Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS)

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Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS)

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SAWS sets standards of excellence that inspire, connect, and equip people to steward wild landscapes

Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) is a conservation non-profit organization setting the standards of excellence that inspire, connect, and equip people to steward wild landscapes. SAWS was born from a need for wilderness stewardship across the southeast. In just over a decade, SAWS has grown to be a leader in wilderness stewardship, training, and education. We work hard to take care of the wild and beloved remote areas that the public loves to recreate in. SAWS hires enthusiastic, talented youth and adults, providing workforce capacity in traditional skills, land management, trail maintenance/construction, and environmental conservation. We also love to engage with our community to help keep wilderness relevant and connect the public to the natural world through volunteer opportunities and local events.

11/04/2026

Welcome to Wednesday! We hope you're rolling through the week like...

11/04/2026

Trail Specialist Mark was able to host his first ever Traditional Tools Training at the High K**b Destination Center October 24th & 25th. Four attendees spent Saturday learning the ins-and-outs of different tools and tool maintenance. On Sunday, they put these new skills to use bucking 6 trees, clearing 25' of corridor and junking 10' of social trail around Lake Keokee.

Thanks to those who attended and be on the lookout for the next event.

U.S. Forest Service - George Washington and Jefferson National Forest

10/31/2026

SAWS crews have been getting into the Halloween spirit all year. Check out some of the very real (and not completely made up) things they will be going out as tonight.

10/30/2026

Storms don't stop but neither do our staff. We responded to an urgent request for help from Georgia Appalachian Trail Club . Hurricane Isaias had left extensive blowdown blocking the Appalachian Trail and they wanted to make sure they were cleared before the southbound bubble comes through.

We were able to mobilize staff from North Carolina and Georgia to clear the 8.2 mile section from Poplar Stomp to Unicoi Gap. Over three days, our team cleared 39 trees to reopen the trail and keep everyone safe.

Thanks to all out there helping to keep wilderness wild and accessible.

10/29/2026

This year, SAWS has been able to connect with the crew from Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center. It has been great having them out in the field with our staff to work on several projects.

This week, they spent time with Nantahala Trail Specialists Alex and Trevor in Ellicott Rock Wilderness. Their work included improving drainage structures, protecting the trail from erosion and opening up the trail corridor.

Thank you to the Job Corps team and our Trail Specialists for helping keep our trails sustainable and in great shape for future generations!

U.S. Forest Service - National Forests in North Carolina

10/26/2026

We want to give a big thank you to the Maxim Healthcare employees that came out to Pond Mountain Wilderness in Tennessee with us last week! The group spent the day with Program Manager Scotty and our new Field Coordinator Gill cleaning campsites along the Laurel Fork Trail in U.S. Forest Service - Cherokee National Forest.

This incredible group removed 65lbs of trash and cleaned multiple fire rings. Thanks all for giving your time to help steward this local Wilderness!

We are excited to host a second group of employees this Wednesday to continue the good work.

10/23/2026

SAWS had the opporutnity to help reopen Hickory Ridge Trail (3.5 miles) and Rough Ridge Trail (6.9 miles) in the Cohutta Wilderness on the Conasauga Ranger District.

In 2016, a wildfire burned through parts of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, closing many trails to the public. Some areas suffered near-total loss of canopy and the physical effects of these fires can still be observed today.

Since April, our Georgia crew has done tremendous work to reopen these two trails for hikers. In total, the crew completed:
- Brushing/corridor cleared: 39, 223 feet
- Down trees removed: 936
- Drains maintained: 4
- Tread maintained: 30 feet
- Crush fill made: 14 cubic feet
- Trash removed: 15 pounds
- Trail assessed: 1.5 miles
- Log stairs built: 3
- Princess Trees removed: 130

We are so thankful for the chance to work with Southeast Conservation Corps and U.S. Forest Service - Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests on these long-term projects. We so proud of our crew for all their amazing work in this rugged and remote wilderness area.

10/21/2026

Did you see our October newsletter in your inbox? If not, you can check it out at the link below.

This month, we celebrated all the great volunteers that came out with us this past fiscal year.

When SAWS committed to supporting Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, we knew the need was bigger than just hiring more staff. If we were going to reach our stewardship goals, we were going to need an entire community working with us side-by-side. With year 1 of the agreement closing at the end of Au...

10/20/2026

SAWS has been looking for a way to give back to those who spend their time stewarding the wild places we love. We are excited to announce the launch our new Volunteer Incentive Program! The VIP is one way for us to say thank you to repeat attendees who provide so much to us and the resource.

There are 5 different award levels, outlined in the images below. The ultimate award is your own Silky BIGBOY.

VIP hours tracking started in August. If you have reached an awards level, you will be getting an email from Partnership Support Officer Jeff Wright with details.

10/16/2026

SAWS held the annual board retreat last week to discuss the past, present and future of the organization. We wanted to recognize the three directors who are rolling off the board (photo 2 from L to R): Paul Dickens, Nealon DeVore and Anya Boyko. These three have spent countless hours helping us grow and plan for a bigger future. We will miss them all this coming year.

We welcomed 4 new members to the board this year; Dan Abbe, Nathan Hilbert, Meryl Harrell and Whitney Montgomery.

The board also elected new officers. Lena Snyder (photo 3) took the gavel from Paul as our new Board Chair. Delie Wilkens joins her as Vice Chair. Bart Hawley continues as Treasurer and Aliya Naim as Secretary.

Address

225 East Chestnut Street
Asheville, NC
28801

Telephone

+18287851517

Website

http://www.wildernessstewards.org/, https://www.wildernessstewards.org/store

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