Creek and Waterfall Protected on Jeter Mountain
A gorgeous property known as Big Branch Falls is now protected as a 45-acre nature preserve, thanks to landowners Randolph Parker and Nancy Newton who donated their land to Conserving Carolina!
This new nature preserve is a steep and thickly wooded property that follows a plunging stream down the side of the mountain. Near the property boundary is a beautiful 20-foot waterfall surrounded by a unique natural community—a spray cliff. Here, spray from the waterfall keeps the rock face constantly wet, allowing specialized plants, mosses, and lichens to thrive.
In all there are over 2,000 feet of headwater streams on this property, providing clear water that flows into the Little River. Surrounding these streams is a high-quality forest, home to a diversity of plant and animal life. Protecting our forests is also a win-win climate solution—keeping carbon out of the atmosphere while providing numerous other benefits. This nature preserve adds to protected land in an area not far from DuPont State Recreational Forest and Holmes Educational State Forest.
We are so grateful for the exceptional generosity of the landowners who donated this property. Because of their strong conservation ethic, its natural beauty, crystal-clear water, and valuable forests will be there for generations to come.
We also want to thank Conservation Trust for North Carolina which covered some of the transactional costs of this conservation project.
These photos were taken by volunteer photographer Max Cooper who bushwacked down a rugged ravine to capture this beautiful sight! You can see more of his work at www.maxcooperphoto.com or on Instagram @maxcooperavl.
