On a chilly mid-March day, SAHC’s Community Farm in Alexander, NC was host for an AmeriCorps service day. Fourteen AmeriCorps Project Conserve members, currently serving at host sites throughout Western North Carolina, came together to lend their hands in building a trail on the 100 acre property.

The farm property lies just 15 minutes to the north and west of Asheville within the Newfound Creek watershed. Years of timbering and intensive cattle grazing have impacted the pastures, forests, and waterways of this property. Since acquiring the farm in 2010, SAHC has begun the process of revitalizing the agricultural and conservation assets on the property, including stream restoration and shortleaf pine habitat restoration projects. AmeriCorps Project Conserve members, along with SAHC staff, broke ground on the first section of am interpretive trail to be built on the farm; the trail will be an educational tool in sharing our efforts to restore the farm. Read more & view pictures of the day here.

Article was produced by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.