High Country Audubon Society

High Country Audubon Society (HCAS), covering the counties of Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery andWilkes, has announced a full slate of programs, field trips and special events to serve members and the general public in their territory. “We are pleased to be able to offer an entertaining and educational approach to conservation that matches the National Audubon Society’s mission of ‘Connecting People to Nature’,” according to HCAS President Miles Tager.
“With this four-month schedule, we are broadening our scope to showcase the spectacular natural environment of The High Country and reach as many residents and visitors as we can,” Tager... click here for more

State Officials say No Chance of Closure at UM Research Station

Recently rumors have been circulating that the North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Upper Mountain Research Station in Laurel Springs was in danger of being closed. With the station’s critical importance to High Country Agriculture, primarily Christmas trees, the rumors caused more than a little concern among area farmers and agriculture professionals. The issue first took shape in 2006 when North Carolina State University’s then Director of the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences suggested all research stations across the state be transferred in total to the university. NCDA&CS and NCSU have shared responsibility... click here for more