Another prominent ridge has been protected after being placed
under a conservation easement.
The High Country Conservancy has helped add the Oliver Hill property
to a chain of easements near Valle Crucis. Tom Andrews donated
the conservation easement on the property, which is located atop
a knoll in the Matney community.
The easement’s conservation values include wildlife habitat,
scenic views and grazing pasture. Featuring more than 97 acres
of woodlands, grasslands and a tributary to Craborchard Creek,
the land falls under the North Carolina State Wildlife Action
Plan “Priority Habitat.” The property is near
a series of conserved properties near the Valle Crucis Conference
Center, the historic Episcopal Mission grounds, and the Bear Paw
State Natural Area on Dutch Creek, with HCC working to expand
on the original areas that were recently added tot the state parks
system. The Bear Paw area was designated last year with 325 acres.HCC’s
mission is to protect the natural resources of Appalachia by conserving
land with significant ecological, cultural, recreational or scenic
value in the North Carolina High Country. HCC assists landowners
interested in protecting their lands from future development while
also preserving water quality, scenic views, agricultural lands
and wildlife habitat, qualities that are supported by the wildlife
commission’s action plan.
“This project represents a real all-round conservation success,”
said Eric Hiegl, the Land Protection Director for HCC.
Currently, Oliver Hill’s open pasture is used for hay production
and horse grazing, with the forested portions supporting habitat
for many native plants and animals. The entire knoll can be seen
from N.C. 194 as the designated scenic byway passes through Matney.
The HCC has protected more than 2,750 acres of land in Avery,
Ashe and Watauga counties. Under conservation easements, people
can retain use of the property and may be eligible for tax benefits
while protecting the land from development.
For more information about the HCC, visit www.highcountryconservancy.org.
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