Acres: 2,655 acres

Acquisition date: 12/28/04

The Sandymush tract is less than 20 miles from downtown Asheville in an area where population increased by 37 percent from 1990 to 2000, significantly higher than the statewide rate of 21 percent.

The land has significant biological, scenic and recreational value, and contains 33 miles of streams.The tract contains Sandymush and Turkey Creek gorges, habitat for many unique species such as piratebush. The shrub is a federal species of concern and can only be found in a handful of sites in the Southern Appalachian mountains.

EEP’s preservation efforts result from a partnership with the N.C. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. NCDOT is a major contributor of funding on this project.

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