WNCOutdoors.info Blog

The Jefferson Post is reporting that, due to the massive State budget shortfall, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is being asked to prepare budgets with 5%, 10%, and 15% cuts in mind. If the 15% scenario happens, then Mount Jefferson will definitely be closed. It’s not clear whether this means the land would remain in State ownership, although that would likely be the case for a while.  Given the lack of widespread public tracts of land north of the Pisgah National Forest area in NC, this would represent a loss for hikers visiting the High Country region of the state.

While I understand the need to cut budgets in lean times, does the park need to be closed? Would you support alternatives, such as reduced hours, reduced services, entrance fees, or the like to save our state Parks?

Join SAFC’s Hemlock survey team for an informative field trip to Curtis Creek where you will have the opportunity to learn a simple technique for assessing the condition of hemlock trees.  As most of us have seen, the region’s hemlock stands are endangered due to infestations of the Hemlock Wooley Adelgid  an insect pest from Asia and many hemlocks in our National Forests have already died from this pest.  SAFC is collaborating with the US Forest  Service and the National  Forest Foundation to survey hemlock stands in order to determine which areas would benefit from treatment in an attempt to save  significant stands of these trees.

This field trip will provide participants an opportunity to compare Hemlock stands that have been chemically treated to other stands that are in various stages of  die back due to the Adelgid infestation.  We  will also discuss treatment options the Forest Service is using to save the hemlocks and hike  2 miles RT to a scenic waterfall.

Bring a bag lunch. Pre-registration is required – see contact information below.

Date:  Sat. Nov. 13th (Rain date: Sun. Nov. 14th)

Meeting Time: 9:30AM

Meeting Place: Ingles Market, Swannanoa.  Located off I-40 at exit 59 on Rt 70.
Meet by the gas station in the Ingles parking lot to carpool or meet at 10:30AM at the Curtis Creek campground outside of Old Fort.

Contact: Ed Mayer  e-mail:  ednsue74@earthlink.net ph: 828-505-1080

Directions to Curtis Creek: From Old Fort, NC, take State Rt. 70 east 2 miles to campground sign (Curtis Creek Rd./State Rt. 1227).  Turn left onto Curtis Creek Rd. and go 4.7 miles to the campground.