{"id":45525,"date":"2021-09-16T18:18:47","date_gmt":"2021-09-16T22:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelaurelofasheville.com\/updatestage\/?p=45525"},"modified":"2021-09-16T18:18:47","modified_gmt":"2021-09-16T22:18:47","slug":"conservation-undiscovered-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelaurelofasheville.com\/updatestage\/outdoors\/conservation-undiscovered-country\/","title":{"rendered":"Conservation: Undiscovered Country"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Upper Catheys Creek. Photo by Owen Carson<\/p><\/div>\n

Cameron Family Donates Large Parcel in Rutherford to Foothills Conservancy<\/h2>\n

By Emma Castleberry<\/p>\n

\"\"

Rob Messick and an old chestnut oak. Photo by Owen Carson<\/p><\/div>\n

Long-time environmentalists David and Martha Cameron and their son Rob Messick have donated 222 acres of land in the Thermal City area of Rutherford County to Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. The remaining land on the property, an additional 101 acres that contains two homeplaces, will be donated to the conservancy in the Cameron\u2019s estate. \u201cThe landowner family\u2019s donation is integral to the mission of Foothills Conservancy to help people preserve significant areas, natural resources and scenic vistas under their stewardship,\u201d says Tom Kenney, land protection director for Foothills Conservancy.<\/p>\n

David and Martha purchased the property as part of a group in 1978 and, after several shifts in ownership, eventually became the sole owners. \u201cIn 1978, it was still undiscovered country,\u201d says David. \u201cWe figured it\u2019d be a growth area for the rest of our lives. We were right.\u201d The Camerons always intended to leave the land undeveloped. \u201cGiving it to the Conservancy meant we could enjoy it in exactly the same manner as we have been for 40 years and other folks could enjoy it in a controlled, safe manner with trails,\u201d David says.<\/p>\n

\"\"

(Left) Wild turkey nest with eggs; (Right) Pinxter azalea. Photos by Owen Carson<\/p><\/div>\n

The Cameron property is mostly undeveloped forested land in a mountainous section of the county that borders private conservation lands. The headwaters of Catheys Creek flow across the property and the white irisette, a threatened and rare plant, grows there. \u201cHigh-quality natural areas and significant habitats, like this land parcel, serve a community of native plants and animals,\u201d says Kenney. \u201cProjects like this provide shelter for species considered uncommon, rare or at-risk in our state and nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the next several years, Foothills Conservancy hopes to implement a hiking trail for public use on the property, which can connect to NC\u2019s Wilderness Gateway State Trail. \u201cThe Conservancy hopes to have an opportunity in the future to transfer the land for a passive, nature-oriented park,\u201d says Kenney.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit FoothillsConservancy.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Long-time environmentalists David and Martha Cameron and their son Rob Messick have donated 222 acres of land in the Thermal City area of Rutherford County to Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. The remaining land on the property, an additional 101 acres that contains two homeplaces, will be donated to the conservancy in the Cameron\u2019s estate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":45529,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[105,62],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-conservation","category-outdoors"],"yoast_head":"\nConservation: Undiscovered Country - The Laurel of Asheville<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Long-time environmentalists David and Martha Cameron and their son Rob Messick have donated 222 acres of land in the Thermal City area of Rutherford County to Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. 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