PROTECTED FOR THE FUTURE
Foothills Conservancy protects 30 acres of Mount Ida, will nearly double the size of Marion park
This photo from the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina shows the top of Mount Ida during the autumn season.
A view from Mount Ida.
A map of the location of the existing Mount Ida Wilderness Park and the section outlined in red is the 30 acres of land that has been protected by the Foothills Conservancy.
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina has acquired 30 acres on Mount Ida, laying the groundwork for the future expansion of the city of Marion's Mount Ida Wilderness Park.
The now-protected forested property directly adjoins the city's existing 36-acre Mount Ida Wilderness, which opened to the public in 2016 and offers a one-mile hiking trail and panoramic views overlooking Marion. Once transferred to the city of Marion, the newly protected property will nearly double the size of the park, creating new opportunities for trails, outdoor education and public recreation, according to a news release from Foothills Conservancy.
The property will remain under Foothills Conservancy stewardship for the next few years while the land trust completes conservation requirements necessary for a transfer and constructs a public trail.
"Conservation projects like this don't happen overnight," said Michael Gaffney, conservation and GIS specialist for Foothills Conservancy. "One of the important roles land trusts play is looking beyond today's needs and helping communities plan for the future. By acquiring and protecting this property now, we're ensuring that when the time is right, Marion will have the opportunity to expand one of its most treasured public spaces without risking the land being lost to development."
The acquisition protects 30 acres of mature montane oak-hickory forest, including chestnut oaks, northern red oaks, red maples and pines. The property also contains headwater tributaries of Youngs Creek and North Muddy Creek, which ultimately flow into the Catawba River, the release said.
Foothills Conservancy said the acquisition also establishes a foothold for future conservation opportunities on Mount Ida, helping preserve the mountain's character and ecology, according to the news release. "Projects like this are about forever," Gaffney said. "We're not just protecting 30 acres, we're protecting the opportunity for future generations to experience Mount Ida much as we do today. Sometimes the most important conservation work happens years before the public sees the final result."
Foothills Conservancy acquired the property with a grant from the In Her Footsteps program, and private contributions from Martha and Chip Whitfield, the Blumenthal Foundation, Chris and Stefan Amsbary, Rob Gage and Amy Cox, and other private donors. According to McDowell County deed records, Foothills Conservancy bought the property on July 16 for about $125,000.
A Mount Ida public information event will be held in Marion on Wednesday, Oct. 14. It will provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about the future of Mount Ida, the release said.
