2017 BLUE RIDGE FOOTHILLS PROTECTION CHALLENGE

submitted by The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina:

Between now and August 31 2017, your support for Foothills Conservancy goes TWICE as far with a dollar-for-dollar match toward our $80,000 challenge goal!

It never ceases to amaze us when those committed to a cause achieve great things.

This May, in an effort fully funded by private contributions, Foothills Conservancy purchased and permanently protected Sank Gap, a 259-acre tract in the Catawba River's headwaters near Old Fort in McDowell County. Residents of the adjacent Creston Community, motivated by one couple's $25,000 challenge pledge, rallied to raise the final $50,000 needed to complete the purchase.

Thanks to these passionate individuals and other private funders, this incredible land, which contains nearly a mile of the ridge of Edmondson Mountain including Sank Gap, is now part of Foothills Conservancy's Catawba Headwaters Preserve.

The ridge of Edmondson Mountain, including Sank Gap

During our 2017 Blue Ridge Foothills Protection Challenge, you have an opportunity to double your impact and help us achieve our $80,000 summer challenge goal.

Two anonymous individuals together have pledged $37,500 and the von Drehle Corporation of Hickory has pledged $2,500 to match up to a total of $40,000 for this annual fund challenge.

From now through August 31, your gifts toward this challenge will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling your investment in this unique and wonderful region and allowing us to advance our land and water conservation work this year. 

With your help, we will continue our work this year to protect places like Lake James, where concerned citizens contributed half the funds needed for our land trust to acquire and add another 41 acres to Lake James State Park last year. Known as the Whippoorwill Dairy Farm, this land offers public access to a section of the Overmountain Victory Historic Trail along Paddy's Creek and protects the clean waters of Lake James.

Paddy's Creek flows along the Whippoorwill Farm

Protection projects like this are inspiring examples of the community members and landowners who are committed to working with Foothills Conservancy to protect our beautiful region.

With your help, Foothills Conservancy will be able to continue adding to the more than 51,000 acres of mountain forests, foothills farmlands, and the thousands of miles of streams, rivers and trails that we have protected since 1995.

We consider it a privilege that thanks to supporters like you, Foothills Conservancy can use our expertise and resources as a regional land trust to work with people in our community who are passionate about land and water conservation to achieve our shared goals.

Thanks to your support we are able to respond to opportunities to protect scenic vistas, preserve family farmland through conservation easements, and safeguard the water quality of the streams and rivers that we rely on for recreation and drinking water. 

Please double your support for our region's future during our Blue Ridge Foothills Protection Challenge by mailing your gift, making a secure gift online at foothillsconservancy.org/donate, or calling our office at 828-437-9930 by August 31.

DONATE NOW

Thank you,

Susie Hamrick Jones 

Executive Director

 

Ron Beane 

Board Chair

 

P.S. Don't forget! Mark your calendar today and make a two-for-one gift by August 31.

 

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina 

P.O. Box 3023, Morganton, NC 28680

Ph: 828-437-9930

info@foothillsconservancy.org

www.foothillsconservancy.org