Friends of Panthertown

Posted by: panthertown | July 29, 2020

Welcome Friends!

Trail volunteers get the work done and stay socially distant in Panthertown (July 2020)
We host public trail work days on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Next up: August 15

Panthertown Valley is a treasured 6,311-acre backcountry recreation area located on Nantahala National Forest in western North Carolina near the mountain towns of Cashiers, Sapphire, and Lake Toxaway, not too far from Asheville, Brevard, and Sylva.

The mission of Friends of Panthertown is to work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to conserve this outstanding natural resource while improving the quality and experience of recreational opportunities in Panthertown Valley.

We are a member and volunteer supported 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our hard-working volunteers maintain the 30-mile backcountry Panthertown Valley Trail System, and our members and partners support much-needed conservation projects with donations and grants.

PDF: View our comments on U.S. Forest Service Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Land Management Plan Revision (June 29, 2020)

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Posted in Friends of Panthertown, Panthertown Hike, Panthertown Valley, Trail Work Days

Posted by: panthertown | July 30, 2020

Friends of Panthertown Webinar: Patrick McMillan Southern Appalachian Bogs (August 13)

Learn About The Rare Southern Appalachian Bog of Panthertown Valley

Emmy® Award-winning PBS television host to talk about Panthertown’s rare wetlands

Join Friends of Panthertown on Thursday, August 13 at 7:30 P.M. for an exciting webinar presentation given by Emmy® Award-winning PBS television host and naturalist Dr. Patrick McMillan, host of Expeditions with Patrick McMillan.

Dr. McMillan is the Hilliard professor of environmental sustainability at Clemson University, and is the director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden. His popular PBS television show is a public service program of Clemson University Cooperative Extension, produced in partnership with South Carolina Educational Television.

Panthertown Valley is a 6,311-acre backcountry recreation area with 30 miles of public trails located on Nantahala National Forest near Cashiers in western North Carolina. Panthertown Valley features a rare high-elevation Southern Appalachian mountain bog, one of the rarest wetland types located in the southeastern United States, in an unmatched setting of granitic domes, cascading waterfalls, and remarkable mountain views.

The Panthertown Valley Bog was recently recognized by the Carolina Wetlands Association as one of their 2020 Wetland Treasures of the Carolinas. In this highly informative, educational, and entertaining presentation, Dr. McMillan will talk about Panthertown’s remarkable mountain wetlands which feature a series of swamp-forest bog complexes, seeps, and spray cliffs.

The bog in Panthertown lies along the headwaters of the East Fork of the Tuckasegee River, where fallen leaves steep tannins into the water for days before it finally trickles into the streams, staining the otherwise crystal-clear pools like tea. Rare plants grow both in the bog and on top of the granite domes, creating an environmentally diverse and interesting landscape. The bog supports several state-listed rare and endangered species including Timber Rattlesnake and Baltimore Checkerspot Butterflies.

The online presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with Dr. McMillan. Limited tickets are available. Donations are encouraged.

Special thanks to Marcia and Steve Shawler for sponsoring this event.

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Posted in Friends of Panthertown, Panthertown Valley, Plants, Presentations, Special Events

Posted by: panthertown | May 15, 2020

Friends of Panthertown Webinar: Avery Shawler Wolves & Elk Research (May 28)

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Posted in Friends of Panthertown

Posted by: panthertown | March 29, 2020

Important Information Concerning COVID-19

March 29, 2020

Dear Friends of Panthertown,

In these uncertain times we want to give you an update on Panthertown and the work that we are doing to continue protecting and maintaining this special place.

We are working closely with the U.S. Forest Service and local authorities to monitor the situation and provide accurate information at this time. The health and safety of our staff, volunteers, and visitors is of great concern to us.

Due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, we strongly encourage you to stay safe and stay at home as much as possible until all emergency orders have been lifted. We hope that you will understand and thank you for your continued support as we navigate through this global crisis together.

Trail use, backcountry access, and dispersed camping in Panthertown, following CDC social distancing guidelines, and in groups of 10 persons or less, currently remain open for local residents at this time. However, the U.S. Forest Service and local authorities are encouraging everyone to stay at home as much as possible, especially those from outside of our area. Future access to the trail system and backcountry may change. We will continue to keep you informed.

We have posted a public health notice on our website and on trailhead kiosks.

All organized volunteer activities and group trail work days in Panthertown and the surrounding National Forests in North Carolina are postponed until at least May 15, per the decision of the U.S. Forest Service.

Rest assured, our staff and volunteers are working diligently from home, together in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, as we continue our work planning for much-needed conservation projects in Panthertown. Your continued support and understanding during this time is essential for us to continue our important work.

We hope that you and your family stay safe and healthy, and we look forward to sharing brighter days ahead on the trails in Panthertown. We’re in this together.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us via e-mail.

Sincerely,

Jason Kimenker
Executive Director
Friends of Panthertown
friends@panthertown.org