Celebrate the Blue Ridge Parkway!

It's time for a birthday party for America's Favorite Drive! The Blue Ridge Parkway marks its 75th anniversary this week. CTNC will be part of the festivities in and around Cumberland Knob, and we hope to see you there.

For details on anniversary events all along the Parkway, visit the official Blue Ridge Parkway 75 site.

Want to catch up on news about conservation along the Parkway? We're keeping track of news stories that celebrate the past, present and future of our favorite scenic drive. Check here for links to headlines, and be sure to come back as we add more coverage. See one we missed? Send us a link!

Keep an eye on CTNC's Facebook page for pictures from the anniversary weekend. And follow us on Twitter for updates on #BRP75 news.

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Parkway view, habitat protected

Another 35 acres of breathtaking views from the Blue Ridge Parkway have been protected with the purchase of land on Mount Lyn Lowry.

CTNC recently acquired the land next to 6,000-foot Browning Knob, on the Parkway near Waynesville. The tract - which Executive Director Reid Wilson notes is "small in size but large in importance" - is home to a variety of native wildlife and contains a portion of a state Significant Natural Area due to its undisturbed plant communities. It is near a number of other protected tracts and falls within one of the conservation vision focus areas targeted by the Blue Ridge Forever coalition.

Read more about this newly protected property in Jackson County.

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Helping to save America's Great Outdoors

CTNC staff, interns and supporters joined conservation allies and outdoor enthusiasts to tell representatives of President Obama how they'd like to save and celebrate America's Great Outdoors.

Several hundred people took part in a listening session in Asheville - part of a nationwide series of such events - to share success stories, seek help and offer ideas to the federal government as the Obama Administration comes up with a strategy to protect our nation's uniquely beautiful natural areas and get more people outside to enjoy them. Participating agencies will report to the president in November about what they've learned.

Read our report on the Asheville AGO events.

And visit our page on the America's Great Outdoors Initiative to see how you can take part in the conservation conversation.

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