Chamber Member Southern Highlands Reserve (SHR) has been awarded the 2017 Open Space Preservation Grant from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA).
With the grant SHR will continue their efforts to help restore red spruce to endangered spruce-fir ecosystems in Western North Carolina through seed collection, spruce propagation in SHR’s Nursery Complex, tree planting, public outreach, volunteer management, and project management.
The work will help sustain the integrity of habitat, wildlife populations, and ecological services red spruce help provide as well as protect the naturally scenic resources that support the tourism economy in Western North Carolina. In an excerpt from SHR Press Release, Kelly Holdbrook says; “Over the past few years, our role in restoring red spruce to Western North Carolina has increased significantly. We are honored to partner with other agencies in an effort to address landscape-scale restoration on public land. Our role is to help increase the public’s awareness, involvement, and education about native plants and their ecosystems in Southern Blue Ridge Mountains.”
Read the Southern Highlands Reserve Press Release HERE. For more information on the efforts call (828) 885-2050 or CLICK HERE.