Western Region

Join Tony Ward, MountainTrue's Western Region Program Coordinator, on Saturday, May 22 at 10 am for a 1.2-mile loop trail hike through an upland forest area of Meeks Park in Union County, Georgia! Although this hike is considered easy, there will be 150 feet of elevation gain from the starting point at a bridge crossing Butternut Creek to the highest point of the hike. This trail features a wide variety of native trees perfect for identification. During this hike, Tony will discuss how to identify trees in our area in a way that is accessible to all skill levels of tree identifiers.

Please join Western Regional Director Callie Moore and Healthy Communities Director Chris Joyell as we lead a walking tour of Bryson City. Along the way, we'll reflect on past plans for revitalizing Main Street and Everett, see where progress has been made, and explore how future efforts can contribute to the vitality of this historic town. We'll also visit some ongoing projects that are making Bryson City more liveable and enjoyable for its residents and those who visit. We hope you'll come along!

A key component to a healthy stream or lake and good water quality is native trees and shrubs. In order to raise awareness about the beautiful, resilient plants that are native to our Southern Appalachian Mountains and to provide a little funding for our ongoing invasive plant eradication efforts, we are again holding a Native Tree and Shrub Sale this fall. Choose from 36 species of native trees and shrubs, ranging from large shade trees, native ornamentals, pollinator species, and those particularly beneficial to wildlife.

Each year, MountainTrue hosts a gathering of our members to recognize and honor outstanding volunteers, vote on new board members, and reflect on a year of hard work and accomplishments. We hope you can join us to recognize and honor MountainTrue’s 2021 Western Region Volunteer of the Year: Tod Fullerton! We are excited to be gathering in person this year and hope you can come connect with us. All attendees are required to be vaccinated.

Western Regional Director, Callie Moore and husband, Philip will lead this full day, 7.2-mile (round-trip) moderate-to-strenuous hike on the Fires Creek Rim Trail to Tusquitee & Potrock Balds. Tusquitee Bald is the highest point in Clay County and lies within an inventoried roadless area that is eligible for wilderness. The hike will be limited to 12 participants; registration is required.

For avid mountain hikers, this is a moderate hike. For less frequent hikers or "flatlanders," the hike will feel more strenuous. The most strenuous part is the access trail to and from the Rim Trail which has an elevation change of 540' in 2,300 feet. The Rim Trail is much more moderate with gentler grades interspersed with fairly flat lengths. The trip will involve about 4 hours of actual hiking with one hour for lunch and relaxation on the balds.