Hurricane Helene Impacts in High Elevation Conifer & Hardwood Forests

Roan Mountain, Mitchell County, NC & Carter County, TN, and Pisgah & Cherokee National Forest

Across Roan Mountain, Hurricane Helene impacted High Elevation Spruce-Fir forest as well as northern hardwood forest, the impacted patches ranged from ½ acre to greater than 25 acres. Each patch requires its own management or restoration plan.  A field review will discuss the previous and ongoing activities and potential implications. This workshop will also visit two other critically rare plant communities, a grassy bald and high elevation rocky summit; and highlight four federally listed plant species and discuss two federally listed animal species.   

Organizer: Gary Kaufman & Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Duration: TBD

Ecological Restoration of Fire-Adapted Forests in Southern Appalachia

Silver Run Preserve, Jackson & Transyvania Counties

Silver Run Preserve is The Nature Conservancy’s living laboratory where the organization uses both fire and silviculture to enhance the composition and structure of fire-adapted oak and oak-pine forests.

Organizer: Jordan Luff, The Nature Conservancy

Duration: Full Day

Stewardship in the South Carolina Blue Ridge

Ashmore Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area, Eva Russell Chandler Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area, and Bald Rock Heritage Preserve

This workshop is a field tour of three unique properties to see conservation in action. We'll identify native plants, birds, and herps, learn about the specific land management goals for each site (including Heritage Preserves vs. WMAs), and get an insider's view on the challenges, teamwork, and partnerships that drive the protection of South Carolina's Blue Ridge natural resources.

Organizer: Austen Attaway, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Duration: Full Day

Hike to Carolina Hemlock Forest Atop Looking Glass Rock

Looking Glass Rock Trail, Pisgah National Forest - Brevard, NC

Participants will hike a total of 6 miles (3 miles out-and-back) on moderate terrain through an “exceptional” rated NC Natural Heritage Natural Area and USFS Special Interest Area to a stunning, panoramic view atop Looking Glass Rock. Looking Glass is a uniquely-shaped granitic pluton rising 1,650 feet above the Davidson River Valley in the heart of the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. Near the summit, participants will pass through two stands of Carolina hemlock, a Southern Appalachian endemic species. We will discuss Southern Appalachian and Carolina hemlock natural communities and ecosystems, with a focus on how the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid is changing the landscape and how it is being managed in North Carolina. This hike will be led by Hemlock Restoration Initiative staff, and will be joined by David Siripoonsup, NC Natural Heritage Program Special Projects Botanist.

Organizer: Margot Wallston, Hemlocks Restoration Initiative

Duration: Full Day

Hurricane Impacts to Terrestrial Plant Communities, Grassy Bald Management, & Rare Plant Conservation on High Elevation Rock Outcrops

Craggy Mountains, Outside of Asheville, NC

Travel from the low elevations of Asheville (2,000') to the highest elevations in the Craggy Mountains (5,889') along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a unit of the National Park Service.  Along the way there will be opportunities to observe large blowdown areas of mature forests and landslides that resulted from Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024 and discuss recovery efforts. As we make our way up to the higher elevations, we will take a short 30 minute hike out the Grassy Bald plant community and discuss management actions that have been used for the last 20 years.  We will then take another 30 minute hike to the summit of Craggy Pinnacle to discuss rare plant conservation and the challenge of managing visitor impacts.  Please dress accordingly - temperatures at the higher elevations are often 10-20 cooler than in Asheville and it can be windy.  This trip will also offer spectacular views of the Southern Appalachian landscape.

Organizer: Chris Ulrey, Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Servic

Duration: Full Day

Ecology & Issues in Southern Appalachian Spruce-Fir Forests

Mount Mitchell Spruce-Fir Forest

This trip will focus on the red spruce-Fraser fir forests that occur at the highest elevations of the Southern Appalachians. The focus will be on the ecology and biota of this distinctive ecosystem, and on ongoing impacts and stewardship issues rather than on Hurricane Helene impacts. Topics will include historic logging, balsam woolly adelgid, characteristic and rare plants and animals, and spruce restoration efforts.  We will visit the highest peak in eastern North America.  

The trip will involve some trail hiking, potentially with steep grades.  High mountain weather is always unpredictable, and participants should come prepared for freezing temperatures and for rain.    

Organizer: Michael Schafale & Jess Schaner, North Carolina Natural Heritage Program 

Duration: Full Day

Buck Creek Serpentine Barrens: A Globally Endangered Natural Community

Buck Creek Serpentine Barrens - Clay County & Nantahala National Forest

This workshop will highlight one of the rarest communities in NC as well as the Southern Appalachians.  A physiognomic patchwork of forest, dense grass patches (over 20 species), and partially open woodland occurs across the serpentine site, with dominant rock types, dunite and olivine, influencing the striking vegetation.  The serpentine plant communities occupy both east and west-facing slopes extending over 300 acres from 3400 feet elevation along Buck Creek to over 4000 feet elevation atop Corundum Knob. Two endemic plant species have been described; another four species are being investigated.  Recurrent prescribed burning since 1995 will be discussed as the primary management tool.   

Organizer: Gary Kauffman (Ret.), USDA Forest Service

Duration: Full Day