Blue Ridge Conservancy

10/19/2026

You just never know what weather you're going to get in the mountains! Saturday was Great Trails State Day in North Carolina, and the final hike in the 2026 BRC hiking series. This hardy group persevered through rain and cold to reach the clearing at the top of Peak Mountain in Avery County. The view might have been a bit less breathtaking than usual (last photo).
BRC purchased the 91 acre property in 2020, as part of the plan to add to the Greater Grandfather Mountain Conservation Area.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for hikes in 2026! 🥾

10/12/2026

This month's FieldNotes Newsletter from High Country Wild features a spotlight article about BRC's Land Protection and Stewardship Fellow, Abbey Rankins! Thanks to HC Wild staff for recognizing the great work Abbey does to further conservation goals in the High Country!

President’s Message As our High Country landscape turns brilliant shades of red, orange and gold this month, local wildlife will be busy preparing for the season ahead. Migrating birds will … Continue reading "Field Notes: September 2026"

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

Yesterday Jordan welcomed a group of 4th and 5th graders from Imagine Bilingual to the conservation campus. They explored the trail, pollinator meadow, and creek restoration area, and learned about the basics of conservation and access projects along the way. Thanks for visiting!

10/06/2026

“𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝”: 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞

Blue Ridge Conservancy and landowners Alice and Ron Linville recently completed a 121-acre conservation easement in the Old Fields Township of Ashe County, adjacent to protected lands on Bluff Mountain. This land, part of the North Fork New River watershed, includes multiple headwater springs of Three Top Creek which is classified as Class C, Trout and Outstanding Resource Waters by the North Carolina Division of Water Resources. The steep mountainside property, soaring to 4,383 feet, is fully forested with mature hardwoods and is located near Elk K**b State Park, Three Top Mountain Game Land, and Paddy Mountain Park. The property is situated in the Bluff Mountain Natural Area identified by the NC Natural Heritage Program.

Alice and Ron Linville provided the following statement:
“An investment in the natural world will always come with unexpected dividends. The language of geology speaks ever so slowly. The twittering of ovenbirds becomes a song. The fog envelopes a deer that magically appears. Ice storms surrender habitat for grouse that will startle the heart. These dividends teach us more than we can know and appreciate. They nurture and fulfill. There is a oneness with Creation. These dividends are our undeserved gifts. With receipt of the gift comes responsibility and a duty to conserve and manage the source of the bounty."

Full story here: https://blueridgeconservancy.org/recent-news/our-highest-calling-is-to-serve-as-stewards-of-the-land-linville-family-and-blue-ridge-conservancy-protect-valuable-acreage-adjacent-to-bluff-mountain-preserve

10/05/2026

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Fred Pfohl, longtime friend and supporter of Blue Ridge Conservancy. A lifelong land conservation advocate, Fred began his board membership with BRC in the early 2000s, and served for years as a member of the Land Protection & Stewardship Committee. Fred assisted the Conservancy as a volunteer conservation easement monitor, and donated a 44-acre easement to ensure the perpetual protection of land on his beloved Beech Mountain. Fred and his wife Marjorie were awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2019 for their service to the community of Beech Mountain and to the state of North Carolina. We join the high country in mourning Fred’s passing, and are ever grateful for the impact he made on our community.

10/01/2026

It's October, so what better day for a post about last week's Oktoberfest celebration at Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Cidery? Executive Director David Ray held down the fort at the BRC tent and staffed the "BRC Bucket Pong" game. Several local nonprofits joined in the festivities with themed games, while participants enjoyed Märzen, pretzels, live music, and German-inspired eats. Thanks for having us! 🥨🍻

09/29/2026

Tune in tomorrow, September 30, to High Country Radio stations to hear all about BRC! We're thrilled to be included in their "Non-Profit-a-Thon," and throughout the day you'll hear David, Sara, Jordan, Wendy, Abbey, and Leila chatting about BRC's land conservation, access, and community projects. 📻
We get started bright and early at 8:30am!

WATA 1450AM and 96.5

09/29/2026

Tune in Wednesday!

High Country Radio is proud to continue our feature we are calling NON-PROFIT-A-THON! Join us on Wednesday, September 30th, as we feature Blue Ridge Conservancy!

You will hear snapshots of who they are and what they do all day long and have a chance to support Blue Ridge Conservancy's cause!

09/28/2026

BRC staff met in the restored stream and wetland area on campus this morning to install cages around the newly planted trees and shrubs. Hopefully the cages will provide enough protection from the deer for the plants to grow strong and provide anchoring and habitat at this beautiful restoration site! 🦌🌳

*And none of us were surprised that Sydney could easily wield Mjölnir. 🌩