investing in the land

As stewards of Moody Cove, Navitat believes in minimizing our ecological footprint and is committed to leaving behind a legacy our staff, guests, and community can be proud of.

Environmentally sensitive tour design, the use of reclaimed materials in the construction of the tour and other infrastructure, biodiesel powered all-terrain vehicles, and organic sourcing for our t-shirts are just a few of the measures we are taking to create a more sustainable business.

On-site, we are working to protect the natural resources that set our tour site apart from the rest. We use native plants in our landscape designs and manage non-native invasive pests such as the destructive hemlock woolly adelgid – an insect that is devastating eastern hemlocks trees across the Eastern U.S.

Off-site, Navitat supports local conservation organizations that safeguard the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In fact, many of the views from Moody Cove are protected thanks to the relentless work of these organizations. Our low-impact philosophy and long-term conservation goals at Moody Cove help ensure that the high-quality, scenic character of our area is preserved for all to enjoy.

Working to Save the Eastern Hemlock

The Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is the most shade tolerant and long-lived tree in Eastern North America. The dense, evergreen canopy of mature hemlock forests provide important habitat for white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, turkey, songbirds, and other wildlife. In addition, a variety of aquatic species, including North Carolina’s only native trout, the brook trout, is more likely to be found in streams drained by hemlocks than those drained by hardwoods. Hemlocks help moderate stream temperatures and regulate water flow. They are also an important commercial tree to rural communities.

Eastern hemlock forests have significantly declined since the accidental introduction of the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) to the Eastern U.S. in the 1950’s. Native to Asia, this aphid-like insect consumes precious nutrients from hemlock needles and causes the tree to drop its leaves. Without needles, hemlocks cannot grow or produce new shoots, which can result in tree death within just a few years. The hemlock woolly adelgid attacks trees of all ages and sizes, and infested trees seldom recover without intervention.

The loss of eastern hemlocks is expected to have dramatic and long-term ecological impacts on southern Appalachian forest structure and function, including the loss of wildlife habitat and changes in hydrologic processes. Moreover, the reduction in shading may increase stream temperatures and produce conditions unsuitable to the survival of the brook trout and other cold water species. Increased nutrient inputs as a result of erosion following extensive hemlock mortality can result in the deterioration of water quality in watersheds that provide public drinking water.

Nearly all of the hemlocks in Moody Cove are infested with the hemlock woolly adelgid. Navitat is committed to saving as many of our trees as possible, and we have established a long-term hemlock woolly adelgid management plan. We have identified priority trees for treatment and have begun control using soil injection methods. Our hope is to preserve the character of Eastern hemlock forests here in Moody Cove and raise awareness about this ecologically important species.

Removing exotic and invasive plants

A non-native or exotic species is one that has been introduced to locations outside its native range. Some invasive plants were intentionally introduced for erosion control, wildlife forage, livestock grazing, or ornamental purposes. Others have escaped or were accidentally introduced from arboretums, habitat restoration projects, or vehicular transportation.

Not all non-native species are invasive. Many have been introduced with little or no threat to native ecosystems. A non-native invasive species, however, is one that establishes, spreads, and persists over large geographic areas. These plants are generally adaptable, aggressive, and reproduce quickly.

Second only to habitat loss, invasives are a primary factor in the decline of native plants. Invasives impact native species and ecosystems in numerous ways, including reducing native biological diversity, altering soil and hydrologic conditions, replacing complex native communities with monocultures, and competing for native pollinators.

Navitat has created a non-native invasive plant management plan for Moody Cove and we’ve initiated control for several species. While we hope to eventually eradicate invasive plants from our site, we recognize this is a long-term investment that will take vigilance, determination, patience and of course enthusiasm!