On Friday, July 26, BRC and partners officially opened the Watauga River Access on 194 in Valle Crucis. BRC staff were joined by officials from the Tennessee Valley Authority and Watauga Tourism Development Authority, MaryAnn Mueller and Diana Travis, who gifted the majority of the land for the access point, and supporters of the project. This beautiful spot, including 1,300 feet of river frontage located in between the Valle Crucis Community Park and the Watauga Gorge Park, provides parking and recreational opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing.

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Blue Ridge Conservancy was recently awarded $80,000 by NCDOT for a Multimodal Feasibility Study grant, which will give BRC and its partners of Jefferson, West Jefferson, and Ashe County a plan to connect Paddy Mountain Park to Mount Jefferson State Natural Area via a pedestrian pathway. This pathway will ultimately connect Mt Jefferson to the Northern Peaks State Trail.

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Blue Ridge Conservancy recently achieved land trust accreditation renewal from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance.

Each accredited land trust completes a rigorous review process and joins a network of organizations united by strong ethical practices. This trusted network of land trusts has demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions and lasting stewardship of the lands they conserve. Accreditation is awarded on a 5 year term.

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Blue Ridge Conservancy recently protected a 2,400ft peak in the Brushy Mountains in Wilkes County. The 2.2 acre lot is surrounded by land already owned by BRC, and was the location of a decommissioned communication tower.The tract is two miles northeast of Pores Knob, the highest point in the Brushy Mountains, and the intention is to restore and manage the site to increase wildlife habitat and the ecological integrity of the property.

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