**NOTE** CLOSURE OF HCLT PUBLIC ACCESS PROPERTIES 

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the following HCLT public access properties are closed until further notice due to very dangerous trail conditions:

Brushy Face Preserve - All trails closed due to severe tree damage
Dixon Woods Park - *Main trails open* Lower Dixon Loop trail closed due to major tree damage

PLEASE RESPECT THESE CLOSURES FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY
Some of these trails are in extremely dangerous states.

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Thank you for your support,
come hell or high water #appalachianstrong

Hurricane Helene hit a devastating blow to the Southern Appalachians leaving so much destruction in her wake. Thanks to those who contributed to the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust Emergency Hurricane Relief Fund, our staff was able to source and deliver essential supplies such as food, water, first aid, and generators in the very early days after the storm.

Locally we delivered supplies to: Fishes and Loaves, Highlands Emergency Council, and International Friendship Center Food Pantry in Highlands.  We were also able to support some of our neighbors in the hard-hit areas of Hot Springs and Nesbitt near Fairview.

With such a tragic event hitting so locally, it has been awe-inspiring and motivating to see the strength and resilience of affected communities. The unity of neighbors supporting one another through supplies, shelter, a helping hand, and compassion has defined what being a community means.

And now we return to the work of the Land Trust –without forgetting those in need who still struggle in Hurricane Helene’s wake, but because we understand that the preservation of our land has never been more critical. We know that it is through conservation of natural lands that we can hope to prevent the kinds of catastrophic weather that we experienced with Hurricane Helene. We must continue to work hard to save The Plateau. 

So many across Southern Appalachia have been impacted by this historic hurricane, rainfall and then flood event, learn how you can help below: 

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