Photo by Ricardo Tejeda
Our hearts are extra full as we reflect on the work that was accomplished during Pisgah Project Day 2026 on Saturday, April 25th.
PISGAH PROJECT DAY 2026 BY THE NUMBERS:
- Nearly 500 community volunteers joined us in giving back to Pisgah
- 29 projects, ranging from trail work to invasive plant removal to native plantings to trash cleanup and more, were accomplished in a single day
- 31 local and regional businesses made this day of service possible
- 17 agencies and partnership organizations supported the day by helping to lead various projects
TRAIL WORK
- Turnpike construction on the Exercise Trail led by The Pisgah Conservancy
- Turnpike construction on the Estatoe Trail led by The Pisgah Conservancy
- Brushing on North Slope Trail led by The Pisgah Conservancy
- Drainage improvements on Coontree Trail led by Pisgah Area SORBA
- Maintenance and improvements on Bridges Camp Gap Trail led by Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
- Rock armoring on the entrance to Cove Creek Trail led by Nature Trails, LLC
- Brushing and improvements on the Cradle of Forestry grounds and trails led by FIND Outdoors
- Maintenance and debris removal on Barnett Branch Trail led by Carolina Mountain Club
- Maintenance and improvements on Lower Sidehill Trail led by Pisgah Area SORBA
- Brushing and improvements on Pilot Rock Trail led by The Pisgah Conservancy
- Maintenance and improvements on the Art Loeb Trail between Black Balsam Road and Ivestor Gap Trail led by Carolina Mountain Club
- Crib wall construction and social trail closure on Slick Rock Falls Trail led by Carolina Climbers Coalition
- Brushing on Big Creek Trail led by The Pisgah Conservancy
- Clearing of downed trees in the South Mills River area led by Back Country Horsemen of Pisgah
Photo by Ricardo Tejeda
INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL
- Invasive plant removal along Avery Creek Road near the Horse Stables led by EcoForesters
- Invasive plant removal at the Art Loeb South Trailhead led by The Pisgah Conservancy
- Invasive plant removal at Davidson River Campground led by The Pisgah Conservancy
- Invasive plant removal at North Mills River Campground led by the USDA Forest Service
- Invasive plant removal at Schenck Wildlife Field led by The Pisgah Conservancy
Photo by Ricardo Tejeda
GARDENING AND NATIVE PLANTING
- Gardening improvements at the Pisgah Ranger Station / Visitor Center led by Transylvania County Extension Master Gardeners
- Planting of native trees and shrubs at Black Mountain Trailhead led by the National Forest Foundation
- Planting of native trees and shrubs at Davidson River Campground led by Naventure
- Planting of native trees and shrubs along Thrift Cove Creek led by Trout Unlimited, with support from the USDA Forest Service
Photo by Ricardo Tejeda
TRASH AND DEBRIS REMOVAL
- Trash cleanup on Davidson River Road led by Trout Unlimited
- Trash cleanup near Tucker Creek Falls led by Friends of the North Fork of the French Broad
- Trash cleanup at Stony Fork Picnic Area led by the USDA Forest Service
Photo by Will Garvey
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
- Hemlock treatment along Avery Creek Road led by the Hemlock Restoration Initiative (159 trees were treated!)
- Split rail fence repair at Cat Gap and the Fish Hatchery led by Trout Unlimited, with support from The Pisgah Conservancy
- Roadside campsite repair on Headwaters Road led by the USDA Forest Service
Photo by Vinnie Moro
Thank you to our Lead Sponsor, the Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority, and to all of our volunteers, sponsors, and partners for an incredible day in the forest!
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Pisgah Project Day is held on the last Saturday in April, so mark your calendar for Saturday, April 24, 2027!