Mitchell River Watershed Protection Initiative

Dick and Suzy Everhart. Donation of Conservation Easement.

“My job with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA) focuses on helping neighbors protect the Mitchell River. The river runs clean because of the buffers along its banks and forested headwaters in Surry County. Buffers are its source of energy, with vegetation providing food for the insects which feed the fish and other species. Trees and plants in these buffers stabilize the soil so it doesn’t erode, keep the temperature down by shading the water, and filter storm run-off. Buffers feed and protect the river, and we must protect them. If you enjoy our rivers and want your children and grandchildren to enjoy them, you have to protect them.”
~ Dick Everhart

As community leaders, Dick and Suzy Everhart chose to let their actions speak louder than words by working with PLC and North Carolina State University to restore and protect their segment of Brushy Fork, a tributary of the Mitchell River’s South Fork. The restoration work focused on returning the stream channel to a more natural design to minimize streambank erosion and replant the stream banks with appropriate trees, shrubs, and plants. The easement ensures that these restoration efforts are permanently protected by ensuring the newly planted buffer will not be removed.

Project funding provided by the landowner and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

Ola Williams Hendren. Donation of Conservation Easement.

“I don’t want anyone messing up my river or building condos on my land.”
~ Ola Williams Hendren

A sentiment that Ola took action to stand behind by donating a permanent conservation easement over her farm to PLC. Having grown up on this tobacco farm, Ola is full of stories about the farm and the river including riding the family mule across the river to collect rocks for the farm’s well house and “accidentally” falling off so she could play in the water for a few moments. A retired school teacher with no children, Ola had to make a decision about the fate of her family’s tobacco farm. After careful consideration and attending landowner workshops hosted by the Mitchell River Coalition, she donated an easement to PLC and plans on donating the farm to North Carolina State University’s School of Agriculture.

Due to this farm’s location along 0.7 miles of the Mitchell River, an Outstanding Resource Water, the easement includes a 100 foot wide no-touch zone along the river to ensure that Ola’s River is permanently protected. Additionally, the easement protects the farm from non-agricultural development and protects its open space and scenic nature. Once her alma mater inherits the farm they may ultimately decide to sell the farm; however, if they do PLC’s easement will continue to protect the land and the Mitchell River forever.

Project funding provided by the landowner and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

Saddle Mountain Environmental Partners, LLC. Bargain Sale of Land.

A regionally significant natural heritage site, Wolfe Creek Preserve is located on the southern slopes of Saddle Mountain along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. The preserve is a blaze of color as flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) and mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) bloom amidst huge hemlocks in the spring. This site provides critical habitat for migratory songbirds, wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silverstris), black bear (Ursus americanus), and the NC threatened Wehrle’s salamander (Plethodon wehrlei). Hiking down the property’s steep slopes, one will enjoy the sights and sounds of a tributary of the Mitchell River meandering its way through the terrain. If you are patient you may even catch a glimpse of a native southern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) as it darts among the pools and riffles of the stream.

The acquisition of Wolfe Creek Preserve at a bargain sale in 1999 was PLC’s first completed project in the Mitchell River Watershed. Protection of this site not only ensures that the forest standing guard over the tributary will continue to provide important water quality protection to the Mitchell River, an Outstanding Resource Water, but will also continue to provide wildlife habitat for declining species and scenic views from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Project funding provided by landowner and NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

Lucy Chatham and Louise Neaves. Bargain Sale of Land.

ituated along the steep slopes of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and viewable from US 21, PLC acquired this property in 1999. The potential for this property to be sold and its forest harvested posed a threat to headwater tributaries of the Mitchell River Watershed. By acquiring this property with contributions provided by area residents, PLC has ensured that the future use of this property will not pose a threat to either the water quality of the Mitchell River or the scenic view from US 21.

Project funding provided by PLC.

Helen C. and James G. Hanes, Jr. Donation of Land.

In the Piedmont, protecting parcels close to 1,000 acres in size can be considered an opportunity of a lifetime. In the late 1970’s, the North Carolina Nature Conservancy was approached with an opportunity to protect a county significant natural heritage site of nearly 1,000 acres provided that the land’s current tenant, the Eckerd Youth Camp, could continue to lease the property. Due to this site’s high quality examples of Acidic Cove Forest, Rich Cove Forest, Pine-Oak Heath, and Low Elevation Seep that provide habitat for a variety of species including NC threatened Wehrle’s salamander (Plethodon wehrlei), its adjacency to the previously protected 2,874-acre Broadhead Tract, and the presence of on-site land managers, the Nature Conservancy readily and happily accepted the offer of this generous gift that protected land in both the Mitchell and the Fisher River Watersheds.

By 2001, PLC had been working in the Mitchell River Watershed for five years and had protected over 700 acres, including Wolfe Creek Preserve and Saddle Mountain. Due to PLC’s strong presence in the immediate area of this property and professional tract record, the North Carolina Nature Conservancy felt that the long-term stewardship needs of this site would be better served if they transferred their ownership of Hanes Forest to PLC. Today, PLC owns the property and continues to lease a portion of the land to Eckerd Youth Camp.

Project funding provided by the landowner and the North Carolina Nature Conservancy.

Low Gap Wildlife Club, Inc. Sale of Conservation Easement.

A summer getaway place for local residents, Low Gap Wildlife Club had to either repair a 40-foot earthen dam for the property’s two lakes or remove it entirely. Situated at the headwaters of a Mitchell River tributary, removal of the dam could lead to considerable sediment entering this stream. In 2003, PLC purchased a conservation easement protecting the undeveloped parts of the property from timber harvesting and further residential development. The Club used the funds to offset the dam repair costs.

Project funding provided by the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

Ruth Carter Stevenson. Donation of Land.

Steep forested slopes within the headwater region of the Mitchell River Watershed were protected through a donation of land to PLC in 2000. The land was donated to PLC with specific limitations placed on what PLC could do with the land ensuring its long-term protection. Preservation of this site protects the water quality of the Mitchell River and the views along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. This site is not open to the public.

Project funding provided by landowner and PLC.

Ruth Carter Stevenson. Donation of Land.

A small linear portion along this property’s boundary line was permanently protected in 2001 to ensure that the trees planted to provide a visual buffer for the owner and adjoining owners would not be removed. Additionally the trees serve to anchor the soil on these steep slopes serving to help protect the water quality of the Mitchell River Watershed by minimizing sediment entering its tributaries.

Project funding provided by the landowner and PLC.

Joe and Pam Mickey, John and Susan Mickey, Rick and Lou Mickey Paules, and Mike Mickey. Donation of Conservation Easement.

“Since my dad purchased River Bend Farm in 1971, it has been a gathering place for our family and friends. It is a place where we can come to get away from the hustle of everyday life, relax and enjoy each other’s company, and commune with nature. We enjoy the quiet solitude of the farm, the constant tumbling of the Mitchell River, the singing of the birds, and watching the deer and turkey forage in the pastures. It is a place where we can go to renew our souls and be a little closer to God’s creation. Putting River Bend Farm into a conservation easement with the Piedmont Land Conservancy ensures that this place our family loves will remain in a natural state.” ~ Joe Mickey

Protection of River Bend Farm in 2001 was the 8th project completed in the Mitchell River Watershed. Identified as a high priority parcel for the protection in the Mitchell River Watershed Protection Plan, the easement protects the water quality of the Mitchell and one of its tributaries by establishing no-touch riparian buffers adjacent to the River and the stream. Additionally, the easement protects the property’s agricultural soils, wildlife habitat, and forest resources.

Project funding provided by the landowners and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

Tracy and Deanna Hayes. Donation of Conservation Easement.

Located on the main stem of the Mitchell River below Kapps Mill, Quail Hill Farm has been in the Hayes Family since 1875. Tracy grew up working the land, learning about nature and how to fish, hunt, and trap on this and other family lands. Donating a 300-foot wide linear conservation easement along the Mitchell River to PLC in 2002 to protect the forested riparian buffer was an easy and natural decision to make for the Hayes Family.

Project funding provided by the landowner and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

Byron and Margaret Wolfe, C.C. Wolfe, and Lucy Wolfe Eaton.
Donation of Conservation Easement.

A conservation easement allowing a conservation-based development on the top 250 acres of Saddle Mountain was donated to PLC in 2001. In addition to limiting the number of homesites, the easement defined specific construction parameters of any homes eventually built. Although residential development was not prohibited on this property, easement terms ensured that if it occurred it would be done with minimal impact to the site’s natural features, water quality of the Mitchell River, and the views from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

In 2005, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina (CTNC) acquired the underlying property title and safeguarded the conservation values of this site even further than the initial easement. PLC transferred the easement to CTNC so that they could then transfer their entire interest in the land to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to manage as a state natural area within their public game lands program.

Project funding provided by the landowner, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, and the NC Natural Heritage Trust Fund.

NC Land Company. Donation of Conservation Easement.

A regionally significant natural heritage site due to its size, excellent examples of Chestnut Oak Forest and Low Elevation Rocky Summit community types, and presence of the NC threatened Wehrle’s salamander (Plethodon wehrlei) the Broadhead Tract was a high priority for protection in the Mitchell River Watershed. In 1984, the North Carolina Nature Conservancy had the opportunity to protect this valuable ecological site through a donated conservation easement. As the original donor was interested in maximizing potential tax benefits through the donation of the easement, the terms of this easement are extremely restrictive allowing only one home site and prohibiting all timber harvesting. As PLC’s work and presence in the Mitchell River Watershed continued to grow, the North Carolina Nature Conservancy decided to transfer the long-term stewardship responsibilities of this conservation easement to PLC.

This easement lies adjacent to several other protected properties including Wolfe Creek Preserve, Hanes Forest, and Low Gap Wildlife Club. Prior to transferring the easement to PLC in 2003, the NC Nature Conservancy and the current owners amended the easement to enable the use of trails for access and management purposes and the use of prescribed burning for wildlife habitat enhancement. PLC is honored to be playing a role in the long-term protection and management of this valuable ecological site.

Project funding provided by the landowner and the NC Nature Conservancy.

Bern and Ellen Schumak. Donation of Conservation Easement.

“Donating a conservation easement to PLC was an easy decision. We wanted to teach our children what it means to be good stewards of the land and we also wanted to pass something on to them that we know won’t change and will always be protected.” ~ Bern Schumak

Situated along the Mitchell River and adjacent to Little Mountain, Schumak Farm has everything a sister and brother could ask for - fields to run in, woods to explore, and a river to fish. Bern and Ellen Schumak found a safe environment to raise Catherine and Matthew in the Mitchell River Watershed. The easement granted to PLC in 2003 protects the water quality of the Mitchell, prime agricultural soils, and the open space character of the property.

Project funding provided by the landowner, Pilot View RC&D, and PLC.

Helen C. and James G. Hanes, Jr. Donation of Land. Vernon and ReElla Ball. Bargain Sale of Land. Randall Tuell. Sale of Land.

Situated at the confluence of the Mitchell River with its major tributary, the South Fork, this parcel encompasses steep forested slopes shading the Rivers and holding the soil in place for two and a half miles of river frontage with pastures located along ridge tops and bottomlands. Vernon and ReElla had farmed this land and approximately 20 additional acres for many years. As they neared retirement, they decided that they didn’t want to hold on to all of their land, but they didn’t want to see it developed either. Through the Surry County Soil and Water Conservation District, Vernon and ReElla were introduced to PLC in 2002. While it took some time to complete the transaction, PLC acquired 83 acres of their 100 acre farm at a bargain sale price early in 2004.

As often happens when PLC works with several landowners in the same community, information about conservation options spreads from neighbor to neighbor. While working with the Balls to acquire Long Point Preserve I, PLC learned that their adjoining neighbor on the South Fork of the Mitchell River was interested in exploring the options available. PLC met with Randall Tuell who eventually decided to sell a portion of his family’s land too. Similar to Long Point Preserve I, this land is comprised mostly of forested slopes along the river with existing trails. PLC completed the acquisition of Long Point Preserve II which encompassed an additional 17 acres in 2006.

Upon acquisition of these properties, PLC granted conservation easements to the State to ensure that the land would be managed for the protection of water quality and wildlife habitat. Today, PLC is working with Surry County Soil and Water Conservation District and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to convert former fescue pastures into Piedmont Prairie for the benefit of wildlife including turkey, quail, deer, rabbits, and migratory songbirds.

Project funding provided by the landowner, the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund, and the US Department of Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.

G & G Lumber Company. Sale of Land.

These tracts were identified as high priority tracts of land for protection in the Mitchell River Watershed Plan due to over 40,000 linear feet of streams on the tracts. In addition, the 1,716 acre Little Mountain Tract encompasses one of the highest peaks in the Watershed and the 453-acre Lens Knob Tract is adjacent to the previously protected Broadhead Tract.

In 2002, G&G Lumber Company timbered more than 1,500 steeply sloping acres on these two tracts. When using appropriate best management practices, forests can be harvested with minimal impact to water quality. Although greater precautions could have been taken to protect the water quality during the timbering operation, minimal buffers were retained along the streams to provide some water quality protection. At the conclusion of the timbering, the owners replanted the slopes with loblolly pines. As these trees mature, they will once again act as anchors holding the slopes in place and will repair the visual devastation left by the timbering operations.

In 2003, PLC learned G&G Lumber Company was planning to subdivide these tracts into as many as 40 parcels and sell them at public auction. Due to their size and the threat that development of these lands posed to the water quality of the Mitchell River Watershed, PLC entered into negotiations with the owners to acquire one or both of the properties. In January 2004, PLC acquired both Little Mountain and Lens Knob for their appraised fair market values. Subsequently, PLC transferred the Little Mountain Tract to the State under the management of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as the Mitchell River Game Land, Surry County’s first.

Project funding provided by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

Wayne and Georgia Ellis. Sale of Land.

Partners in the Mitchell River Coalition notified PLC that the Ellis Family was interested in selling their property off of Haystack Road. Adjacent to the previously protected Little Mountain Tract, the property encompasses over 3,000 linear feet of Mill Creek, a significant tributary of the Mitchell River, including a large waterfall. PLC successfully acquired the property in 2006. With the protection of this property, PLC has protected over 15 miles of stream/river frontage in the Mitchell River Watershed.

Project funding provided by the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund.