(Photo credit: SAHC & Adams J. Wood Photography)
MISSOULA, Mont. — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation supplied funding to help a collaborative partnership conserve 406 acres of habitat for elk, whitetail deer, wild turkey, grouse and other wildlife in western North Carolina.
The White Oak Mountain acreage was under threat of development and lies at the junction of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) and the Pisgah National Forest about three miles from the original elk release site in Cataloochee Valley, where RMEF helped return elk to their historic North Carolina range in 2001.
“RMEF is grateful to work alongside the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) on this important conservation project, which supports RMEF’s mission of ensuring the future of quality big game habitat and public access in the eastern United States,” said RMEF President and CEO Kyle Weaver.
“The land is visible from a variety of locations around the Pigeon River Gorge along I-40, and from the Appalachian Trail where it runs through GSMNP,” said Hanni Muerdter, SAHC conservation director. “It has been gratifying to see how many partners and agencies came together to help secure a conservation solution for this land. Conserving this large stretch of the mountain will help protect the viability of diverse ecosystems and species within the national park, as well as the rural character of upper White Oak, which neighbors have shared they really value.”
SAHC plans to convey the property to NCWRC later this year or in early 2026, opening the door to public access and future habitat enhancement work for the acreage and if/when managed elk hunting is instituted.
“Acquisition of this land, and future conveyance to the State of North Carolina, will coalesce habitat management and can prevent future conflict on the public-private land interface,” said Jenn Doherty, RMEF managing director of mission operations “This collaborative effort will improve public access within the immediate area while enhancing vital wildlife habitat.”
RMEF supplied $250,000 for the project, which comes from a 2024 allotment of $2.4 million for a dozen projects scattered across Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
Dating back to 1995, RMEF and its partners completed 146 conservation and hunting heritage projects in North Carolina. White Oak Mountain is the sixth RMEF land conservation and access project in the state. RMEF works with partners to supply public hunting access to a variety of species and further habitat availability for growing herds in the East.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Now in its fifth decade of conservation accomplishment and fueled by hunters, RMEF has conserved more than 9.1 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation” ® at rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.