Grandfather Mountain Added to the NC State Park System

On March 31, Governor Beverly Perdue signed legislation formally authorizing Grandfather Mountain as NC’s newest state park.  The state has agreed to purchase from the Morton family and Grandfather Mountain Inc. the 2,601-acre undeveloped portion of the tourist destination as well as a conservation easement on the remaining 604 acres that will be managed through a nonprofit entity by the heirs of Hugh Morton.  The deal was struck last September, but legislation was needed to close the deal.  When Perdue signed Senate Bill 89, the state was authorized to make the purchase.

"The creation of a signature state park at Grandfather Mountain is big step in adding to the quality of life and beauty of our great state while we also preserve North Carolina’s spectacular public lands for future generations," said Gov. Perdue.  "Thanks to the Morton family and our conservation partners, visitors from inside and outside of North Carolina will be able to enjoy the majesty of this wonderful mountain for generations to come."

Those involved in the deal praised the cooperation between public and private entities to preserve the mountain against development. Conservation of such a beloved landmark reflects the commitment of many people, including the citizens of North Carolina, who care about the land and support our state parks system and the conservation trust funds, which financed the purchase.  In this case, the cause of conservation drew a large cast of contributors, not the least of whom were the 46 legislators who sponsored the legislation and the members of both houses who supported the idea unanimously.

The acquisition was arranged in 2008 with the help of The Conservation Fund and The Nature Conservancy, which holds conservation easements on the mountain and surrounding properties totaling close to 4,000 acres. The property lies in Watauga, Avery and Caldwell counties, and contains the headwaters of both the Watauga and Linville rivers. Grandfather Mountain is home to 73 rare and endangered species, including black bears, the Carolina northern flying squirrel and the Blue Ridge goldenrod. It had been the only private park designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve.