Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina

06/15/2026

💚 Our trails don't take care of themselves...and thankfully, they don't have to.

Foothills Conservancy of NC is fortunate to have volunteers who generously share their time, talents, and love of the outdoors to help care for the places our community enjoys every day. From maintaining trails and assisting with stewardship projects to serving as ambassadors for conservation, volunteers play an essential role in our work.

That's why we're excited to launch our new Trail Steward Program. Trail Stewards help us keep watch over the trails they love by visiting them regularly and reporting issues such as downed trees, erosion, or other maintenance needs. Their observations help us respond more quickly and ensure our trails remain safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.

If you've ever wanted a simple but meaningful way to support local trails, we'd love to have you join us.

We need Trail Stewards for:
Oak Hill Community Park and Forest,
Bob Benner Memorial Trail,
Foothills Mountain Bike Trail System at Catawba Meadows Park,
Copper Ridge section of Fonta Flora State Trail,
and COMING SOON... Wolfpen Loop section of Wilderness Gateway State Trail

A required Trail Steward training session will be held on June 24th from 2-4pm at the FCNC office: 204 Avery Ave., Morganton.

You can register here and select the Trail Steward Training shift: https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/JE/u8nt50bgcr31kz

Have questions or can’t make this training time? Contact Erin at [email protected].

06/15/2026

🦅 Have you checked out the Bald Eagle Monitoring page yet?

Lake James Environmental Association has created this incredible resource online for you to stay informed about the bald eagles of the Lake James area.

06/12/2026

Meet our summer staff 💚

We're so grateful for our incredible Summer Stewardship Interns. They're a vital part of the stewardship team, and this year we're lucky to have four outstanding young people on board for the season!

Name: Nya Schwartz
Hometown: Oak Park, Illinois
College: Warren Wilson College
Course of Study: Environmental Science // Forestry

"I am very excited to work with Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina in the stewardship department to learn more about how the small non-profit organizations in conservation serve as community resources and how they navigate various challenges and limitations. I am also eager to learn about conservation easements as tools for conservation through biological monitoring."

Thank you for joining us, Nya!

06/10/2026

💭 "What does it mean to care for conserved land forever?"

When a landowner enters into a conservation agreement for their property, they are making a lasting commitment to protect the land's natural, scenic, agricultural, and/or ecological values. In turn, FCNC has a responsibility to regularly visit these properties, document their condition, and ensure the conservation goals of the agreement are being upheld.

Recently, FCNC stewardship staff spent the day visiting the Lenoir Watershed (private property owned by the City of Lenoir and managed by the Lenoir Police Department) as part of their ongoing stewardship work.

"This is the map of the site visit we made to the Lenoir Watershed property along Zacks Fork Creek in Caldwell County. The stewardship interns and I each set on individual paths, met back up at the top of the mountain, and walked out together at the end of the day. We were able to successfully monitor large portions of the boundary for possible trespassing or encroachments. We also saw a large amount of the interior of the property, allowing us to document possible natural changes due to severe weather events over the past year," explains Ryan Sparks, Stewardship Director.

These monitoring visits are an important part of our work. They help us build relationships with landowners, identify potential concerns early, and ensure that the lands entrusted to our care remain protected for future generations.

Conservation doesn't end when a project is completed. It's a commitment that continues year after year.

06/10/2026

Thank you, Jon, for sharing the FCNC story with your listeners!

06/09/2026

What a day on the trail! More than 50 people took part in the inaugural Fonta Flora Tails & Trails Quest during Old Fort's Trails & Trains event, and one of the best parts was hearing so many participants say they were learning about the Fonta Flora State Trail for the very first time.

Families, hikers, kids, dog lovers, and trail enthusiasts explored the route, answered questions, discovered local wildlife and history, and connected with the vision of a trail that links communities, nature, and recreation across Western North Carolina.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and helped make the event such a success! 🧡

Now we're curious...

🤔 Would you like to see a Tails & Trails Quest at Lake James?

Let us know in the comments! What kinds of stations, challenges, or trail discoveries would you want to see along the lake?

06/09/2026

🌿 Have you spotted the new signs along the Sassafras Trail at Oak Hill Community Park and Forest?

We've recently installed six educational signs designed to help visitors connect more deeply with the natural world around them. As you explore the trail, you'll learn about local ecosystems, wildlife, conservation, and some of the partners whose vision, expertise, and support have helped make Oak Hill Community Park and Forest the special place it is today.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular trail user, these new additions offer a chance to slow down, look a little closer, and discover something new about the landscape beneath your feet.

Next time you're at the park, take a walk along the Sassafras Trail and see what you can learn!

Have a favorite sign? Let us know in the comments!

06/08/2026

The Paper's recent article on the importance and economic impact of Burke County trails is a great read! Thanks for showcasing recreation's value. FCNC is so proud to be part of many of these projects.

Visitors spent more than $154 million in Burke County in 2024, and local tourism officials and trail advocates say outdoor recreation is one of the leading factors.

06/08/2026

Have we got a commute-ready listen for you...!