Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 10:54 am

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) is pleased to announce the acquisition of 1,513 acres in Rutherford County, a major conservation milestone that expands the organization's Pinnacle Mountains Preserve and strengthens one of Western North Carolina's most important ecological corridors.

The newly protected tract, known as Pinnacle Mountains South, represents a rare convergence of exceptional biodiversity, landscape-scale connectivity, and future public recreation opportunities. This acquisition, a critical part of FCNC's long-term strategy to create a permanent conservation corridor linking the South Mountains to the Blue Ridge Mountains, was made possible in large part by the generous bargain sale of the property by conservationist Tim Sweeney.

Pinnacle Mountains South connects directly to a 62,500-acre network of state and federal conservation lands, including Box Creek Wilderness, Bobs Creek State Natural Area, and South Mountains Game Land. Transitional zones like this will serve as essential refuges for wildlife and plant species as North Carolina's climate continues to change.

"Protecting Pinnacle Mountains South is a privilege and a responsibility," said Michael Gaffney, FCNC's Conservation and GIS Specialist. "This acquisition strengthens a landscape-scale corridor that will support biodiversity, clean water, and resilient forests for generations."

At the heart of the property lies the Mike Mountain-Pinnacle Mountain Natural Area, designated as "Exceptional" by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. This recognition reflects the presence of 17 rare species and natural communities, making the site one of the most significant biological hotspots in the region.

During initial site assessments, FCNC staff documented an array of ecosystems transitioning from Southern Outer Piedmont foothills to rich cove forests and montane oak-hickory stands typical of the Blue Ridge, including an unexpected stand of old-growth white oak trees spared from past logging.

The acquisition also permanently protects critical waters within the Cathey's Creek Subwatershed and Second Broad River Watershed, part of the broader Santee Basin. Streams within the project area, including Harris Creek, Cobb Branch, and Lewis Creek, support downstream water quality for communities, wildlife, and regional river systems.

In the upcoming years, FCNC plans to work with local and state partners to design and implement a public trail on the property, named in honor of FCNC's Founding Executive Director, Susie Hamrick Jones, who was raised in Rutherford County.

Future public access will eventually connect to the Wilderness Gateway State Trail, a 170+ mile trail system currently under construction by FCNC on nearby conservation lands. These connections will create new opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, nature exploration, and outdoor education in Rutherford and McDowell counties.

This acquisition was made possible through the generous support of the Alice Zawadzki Land Conservation fund administered by the North Carolina Native Plant Society, the Blumenthal Foundation, Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Conservation Trust for North Carolina, the In Her Footsteps program, The Nature Conservancy, and North Carolina Land and Water Fund, as well as other private donors. Their support ensures that Pinnacle Mountains South will remain a permanent refuge for wildlife, a source of clean water, and a place for public enjoyment for generations to come.

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) is a nationally accredited regional land trust that inspires conservation in Western North Carolina by permanently protecting land and water for the benefit of people and all living things. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, FCNC has conserved more than 74,000 acres in its eight-county service area: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford, in three major river basins: the Broad, Catawba and Yadkin. FCNC supports and responds to community needs across our programmatic focus areas: land and water protection, farmland preservation, wildlife habitat improvement, forest health and stewardship, public park management, public trail development and maintenance, improving access to natural spaces, community education, and volunteer engagement.

Information, including ways to support its work, can be found at www.foothillsconservancy.org or by calling 828-437-9930.