0325-GCG-FoothillsConservancy_ESG25_12-18 (2) - Flipbook - Page 15
2025 Impact Report / Celebrating 30 Years
As we hiked deeper into the property, the terrain
shifted dramatically. Past clear-cut areas slowly
昀椀lling in with pines and sycamores, the land beneath
our feet rose rapidly—and with it, the ecosystems
changed. Increased elevation creates differences
in soil moisture and sunlight that support rich cove
forest and montane-oak hickory stands, both de昀椀ning
habitats of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For Tom and me,
both avid hikers, this transition felt familiar, but it’s rare
to experience such ecological diversity on a single
property in the span of just two miles.
At the heart of Pinnacle Mountains South stands
Mike Mountain, rising roughly 1,200 feet above the
surrounding lowlands. On our 昀椀rst ascent, we were
pleased to discover a stand of old-growth white oak
trees at the summit, spared from previous logging.
We stayed a while to eat lunch and nicknamed the
spot Oakhenge—a 昀椀tting tribute to such remarkable
keystone trees. On the way down, we found
unexpected rock outcrops that made for a challenging
but memorable navigation back to the base.
Though hidden beneath the tree canopy, Mike
Mountain overlooks a much larger story: the
conservation corridor FCNC has been steadily building
since its founding. To the east lie the protected lands
of South Mountains State Park and the adjacent Game
Land; to the west, Hickorynut Mountain, one of our
ongoing projects. This corridor bridges ecoregions,
from the low elevation eastern foothills to the steeper,
crystalline ridges and mountains of the Blue Ridge.
As our climate warms, transitional zones like Pinnacle
Mountains South will serve as a crucial refuge for
wildlife and tree species seeking cooler, higher
elevations. Protecting them is both a privilege and a
responsibility—one that de昀椀nes our unique work.
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