Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

09/02/2026

Now hiring! Career Opportunity - Director of Operations.

The Director of Operations (DO) is a new position at Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC). The DO is responsible for human resources, compliance, office administration, and organizational effectiveness to ensure SAHC operates efficiently, transparently, and in alignment with Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices. This role will design, implement, and continuously improve cross-organizational systems, policies, and procedures that support staff, strengthen accountability, and advance SAHC’s mission. The DO will also lend a hand with certain day-to-day functions and tasks that senior staff members perform, in order to spread and lighten workloads.

Working closely with the management team, the Director of Operations will guide the evolution of SAHC’s operational framework as the organization grows and changes. The ideal candidate is an experienced, collaborative leader with a strong background in nonprofit operations and a passion for building systems that help people and programs thrive. https://appalachian.org/director-of-operations/

09/02/2026

SAHC is hiring a paid Intern to help with our Winter Hiking Challenge!

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) is seeking a highly motivated intern to help facilitate our 7th Annual Winter Hiking Challenge (WHC). This community program encourages hikers of all levels to get outdoors between January and March and raises critical funds for our conservation mission.

The WHC Intern will be the day-to-day engine behind the Challenge: keeping participants informed and engaged online, supporting hikes and events in person, and helping close out the season with a celebration the whole community remembers. You’ll work closely with SAHC’s Development, Communications, and Outreach teams, gaining hands-on experience in community engagement, event support, and nonprofit program administration.

Learn more at https://appalachian.org/whc-intern/

Preferred application deadline: October 1, 2026
Internship Dates: November 2, 2026 – March 14, 2027
Hours: 10-15 hours/week
Pay: $16.50/hour

08/31/2026

Looking forward to the North Carolina Hellbender Festival this Saturday! Come see us and snag a Solstice Handmade Hellbender t-shirt!

08/27/2026

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy extends a heartfelt thank-you to the 25 volunteers who came out to help manage Appalachian grassy balds habitat at Grassy Ridge in the Highlands of Roan this month! Volunteers ranged in age from 8 to over 75, including newcomers as well as well-seasoned returning volunteers.

“I think this was one of the best all-around Mow-offs we’ve hosted,” says Roan Stewardship Director Marquette Crockett. “The volunteers were great, the weather cooperated, sunsets were gorgeous – and we all left feeling really good about what we had accomplished. Overall, it was just a fantastic weekend. Seeing new and young faces in our volunteer crew bodes well for the future of the program. I also want to recognize the BRIDGE crew, who conducted habitat management over the two weeks around the Mow-off and carried in the equipment and gear for the volunteers.”

During the Grassy Ridge Mow-off, volunteers hand-mowed 4 acres, and the BRIDGE crew mowed another 13 acres over the course of two weeks. Thanks to all our volunteers and partners for hand-managing a total 17 acres of grassy balds habitat this summer!

08/25/2026

NEXT Tuesday, Sept. 1 – Community Streambank Stabilization Workshop in Marshall, NC, hosted by hosted by Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation & Development and Madison County Soil and Water Conservation.

The event is completely free and includes lunch. It is funded by NRCS/USDA as part of ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

Learn more and register at https://tally.so/r/Pd2JWB

08/25/2026

We're sharing a couple of upcoming land management resources from our partners in the landscape!

Protecting Farm and Forest Resources
Event Date August 26, 2026
9:30 am to 3:00 pm

FREE, in-person event, lunch provided, registration required

Location: Mayland Community College-Sam Center Auditorium, 200 Mayland Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777

The “Preserve, Plan, Prosper” workshop is designed to help farmers and forest owners improve the health and productivity of their land. Presenters will identify technical and financial resources available to landowners. The event also gives attendees the chance to interact with attorneys versed in estate planning and heirs’ property issues.

The workshop will feature presentations from several nonprofit forestry-and conservation-focused organizations, including the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project, the Black Family Land Trust, the Land Loss Prevention Project and the NC Agricultural Mediation Program (NCAMP).

More info and sign up at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/gvegyur

08/21/2026

Some good news to end your week - a new donation of land for Pisgah View State Park! Stagg and Cheryl Newman have been long-time supporters of conservation and champions for the creation of NC’s future Pisgah View State Park. This year, they donated a five-acre tract of land to SAHC, which we have transferred to the State of NC; the land will likely provide a space to support staffing for the park.

“This will be the westernmost state park in NC, where we need more recreation facilities,” says Stagg. “We’re excited to see the creation of the park, and to have beautiful trails and educational opportunities for both adults and children."

The recently donated property has existing housing sites with a working well and utilities, which could provide a space for ranger housing. The land also has beautiful stream frontage along Davis Creek.

Read more at https://appalachian.org/pisgah-view-state-park-land-donation/

Thank you to Stagg and Cheryl Newman, and to all our dedicated members and supporters of conservation, for helping to create places for all people to enjoy outdoor recreation in the mountains of NC and TN!

08/20/2026