Blue Ridge Conservancy

Blue Ridge Conservancy BRC partners with landowners and local communities to permanently protect natural resources.

Today we celebrate Juneteenth, a day that commemorates freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of justice and oppor...
06/19/2026

Today we celebrate Juneteenth, a day that commemorates freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of justice and opportunity for all. We honor the history of emancipation, reflect on the progress that has been made, and reaffirm our commitment to building a future where everyone feels welcome in the outdoors and connected to the natural world.

Locally, we celebrate the Junaluska neighborhood in Boone, cushioned between the bustle of King Street and the rocks of Howard K**b. Junaluska is one of the oldest African American communities in western North Carolina and one of the few surviving today. After Emancipation, many former enslaved people in Watauga County became sharecroppers, were allowed to clear land and to keep a portion, or bought property outright, all in the segregated neighborhood on the hill overlooking the town.

If you’re in town for Boonerang this weekend, be sure to stop by the South Depot Stage today at 5:30 pm, as the Junaluska Gospel Choir kicks off the festivities in song and celebration. Happy Juneteenth!

Want to learn more about the Junaluska community? Check out Junaluska: Oral Histories of a Black Appalachian Community, edited by Susan E. Keefe

The Wonders of Nature Series is back at SouthEnd Brewing - Boone! Join your friends from BRC and SouthEnd along with exp...
06/19/2026

The Wonders of Nature Series is back at SouthEnd Brewing - Boone! Join your friends from BRC and SouthEnd along with experts to learn about a topic in a casual, fun environment. Show up at 6pm to grab a drink ($1 of each pint goes to BRC!) and a snack and get settled in for the presentation at 6:30. There will be time for questions and discussion, so come ready to learn!

On June 24 our speaker is the always entertaining and informative Laura Mallard, a geologist and senior lecturer at Appalachian State. She's going to answer questions we are often asked when talking about Howard K**b and the Northern Peaks State Trail: what is amphibolite rock, how is it different from the rest of the mountains, and where did it come from?

We hope to *spot* you there (yes, that's a salamander joke).

We had a great tour of AppState's Blackburn Vannoy Farm Saturday, led by farm manager Todd Rudicill. This is a favorite ...
06/15/2026

We had a great tour of AppState's Blackburn Vannoy Farm Saturday, led by farm manager Todd Rudicill. This is a favorite in our Hiking Series because we get to see how much innovation and progress happens from year to year at the farm. Thanks to Todd and Appalachian State University for hosting our group.
Want to learn more about the farm's history and BRC's ties? Check out this link: https://bvfarm.appstate.edu/

July's event is another yearly favorite - the Old Orchard Creek Farm hike and blueberry picking day on 7/11. Sign up now at this link:
https://blueridgeconservancy.org/guided-hikes

Last week while we were getting ready for the auction, Dan the archaeologist was busy doing a survey at BRC's campus. Th...
06/12/2026

Last week while we were getting ready for the auction, Dan the archaeologist was busy doing a survey at BRC's campus. The survey was conducted before our stream and wetlands restoration to identify and document any historical or cultural resources hidden beneath the site. Dan spent several days digging and evaluating, and found nothing that would delay the project, so we are one step closer to getting this exciting project going!

Looking to kick off a beautiful high country weekend? Head over to Paddy Mountain Park and check out the shiny new trail...
06/12/2026

Looking to kick off a beautiful high country weekend? Head over to Paddy Mountain Park and check out the shiny new trail markers! The NPST is happening!

There is still time to sign up to join BRC at Appstate's Blackburn-Vannoy Sustainable Development Farm for a tour on Sat...
06/08/2026

There is still time to sign up to join BRC at Appstate's Blackburn-Vannoy Sustainable Development Farm for a tour on Saturday, June 13. The tour will take 2 hours or less, and is not strenuous. RSVP here: https://blueridgeconservancy.org/guided-hikes

The Blackburn-Vannoy Sustainable Development Farm is a 369-acre teaching and research property in Ashe County. Owned by Appalachian State University and protected by a BRC easement, it serves as a "living laboratory" for sustainable agriculture, ecology, and historic preservation.Learn more here: https://bvfarm.appstate.edu/

Thanks to Mast General Store and everyone who stopped by to chat Saturday for Land Trust Day!
06/08/2026

Thanks to Mast General Store and everyone who stopped by to chat Saturday for Land Trust Day!

06/05/2026

WATAUGA — On Land Trust Day, Saturday, June 6, Mast General Store locations across the region will donate 20% of their sales to partnering local conservancies. The Original Mast Store,

Address

416 Aho Road
Blowing Rock, NC
28605

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18282642511

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