by Wiley Sloan

Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust has been preserving the region's treasures for over 100 years. 

Nestled on the southern end of the Blue  Ridge Escarpment, these mountains, which some believe to be the oldest In the world, ore among the most biologically diverse. A century ago a group of forward­thinking Highlands residents realized that it was their responsibility to ensure this moun­tain paradise was not developed to the point of ruin.

Thanks to the efforts of those who formed the Highlands Improvement Association back in the late 1800's and the ongo­ing dedication of those who continue to be champions for the land, to date we have conserved over 3,000 acres In our mountains.

One hundred years later, the organiza­tion that Is now named Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust continues to protect our most treasured places - conserving new prop­erties and coring for those entrusted to our care. Some of them ore open to the public like Satulah, Ravenel Park, Rhodes Big View, and Kelsey Troll. Many of our conserved lands are conservation easements that are privately owned but protected from devel­opment forever.

All of them protect wildlife habitat, rare plants and animals, water quality, scenic vis­tas, and more.

In order to achieve our land conservation and stewardship goals, we have developed programs In Education, Land Conservation, and Stewardship. The Education Program In­cludes our popular Eco Tours, the Village Na­ture Series (family-friendly community pro­grams held one evening each month during the summer), and our thriving Kids in Nature program that engages and educates over 800 youth annually. The Land Conservation Program Is on track in 2016 to conserve four new easements. The Stewardship Program keeps our trails passable, monitors our lands; and takes care of the largest living hemlock In the world, the Cheoah.

Thanks to an enthusiastic board of direc­tors, dedicated staff, and the strong support of our community, we are able to help pro­tect the quality of the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the natural habitat for all who live here. We depend on the support of people like you. To learn how you can be Involved or to become a member visit us online at hicashlt.org, email Julle.hitrust@ earthlink.net or call (828) 526-1111. Together we are saving our most treasured places. 

This article is one of a series featuring ten­ants of the Peggy Crosby Center and how they serve our community.

The Peggy Crosby Center is a non-prof// organization established to provide of­fice space for other non-profits and start­up organizations. Rental rates to the ten­ants are held as low as possible to allow the tenants to use more of their funds to serve the community.