fcnc fall winter 2013

FOOTHILLSCONSERVANCY

of North Carolina

The N.C. General Assembly’sdecision to end the N.C.Conservation Tax Credit onJanuary 1, 2014 has brought aflurry of year-end landconservation opportunities toFoothills Conservancy and thestate’s other regional landtrusts.

For many years, the tax creditprogram provided an extraincentive for landownerswho were donating ormaking bargain sales ofconservation land andeasements to North Carolinaland trusts. Since its establishment,220,000 acres have been certified by theprogram, and the applicants have reportedan estimated value of more than $1.2billion for these donations.

Foothills Conservancy is now working toprotect more than 1,000 acres byDecember 31 so landowners can takeadvantage of this tax incentive before itdisappears.

Conservation Trust for North Carolina(CTNC), the statewide service center for 25regional land trusts, offered $1.5 million ingrant funds to local land trusts to assistwith the completion of these timelyconservation projects. The funds comefrom Fred and Alice Stanback – longtimegenerous supporters of land conservationin our state and the recipients of FoothillsConservancy’s 2012 “Ruby Award” – andfrom two anonymous gifts to CTNC andother reserve funds.

Dubbed “Money in the Ground”, grants ofup to $25,000 per project from thisprogram will be used by the land trusts tounderwrite transaction and stewardshipendowment costs – often a stumblingblock to the speedy completion of land

conservation projects. Eligibleexpenses include surveys,appraisals and attorney fees,for example, which arenecessary for the successfulcompletion of a conservationtransaction.

Foothills Conservancy wasawarded $95,350 in grants tohelp cover transaction andstewardship costs for fiveprotection projects totalingmore than 1,000 acres.

These projects, featured on page3, include a wide range ofimportant lands that will be

protected in perpetuity for the benefit offuture generations: Ginger Creek -- 399acres in Caldwell County; Green Mountain-- 225 acres in Happy Valley in CaldwellCounty; Buck Creek Gap -- 73 acres alongthe Blue Ridge Parkway in McDowellCounty; Singleton -- 50 acres near BlowingRock in Caldwell County; and Connelly – a275+ acre farm in McDowell County.

“We are very excited to be able to workthis fall with conservation-mindedlandowners to protect these outstandingproperties,” said Susie Hamrick Jones,Foothills Conservancy’s executive director.“We are very fortunate that CTNC, theStanbacks and the other donors arehelping us take advantage of this time-sensitive opportunity by setting up the“Money in the Ground” grant program.

Putting “Money in the Ground” to Protect 1,000+ Acres

Fall colors in Buck Creek Gapjust off the Blue Ridge Parkway

WHAT'S INS IDE

Forever Stewards .......................................... 2

Money in the Ground ............................... 3

Protection Projects .................................. 4-5

Bringing Us Together ............................ 6-7

Recognitions .............................................. .8-9

2012 Fiscal Report ..................................... 10

Time to Give ................................................. 11

67287_NL_Nov_Final_Layout 1 11/22/13 9:32 AM Page 2

FROM OUR DIRECTOR

Box Creek Wilderness Power Line Update

OUR MISS ION

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, a nationally accredited regional land trust, is

dedicated to working cooperatively withlandowners and public and private

conservation partners to preserve and protectimportant natural areas and open spaces of

the Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills region, including watersheds, environmentally

significant habitats, forests and farmland, forthis and future generations. The Conservancy,

a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit, serves eight counties:Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba,

Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford.

LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF DIRECTORSCarl Spangler, Chairman

Cleveland CountyCharles Burgin, Vice Chairman

McDowell CountyJanet Wilson, Secretary

Caldwell CountyRobin Brackett, Treasurer

Cleveland County

Susie Hamrick JonesEx Officio

2


of North Carolina

Charles A. Brady IIICaldwell County

Tom FosterCatawba County

Mary GeorgeCatawba CountyJim Goldsmith

McDowell CountyKelly HawkinsBurke County

Rance HendersonBurke County

Mary Jaeger-GaleRutherford County

Shara OwensbyBurke CountySusan Powers

Caldwell CountyMichael R. Smith

Burke County

STAFF

Susie Hamrick Jones, Executive DirectorTom Kenney, Land Protection Director

Andrew Kota, Stewardship DirectorLynn Allen, Development Director

Mary Braun, Office Manager

CONSULTANTS

Suzi Berl, Grants & Organizational DevelopmentEdward Norvell, Legal & Land Protection

Foothills Conservancy of North CarolinaP.O. Box 3023

Morganton, NC 28680

Ph 828.437.9930 Fax 828.437.9912Email [email protected]

foothillsconservancy.org

“Forever” is a serious word among landtrusts. Our job is daunting: to protectspecial lands and waters in perpetuity.

However, protecting lands with privateconservation easements conveyed toland trusts or through publicownership is never sufficient to protectthe integrity of our most belovedlandscapes.

This requires a shared vision andcommitment to protecting andenhancing an area’s “greeninfrastructure” through thoughtful planning and design of the built environment.

At Lake James, Burke County became a national model in 2004, when after eight years ofcitizen-driven efforts to “Save Lake James”, the county designated large areas as conservationdistricts and landowner Crescent Resources submitted conditional use zoning requests thatfeatured cutting-edge conservation development designs to protect the lake’s waters andscenic views. They also agreed to sell 4,450+/- acres to the State of North Carolina and FoothillsConservancy to expand Lake James State Park and create the State’s Linville Game Land,opening up 30 miles of public shoreline and greatly expanding tourism opportunities.

It was a true win-win that balanced thoughtful, conservation-driven development withsignificant public access.

However, unlike conservation easements, land-use ordinances are not binding in perpetuity,and both elected officials and landowners change over time.

Recent proposals (www.lakejames.com/docs/) to change these forward-thinking Burke Countyordinances need to be carefully considered by all who love and depend upon Lake James tomake sure that they remain as good if not better for the lake’s shores and waters as they havebeen since first established in 2004.

We are all forever stewards of Lake James and the places we love.

On October 1, a Superior Court judge dismissed Rutherford Electric MembershipCorporation's (REMC) proceeding to condemn a power line right of way through Box CreekWilderness. Citing due process and statutory considerations, the judge ruled thatRutherford Electric could not proceed with its petition in Rutherford County to condemnan easement through the McDowell County portion of Box Creek Wilderness. REMC'sseparate petition to condemn a right of way through an additional 600 acres in McDowellCounty is still pending and the fight to protect and preserve Box Creek Wildernesscontinues. For more information or to add your voice to those working to protect BoxCreek Wilderness, visit www.boxcreekwilderness.com

At Places Like Lake James,We Are All Forever Stewards

Lake James Fisherman at Sunset

Susie Hamrick JonesExecutive Director


3

Green Mountain – Yadkin River Headwaters – 225 acresIdentified as a conservation priority in Foothills Conservancy’s Scenic Byways ConservationPlan, this donated conservation easement opportunity with owner Joe Doll on forested watershedlands is located in the headwaters of the Yadkin River in Happy Valley, Caldwell County. The 225-acre project will protect views from the Upper Yadkin Way State Scenic Byway, 9,000 linear feetof trout waters of the Yadkin River, and a section of undeveloped ridgeline between the river andZack’s Fork Creek. When protected, the tract will add to the 1,000+/- acres of land already conservedby Foothills Conservancy and the State of NC in Happy Valley.

Ginger Creek – Brushy Mountains – 399 acresThis 399-acre parcel of undeveloped forestland lies in the Brushy Mountains of northeasternCaldwell County, a low elevation outlier range of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The bank-ownedproperty is being offered as a fee donation to Foothills Conservancy for conservation purposes.Drained by more than 3.25 miles of streams, the tract contains the initial mile of Ginger Creek andits headwater tributaries, which feed Little Lower Creek -- a direct tributary of the Catawba River.The land is in a strategic conservation corridor identified in Foothills Conservancy’s Blue Ridge toBrushy Mountains Landscape Conservation Plan.

Buck Creek Gap -- Blue Ridge Parkway – 73 acresLocated along HWY 80 near its intersection with the Blue Ridge Parkway in McDowell County, this 73-acre mountain tract adjoins parkway land. Owners Roby and Glenda Wilson have agreed to a “bargainsale” of the property to Foothills Conservancy at a price below its appraised fair market value. Fred andAlice Stanback have agreed to donate funds to the conservancy to support the tract’s purchase. Theproperty is completely surrounded by the National Park Service’s Blue Ridge Parkway lands and PisgahNational Forest. The U.S. Forest Service hopes to acquire the property in the future from the conservancy.

Connelly Farm – Muddy Creek Watershed – 275 + acresDavid and Betty Connelly anticipate completing a donation of a conservation easement toFoothills Conservancy by year’s end on more than 275 acres of their working forest and farm tractnear Nebo in McDowell County. To achieve their goal of permanently protecting the farm for futuregenerations, they will retain agricultural and forestry rights while donating most developmentrights to the conservancy. The farm is bordered by long sections of South and North Muddy Creeks- a few miles upstream of the Catawba River. Conservation of the Connelly Farm will protectwildlife habitat, valuable farmland, these creeks and the Catawba River and preserve open spacevistas from I-40 of extensive forests, farm fields, and pastures.

Singleton – Blowing Rock – 50 acresApproximately 50 acres of mountain forest and the headwaters of East Fork Mulberry Creek inCaldwell County near Blowing Rock will be protected by year’s end. Owners Wes and PhyllisSingleton are donating a conservation easement to Foothills Conservancy to preserve forest andhabitat below Rocky Knob ridge and scenic vistas from US Highway 321 and the Blue RidgeParkway.

“Money in the Ground” Projects


Hikers to Catawba Falls and anglers along the Catawba River have 10more acres of Pisgah National Forest to call their own. FoothillsConservancy has sold and transferred the Surles in-holding propertyto the U.S. Forest Service. The land shelters views and pristine troutwaters along the way to spectacular Catawba Falls.

“This is a big accomplishment for Foothills Conservancy, whichbrought together partners from the county, state and federal levelsto ensure public access to this beautiful property,” said Nick Larson,Pisgah Forest’s Grandfather District Ranger. “I appreciate theconservancy’s efforts in transferring this loved landscape to theForest Service for future generations to enjoy and connect with theforest.”

“We are thankful for Fred and Alice Stanback’s contribution thatmade our purchase of the tract possible,” said Tom Kenney, theconservancy’s land protection director. “We will use the proceedsfrom the sale to the Forest Service to acquire and protect additionallands in the area, further benefiting the public.”

The Forest Service acquired the property from Foothills Conservancyusing federal Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF) set asidefor acquiring in-holdings – unique properties mostly surrounded byexisting public conservation lands. Established in the 1970s, thefunding program is due to expire in 2014. North Carolina’s SenatorRichard Burr is a lead co-sponsor of Congressional legislation to fullyfund LWCF. Senator Kay Hagan and Representative Mark Meadowshave also been supportive of full funding for the program.

Land Protection Projects

4

Adding the Surles tract to Pisgah National Forest protects theCatawba Falls trail and provides another quarter mile of publictrout waters.

Catawba Falls Trail Further Protected

Almost 538 acres of Wildcat Mountain and its forests in the CatawbaRiver’s headwaters are now conserved as preserve lands owned andmanaged by Foothills Conservancy.

The scenic mountain is viewed from Old Fort, I-40 and the CatawbaRiver at the mountain gateway to western North Carolina. This year,Foothills Conservancy purchased the final two phases of the project,totaling 173 acres, using remaining N.C. Clean Water ManagementTrust Fund, N.C. Department of Justice’s EnvironmentalEnhancement Program, and National Fish & Wildlife Foundationawarded grant funds.

About five miles of headwater streams feeding the Catawba River arenow permanently protected, helping keep the river, Lake James anddownstream water supplies clean. Wildcat Mountain expandsFoothills Conservancy’s Catawba Headwaters Preserve to 1,350 acres.When combined with the conservancy’s conservation easement onthe Creston Community, almost 2,000 acres are now permanentlyprotected in this area near the river’s source.

“We greatly appreciate our many supporters for helping make ourwork here possible,” said Tom Kenney, the conservancy’s landprotection director. “In particular, we are thankful for more than$750,000 in contributions from Fred and Alice Stanback and otherlarge donors toward our Wildcat Mountain acquisitions over theyears.”

Wildcat Mountain shelters streams that feed into the CatawbaRiver near Old Fort.

Wildcat MountainPurchases Completed!


5

Foothills Conservancy has been awarded a $40,000 grant from theNational Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program(ABPP) to identify and delineate the boundary of the Cane CreekBattlefield along US 64 in McDowell County.

The Revolutionary War skirmish occurred on September 12, 1780.Under the command of Colonel Charles McDowell, Patriots engagedBritish Major Patrick Ferguson and a Loyalist militia at Cane Creek.The encounter ultimately revitalized the Overmountain Men tomarch to the Battle of Kings Mountain.

This grant was one of 24 the Park Service made nationwide. One goalof the ABPP is to protect battlefields and sites associated with armedconflicts that influenced the course of American history. A partnernon-profit, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association (OVTA), madea matching contribution of $5,000 and will assist FoothillsConservancy with the project. Grant funds will be used to developan archaeological survey, conduct military terrain analysis, andcreate maps and interpretive materials to better understand thesite and inform the public of its significance.

The Overmountain Men were the 1,000 or so patriots who trekkedthrough northeast Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and westernNorth Carolina to rendezvous at Quaker Meadows in Morgantonbefore marching to the Battle of Kings Mountain where theydefeated British Major Patrick Ferguson.

The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail follows their 330-mile route through four states and is visited annually by anestimated 1 million people. Over the past several years, OVTA haspresented the story of the Overmountain Men and Battle of KingsMountain to more than 8,600 school children.

FCNC Stewardship Director Andrew Kota (center) with PaulCarlson (left), NPS OVT Superintendent, and Marc Bowen,President of the OVT Association (right) at the commemorativebattlefield marker on HWY 64 at Cane Creek.

Foothills ConservancyReceives National Park

Service Battlefield ProtectionProgram Grant

Heirs of Eric and Velsie McCurry are working with FoothillsConservancy to preserve 95 acres in the South Mountains of BurkeCounty which include pristine Shoal Creek and its beautiful falls.

Foothills Conservancy will acquire the property by the end of theyear, and plans are already underway to later sell and transfer it theState of North Carolina for addition to South Mountains State Park.

The scenic, forested tract is critical to connecting separate sections ofthe park on its western side off of US Highway 64. From 2007 to 2010,Foothills Conservancy worked with the state to purchase the nearbyEarwood-Norman and Barron tracts – adding a total of 916 acres tothe state park. The Shoal Creek Falls tract connects these lands to theformer Broughton Hospital – or Clear Creek – Watershed, whichFoothills Conservancy also helped add to South Mountains StatePark in years past.

The McCurry family has stewarded and treasured the 95 acres andits waterfall for many years. Eric, who passed away in 2005, was oneof Foothills Conservancy’s early supporters and a strong advocate forSouth Mountains State Park. With last year’s passing of his wife,Velsie, their children approached the conservancy about aconservation sale that could lead one day to the tract being added toSouth Mountains State Park.

A gift from Fred and Alice Stanback of Salisbury will cover half of thetract’s purchase price, and the conservancy will obtain loan fundsfrom Conservation Trust for North Carolina’s Mountain RevolvingLoan Program to cover remaining costs.

N.C. State Parks recently submitted a grant application to the N.C.Clean Water Management Trust Fund – re-structured by state lawthis year to include the former N.C. Natural Heritage Trust Fund – forthe funds needed to add the land to South Mountains State Parkperhaps as early as next year.

“Foothills Conservancy deeply thanks the McCurry family for theircare of this special land and the legacy of conservation they will leavefor future generations,” said Tom Kenney, the conservancy’s landprotection director. “We also thank Fred and Alice Stanback for theirgenerous contribution to help make our purchase of the land thisyear possible.”

The scenic Shoal Creek Waterfall will soon be added to SouthMountains State Park.

Deal Signed to Purchase andProtect Shoal Creek Falls

Photo by Jeff Siner, Charlotte Observer


Allison Falls Hike & Picnic More than two dozen hikers braved summer rains as FoothillsConservancy’s land protection director, Tom Kenney, led the waydown a narrow trail and across a small branch on the way toAllison Falls, one of two falls on privately conserved land thatform the left prong of the Catawba River. The falls are located on477 acres permanently preserved within the Creston Communityby a conservation agreement with Foothills Conservancy. Hikerswere rewarded with a special lunch featuring burgers provided byCasey and Meredith McKissick of Foothills Farm and Butchery.Four-wheeling transportation back to the top of the trailheadwas provided by Creston and the conservancy.

6

Camp Lake James Pig Pickin’ Eight couples from the lake communities of 1780, Dry Creek

and Southpointe hosted a great “fun-raising” party for FoothillsConservancy on a September evening at the Camp Lake James social

hall. Richard Turner stayed up most of the night smoking his famousbarbeque to serve the more than 80 people who enjoyed an evening of

food, fellowship and the toe-tapping old-time music of the Linville RiverRamblers. Richard’s barbeque was complemented by caterer Bernice Toney’s

special side dishes and desserts. Although the evening began with rain, guestswere eventually rewarded by a beautiful rainbow! Leadership Circle hosts forthe event included: Ava and Richard Turner, Ann and George Costello, Gwen andBill Bradley, Margaret Divish and Ed McMillan, Danyel and Rick Harris, JenniferKersten and Tim Roush, Leslie and Tony Pierfelice, and Virginia and JeremyPurbrick. Many thanks to these leaders and all who attended! Special thanks tothe Turners and Costellos for their great work on pulling this event together.

Fun Outings & Even Conservancy Supp


4th Annual Flavors of the FoothillsBenefit Dinner & Auction The Historic Waldensian Mill in Valdese provided a perfect venue forthe 4th Annual Flavors of the Foothills Benefit Dinner and Auctionin April. More than 150 guests enjoyed bidding on a wide varietyof handmade items and unique outdoor experiences, includingregional pottery and a weeklong beach getaway on a privateisland. Hickory’s Bistro 127 catered the event, servinghors d’oeuvres featuring foods from local farms.Entertainment was provided by Asheville musicians,The Magills, who played a mixture of classical andCeltic music on the flute and guitar. Thissignature event, sponsored by CrescentCommunities, once again provided amajor boost to Foothills Conservancy’sannual fund while showcasing oneof the region’s unique restorationsof an historic mill buildingcourtesy of Clark Erwin, Jr.

4th Annual Foothills Wine Festival Fifteen wineries from the Blue Ridge Foothills shared their wines

with several hundred people who attended the 4th annual FoothillsWine Festival in April at Morganton’s Catawba Meadows Park. Despite

rain showers, festival goers were able to sample and purchase a widevariety of wines, browse through more than two dozen art and craft booths,

taste yummy local foods served up by regional food trucks, and listen to someoutstanding regional music provided by local band ASAP, and Asheville blues

artist Peggy Ratusz.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THESE WINE FESTIVAL SPONSORS!!Corporate Sponsors: Crescent Resources, Burke County Tourism, Packaging Corporation of

America, John Greene Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, Mackay Painting, Belle Farm, Kitchen Connection,Patterson’s Amish Furniture, Bear Creek Marina, Codex Sound, Downtown Floral & Design,

BB&T, The Boat House, ManPower, Bowers Green Nationwide Insurance, Bernhardt Furniture Co.,Sign It Clearly, Mesh Gallery, Lowdermilk, Church & Co., LLP, Hampton Inn

Media Sponsors: Morganton News Herald, WNCW public radio, Focus Magazine, Dashboards &Saddlebags Magazine

ents Bring Foothills pporters Together

7


Carl Spangler, Jr., a retired Cleveland County businessman and native, currentlyserves as chairman of the board of trustees for Foothills Conservancy, having servedsince 2011. Carl is married to Faye Sparks Spangler and has four children andtwelve grandchildren. Being civic minded, he has served on the boards of severalorganizations including the United Way, Boys Club, Children’s Home, LifeEnrichment Center, Lawndale Historical Society and the Upper Cleveland RescueSquad. He is also currently serving on the board of trustees of Gardner-WebbUniversity and on both the governance committee and the Cleveland Countysteering committee for the Carolina Thread Trail. Carl is a recipient of the prestigiousGovernor’s award -- The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

8

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina

2013 Ruby AwardMichael R. “Squeak” Smith

For Exemplary Leadership & Volunteer SupportIncluding Efforts that Greatly Advanced Conservation

in the Catawba-Wateree River BasinSqueak Smith with one ofhis many proud catches!

Foothills Conservancy annually presents the Ruby Pharr ConservationVolunteer of the Year award – or Ruby Award – our highest honor forvolunteer service in support of our land and water conservationmission. The award is named for its first recipient -- biologist, retirededucator and wild flower expert Ruby Pharr -- one of FoothillsConservancy’s founding board members and former boardchairman, whose life has been devoted to conservation of the naturalenvironment.

Foothills Conservancy honors Michael R. “Squeak” Smith, aMichigan native who chose Morganton as his home, with the 2013Ruby Award for his life-long devotion to protecting and preservingour environment, in particular the wild trout and salmon waters hereand across the country that he loves to fish, and for his 12 years ofvolunteer service on the conservancy’s board, including four years asboard chairman. In addition, Squeak played a major leadership roleand has been a tireless advocate for the Catawba River during DukePower’s multi-year hydro-relicensing process, serving as a founding

board member and secretary of the Catawba-Wateree RelicensingCoalition. He has also served Trout Unlimited for 25 years as a boardmember and leader at the local, state, and national levels. Streamrestoration is one of his passions, and he has served for 10 years onthe board of the Muddy Creek Watershed Restoration Partnershipand for three years as Treasurer and chief champion of ResourceInstitute, which does stream restoration work throughout thesoutheast.

“Squeak is the embodiment of a true conservationist,” said SusieHamrick Jones, Foothills Conservancy’s executive director. “The reachof his volunteer service is wide and deep, just like many of the rivershe works to protect. He has devoted years of his life to helpingFoothills Conservancy to grow stronger as an organization and toachieve some remarkable conservation goals across our region. Youknow you have a devoted volunteer by your side when they’rewilling to put down their fishing rod and join a conference call whilestanding in a cold trout stream!”

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHTCarl Spangler, Jr.

Chairman, Board of Directors

“I grew up on a farm and always loved the creeksand open spaces. I still do, so joining FoothillsConservancy was a natural fit. However, being amember takes on a deeper and more profoundmeaning. I realize that we must protect theseprecious resources as they go hand in hand. Thechallenge actually goes beyond the quality of lifeto the protection of life itself.”


THE CHAMPIONSNicholas & Aletha AldridgeNina August & Lee Entrekin

Wanjenell BarrentineDean & Deborah Baughn

Beaver Family FoundationIsbel Behrer

Bob & Donna BennerJames & Janice Berry

Rod BirdsongCliff Black

Hugh & Ann BlackwellEd & Sandra Blair

Spencer & Jayne BordenTom & Sue Bowen

Winifred BoydRobin Brackett

Kent & Jayne BradleyRoby & Julie Braswell

Bob & Eleanor BrawleyCharlie & Janet BrownRay & Sarah Buchanan

Tom & Cathy ByersJames Cameron

Ronald & Karen CantrallTroy & Freda Carriker

Sterling & Martha CollettMack & Peggie Cook

George & Ann CostelloCharlie & Elizabeth Crotts

Mark CurryDavid & Pamela Daniel

Delores DealAnne Denton

Steele & Molly DeweyCary Driver

Alan & Linda EakesDavid & Melissa EggersC.W. & Lyvonne Ellison

Fred FallsSarah Feely

Forrest & Becky FerrellSylvia Fox

Michael & Mary FriedmanJoe & Gloria Gaudet

Mary & David GeorgeBob & Lee GiduzJim Goldsmith

Harriet GoodrichHeidi Hannapel

Bruce & Lynn HendersonBruce & Debbie Hershock

Sonny & Harriet HinesCharles & Lynn Hoffman

Roger & Robin HollandBill Holman

John HumphreyDeborah Hutchins

Azmi & Maha JarrahGeorge & Suzy Johnson

Tom & Trish JohnsonTom & Miriam-Ash Jones

J.V. & Rachel JonesMike & Rhonda Keeley

Odean & Barbara KeeverJennifer Kiziah

Margaret LamereDoris Land

Beth LattimoreMarguerite Lavoie

Patricia LeeSteven & Anne LianRandy & Lea Loftis

Robert & Anne LongLohr Loveland

Jonathan & Catherine LowryRainer & Roz MacGuire

Duncan McCallRon & Terry McCollum

Bill & Nancy McCulloughGary & Nancy McGill

Edward McMillan & Margaret DivishHouck & K.B. MedfordBurt & Ann Moncrief

Charles & Emily Moose Todd & Melinda Morse

Denise & Marvin MostillerEdward & Susan Norvell

Chuck & Jerelen OhrtBeth ParrishHugh Payton

Paul & Elizabeth PeraltaMildred Plaster

Mary PowellSusan & Bob PowersEd & Abby Redman

Clay & Joani RichardsonMarsha & Iverson Riddle

Robert O. Burns Sr. Family PartnershipKen & Jane Roberts

Jim & Donna RountreeDiane Ruby

Jim & Pamela SainCarolyn Sakowski & Alton Franklin

Robert & Mary Marcia SalsburyNeil & Laura Sidden

Squeak & Connie SmithJeff Smith

Fred & Sue SouleCarl & Faye SpanglerRuss & Janine SpillerFrank & Jackie Steele

Cliff StrassenburgJames & Adria Strife

Carolyn SullivanRoy & Joan Summerfield

John & Tami SummerourMike & Lynn Tanner

Jeff & Joan TaylorHarper & Julia ThayerBob & Jane Trotman

John TutwilerBill & Carolyn VaassenDoug & Gwen Veazey

Garry & Ruth VogelpohlBob & Karen Vollinger

Vulcan Materials Co. Mideast Div.

Ed WallRoger & Sandra Warren

Lee WatkinsDewey Wells

Owen & Martha WhitfieldGeorge & Betsy Wilcox

Raymond & Betsy WilliamsJanet Wilson

Betty WoernerNancy Yudell

Blue Ridge Foothills ProtectionChallengers & Champions Recognized

Generous conservancy supporters who pledged to match up to $30,000in gifts during our 2013 Blue Ridge Foothills Protection Challengespurred many others to make special gifts this summer, allowing

Foothills Conservancy to reach our $60,000 goal! We offer our sincerethanks to the following individuals and businesses for providing

essential support for our 2013 land and water conservation efforts.

THE PLEDGE CHALLENGERSAnonymous (2)

Alice CareyMike & Joella Fulenwider

Susie Hamrick JonesEdward & Susan NorvellVon Drehle Corporation

Join the PINNACLE SOCIETY& Make the Gift of a Lifetime

“We do not inherit the Earth from ourancestors; we borrow it from our children”

– Chief SeattlePreserving the gifts of the Earth for futuregenerations will be your lasting legacy when youjoin Foothills Conservancy’s Pinnacle Society byincluding Foothills Conservancy in your estateplans with a bequest, through a gift of real estateor appreciated securities, as beneficiary of a lifeinsurance policy or IRA, or by other means.

Help save our marvelously beautiful corner of theworld – the Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills ofNorth Carolina.

For information on ways to include FoothillsConservancy in your estate plans or to make aplanned gift during your lifetime, call LynnAllen, Development Director 828-437-9930.

Photo by Danny Buxton


10

LAND CONSERVATION RECORD2012: $825,000+ invested to protect 418 acres in 3 projects plus $700,000+ in donated value for atotal market value of $1.5+M.

1995-2012: 46,407 acres protectedNOTE: FCNC secures private contributions and government funds for the purchase of conservation lands and private conservationeasements. This restricted revenue is not available for programs and operations.

2012 PROGRAM & OPERATIONS FINANCIAL SUMMARY

TOTAL PROGRAM & OPERATIONS REVENUE (Excluding Land Transactions) $546,190

2012 REVENUE-PROGRAM & OPERATIONS

TOTAL PROGRAM & OPERATIONS EXPENSES (Excluding Land Transactions)$392,061

2012 EXPENSES-PROGRAM & OPERATIONS

NET ASSETS2012 CHANGE IN NET ASSETS………………………………$414,871NET ASSETS AT BEGINNING OF 2012……………………...$4,437,780NET ASSETS AT END OF 2012………………………………..$4,852,651

ENDOWMENT & RESERVE FUNDS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2012Easement Stewardship Endowment Fund – Foundation for the Carolinas: $235,962Preserve Stewardship Endowment Fund – Foundation for the Carolinas: $39,110 Burke County Endowment Fund – Community Foundation of Burke County: $56,326Blue Ridge Foothills Fund – Community Foundation of WNC: $127,580Land Acquisition Fund – BB&T: $266,142Preserve Maintenance Fund – BB&T: $17,201Legal Defense Fund – BB&T: $63,749Program & Operations Reserve Fund – BB&T: $309,350

*Financial figures are based on audited financial statements. Program and operations revenue and expenses do not includeexpenses and income related to direct land and easement acquisitions or the value of conservation easements held by FoothillsConservancy. Net assets include both temporarily restricted conservation lands and unrestricted non-conservation properties ownedby Foothills Conservancy.

Foothills Conservancy Fiscal Year 2012 Report*

89%

5%6%

Dues &Donations

PublicGrants

FoundationGrants

84%

11%

5%

LandProtection

GeneralOperations

Fundraising


Just in time for holiday gifts and thank-yous, Foothills Conservancy isoffering a boxed set of 12 stunning photographs by Valdese

photographer Danny Buxton. A North Carolina native, Danny captureand shares the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills

through his landscape and nature photography.

12 note cards with envelopes: $15.00Place your order today on-line at www.foothillsconservancy.org

or by contacting us at [email protected] or 828-437-9930

VISIONS OF THE BLUE RIDGEMOUNTAINS & FOOTHILLSNOTECARDS ON SALE NOW!

11

Endless Ridges and Rays - Danny Buxton

Photo by Danny Buxton

PLEASE MAKE A YEAR-END GIFT TO THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

& FOOTHILLS!!

“Climb the mountains & get their goodtidings. Nature's peace will flow intoyou as sunshine flows into trees. Thewinds will blow their own freshness intoyou, & the storms their energy, whilecares will drop away from you like theleaves of Autumn.”

– John Muir

Simply mail your tax-deductible year-end gift payable to FCNC atPO Box 3023, Morganton, NC 28680 -- or make your gift on-line atwww.foothillsconservancy.org and learn more about the placesyou are helping protect.

**Gifts “in honor of” or “in memory of” friends and loved onesmake wonderful holiday tributes and will be acknowledged with aspecial seasonal card.**

Please give everyone you love a special giftthis holiday season: natural places FOREVERprotected to discover and explore!


A REVOLUTIONARY WAR STORY:THE OVERMOUNTAIN

VICTORY NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILHistory Museum of Burke County,

201 W. Meeting St., MorgantonThursday, January 23, 2014, 6–8 p.m.

Local author Randell Jones will tell the heroic story of theOvermountain Men, & FCNC's Andrew Kota will discuss

delineation of the Revolutionary War's Cane CreekBattlefield. Open to the public. Light refreshments. Madepossible by a grant from the N.C. Humanities Council, a

statewide non-profit affiliated with the NationalEndowment for the Humanities.

EXCLUSIVE HIKE TO SHOAL CREEK FALLSSaturday, February 22, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Join FCNC Land Protection Director Tom Kenney for thisexclusive hike to scenic Shoal Creek Falls hidden within a

95-acre tract acquired by FCNC for future addition to South Mountains State Park. Moderate 3-hour hike.

Sign-up at [email protected] or contact Tom at 828-437-9930.

Details sent with RSVP.

JOINT HIKE TO NORMAN WILDER FOREST WITH PACOLET AREA CONSERVANCY

Saturday, March 22, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.Explore this 185-acre nature preserve on Little WarriorMountain owned by PAC, our sister land trust in Polk

County. Moderate hike of 3 miles.Sign-up at [email protected]

or contact Lynn Allen at 828-437-9930.Details sent with RSVP.

WILDFLOWER HUNT AT BURNT FIELD BRANCH

Saturday, April 12, 9:30-11:30 a.m.Join FCNC board member Susan Powers to explore this

secluded spot known for its vast array of wildflowers in theCollettsville area of Caldwell County.

Details sent with RSVP.

5th ANNUAL FLAVORS OF THE FOOTHILLSBENEFIT DINNER & AUCTION

Spring Date & Location TBASupport Foothills Conservancy -- your local land trust –

at this annual “fun”raising event featuring regional foods, a vast array of auction items and great music!

Watch for details on our website.

P.O. Box 3023135 1/2 West Union Street

Morganton, NC 28680

foothillsconservancy.org

Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled fiber


of North Carolina

Saving the places you love

Explore History, Trails, Waterfalls, & Wildflowers!Check www.foothillsconservancy.org for an up-to-date event list.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #593

Asheville, NC

GIVINGCOMESNATURALLY

WITHYOURSPECIAL

TAXDEDUCTIBLE

YEAR-ENDGIFT

TOFOOTHILLSCONSERVANCY!

E

RSVP required for all FCNC outings at [email protected] or at 828-437-9930.Check www.foothillsconservancy.org for updates, details and any cancellations prior to event.

Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and bring your own water and food if desired.


fcnc fall winter 2013

Documents