Carolinas Chapter Hike with TACF and Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

UPDATE: Unfortunately, this hike has to be canceled once again. The weather conditions are not favorable, with forecasts predicting rain and low temperatures in the morning. We will have another hike at a later date, which is yet to be determined. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

In the meantime please come out and join us Sunday, December 3rd from 12:00-3:00PM at the Fonta Flora brewery in Nebo, NC to celebrate TACF’s 40th Anniversary! (visit event page)

Curious about American chestnuts? Love to hike and be outside? Want to meet other conservation enthusiasts? Come join The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) and Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) for an educational hike at the future South Yellow Mountain Preserve in Newland, NC on Friday, Novermber 17 at 10 AM!

Even though American chestnuts are considered functionally extinct, we are still able to view sprouts and small trees in our Western North Carolina forests and those planted and maintained by dedicated volunteers. Join TACF’s Regional Science Coordinator to learn more about how the blight has affected American chestnuts in this area and scientific progress toward restoration efforts as we hike to see two large-scale American chestnut plantings along a trail on South Yellow Mountain.

The hike will be ~2 miles long and guided by TACF and SAHC staff. This hike is considered strenuous, with a 300+ foot elevation gain in .3 miles and requires an average level of fitness to accomplish. We expect to be wrapped up before lunch. Please use this information to determine if the hike is appropriate for you or any guests or minors you are considering bringing. If you have additional questions about the level of this activity, please do not hesitate to reach out and we will do our best to advise you.

Once you register you will be sent instructions for parking location and other logistical details, including a packing list. Access to the trailhead will involve a short ride in a SAHC vehicle from a designated meeting spot.

This event is capped at 10 participants, with a maximum of three participants per household/group to allow for greater accessibility. If you have already participated in this hike please consider others who may want to come out and experience it! Spots will go quickly, so RSVP by responding to by Thursday morning, November 18 to Southern Regional Science Coordinator Jamie Van Clief (details below).