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Getting to Know Bailey Mountain Preserve: Welcome to the Bailey Mountain Preserve Resource Guide

After exploring this page you will understand how a coalition of local and regional groups worked together to conserve the slopes and summit of Bailey Mountain in Madison County, NC.

Who Saved Bailey Mountain?

Bailey Mountain Preserve and the Smith Farm: A Community Coalition Wins Protection for Local Heritage Land Resources

"This project came together because regular people in the community (including students) cared about the mountain. It wasn't "important people" or "someone else" that protected the mountain, but rather a community that got organized and knocked on doors and tabled at fairs and baked treats for bake sales." Professor Laura Boggess

The Biodiversity and Conservation of Bailey Mountain Preserve

The Conservation of Bailey Mountain Preserve - Smith Farm, in a Nutshell:

"The long-range goal of the Richard L. Hoffman Foundation has been to place as much of Bailey Mountain into conservation and preservation as possible."- Lee Hoffman

"Conservation- prevention of wasteful use of a resource."- Oxford Languages (8)

Conservation and Biodiversity-

There are several books available on conservation at Renfro Library, including these:

The Biodiversity on Bailey Mountain YouTube Playlist is a collection of videos created by students, citizens and teachers to highlight the amazing biological diversity of the Bailey Mountain Preserve. Click Below to check it out!

Visit and Get Involved

Directions driving from Asheville:

Take I-26 W towards Weaverville for 16 miles. Take exit 11 and turn left towards Mars Hill/Marshall/NC-213. After 1 mile turn right onto N. Main Street, and shortly after turn left onto Bailey Street. In approximately 1/4 mile, turn left onto Hickory Drive. 1/4 mile further, turn right onto Forest Street. The entrance and parking to the Bailey Mountain Preserve and Smith Property will be located on your left after 1 mile.

GPS Address – 889 Forest Street, Mars Hill, NC 28754

Report a Trail Maintenance Request

 

Groups wishing to schedule activities at the lower Smith Farm should contact the Town of Mars Hill. 828-689-2301

Reference

References:

  1. Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. (n.d.). Conservation Education Core Concepts [Non-profit]. Fishwildlife.Org. Retrieved October 30, 2022, from https://www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/6716/4616/6038/AFWA_Top_11_Core_Concepts_for_Conservation_Education.pdf
  2. Barnhill, T. (2022, October 27). Smith Farm Heritage Farmstead [..Org]. Smith Farm Heritage Farmstead. https://appalachianbarns.org/smith-farm-heritage-farmstead/
  3. Bell, R. (2021a). Friends of Bailey Mountain [Non-profit]. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1REFprlmQ2O51UMI4MbBA_tc4d1FKMu7r/view
  4. Bell, R. (2021b). Bailey Mtn Preserve Current Map. Friends of Bailey Mountain. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iqZEBkKB4hDUX3OHBvs2XckBcWJLRAKA/view
  5. Clark, P. (2006, August 2). Bailey Mountain Preservation Efforts Succeed. News Record and Sentinel, 36–37.
  6. Downey, B. (n.d.). Bailey Mountain Preserve. Visit Madison County. https://visitmadisoncounty.com/bailey-mountain-preserve/
  7. Friends of Bailey Mountain. (2022). Creation of the Richard L Hoffman Trail on Bailey Mountain Preserve of Mars Hill, North Carolina, Synopsis [Non-profit]. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sS113uJAu1HhVF-zv_truYGtK-9858Lm/view?usp=sharing
  8. Google Dictionary, O. L. (2022, October 27). Definition of Conservation. Google Dictionary. https://www.google.com/search?q=define+conservation&oq=define&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j0i67l2j0i10i131i433i512j0i67l2j0i10i433i512j0i512l2.3831j1j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
  9. Land of the Sky Regional Council. (2018). Mars Hill Smith Farm Masterplan (pp. 1–32). Town of Mars Hill. https://townofmarshill.org/pdf_files/Smith%20Farm%20Plan%20Final.pdf?v=2019
  10. Land Trust Alliance. (2022, October 30). Conserve Your Land, Frequently Asked Questions [Non-profit]. https://landtrustalliance.org/take-action/conserve-your-land/frequently-asked-questions
  11. Morrison, C. (2006, July 30). Gifts help preserve Mars Hill Mountain. Asheville Citizen-Times. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rl2Kh7DtqfhmJ6JFxaMW_Ypn2050rpFV/view?usp=sharing
  12. Muddy Sneaker. (2019, November 4). NEW GENERATION ENJOYS ACCESS TO BAILEY MOUNTAIN FOR OUTDOOR EXPLORATION [Non-profit]. Field Notes. https://muddysneakers.org/news/new-generation-enjoys-access-to-bailey-mountain-for-outdoor-exploration
  13. North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. (2022, October 30). NC Land and Water Fund [Government]. North Carolina Land and Water Fund. https://nclwf.nc.gov/
  14. Town of Mars Hill. (n.d.). Bailey Mountain Preserve Farm Park [Municipal]. Mars Hill Parks and Recreation. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://townofmarshill.org/recpark.php