Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1513751
Thursday, December 28-January 3, 2024 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 17 Rutherford Weekly Sudoku Rutherford Weekly Sudoku Answers Last week, the 443-acre Prospect Ridge property was added to Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina's (FCNC) Smith Cliffs Henry Fork River Preserve, connecting six previous FCNC acquisitions and signifi cantly growing this preserve. The addition of this property creates an unbroken conservation corridor in the headwaters of the Henry Fork River and further buffers the highly signifi cant Smith Cliffs Natural Area, which contains many rocky outcrops with rare and unique species documented by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. "Prospect Ridge protects several tributaries to the Henry Fork River, as well as the Smith Cliffs Natural Area, which has received an "exceptional" designation from the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program," says Michael Gaffney, Conservation and GIS Specialist at FCNC. This preserve is also a planned segment of the Wilderness Gateway State Trail, and FCNC will design and construct several miles of public trails through the land in the upcoming years using funding from the State of North Carolina's Complete the Trails Fund. Foothills Conservancy Preserves are designated conservation areas that are considered special and unique. Some of the preserves are not intended for public access in an effort to protect the biodiversity of the area, preserve the natural lands and conserve important watersheds. FCNC actively stewards some of these properties while others remain relatively untouched. Regardless, the goal is to permanently protect these lands under FCNC long- term ownership. Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is a nationally accredited regional land trust that inspires conservation in Western North Carolina by permanently protecting land and water for the benefi t of people and all living things. A 501(c)(3) nonprofi t, Foothills Conservancy has conserved more than 70,000 acres in its eight-county service area: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford, in three major river basins: the Broad, Catawba and Yadkin. Information about Foothills Conservancy, including ways to support its work, can be found online at www. foothillsconservancy.org or by calling 828-437-9930. Article Provided By: Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina Foothills Conservancy of NC protects 443-acre property in Burke County Creating a conservation corridor in the headwaters of the Henry Fork River Meet one of the smallest animal ambassdors to the Chimney Rock team, Peanut the Eastern chipmunk! Peanut was brought to an animal rehabber in Atlanta after he was attacked by a cat. Unfortunately, lasting damage from the attach means he cannot return to life in the wild. However, Peanut enjoys many perks of the ambassador life at Chimney Rock, including showing off for guests and exploring the Animal Discovery Den in a hamster ball. You may have seen Peanut's wild counterparts in your yard or local park, or have at least heard their signature "chip," which sounds like a loud chirp. Eastern Chipmunks have several fascinating adaptations that help them thrive in the wild. Special pouches in their cheeks allow them to literally "stuff their faces" up to three times their nomral size! Chipmunks live in underground burrows or dens that are separated into different "rooms" for storing food, sleeping, and even using the bathrooom! These burrows also provide a safe place to hide this time of year, when chipmunks enter a sort of pseudo-hibernation state. Our mild North Carolina winters allow chipmunks to be more active year-round, but they still spend some periods of time in a deep sleep during the season to conserve energy when food is more scarce. You can visit Peanut and many of our other ambassadors in the Animal Discovery Den. Article Provided By: Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park Chimney Rock's Wilder Teammates 6 DAY FORECAST RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S For Up To The Minute Rutherford County Weather Go To rutherfordweekly.com 49 27 TUES JAN 2 MOSTLY SUNNY THUR DEC 28 51 30 FRI DEC 29 SAT DEC 30 51 26 SUN DEC 31 53 28 50 28 MON JAN 1 PARTLY CLOUDY MOSTLY SUNNY SUNNY PARTLY CLOUDY 57 32 MOSTLY SUNNY ©Community First Media Community First Media www.duffi escopier.com www.duffi escopier.com 828-245-5116 828-245-5116 LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 50 YEARS LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 50 YEARS SUPPLIES EQUIPMENT SERVICE PRINTED MATERIALS 671 Oak St., Forest City, NC 28043 BUY LOCAL • SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED DOLL ARS! BUY LOCAL • SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED DOLL ARS! Black & White & Color Copies Many Sizes Low Cost Per Copy CALL US BEFORE YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE CALL US BEFORE YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE