What Are We Up to This Summer?

Summer in the Carolinas is a season full of energy—sunny days, vibrant green landscapes, and calendars packed to the brim. Here at Conserving Carolina, your Development Team is feeling that same momentum. We’re constantly planning for what’s next, connecting with those of you who care so deeply about conservation, and celebrating exciting milestones, like the Ecusta Trail Grand Opening on July 18! Amid the busyness, we’ve also taken time to enjoy some of our favorite summer pastimes, and we wanted to share a bit of that with you. After all, it’s your support and passion for the environment that make it possible for us to do the work we love—both in the office and out on in nature.

One in eight American women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. There are about 600,000 women in western North Carolina. This means about 75,000 of us will be diagnosed.  So when I received my news this spring—despite having no family history, genetic mutations, or lifestyle factors—the question wasn’t “Why me?” It was “Why not me?”

After my mastectomy in May, I had to keep my heart rate under 100 beats per minute, and I wasn’t allowed to do any of my favorite activities like swimming, mountain biking, or hiking. I felt cut off from nature, my community, and my endorphins. It was a nature-loving extrovert’s nightmare. I was left with one exercise—gentle walking—and I decided to stop

feeling sorry for myself, so I headed out for the places I could walk gently in nature and be with other people at the same time. The greenways of western North Carolina like the Oklawaha, French Broad, Thermal Belt, Glenn’s Creek, and Reed Creek became my go-to places for outdoor recreation, socialization, and mental health. Thanks to donors and conservationists like you, these beautiful spaces have been saved for everyone to enjoy, no matter their current ability. We can walk, run, bike, roll, bird watch, or even just people watch. Your support for projects like the Ecusta Trail and Saluda Grade Trail offers so much hope and healing for people in our community. I can’t wait to see you on the trail!

Although I’m far from an experienced rock climber, there’s something primal that draws me to the sport. Climbing pushes me to my edge—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It humbles me. Whether I’m rappelling from a fresh anchor or smearing across a slab, I’m often balancing fear and exhilaration. Yet, in those moments of vulnerability—surrounded by ancient stone, rustling leaves, and endless sky—I feel profoundly connected to the earth. There’s a deep comfort in knowing that wild places have endured through time, holding space for both fear and courage. That sense of resilience in the landscape gives me strength to find my own.

These moments of transformation wouldn’t be possible without the people who care deeply about protecting the natural world. Every time I tie in, I’m filled with gratitude for those who have given their time, resources, or voice to safeguard our region’s wild places. Conservation is more than preserving land—it’s about creating the conditions for life-changing experiences, for connection, healing, and growth. Thank you for making a lasting impact—not only on my life, but on the lives of countless others who find awe, inspiration, and solace in nature. Your support makes these experiences possible today and for generations to come.

Experiencing the literal fruits of my labor unlocks a deep connection to the land and invites a slower, more intentional way of life. I first discovered gardening when I lived in Southwest Florida, where the climate posed constant challenges from the sweltering heat and persistent iguanas to the inverted growing seasons and limited variety of crops. When we moved to the mountains of Western North Carolina, I felt an immediate sense of hope. I knew gardening would look different here and it does, in the most rewarding ways.

Now in my third season with a small garden of raised beds and a few plants tucked into the ground, I find daily joy in tending to tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and flowers that draw in bees and butterflies. Watching pollinators at work reminds me just how much my little garden depends on a healthy, thriving natural world. These quiet, life-affirming moments wouldn’t be possible without those who support conservation. Your generosity helps protect the landscapes that sustain not only wildlife, but also the deeply personal connections we form with the land. Thank you for nurturing the conditions that allow both wild places and people (like me) to grow and thrive.

As summer continues to unfold across Western North Carolina, we’re reminded that the natural world offers more than just beauty. It offers resilience, healing, challenge, joy, and connection. These stories are just a glimpse into how your support ripples far beyond the trails, forests, and greenways—it touches lives in meaningful, lasting ways.

From all of us at Conserving Carolina, thank you. Thank you for caring, for showing up, and for making space for these experiences to flourish. We can’t wait to keep moving forward with you—on the trail, on the rock, in the garden, and beyond.

Sincerely,

Melissa, Jenn, and Sierra

Branches of Giving is a monthly segment sharing inspiring stories from our dedicated supporters, letters from our Development Team, and different ways you can give back and make a difference for conservation.