Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC), a nonprofit land trust that works to protect the mountains of western North Carolina and east Tennessee, has acquired a 114-acre conservation easement in the Swannanoa mountains. The easement runs along Jim’s Branch and connects to neighboring forested land and wildlife corridors.

The easement protects a large stand of mixed hardwood and rich cove forests, several rare rock outcroppings, unique and diverse plant and animal life, and four tributaries that flow directly into Christian Creek. To learn more about the easement, click here.

Since its founding in 1974, SAHC has successfully preserved almost 50,000 acres in our mountain communities. Its efforts have protected local farms, wildlife habitat, scenic views, water quality, historically and culturally significant properties, and large open spaces. If you’re interested in protecting your property from future development and would like more information about land conservation options, please click here.