Clabough Foundation Supports Blue Ridge Parkway Protection

CTNC recently received a generous $15,000 grant from the Clabough Foundation to support our work to protect more lands along the natural and scenic corridor of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and to collaborate with local land trusts that also conserve properties near the Parkway (Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Foothills Conservancy of NC, Blue Ridge Conservancy, Piedmont Land Conservancy). Part of the foundation’s mission is “to promote and improve the conservancy and stewardship of the natural resources in the High Country of North Carolina… by aiding public and private organizations involved in such activities.”

For years, the foundation has made grants to help conserve specific Blue Ridge Conservancy and Foothills Conservancy properties in the High Country, making a real difference for water quality and forest protection. We greatly appreciate the Clabough Foundation’s support and belief in our work!

On October 17, CTNC submitted comments to the National Park Service (NPS) in support of a proposed land exchange between NPS and the Town of Blowing Rock. NPS had opened an official comment period to receive public input. The comment period deadline was October 21. Thank you to those of you who sent in your own comments!

Background
In 2001, CTNC purchased the 192-acre Johns River Gorge property adjacent to Moses Cone Park. The tract contains healthy forests and wildlife habitat, and a beautiful hiking trail along the pristine waters of China Creek, but a developer had shown interest in building homes on the land.

The town of Blowing Rock and CTNC worked together to secure a grant from the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund so that the town could purchase the property from CTNC in 2003. Not far away, NPS owns a 20-acre property that contains Blowing Rock’s drinking water supply reservoir. For years, NPS and Blowing Rock have been working together to trade the properties so that NPS can add the Johns River Gorge tract to the Parkway’s official boundaries and Blowing Rock can own and manage its reservoir.

Federal land exchanges are complicated, which explains the decade-long process. An act of Congress was required; in 2010 Congress passed the law and President Obama signed it. If all goes well, the land exchange will take place in late 2012 or early 2013.

Vistas, Forest, Water Quality Preserved Forever

CTNC purchased a 34-acre forested property along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Waynesville. We intend to convey the Big Cove Ridge property to the National Park Service (NPS) for inclusion in the Parkway’s official boundary.

Big Cove Ridge, between Mileposts 439 and 440, connects two properties that CTNC previously protected and conveyed to NPS (Cove Field Ridge, 87 acres, and Richland Creek Headwaters, 110 acres).

All three properties are highly visible from several Parkway vantage points including the Cove Field Ridge Overlook. The property contains headwaters of Richland Creek, which flows through the Town of Waynesville (along the Waynesville Greenway) and into Lake Junaluska less than seven miles downstream.

The three properties are part of a growing landscape of protected land in the area. They lie between the 8,030-acre Waynesville municipal watershed to the south (protected by CTNC, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Land Trust for the Little Tennessee, and NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund), and the proposed Plott-Balsam/Waterrock Knob park to the north.

“If Big Cove Ridge was developed, it would mar the scenic views from nearby overlooks,” said Phil Francis, Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent. “We appreciate the Conservation Trust for North Carolina stepping in to protect this wonderful property in its natural, forested state.”

“The more pristine we can keep our mountains, the better it will be for all of us and for generations to come,” said Phil Ferguson, one of the family members who made the charitable sale to CTNC.

“The protection of Big Cove Ridge will ensure the integrity of the vistas in this stretch of the Parkway, protect water quality in Richland Creek, and contribute to the growing tourism economy in Haywood County,” said Reid Wilson, CTNC Executive Director.

Late board member remembered for wisdom, kindness

As children played on a nearby field, friends and family shared smiles, tears and fond memories during a ceremony to honor our late board member Max Mukelabai.

Max’s wife, Patience; their daughters Ruvarashe and Rutendo; and many friends and family members joined CTNC staff and board members on May 18 as we unveiled a plaque commemorating Max in Durham’s Northgate Park.

A newly planted magnolia tree towered over the bronze marker, its slender branches stirred by a spring breeze, while other park visitors walked by, enjoying the sunny, warm day. The Mukelabais, too, have been regular visitors to the park over the years.

CTNC board President John Wilson and Executive Director Reid Wilson each paid tribute to Max’s dedication to his community and his family, his wisdom, and his kindness.

“What do I miss most about Max?” Reid Wilson asked. “I miss his smile. He had that very human warmth and compassion.”

Mukelabai died suddenly on July 8, 2011, at the age of 38. He was principal of Maximo Mukelabai, CPA, PC, in Durham and had served on CTNC’s board for three years, helping us to maintain financial stability as the economy soured.

Shortly before his death, he had been elected chairman of the N.C. Association of Certified Public Accountants and was also chief financial officer for the North Carolina Community Development Initiative, a public-private partnership that supports community economic development.

Patience Mukelabai described how she still finds it difficult to believe Max is gone but noted that – through his friends – she is still learning new things about him.

“Max always made sure he put his all into everything he did,” she said. “I will continue to make sure the community remembers him. He is still touching people after his death.”