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2024 Bartram Trail Conference in Franklin, NC!

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming 2024 Bartram Trail Conference! Join us at the historic Cowee School in Franklin, North Carolina, on May 31st and June 1st. Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy is hosting this year and promises to be an enriching experience for all attendees.

Registration is NOW OPEN!

2024 Bartram Trail Conference Registration

The Cowee School is nestled in the picturesque Cowee Historic District and just north of Franklin. For Bartramites, it holds significant historical value. It’s located in the area where the renowned naturalist William Bartram once lived with the Cherokee during his famous Travels. This setting provides the perfect backdrop for our conference, blending rich history with the beauty of the Little Tennessee River Valley.

As we finalize our conference schedule, we encourage you to mark these dates on your calendar. Stay tuned for more details, including a lineup of insightful speakers, engaging outings in the surrounding area, and information on accommodations. You can also find more information on our 2024 Bartram Trail Conference page.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the legacy of William Bartram and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Reconnect with friends from past events and experience the beauty and history of the Blue Ridge region.

Check out the program from 2023!

Discussion with Kelton Bailey: “Through paddling the Mississippi River, Source to Sea”

This Discussion with Kelton Bailey: “Through paddling the Mississippi River, Source to Sea” will be held at the Franklin Library on February 1 at 6:30pm. Brent Martin, Executive Director of the BRBTC, will spend time with Kelton to present anecdotes, facts, photos, and video about a different sort of epic journey through the beating heartland of the USA. There will be time dedicated to answering questions afterwards. This is a low-key event scheduled specifically to sate curiosity and answer local questions about a not-quite-local adventure.

Kelton Bailey lives in Franklin and recently solo kayak paddled the entire length of the Mississippi River. Kelton works at Outdoor76 in Franklin, is a professional outdoor leader and enthusiast who has spent nearly a decade leading rafting, canoeing, and hiking trips as nearby as the Nantahala River and as faraway as Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

You can find photos from Kelton’s paddle trip on Instagram.

This is an absolute must-attend for anyone wondering where on earth the water in the Little Tennessee River goes after it wanders out of Franklin and Macon County.

This event is free and open to the public and hosted by the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy (BRBTC). If you would like to make a donation to the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy, click over and become a member with your contribution. We are a 100% donation and volunteer supported organization and your contribution will support more events like this one.

We hope to see you on the 1st!

Bartram Writers Series: A Conversation with John Lane about “Gullies of My People”

Please join us for a discussion with our friend John Lane, for our next Bartram Environmental Writers Series event. John and Brent Martin will discuss and read a bit from John Lane’s new book “Gullies of My People.”

This event will be held at the Cowee School on January 28th at 2pm.

You can find more details about John’s book on the UGA Press website: https://ugapress.org/book/9780820365442/gullies-of-my-people/

John will also have books available at the event for purchase and signing.

There’s no limit on attendees, this event will take place in the auditorium. But, please RSVP below if you plan to come to help with setting up chairs.

We look forward to seeing you there!

About the Author: John Lane, an esteemed professor emeritus specializing in environmental studies, formerly served at Wofford College. His notable achievements include being inducted into the South Carolina Academy of Authors in 2014. Lane is a prolific author, with notable works like “Circling Home,” “My Paddle to the Sea,” and “Coyote Settles the South,” all published by the University of Georgia Press. He has also co-edited “The Woods Stretched for Miles: New Nature Writing from the South,” adding to his extensive portfolio that encompasses a variety of poetry, essays, and novels. His previous contribution to literature was “Coming into Animal Presence.” John Lane resides in Spartanburg, South Carolina, continuing his life’s work in literature and environmental advocacy.

You can watch John’s last Bartram Writers Series discussion with Brent Martin, held at the historic Rickman’s Store, on YouTube.

20 de Febrero Caminata en Rabun Bald / February 20th Rabun Bald Bilingual Hike

February 20, 2024 Bilingual Hike to Rabun Bald

Ubicación y más detalles:

Dirigido por el director de Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy, Brent Martin, y tambien por AmeriCorp Vista, Gillian Watson. Este evento contará con interpretaciones traducidas en español de la flora local, fauna y paisaje locales que William Bartram escribio durante su tiempo en el oeste de Norte Carolina.

Este evento es un oportunidad para compartir las maravillas del Bartram Trail con más personas en el condado de Macon y sus alrededores. Nuestro objetivo es hacer que el Bartram Trail sea accesible y agradable para todos.

¡Esperamos verlos a todos ahi!

Por favor confirme su presencia a continuación para ayudarnos a planificar el evento.

Entre “Beegum Gap” en Google Maps o sigue estas direcciones:

Direcciones desde Franklin:
Dirigirse al sur por US-23 S/US 441 S en dirección a Clayton/Atlanta
Gira a la izquierda con dirección a Hwy 246 (aproximadamente una milla después de entrar en Georgia)
Después de 4.2 millas, gira a la derecha con dirección a Old Mud Creek Rd
Después de 2.9 millas, gira pronunciadamente a la derecha con dirección a Kelsey Mountain Rd
Después de 0.3 millas, continua recto hacia Rabun Bald Trail
En 150 pies está el comienzo del sendero llamado “Beegum Gap” a la izquierda

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To experience an amazing 360-degree view, join us for the Rabun Bald hike. Guided by Brent Martin, the Director of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy, and Gillian Watson, an AmeriCorps Vista member. We will meet up at Beegum Gap at noon to commence the hike, which spans approximately 3.4 miles in total. Rabun Gap has an elevation of 4,696, with a fire tower located at the top. From there, you can see parts of North Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The trail is more elevated and a bit challenging, but it will be an adventure, and the view from the top will be worth it!

Join us in this event that will open opportunities for everyone in Macon County and the surrounding area to be able to experience the wonders that the Bartram Trail holds. Our goal is to enhance trail accessibility and enjoyment for everyone, and this hike marks a small yet significant step toward achieving that.

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