On Friday, August 4, Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) held a groundbreaking at the site of the new Paddy Mountain Park trail in West Jefferson as part of Year of the Trail NC Trail Days. The park will feature three miles of stacked loop trail as well as parking, restrooms, and picnic facilities. The park will serve as a trailhead for the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST), which will connect the Jeffersons to Boone. BRC, who facilitated the purchase of the property, is coordinating the construction of the NPST in partnership with state and local government agencies.

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Blue Ridge Conservancy is honored to be the Ashe Chamber of Commerce's "Nonprofit of the Year" for work at Paddy Mountain and the Northern Peaks State Trail. The award was announced at the Chamber's annual meeting, and accepted by Executive Director Charlie Brady.

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Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Scott Elliott as Director of Development. For the past nine years, Elliott has served as the Superintendent of the Watauga County School system, receiving numerous awards and recognitions in that time. He was named the Northwest North Carolina Regional Superintendent of the Year in 2019 and was widely lauded for his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Blue Ridge Conservancy is delighted to have Scott Elliott join our team as Director of Development,” says BRC Executive Director Charlie Brady. “Scott brings a genuine commitment to land conservation to the organization. He understands how land conservation builds healthy communities, and his skills in leadership and relationship building are exceptional. Attracting top talent to BRC has been and continues to be one of the keys to our success.”

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