Blue Ridge Conservancy was recently awarded $25,000 from the onX Adventure Forever Grant program for the Three Top Mountain section of the Northern Peaks State Trail. This section is the longest contiguous segment of the NPST, traversing the south side of Three Top Mountain, a 3,100‑acre game land managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
Read MoreAfter a 30 year effort, Blue Ridge Conservancy is thrilled to announce the purchase of 74 acres on Howard Knob, securing the property for hiking, rock climbing, and other public recreation, and protecting it from future development. The property adjoins Watauga County’s existing 5-acre park and the Boone United Methodist Church property, increasing the contiguous protected property on Howard Knob by more than 140%.
Read MoreThanks to cooperation between business owners, the Town of Blowing Rock, elected officials, and Blue Ridge Conservancy, a section of Middle Fork Greenway (MFG) in Blowing Rock is beginning to take shape. The future Blowing Rock segment of trail will be 1.2 miles long beginning at the “Welcome to Blowing Rock” sign trailhead parking area, and will connect folks to the headwaters of the Middle Fork New River, Blue Ridge Parkway, Mountains to Sea trail, Shoppes on the Parkway, downtown Blowing Rock, High Country Regional Visitor Center, The Foley Center at Chestnut Ridge, and eventually to the rest of the trail into Boone. Two miles of the MFG are currently open to the public, and progress is happening in additional sections of the trail.
Read MoreThe 68th Annual Farm City Banquet was held last week at Boone United Methodist Church, and Blue Ridge Conservancy presented the “Conservationist of the Year” award to the Valle Crucis Conference Center for their 180-year commitment to local agriculture practices. Eric Hiegl, BRC’s Senior Director of Land Protection and Conservation Planning, presented the award to Margaret Love, VCCC’s Executive Director. This is the second time BRC has given this award, with local farmer Kelly Coffey announced as the inaugural winner in 2023.
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