The Rich Mountain Conservancy has signed a purchase agreement with the Conservation Fund for the purchase of Rich Mountain, subject to a conservation easement. In order to finalize the purchase, fund-raising has begun in earnest to raise the $500,000 needed to complete the purchase. As of February, 2009, we have raised $248,000 mainly from nearby neighborhoods and landowners. A generous donor has recently pledged up to $150,000 in matching funds!! Please help us secure the matching funds by making a donation today!

Why we are trying to protect and preserve this area as a responsibly managed forestland:

• As the headwaters of the Little River watershed, Rich Mountain has a huge influence over water quality downstream.
• The proximity to DuPont State Forest opens the possibility of establishing a link of conserved land stretching from Rich Mountain to Jones Gap State Park in South Carolina. (see map).
• Beautiful vistas will remain available to the public from the mountain.
• Transylvania County will have an unspoiled mountain landscape that is visible from large sections of the county.
• Rich Mountain provides habitat protection for game animals & at least one North Carolina endangered species of Green Salamander (Aneides aeneus).

A generous donor has pledged up to $150,000 in matching funds!! Please help us secure the matching funds by making a donation today!

We have also received a $20,000 matching pledge for donations of $500 or more by March 1st, 2009. Along with the matching funds mentioned above, any donation of over $500 will be quadrupled!!

Unfortunately, we have a limited amount of time to complete the purchase. How you can help:

• Make a tax-deductible donation
• Donate stock that has appreciated - no capital gains tax or alternative minimum tax is triggered & you get a tax deduction for the full appreciated value.
• Contact us with names of others that might be willing to donate
• Contact us with grant possibilities
• Offer a matching grant that will double the gifts of others
• Tell others - spread the word!! It is particularly effective when a potential donor has a personal connection to the cause that seeks funds, so please consider sending or giving brochures to potential contributors and tell them why this effort has meaning to you. We can supply as many brochures as you might need, or you can download here.