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Profile Trail at Grandfather Mountain Permanently Protected; Linville, NC - One of the most recognized trails and surrounding lands at North Carolina's iconic Grandfather Mountain has benefited from recent conservation efforts, thanks to The Nature Conservancy and the state's Clean Wate The aptly named Profile Trail follows the profile of what European settlers saw as the face of an old man in the cliffs and outcrops of Grandfather Mountain. A conservation easement will protect more than 73 acres and 3,000 feet on both sides of the Watauga River. The easement on the Profile Trail perpetuates a long legacy of conservation at Grandfather Mountain begun by Hugh Morton, who passed away in June, 2006. "My grandfather started the process of granting the Profile Trail easement before his passing, and we are pleased to see it now completed," said Crae Morton of Grandfather Mountain Inc. and grandson of Hugh Morton. "As North Carolina's popularity and population continue to grow, it is important to set aside land to remain in its natural state so that the North Carolina we see in the decades to come is not so different from what we enjoy and appreciate now. My grandfather has left a great legacy, and we at Grandfather Mountain will strive to move forward in the same direction." The Nature Conservancy has partnered with Grandfather Mountain Incorporated on conservation efforts since 1990. "Over the years, we have accepted donation of easements or purchased conservation easements on nearly 3,700 acres, including all of the high rocky summits of Grandfather Mountain," said Fred Annand, the Conservancy's Associate Director. "The Profile Trail is a critical addition to this effort. It is not simply scenic land, it is ecologically important land harboring high quality northern hardwood forests and a host of rare plants and animals." The Nature Conservancy purchased the conservation easement on the Profile Trail for $469,000, which is 50 percent of the appraised fair market value. The remaining 50 percent was donated by Grandfather Mountain, Inc. Funds for the purchase were awarded to the Conservancy by the state's Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
Grandfather Mountain is one of the most biologically significant sites in the Southern Appalachians and is believed to be the single most important site for rare plant species in eastern North America. It supports some of the best remaining populations of Heller's blazing star, Blue Ridge goldenrod, bent avens and mountain bluet, as well as the northern flying squirrel and the federally-listed endangered spruce-fir moss spider. Conservation of the Profile Trail and other lands at Grandfather Mountain helps protect the headwaters of the Watauga and Linville Rivers and contributes to the protection of many miles of lands along the Blue Ridge Parkway and at Pisgah National Forest. ### Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak in the Blue Ridge mountain range, has provided generations of North Carolinians with spectacular views as well as information about native wildlife. It is recognized as an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nationals Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO). For more information, visit www.grandfather.com North Carolina's Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) was established by the General Assembly in 1996. CWMTF receives a direct appropriation from the General Assembly in order to issue grants to local governments, state agencies and conservation non-profits to help finance projects that specifically address water pollution problems. For more information, visit www.cwmtf.net . The North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and its 25,000 members have protected more than 670,000 acres in the Tar Heel state. Its mission is to preserve plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. For more information, visit nature.org/northcarolina. ###
Contacts: Maria Sadowski, The Nature Conservancy Lisa Schell, Clean Water Management Trust Fund Catherine Morton, Grandfather Mountain, Inc. (828-733-2013); E-mail: cmorton@grandfather.com High resolution photos available upon request Home/Welcome/Trustees/Meetings/CWMTF Contacts/CWMTF Grant Application/Grant Application Guidelines |
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r Management Trust Fund. 
"This project will ensure that the important headwaters of the Watauga River will be protected from deforestation and development and that the pristine water quality that makes this part of North Carolina such a wonderful place to visit will be guaranteed for generations to come," said Bill Holman, executive director of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF). "CWMTF is extremely proud to be a part of the legacy left here on Grandfather Mountain. The partnership among CWMTF, The Nature Conservancy and the Morton family is extremely important when it comes to protecting water quality and other natural resources in the Watauga River Basin." 