ALEXANDER COUNTY – Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) has acquired 142 acres in the Brushy Mountains of Alexander County, expanding its Joe Mountain Preserve and protecting a high-priority landscape known for its scenic, ecological, and water quality values.
The newly protected property directly adjoins FCNC’s existing 86-acre Joe Mountain Preserve and secures a prominent ridgeline visible from NC Highway 16 and the surrounding Vashti community. The tract also includes approximately 1,800 feet of headwater tributaries that flow into the South Yadkin River, a designated high-quality water source and public water supply watershed.
“This property represents the kind of place where multiple conservation priorities come together: scenic views, clean water, and exceptional biodiversity,” said Michael Gaffney, FCNC conservation and GIS specialist. “By protecting this land, we’re not only expanding an existing preserve, but strengthening a much larger network of important natural areas across the Brushy Mountains.”
The project area has been identified as a high priority by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program and includes portions of two significant natural areas: Joe/Little Joe Mountain and Chestnut Mountain. Within these areas are four distinct natural community types and several rare plant species, including Radford’s St. John’s-wort, Keever’s bristle-moss, and Keever’s onion.
In addition to its ecological importance, the acquisition contributes to a broader conservation vision for the region. The property helps secure 142 acres within a chain of highly significant natural areas across the Brushy Mountains, much of which remains unprotected.
“Projects like this are about more than a single property,” said Gaffney. “They’re about establishing footholds that will allow us to connect fragmented ecosystems, ensuring that these unique natural communities continue to function as a unified landscape.”
The acquisition reflects FCNC’s ongoing commitment to protecting Western North Carolina’s most valuable lands and waters while expanding conserved areas that support biodiversity, water quality, and scenic character.
This project was made possible through funding from the Beaver Family Foundation, TSH Charitable Foundation, and contributions from Brad & Shelli Stanback and Fred & Alice Stanback.
About Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) is a nationally accredited regional land trust that inspires conservation in Western North Carolina by permanently protecting land and water for the benefit of people and all living things. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, FCNC has conserved more than 74,000 acres in its eight-county service area: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford, in three major river basins: the Broad, Catawba and Yadkin.
FCNC supports and responds to community needs across a variety of programmatic focus areas: land and water protection, farmland preservation, wildlife habitat improvement, forest health and stewardship, public park management, public trail development and maintenance, improving access to natural spaces, community education, and volunteer engagement.
Information about Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, including ways to support its work, can be found online at www.foothillsconservancy.org or by calling 828-437-9930.