Valle Crucis Park trail extended through Blue Ridge Conservancy farmland

Click here to watch a virtual ribbon cutting of the new grass path at the Valle Crucis Park.

In 2015, Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) received a donation of 21.7 acres of farmland located within the Valle Crucis Historic District along NC Scenic Byway 194. Thanks to the generosity of John and Faye Cooper, longtime residents, conservationists and owners of Mast General Store, this scenic property will forever remain as agricultural and recreational land along Dutch Creek and the Watauga River.

Last spring a major stream restoration project improved the integrity Dutch Creek. The property is now more conducive for agriculture and is safer for public access. A new, unpaved trail extends from the Valle Crucis Park loop through the field offering additional opportunities for fishing, exercising, bird watching, and more.

Guest UserNovember 17, 2020

Watauga River Access Completed on Guy Ford Road

The Lower Gorge River Access site off of Guy Ford Road in Watauga County is open to the public thanks to the collaboration of several organizations and many individual donors interested in ensuring the riverfront property become a community park. The park’s infrastructure including a parking lot, loading ramp, signage and railings were completed in August of 2020.

Watch the virtual ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the Lower Gorge Access on the Watauga River.

Guest UserNovember 17, 2020

Blue Ridge Conservancy receives $1 Million from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund

The North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF), formerly known as the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, awarded Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) $1,064,895 toward the purchase of land on Three Top Mountain in Ashe County.

Guest UserSeptember 25, 2020

Call for Support: NC Parks and Trails for Health (PATH) Initiative

Dear friends,

I wanted to share a letter we submitted to news organizations serving our region. The purpose of the letter is to encourage support for the Governor’s Parks and Trails for Health initiative, also known as “PATH.” The Governor proposes to spend $20 million to address needs at our State Parks and Trails caused by the recent record visitation levels. The proposed appropriation will come from the $900 million that the State will receive from the federal CARES ACT. This proposal deserves support. Please read my letter and, if you are inclined, please take action to support our State Parks and State Trails. The Legislature will vote on how to spend the CARES ACT funds either tomorrow or Thursday, so the time to act is now.

Thank you,

Charlie

Guest UserSeptember 1, 2020