Resilient Forests
MountainTrue engages communities in safeguarding the treasures of our public lands, including wildlife, old growth forests and rare ecosystems. We believe the management of these lands should maintain and restore their ecological integrity and promote recreational opportunities.
Seasonal Hikes
MountainTrue hosts several guided hikes in our WNC mountains to see some of the best views and natural habitats in the area. Hikes vary by year, so check out our events calendar for the most up-to-date information about our upcoming hikes.
Our Forest Work
Public Lands Protection, Policy and Planning
MountainTrue advocates for the protection of our national and state forests in addition to our national, state, county and city parks as a part of WNC public lands. We work collaboratively with stakeholders from the conservation, recreation and commercial sectors to ensure sustainable management of our public lands.
The Western North Carolina Alliance, one of the organizations that merged to form MountainTrue, was instrumental to ending the practice of clearcutting locally. Today, we monitor every timber sale to ensure old growth and other special areas are protected and that road building is minimal.
Invasive Species Removal
Native species in our region are being pushed out by non-native invasive species throughout WNC public and private lands. MountainTrue through partnerships with local conservation organizations and governmental departments has carried out numerous non-native invasive species control projects to help restore native species to the region.
Forest News
MountainTrue and Conservation Groups prepare for lawsuit over Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan
MountainTrue is part of a coalition of conservation groups that sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service signaling our intent to sue unless officials fix the glaring flaws in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan that put endangered forest bats at risk.
Take Action: Manage Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests in line with our Climate Reality
Public Comments Due by July 20, 2023 Our national forests are public treasures and should be...
2023 Craggy Mountain Bioblitz
Barnardsville, NC -- In order to shine a light on the outstanding qualities of the Craggy...
MountainTrue’s Statement on the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan
The final Nantahala Pisgah Forest Plan will go into effect on March 20, 2023. The following is a statement from MountainTrue: On March 20, after 10 years of public input and planning, the Forest Service will adopt its new management plan for the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forests — a disappointing document that is significantly worse than the current plan and contradicts an executive order issued by President Biden that would protect and expand our nation’s old growth forests …
Helping A Member Save the Trees of the Asheville Muni Golf Course
On Saturday, December 3rd, 2022, I got an email from Nancy Casey, a MountainTrue member, about a proposal to cut 157 trees from the Asheville Municipal Golf Course. ancy Casey is a resident of the Beverly Hills neighborhood and is active with the Blue Ridge Audubon. Nancy frequently walks and birds around the golf course. She can tell you what birds to expect at various times of the year at each hole and has documented some rare species, like brown-headed nuthatch and pine siskins, using the trees on the course, and knows where the local hawks nest there.
MountainTrue offers to bid on reckless Southside Timber Sale to stop important old-growth forests from being cut
ASHEVILLE, NC — Today, the US Forest Service closed bidding on 98 acres of the Southside Timber...