0263-GCG-FoothillsConservancy ESG23 12-13 - Flipbook - Page 24
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
National Wild
& Scenic River
Wilson Creek
Expanding Pisgah National Forest
along Wilson Creek
332 Acres
To 昀椀shing enthusiasts, Wilson Creek is a coveted,
tranquil place to spend a day catching rainbow,
brown and brook trout. To families, residents and
visitors of the region, it’s a place for soaking up the
sunshine, picnicking or taking a refreshing dip on
a warm summer day. To conservationists, though,
back in 2006,” said Andrew Kota, FCNC
Executive Director. “Since that time, our
land trust has helped protect 1,275 acres
along nine miles of the river for watershed
and habitat protection, public access and
public use,” he added.
A grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
funded much of the transaction due diligence
required by FCNC’s national land trust accreditation
requirements and the U.S. Forest Service’s federal land
transaction speci昀椀cations; items such as boundary
surveying and monumenting, environmental site
assessments, appraisals, title examination and
insurance and other closing costs.
Wilson Creek is known for more than just its popularity
The property includes 2.3 miles of Wilson Creek
among those who love being outdoors. This land is
along a segment of the river that is designated for
also environmentally signi昀椀cant for its natural and
recreation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
cultural resource values.
This year, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
transferred 332 acres within the corridor of the
National Wild and Scenic River Wilson Creek in
Caldwell County to the United States Forest Service.
This tract of land, which was donated to FCNC by
conservationist Tim Sweeney in 2021, 昀椀lls in a missing
segment of protected public lands along the river,
bordered on three sides by Pisgah National Forest and
adjoining the popular Wilson Creek Day Use Area.
The land transfer to federal ownership occurred on
October 11, 2023, and forever ensures this section of
the highly signi昀椀cant watershed is protected and
accessible for public recreation opportunities.
“Foothills Conservancy and its public and
private partners began conserving land
and water in the Wilson Creek watershed
22
For many years, this section has been highly popular
with river recreationists for its 昀椀shing, swimming and
whitewater boating sites. The section of Wilson Creek
that runs through this property not only supports
access to downstream whitewater rafting, canoeing
and kayaking with challenging Class II-V rapids, it also
boasts beautiful, cascading waterfalls and contains
the trailhead for the six-mile Wilson Creek Trail, which
connects to other popular trails in the area.
“Essentially, all the water that comes
down from Grandfather Mountain funnels
through Wilson Creek,” said Nicholas Larson,
District Ranger for the U.S. Forest Service’s
Grandfather Ranger District. “And the water
quality along Wilson Creek is incredibly
valuable, not only for the phenomenal trout
昀椀sheries and the recreational value that
clean water provides — but also for the