The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) recently expanded its Roan High Preserve in Mitchell County, permanently protecting an additional 372 acres on the southern flank of the Roan Massif. The conservancy acquired the land in September through three distinct tracts known as Feeding Ridge, Cook Creek, and Chestnut Ridge. These new additions directly border Pisgah National Forest and other previously protected SAHC land, significantly bolstering conservation efforts in the region.
With this expansion, the Roan High Preserve now encompasses a total of 1,449 contiguous, permanently protected acres. This undeveloped land is highly visible from the Appalachian Trail and the surrounding communities, making its protection crucial for scenic integrity. Roan Stewardship Director Marquette Crockett highlighted the strategic importance of these acquisitions, stating that they "secure important missing ‘puzzle pieces’ in SAHC’s Roan High Preserve." Crockett further noted that the preserve now forms a large, unbroken section of forest in the heart of the Roan Massif, extending to the spruce-fir ecozone and preserving critical high-order stream corridors.
The preserve is vital for protecting high-elevation hardwood and spruce-fir forests. SAHC reports that the conifer forests within the preserve provide habitat for rare species, including the Carolina northern flying squirrel, the Saw-whet Owl, and the Red Crossbill. The hardwood forests, in turn, support diverse neotropical birds such as the Canada Warbler and the Veery. Several significant environmental designations overlay or adjoin these newly protected tracts, including the Audubon Society’s Roan Mountain Important Bird Area and the state-designated Roan Mountain Massif Natural Area, underscoring their ecological significance.
Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese emphasized that the Feeding Ridge tract had been a top priority for SAHC for an extended period, with efforts dating back to at least the 1990s. The newly acquired land includes elevations reaching 5,400 feet, which are prominently visible from the Appalachian Trail. Pugliese added that visitors to the Rhododendron Gardens on Roan Mountain will forever enjoy an unblemished view of the mile-long ridgeline on Feeding Ridge, preserving the iconic landscape.
Beyond forest and wildlife, the new additions are crucial for water quality. Headwaters and tributaries of Little Rock Creek, a main tributary of the Nolichucky River, flow through the protected land. This includes the main branch of Cook Creek, which is recognized as a trout stream. SAHC anticipates that this protection will also help safeguard water quality downstream, benefiting broader ecosystems and communities.
Conservation work extends beyond acquisition. A 2025 grant from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative is currently funding habitat restoration across the entire preserve, including the recently added tracts. This work is particularly critical following the severe impact of Tropical Storm Helene, which hit the Roan Highlands hard. SAHC estimates that over one-third of the forests on the Roan High Preserve suffered severe blowdowns during the storm. Restoration activities include clearing soil roads to improve emergency access and wildfire response, reducing fire risk in areas affected by blowdowns, treating invasive plants, and planting red spruce. Additionally, automated recording units are being used to study how bird populations respond to the storm's environmental changes.
The purchase of these vital lands was made possible through the support of conservation-minded philanthropic leaders, an Appalachia Rising grant facilitated through Re:wild, and dedicated SAHC members. The conservancy proudly announced that it reached a milestone of 100,000 acres protected this year. To further its ongoing mission, SAHC is currently running a donor match initiative, offering to match new donations and increased annual gifts up to $100,000.
