Roan High Preserve – 120 More Acres Protected in the Highlands of Roan
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy has accepted the donation of 120 acres for the Roan High Preserve,adding to a network of connected, protected land that stretches from the crest of Roan High Knob to the foot of the Roan Massif. The recently conserved land includes headwater tributaries and portions of the main branch of Gouges Creek.
“These streams provide clean water sources and trout habitat in the Nolichucky River watershed,” says Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese. “Preserving the land will prevent future development of the area and sedimentation of the waterways, while securing scenic landscape views enjoyed by local residents and outdoor recreation enthusiasts alike.”
This acquisition also strengthens a wildlife corridor that connects conserved ridgelines to Pisgah National Forest, supporting species movement and resilience. Located in an area rich with biodiversity, the land falls within the Roan Mountain Important Bird Area and the Grandfather Unaka Priority Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Area.
“For over 50 years, SAHC has led partnerships to conserve and manage a protected landscape of more than 23,000 acres in the Highlands of Roan, including some of the highest elevations and richest repositories of biodiversity in the Appalachians,” says Roan Stewardship Director Marquette Crockett. “SAHC’s 1,200+ acre Roan High Preserve protects pristine high elevation habitat, supporting a host of high elevation endemic or rare species.”
Protection of this land was made possible thanks to generous philanthropic leaders and an Appalachia Rising grant from Re:wild. Thank YOU for helping to conserve land in the Highlands of Roan!
Upcoming Hikes and Events
Saturday, Oct. 25 from 12 to 5 pm – Appfest at Wicked Weed Brew Pub, benefitting SAHC. Celebrate all Appalachia has to offer with Wicked Weed Brewing‘s annual Appfest! Enjoy live music at the Brewpub from 2-5 pm, plus a Makers Market hosted by the Appalachian Artist Collective. Savor fall favorite beer releases, fall flights and more. This month, Appalachia Session IPA returns for a short time – on tap only at the Brew Pub in downtown Asheville. We are very grateful for Wicked Weed's ongoing support for local land and water conservation efforts.
Sunday, Oct. 26 from. 5 – 6 pm at SAHC Community Farm. Relax, breathe in, and soak in the sunset views during a special Gentle Flow Yoga session at the farm. Led by SAHC Outreach Program Manager Erin Goodpaster, a certified 200 hr yoga instructor practicing yoga since 2015, this gentle 60 minute yoga session is suitable for beginners as well as experienced students. Please bring your own yoga mat. Afterward, we'll enjoy some fall refreshments. FREE for SAHC members, $10 for non-members.
Saturday, Nov. 1 at 11 am – Hike SAHC's Elk Hollow Preserve. Autumn is a stunning time to visit the Highlands of Roan. Enjoy a guided, moderate 1.4-mile hike along the Everett J. Bowman Trail. This scenic route will meander through stunning forests of oaks, maples, and beech trees; along Elk Hollow Branch; and past vibrant meadows perfect for birdwatching. This event is free for SAHC members and $10 for non-members. Become a member and enjoy FREE guided outings throughout the year!
Sunday, Nov. 9 at 10:30 am – SAHC Community Farm Hike/Tour. Are you interested in regenerative agriculture? Or want to get in an autumn hike close to Asheville? Join us for a guided 2-mile hike to explore agroforestry projects, watch for wildlife, learn how farming and conservation work together, and more. This is a wonderful season to celebrate conservation and local farming! This event is free for SAHC members and $10 for non-members.
For a FULL list of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, visit Appalachian.org/Events.
Land Stewardship In Action
Warren Wilson College students conduct research at SAHC's Little Rock Creek Preserve in the Highlands of Roan. Forestry Professor Eric Griffin and his students installed seven 10Mx10M deer exclosures throughout the property to investigate the impacts of deer browse on understory vegetation, flowering species, and woody regeneration at the preserve. They will conduct an initial vegetation/woody species survey in early May 2026, which they will continually do twice per year over the next several years.
Our Stewardship Team has been busy ‘in the field' this fall, completing annual monitoring and land management visits to ensure SAHC-conserved land remains protected for future generations. On a recent visit, they enjoyed views from the 188-acre tract SAHC purchased in 2024 between Sugar Creek and North Turkey Creek, in Sandy Mush.
“This is a very prominent ridgeline, highly visible from the valley and surrounding area,” says Stewardship Director Sarah Sheeran. “It's a large piece of a much larger network of connected land that SAHC has been protecting – piece by piece – for three decades. We're so fortunate to be able to continue this critical work – preserving land and water sources for our communities, for wildlife habitat, and for the beauty of the region where we live.”
Support Conservation and Community
Join a community of conservationists invested in the future of our region! YOUR donations help support SAHC's continued protection of habitat for plants and wildlife, local farms, forests, streams, and places for people to enjoy recreation across the mountains of NC and TN. Thank you for your generous support!
