Blowing Rock Segment of Middle Fork Greenway Beginning to Take Shape
Thanks 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.
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Blue Ridge Conservancy Names the Valle Crucis Conference Center “Conservationist of the Year” at the 68th Annual Farm City Banquet
The 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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Blue Ridge Conservancy and the Town of Boone Break Ground at Rivers House Park
Blue Ridge Conservancy and the Town of Boone celebrated a major milestone in outdoor access and regional connectivity last week by breaking ground at Rivers House Park, which will serve as the southern terminus of the Northern Peaks State Trail. The Recreational Trails Program–funded project will create nearly one mile of new trails in a figure-eight design and renovate the existing path to "Baby," one of North Carolina's largest sugar maples.
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Blue Ridge Conservancy Announces Opportunity to “Save Howard Knob” for Recreation and Public Access
After 30 years of effort, Blue Ridge Conservancy is thrilled to announce that it has secured the opportunity to purchase 73 acres on the north and east side of Howard Knob, the peak overlooking Boone. This property adjoins the existing 5-acre park owned by Watauga County, and will protect the land forever and provide public access for nature-based recreation, including hiking and rock climbing.
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