Marielle DeJong is the Donor Engagement Officer for The Pisgah Conservancy, the only nonprofit organization that is solely dedicated to supporting the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest.
Pisgah National Forest is one of Western North Carolina’s most treasured public lands. Millions of people come here each year to hike, camp, fish, climb, bike, and chase waterfalls. But maintaining a forest this large, and keeping it healthy, is a massive undertaking that requires far more than the U.S. Forest Service can do alone.
That’s where The Pisgah Conservancy comes in. Founded in 2015, the organization helps plan, fund, and carry out projects that protect and improve the forest for future generations.
A Brevard native, Marielle has spent much of her career helping people connect with and care for public lands. After serving as Chief Operating and Development Officer for Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, she joined The Pisgah Conservancy in 2024.
In this episode, Marielle explains how The Pisgah Conservancy works alongside the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service to care for one of the country’s busiest public lands. We discuss a years-long restoration of Graveyard Fields, including the construction of a new access trail, and explore some of the biggest challenges facing the region, from invasive species removal to habitat restoration. She also shares ways people can get involved, reflects on Hurricane Helene’s impact, and offers reasons for optimism about the future of Pisgah National Forest.
You can also listen via the following outlets or on your favorite podcast platform.
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Theme Music
The song “Goa” was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.
On The Blue Ridge 