Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy celebrates 50th anniversary
This year the nonprofit Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) celebrates 50 years conserving clean water, plant and wildlife habitat, farmland, scenic beauty, and places for all people to enjoy outdoor recreation in the mountains of NC and TN. The 50th anniversary will be marked with a special celebration event on Friday, May 31 – “Rooted in the Past, Growing for the Future” – at the TN Welcome Center on I-26 near the NC/TN border. The location overlooks the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork watershed, one of SAHC’s keystone conservation success stories.
Major Achievements
SAHC has grown from a small group of dedicated volunteers into a sophisticated, multi-state organization at the forefront of nationally recognized conservation efforts. The celebratory event will highlight milestone achievements of the past 50 years and announce major projects for the future of conservation.
Special Guests
Special guest speakers include Dr. Mamie Parker, ground-breaking biologist and former Head of Fisheries for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and New York Times best-selling author Wiley Cash. The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.
Music and Hike
Welcome music will be supplied by the East Tennessee State University’s Old Time Band, and the celebration will be followed by an optional guided group hike at TN’s Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park.
Milestone Achievements
Milestone achievements of SAHC’s 50 years of conservation include protecting rare plant and animal habitat in diverse locations, headwater streams in multiple river systems, farmland in both TN and NC, and numerous places for people to enjoy outdoor recreation.
Featured Speakers
- Dr. Mamie Parker: Former Head of Fisheries for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Wiley Cash: New York Times bestselling author and founder of This Is Working.
- Carl Silverstein: The Executive Director of SAHC.
Conclusion
The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s 50th anniversary celebration is a testament to the organization’s dedication to conservation over the past five decades. With a focus on preserving natural habitats, protecting water sources, and providing outdoor recreation opportunities, SAHC has made a significant impact on the Southern Appalachians. The event promises to be an inspiring look back at past achievements and an exciting glimpse into the future of conservation in the region.
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
