0325-GCG-FoothillsConservancy_ESG25_12-18 (2) - Flipbook - Page 35
2025 Impact Report / Celebrating 30 Years
FCNC is grateful to Oak Hill Methodist
Church for generously hosting the students
Spring Break with
Warren Wilson
College
Each spring, while many college students book
昀氀ights to the beach or back home for a rest, a
and staff, and to our partners at Catawba
Riverkeeper, Burke County NC Cooperative
Extension Center, The History Museum
of Burke County, Western Piedmont
Community College, Embracing Ground
Natural Healing Farm, and North Carolina
Wildlife Federation for expertly facilitating
many memorable activities.
group of Asheville’s Warren Wilson College students
chooses something different: a week hiking muddy
trails, planting trees, paddling rivers, and repairing
streambanks with FCNC. This year marked the second
spring break partnership with the college, a program
rooted in the shared belief that the best way to inspire
future conservation leaders is to let them experience
Whether kayaking on Lake James, scrambling over
trail switchbacks, or attending a Women in the
Outdoors 昀椀lm festival, students had the opportunity
to see themselves as connected to something larger
conservation 昀椀rsthand.
than any one trail or forest. Engaging young people in
Over 昀椀ve days—packed with activities and education—
skills; it’s about building a relationship with the land
student participants met foresters, trail builders,
that sparks curiosity, a sense of responsibility, and
historians, farmers, ecologists, park managers,
a lasting affection. This recurring collaboration with
and local nonpro昀椀ts who each play a distinct role
Warren Wilson College is a powerful model of what
in protecting the land and water in this region.
community-driven conservation education can look
Their hands-on stewardship and service included
like: hands-on, place-based, and rooted in meaningful
planting hardwood and American chestnut hybrid
human connection.
conservation is about more than teaching practical
trees, clearing invasive Chinese privet and preparing
community agriculture beds at Oak Hill Community
Park and Forest, and removing 1,600 pounds of trash
and debris from the Johns River.
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