Supporting Pisgah
Pisgah is a truly special place. Its high peaks and lush valleys provide endless opportunities for hikers, bikers, climbers, equestrians, anglers, campers, backpackers, through-hikers, photographers, waterfall enthusiasts, and more.
Pisgah is also one of the most-visited national forests in the United States. Millions of people enjoy and explore the forest each year. Although visitation to our region’s public lands grows exponentially each year, national forests unfortunately lack the revenue and resources other public lands receive to help support heavy visitation. This is where we come in.
The Pisgah Conservancy was created to support the Pisgah Ranger District because it contributes profoundly to the health and quality of life for all who visit Western North Carolina or who call this region home – and because it needs our help.
Our support of the Pisgah Ranger District primarily falls into these categories:
From planning, funding, and implementing major improvement projects to adding daily capacity directly to the forest through our full-time field staff, our work makes a difference for Pisgah’s long-term health and for all of its visitors, regardless of how you choose to experience this one-of-a-kind place.
Where We Work: The Pisgah Ranger District
Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes. Comprised of over 500,000 acres, Pisgah is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls and hundreds of miles of trails.
Pisgah is home of the first tract of land purchased under the Weeks Act of 1911 which led to the creation of the national forests in the eastern United States. It is also home of the first school of forestry in the United States, now preserved at the Cradle of Forestry in America historic site, and boasts two of the first designated wilderness areas in the east.
The Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest is home to many waterfalls, scenic views, and miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Bordering Transylvania, Buncombe, and Haywood Counties, the Pisgah Ranger District is a short drive from Asheville, Hendersonville, Brevard, and Waynesville. Lake Powhatan Recreation area and Bent Creek Experimental Forest are also included in the Pisgah Ranger District, providing visitors with more recreation opportunities.
Via the U.S. Forest Service
Founding Councils
These lists recognize those who played a critical role in helping to develop The Pisgah Conservancy and their professional affiliations at the time of our founding.
Advisory Council
John Cottingham – Hiker, camper
Wes Dickson – Sycamore Cycles
Michael Mihalas – Trout Unlimited
Natalie Britt – Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association
Pete Petersen – Carolina Mountain Club
Aaron Saft – North Carolina Mountain Trail Runners
Tom Sauret – International Mountain Bikers Association
Mark Stierwalt –Trail Dynamics, Southern Off Road Bikers Association
Tom Thomas – Pisgah Area Backcountry Horsemen
David Whitmire – Fish and Wildlife Conservation Council
Forest Service Employees Supporting Advisory Council
Dave Casey – District Ranger, Pisgah Ranger District
Erik Crews – Dispersed Recreation Program Manager (Trails, Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers), National Forests in North Carolina
Jeff Owenby – Recreation Program Manager and Director of the Cradle of Forestry
Patrick Scott – Fire Management Officer and Trails and Roads Program Manager
Lorie Stroup – Pisgah Zone Fisheries Biologist
Lisa Jennings – Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Manager
