The internationally renown protected lands of the Highlands of Roan will now connect to the Pisgah National Forest as a result of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s acquisition of the 48-acre Broad Branch tract.
This property is located less than two miles from the Appalachian Trail and the Rhododendron Gardens, within the state-designated Roan Mountain Massif Natural Area. It is home to mature trees and potential habitat for rare plant and animal species. In fact, approximately three-quarters of the property is designated as part of the Roan Mountain Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.
These areas are prioritized for conservation because they provide critical habitat for endangered, threatened or declining bird species. According to an SAHC press release, to date, 188 bird species have been recorded in the Roan Mountain IBA, 31 of which are considered high priority species.
Birds aren’t the only beneficiaries of the protection of this area.
According to SAHC Communications Director Angela Shepherd, a headwater tributary of Broad Branch originates in the adjoining Pisgah National Forest and flows through the property, emptying into Big Rock Creek, which is classified as trout waters by the North Carolina Division of Water Resources.
Because of the sensitive and rare habitat that is nearby, Shepherd said the tract will not be open to the public in order to protect the habitat and water quality.
“Sedimentation is the number one pollutant in our region,” she said, adding traffic in this area would affect trout populations downstream. “ We have anglers that are very much into trout fishing, and if you don’t protect the headwater streams, it all flows downhill. It’s important to help aquatic life throughout.”
Development on these steep slopes can destroy streams and wildlife habitats below by knocking loose soil particles into the water and clogging the stream, said Shepherd.
SAHC will complete a biological inventory to help identify and protect these resources.
In the future, Shepherd said they may be able to take the SAHC guided hike outreach program out there to teach children about conservation efforts, but that hunting and fishing in that particular area will not be permitted.
“The tract was slated for development,” said Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese, “but SAHC was able to work with the developers to purchase the land for conservation. It’s a great example of conservation serving as a viable alternative to an unrealized development.”
SAHC is a non-profit land trust, founded in 1974 to protect the natural treasures of the Roan and surrounding areas. It has protected over 69,000 acres of unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, farmland and places for outdoor recreation of the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. For more info, visit Appalachian.org.