On April 14, 2009 came the fruition of two years' steady work to add the 442-acre "Roan Highlands Tract" to the 17,000 acres of protected lands in the Roan Mountain-Yellow Mountain area on the North Carolina-Tennessee boundary. A partnership of the Trust for Public Land, the Southern Appalachian Conservancy and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy negotiated with Mr. Jim Atria to accomplish this major addition to what is known by conservancy organizations as the 24,000 acre "Roan Highlands project area".

This project area extends roughly from the west side of Roan Mountain to Hump Mountain in the east. It includes the high ridges and upper slopes of some of the most beautiful, magnificent mountain terrain in the eastern United States. Much, if not most, of these protected acres are above 5,000 ft. The Appalachian Trail runs through the length of the project area. Numerous other trails do also, including the Over-Mountain Victory Trail and the Big Yellow Mountain Trail. The newly-begun Yellow Mountain State Natural Area is also part of this Roan Highlands project area.

Mr. Atria sold 290 acres or so to the conservancies and donated an easement on the remaining 150 acres. Those areas covered by the easement comprise Atria's low-density development "Yellow Mountain Preserve". It is almost completely surrounded by protected State and Federal lands, including the Pisgah National Forest. It also borders The Nature Conservancy's Big Yellow Mountain Preserve at above 5,000 ft., and it extends down to Roaring Creek, one of the East's premier trout-fishing waters. The North Toe River, also a major trout-fishing water, is 3.5 miles downstream.

Nearly half of Roaring Creek Valley, once referred to by Backpacker Magazine as "the prettiest valley in America", is now protected for current and future generations. It is a legacy created through the foresight and dedicated work of conservation-minded organizations and individual citizens such as Mr. Atria.

Sundance Mountain Lands commends the partnered Conservancies and Mr. Atria for accomplishing this new addition. The outstanding natural beauty and ecological health of Roaring Creek Valley is now further assured. Residents and visitors to the Valley, its slopes and the ridges above will continue to enjoy its wildlife, forests and streams for generations to come. For more information about Yellow Mountain Preserve, go to www.SundanceMountainLands.com.