How We Give Back
We are Western North Carolina-owned and operated, and give back to local land conservancies and the Asheville community. We are proud to be a Max Patch level donor of the nonprofit Southern Appalachians Highlands Conservancy, doing great work around the Southern Appalachians! We recognize and value the need to conserve the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. We also treasure our local community of individuals and organizations and strive to strengthen that community whenever possible. Here are some ways we advocate for and protect our mountains and community:
Sustainability and Community Building
Sustainability is forefront in our minds when making business-related decisions. We believe in and enjoy being members of of our Asheville community. We provide a free COMMUNITY EVENT series, focused on education and conservation, to strengthen our local nature-conscious region and network with local businesses. For our guide workshops and training, we support the incredible variety of services provided by the local businesses Astounding Earth, Wild Abundance and Stand & Deliver Asheville,
Environmental Education
We have been trained by the National Association of Interpretation, and doctoral programs in Conservation Biology to educate and inspire guests about our mountains and their unique history. It is widely known that people cherish those things which they come to understand. Our tours offer guests this opportunity to learn about and appreciate the unique flora, fauna, and heritage of the Southern Appalachians. We discuss on tours the nonprofits and agencies key to the long-term protection of our mountains, hoping to inspire others to contribute to conservation. We enjoy speaking at science and conservation events, educating people about Southern Appalachian ecology and history.
Leave No Trace Principles
Leave No Trace principles are guidelines for people to enjoy the natural world while minimizing human impact. Our tour group sizes are small to respect other guests and wildlife, as well as to provide an intimate educational experience. We stay on well-hiked trails and provide reusable and recyclable products. Asheville Hiking Tours is licensed through the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest and Dupont State Forest so we may report our tour activities to ensure the sustainability of our scenic places long-term.