miller

Deanna Minetola*John & Jimi Moore

Ryan Morgan*Marvin & Denise Mostiller

Mountain Burrito*Bill & Mary Mull

Murray's Restaurant*Nature's BountyMildred Newton

Old Cider Mill & ApplesolutelyGift Shop

HomeStaging*Joel Patrino*

Merlin & Julia Perry*

Richard & Elizabeth PhilipsenDavid & Susan Pollpeter*

Louis Pugh*Puzzle Creek Pottery*

Jennifer Rall*Randy's Custom Golf Clubs &

Repair*David & Karen Reed*

Viki Robinette*Rebekah Robinson*

Zoe Allison Rockingbear*Richard & Janis Rogers*James & Patricia Rose

Diane RubyNelson & Merri Rudisill*

Wendell SheltonRosalba Shook

Lenny & Vicky SmathersSharon Smith

Richard & Marlene SpitzWilliam & Kristin Steiner*Graham & JoAnne Stewart

Sybil Stewart*The Grind Café*The Low Down*

Frank & Larree ThompsonTime & Again Designs Studio

John TutwilerUdderly Delightful Soaps*

Veggie Love*Billie Ann Vess & Charles Roach

Jessica Vogel*Ronnie Walker

Mike Walsh*Nancy Wing*

David Wittenberg

GIFT MEMBERSHIPSCamp Lake JamesAnonymous – 8*

GIFTS IN HONOR OF:

Bunnie Burginby Charles Burgin

Rodgers & Joyce Whiteby Anyce McKee

Mr. & Mrs. Don Deatonby Scott Harbison

Jennifer Heartwayby Perrin Heartway

Frank & Kim Jones

by Dean & Deborah Baughn

Gary McCurryby Bob & Donna Benner

Gresham Orrisonby Mary Orrison

Susan & Robert Powersby Meredith West

Don Taylorby Doug & Terry Taylor

Elsa Trotmanby Bob & Jane Trotman

Allen & Jean VanNoppenby Trip Van Noppen & Rivka

Gordon

Garry G. Vogelpohlby Garry & Ruth Vogelpohl

GIFTS IN MEMORY OF:Harold Decker

by Sylvia Jean Fox

William & Elizabeth Feelyby Sarah Feely

Derek Fothergillby Roy & Lynn Garrett

Al Perusseby Mike & Beth Allen

John C. Roseby Jim & Patricia Rose

Nick ShowalterBrad Goodman

Robert C. Stevenson, Jr.by Robert & Susan Stevenson

Jim Toddby Mary Todd

PINNACLE SOCIETYAnonymous (3)

Mae Parker BolesRobey & Julie Braswell

Mark HudsonMargaret Lamere

Squeak SmithRichard & Ava Turner

*Names with asterisks are newmembers.

…………………………….Please forgive any errors or

omissions!Contact us with any needed

corrections.

FOOTHILLSCONSERVANCY.ORG SPRING-SUMMER 2013 • 828.437.9930

Join Foothills Conservancy April 27 from noon to 5 p.m. atMorganton's Catawba Meadows Park for the 4th Annual FoothillsWine Festival. This event keeps growing and shouldn't be missed!Wineries from around the region will be there, including oldfavorites and newcomers Silver Fork Winery from Morganton,Fiddler's Vineyard fromCherryville, Newland's LinvilleFalls Winery and Saint PaulMountain Vineyards from FlatRock.

In addition to showcasingwines from around the region,the Foothills Wine Festival isan outlet for local artisans andcraftsmen. This year, expect tosee stained glass, homemadebarbeque sauce and locallymade goat cheese amongmany other handcrafted goodsfor sale. Music headliners,Peggy Ratusz and DaddyLongLegs from Asheville willbe there to shake up the parkwith their mix of Motown andBlues rhythm, while local bandASAP will be returning to rockthe crowds with Americanastyle.

The wine festival brings people together both from within NorthCarolina and from states beyond to recognize and celebrate the localflavors and creativity of the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills. Thebeautiful setting of Catawba Meadows Park provides the idealbackdrop for this annual event and serves as a reminder that the

land itself is what brings somany visitors to NorthCarolina every year.

All ticket proceeds benefitFoothills Conservancy ofNorth Carolina and assist insaving the places you love inthe Blue Ridge Mountainsand foothills.

To purchase tickets, visit theFoothills Wine Festival tabunder “News and Events” onour website atwww.foothillsconservancy.org.

April 27thFoothills Wine Festival Features New Wineries and Old Favorites

Saturday, April 27, 2013Noon - 5 p.m.

Wine Festival & TastingFeaturing Blue Ridge & Foothills Wineries

Advance Tickets

$15 / $20 GateMust be 21

for wine tastingID REQUIRED

For more information orto purchase tickets:

www.FoothillsConservancy.orgOr call

828-437-9930

Local Arts, Cra�s & Food, Live Music featuring

Peggy Ratusz & Daddy LongLegs

ASAP

"Many of us who love the gorgeous place in which we live pass that love on to ourchildren and grandchildren, counting on them to continue to support the work oforganizations like Foothills Conservancy. But we have no children. So the only waywe can guarantee our continued support of FCNC is through a bequest in our will.It was so easy to do and now we know our commitment will continue long after weare gone."

--Richard and Ava Turner

New Pinnacle Society Members HelpLay a Green Foundation for the Future

10 11

Giving Levels

HORIZON SOCIETYHeritage.......$10,000+Legacy.............$5,000+Patron.............$2,500+Benefactor.....$1,000+

Steward................$500+Preserver..............$250+Protector ..............$100+Conservator ..........$50+Friend ......................$35+

Foothills Conservancy's Pinnacle Society recognizesthoughtful people who have chosen to leave a lasting legacy of landand water conservation through a bequest to the conservancy in theirwill or by naming the conservancy as a beneficiary of a life insurancepolicy or retirement plan such as an IRA. We honor and thank thesegenerous forward-thinking individuals. For more information onmaking a planned gift to Foothills Conservancy and becoming amember of the Pinnacle Society, please call Lynn Allen, DevelopmentDirector at 838-437-9930.

Our 2012 Contributors –Continued

FCNC Spring Summer 2013

Documents