Join more than 100 local volunteers and help sample local streams for water quality, starting with a day of training from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 21.
Learn to identify different kinds of aquatic insects and why they are important for healthy rivers and creeks. Adult volunteers will be trained in water quality sampling methods for use in a long-term monitoring project at sites in Haywood, Madison, Buncombe, Yancey and Mitchell counties. No experience is necessary.
Volunteer Expectations: Attend the training, then work in small groups with leaders to sample a minimum of two sites (only 2-3 hours for a group to sample one site), two times, in spring and in the fall.
Volunteer monitoring groups can be a focal point for community interaction, promote a sense of stewardship of local waterways, and empower residents to protect the quality of our mountain rivers and streams.
Information and instructional videos are available at www.eqilab.org.
For more information or to RSVP (required), please email Nicole at eqilabstaff@gmail.com.
A $15-20 donation is requested, but is not required (to cover material costs).
WNCA’s official statement/comments on proposed fracking rules in NC:
Read or download the statement here.
WNC fracking news updates:
Sylva Herald: Opponents dominate WCU fracking hearing
Asheville Citizen-Times: Large crowd turns thumbs down on fracking rules
WLOS TV: Fracking debate at WCU
WNCN: Hundreds cram last NC fracking hearing in west
The concern about fracking in the mountains was galvanized by the passage this summer of Senate Bill 786, which lifted the moratorium on issuing state permits for hydraulic fracturing for gas.
Fracking is a process using high-pressure injection of water, sand and chemicals to release natural gas trapped in underground shale formations.
WNCA and our environmental partners are concerned about risks of fracking, including the potential contamination of ground water, risks to air quality, the potential migration of gases and hydraulic fracturing chemicals to the surface, the potential mishandling of waste, and the health effects of these.
The comment deadline is Sept 30.
CLICK HERE to send a comment NOW to oil&gas@ncdenr.gov
Or send a comment by mail to:
Mining & Energy Commission
ATTN: Oil and Gas Program
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612
Look for more information from us as the hearing date approaches.
- Click here for updates and tips from Frack Free NC.
- Click here for updates from the policy blog of the N.C. Conservation Network.
WNCA’s Bob Gale works with a volunteer crew on exotic invasive plant removal.
The Western North Carolina Alliance, as a partner of the Southern Appalachian Cooperative Weed Management Partnership (SACWMP), needs volunteers to participate in daylong outing to protect native plants from exotic invasions along the Appalachian Trail in Pisgah National Forest.
The outing will be from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4 along the A.T. at Mill Ridge (near Hot Springs).
The invasive plants were introduced in earlier decades, both deliberately and accidentally, and have escaped into areas of our public lands. Invasive exotic plants out-compete native plants for space, sunlight, water, and nutrients, often causing a decline in biodiversity.
They can also take over and destroy native food sources, leaving wildlife with food that provides little to no nutritional value for their needs.
We’ll give instruction on how to identify invasive exotic plants of concern in the Mill Ridge area, as well as how to use manual and chemical control methods. Then we’ll put these skills to work treating invasive plant species found along the Trail.
SACWMP will provide all equipment needed for the event. Volunteers are asked to bring lunch, water, and rain gear, as well as sturdy hiking boots, long pants, and a long sleeve shirt. Carpooling is available from the Westgate Earth Fare shopping center in West Asheville, leaving at 9 a.m. and returning by 4 p.m.
Individuals or groups interested in volunteering should sign up through SignUp Genius.
If you have questions, contact WNCA Volunteer Coordinator Cynthia Camilleri by calling the WNCA office at (828) 258-8737, ext. 207 or emailing Cynthia@WNCA.org.
We hope to see you there!
The Southern Appalachian Cooperative Weed Management Partnership members include the Western North Carolina Alliance, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Equinox Environmental Consultation & Design, National Forests in North Carolina, National Park Service, North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, and Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation and Development Council.
This is an invitation to change everything.
In September, world leaders are coming to New York City for a UN summit on the climate crisis. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is urging governments to support an ambitious global agreement to dramatically reduce global warming pollution.
With our future on the line and the whole world watching, we’ll take a stand to bend the course of history. We’ll take to the streets to demand the world we know is within our reach: a world with an economy that works for people and the planet; a world safe from the ravages of climate change; a world with good jobs, clean air and water, and healthy communities.
Click here for details about the People’s Climate March schedule of events.
To change everything, we need everyone on board. Sunday, Sept. 21 in New York City. Join us.
Reserve a seat on the bus from WNC to NYC for the march HERE.
For more information, you may contact Debby Genz by emailing: dgenz@skyrunner.net.
Join our friends with A Greener Day, in conjunction with the Sierra Club and Clean Water for NC, for an abridged showing of “Gasland II” at 11:30 am. Sept. 8 at The Millroom, 66 Asheland Ave., in Asheville.
Gasland II chronicles some of the worst impacts of the natural gas extraction industry. The screening will be followed by a talk and discussion led by Sally Morgan of Clean Water for North Carolina, who will talk about fracking and what it means for us here in North Carolina.
Please RSVP here, to help us figure out how much food we need!
(Iced herbal tea will be provided by Green Sage Cafe.)
News release from Buncombe County:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) will hold a listening session to solicit input from community members regarding the EPA’s communication with residents impacted by the CTS of Asheville Superfund Site. Comments must address communications that occurred after January 2012 related to:
- Site sampling and monitoring.
- Schedules and milestones for planned and completed site activities.
- Site cleanup progress to date.
- Safeguards in place for protecting human health as cleanup activities continue.
Thursday, August 21, 6 – 8 p.m.
T.C. Roberson High School Auditorium
250 Overlook Road, Asheville
All local residents are invited to share their experiences.
Each community member will be given three minutes to speak on the specified subject areas – with the possibility of additional time after all others have spoken. The OIG requests that participants follow a few ground rules: (1) Avoid talking while others are speaking, (2) Refrain from personal confrontations or attacks, and (3) Respect agreements about time. The OIG will hear oral statements and collect supporting documentation to aid in determining whether the EPA has been communicating as required and if communication has been timely. A comment box also will be made available to submit written statements.
On July 22, 2014, the OIG announced a review of CTS site sampling, monitoring, communication and opportunities for site cleanup efficiencies. The OIG is an independent office within the EPA that performs audits, evaluations and investigations of the EPA and its contractors to promote economy and efficiency, and to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse. Through program evaluation work, the OIG contributes to improved environmental quality and human health. The OIG strives to provide solutions to problems that ultimately result in making America a cleaner and healthier place.
For more information about the OIG, visit www.epa.gov/oig and follow us on Twitter at @EPAoig.
Would you or someone you know like to be considered for a leadership position at the only grassroots environmental advocacy group focused solely on conserving Western North Carolina’s natural heritage?
We are looking for candidates to fill four positions on the board of this newly merged organization that includes the Western North Carolina Alliance (WNCA), the Environmental and Conservation Organization (ECO), and the Jackson Macon Conservation Alliance (JMCA) beginning Jan. 1, 2015.
Board members ensure that the organization continues to be well managed and remains fiscally sound. Members also support the organization by raising money, bringing contacts to the organization and acting as ambassadors to the community.
We are seeking candidates who:
- Bring geographic and much-needed racial diversity to the composition of our leadership
- Are well networked in the community
- Are strategic thinkers
- Have skills and experience that will benefit the organization especially in accounting/finance, fundraising, communications, and legal
- Will commit the necessary time (i.e. attend bi-monthly meetings, serve on subcommittees and attend events)
Nomination Guidelines:
Nominations must be submitted to WNCA Co-Director Bob Wagner at BobW@WNCA.org by Aug. 31.
In your nomination, please include the person’s name, contact information (email, phone), county they live in, and one to two paragraphs describing why you are nominating this person.
It is not necessary to contact the person prior to submitting their nomination. The Governance Committee will follow up with you and the nominee.
WNCA and Sierra Club will present an Asheville Green Drinks program focused on solid waste reduction and composting in Asheville with Maggie Ullman, Asheville’s chief sustainability officer and Eric Bradford of Asheville Greenworks at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 1 Edwin Place at the intersection of Charlotte Street.
Green Drinks is free and open to the public. For more information, email judymattox@sbcglobal.net or call (828) 683-2176
Watauga River Gorge
The Western North Carolina Alliance (WNCA) is seeking an individual to serve as both Regional Director and Watauga Riverkeeper in its high country regional office based in Boone.
For more than 30 years, WNCA has been a trusted community partner, marshaling grassroots support to keep our forests healthy, our air and water clean, and our communities vibrant. With a combination of policy advocacy, scientific research, and community collaboration, the Alliance unleashes the power of citizens’ voices to protect the natural heritage of our region, so that people and the environment can thrive.
Regional offices serve the following functions in their respective regions:
- To be a resource for the public on environmental issues
- To engage, organize, and lead citizens in work/advocacy on local environmental issues and on state and federal issues that are priorities for the organization
- To organize membership outreach events
- To build and maintain relationships with major donors
The Watauga Riverkeeper serves the following functions in its watershed:
- To be a public advocate for the watershed with government agencies, partner groups, the community, and the media, including taking these stakeholders on the river as needed and monitoring, investigating, documenting, and reporting harmful activity
- To create programs and initiatives to improve the watershed and to recruit and manage volunteers to support those programs
- To work in partnership with other NC Riverkeepers on statewide initiatives and the Waterkeeper Alliance on national campaigns that relate to the Watauga River watershed
- To actively seek funding to support Riverkeeper programs and initiatives
To fulfill their duties, the Regional Director/Riverkeeper should be:
- Passionate and committed to preserving the environment, fluent on environmental issues (particularly water), and able to teach and engage people on these issues
- Able to organize, coordinate, and lead people toward a common goal
- Comfortable engaging and leading citizens in policy advocacy at all levels of government
- Comfortable working with a range of people and interests
- Able to build relationships with major donors and other funders
- Able to coordinate with staff working in other locations
- Able to formulate for the region yearly goals, benchmarks, and operating budget.
Therefore, the following are requirements for the Regional Director/Riverkeeper:
- Significant experience with watershed science, stream ecology, Clean Water Act enforcement, environmental policy, or other relevant areas such as conservation, water access and recreation, or environmental advocacy
- Experience in community organizing, membership development, campaigns, or other position requiring coordination of people
- Experience paddling and ability to safely take others on the river
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Good decision-making, problem-solving and interpersonal skills
- Teaching skills
- Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently
- Ability to work on many projects at once and maintain attention to details
- Ability to work across political, social, and economic lines
- A bachelor’s degree
The following are preferred:
- Master’s degree or other advanced degree in a field related to the environment
- Advocacy experience
- Fundraising or membership outreach experience
- Familiarity with Waterkeeper grassroots model and movement
- Experience with online communications tools and video technology
Competitive salary commensurate with experience and excellent benefits package.
How to apply:
Send cover letter, resume and three references to Julie Mayfield, Co-Director, Julie@WNCA.org.
Subject line should read: “Regional Director/Watauga Riverkeeper.”
Application deadline: Aug. 31, 2014
EEO
This fall, join Western North Carolina Alliance staffers and the College for Seniors (CFS) for a six-week course on the Ecology of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
CFS is a program of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (formerly OLLI), established in 1988. With full access to the resources of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, participation in classes helps members keep mentally and physically fit. CFS draws from members’ experiences and professional expertise as well as from the UNC Asheville and surrounding faculty to offer four terms each year. Courses range from Chaucer to computers, foreign affairs to opera, yoga to history. Held mostly on the UNC Asheville campus, courses are non-credit, with no tests or grades, open to all interested adults. Members collaborate with staff to teach, learn, design curricula and arrange special events.
Our course will explore the uniqueness of the southern Appalachians Mountains, the oldest and most bio-diverse mountains in the world. Each week, a WNCA instructor will present on his/her area of expertise in the classroom and then lead a related field trip the following Saturday. The field trips will be within a 30-minute drive of Asheville.
We will cover the geology, hydrology, climatology, biology and human ecology of our region.
Important Dates & Registration:
Fall term registration is held on Aug. 13.; Fall term dates are Sept. 15-Nov. 7.
Our classes will be Wednesday mornings from 9 – 11 a.m. on the following dates:
Sept. 17 and Sept. 24
Oct. 1, 8, 15, and 22
To register, please click here and scroll about halfway down the page.
