A Man of Many Faces

You would be hard-pressed to find anyone with the tenure of Western North Carolina native, Topher Stephens, at just 41 years old. As a newer member of the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT) staff, he serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator, a position that aligns with both his philosophies and his life’s work. He sought out the position when it became available, as his personal mission is to connect like-minded individuals, build stronger communities to protect Appalachia, and help others discover the natural world—a theme that defines his life.

Growing up, Topher attended Smoky Mountain High School before enrolling at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. From there, he continued his education at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where he obtained his degree in general biology. After graduating, his career began as a professional outdoor educator leading guided trips for international travel organizations, particularly semester- or summer-long educational programs to locations including Southeast Asia, India, and Central and South America. He has countless qualifications and certifications, including Wilderness First Responder, nature-based mindfulness, youth mindfulness, various mental health certifications, and is even scuba-certified.

At HCLT, Topher is a man of many faces. His primary responsibilities revolve around planning, scheduling, hosting, or guiding educational and outreach events for both youth and adults, all while doubling as the backbone for much of their social media. He is also a bird enthusiast and teaches free online classes every spring on birding and songbird identification.

Speaking on his roles at HCLT, Topher exudes enthusiasm. "I can't believe how lucky I am that I get paid to take people out into these beautiful places to teach them about birds and plants. It's such a dream job!"

Of every place around, Panthertown sits atop Topher’s list of favorite areas to visit. As one of the regional gems and most stunning places to explore in southern Appalachia, the valley is a popular destination for those hiking to Schoolhouse Falls or the granite outcroppings on Little Green Mountain, both favorites of his, and the latter offering commanding views of the valley. He also commends the adjacent non-profit, Friends of Panthertown, for their extensive work and care in an area with one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls throughout Appalachia.

Of all Topher’s adventures over the years, one of his favorite memories was when he and his partner guided a group of students from around the world to Tanzania, where they then embarked on an expedition to the 19,341-foot- summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. "Summitting Kili was one of the hardest and most rewarding moments of my life,” he recalls. “There's something magical that happens when a group of people pours out every ounce of their strength together just to witness the sunrise on the top of a mountain."

While the lowlands hosted herds of roaming zebra, the trek explored remarkable, unique ecosystems as it climbed into an alpine moonscape. Along the way, guides shared musical traditions that define their local cultures, and Topher reveled in the opportunity to learn songs and local lore, all while enjoying the camaraderie and laughter throughout their adventure.

Over the years, Topher has worked with various experiential education organizations, including Carpe Diem Education, Global Routes, Putney Student Travel, and Carpe Mundi, all of which provide scholarships and opportunities for students to travel abroad and explore new landscapes and cultures. Aside from guiding, his musical background and woodworking experience led him to co-found Pisgah Banjo Company with a mission to build high-quality instruments out of sustainably harvested native hardwoods.

While Topher doesn’t tend to drink much, you can sometimes find him at Whiteside Brewing in Cashiers hosting trivia on behalf of HCLT, one of many ongoing and ever-evolving events you can participate in thanks to the organization. With their office located mere steps from downtown Highlands, you might even run into him at Highlands Burrito on his lunch break.

When not working, guiding, or traveling, Topher spends his time with his girlfriend, Kayla, at their log cabin on Caney Fork playing music, cooking, hosting friends, and relaxing with their two goofy dogs, Korra and Iroh. He feels incredibly fortunate to live along the creek where they often see otters, beavers, osprey, and bald eagles, along with a myriad of other birds and wildlife. Built by Topher’s parents in 1985, the cabin sits at 2,176 feet and is surrounded by the lush forests and native wildflowers that have fascinated and inspired him throughout his life. In contrast, the high peaks above the valley are reminiscent of the plateau and defined by heath balds, southern Appalachian spruce-fir forests, granite rock outcroppings, and are home to other fauna, including peregrine falcons and boomers, a colloquial name for red squirrels due to their noisy nature.

In addition to following Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust on social media, you can keep up with Topher’s musical side,@thewinterwrens, on Instagram. He can also be reached at the HCLT office by phone at 828-526-1111. Visit hcltnc.org to learn about the organization, their work around the plateau, and the wide array of events they host throughout the year.

BIO

Topher Stephens

Education and Outreach Coordinator, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust

Hometown: Cullowhee, North Carolina

Education: Bachelor's degree in Biology from UNC Asheville.

Family: Topher lives on Caney Fork with his girlfriend, Kayla, and their two dogs, Korra and Iroh.