Member Spotlight: Sarah Seiler

“I’m a full-time resident of Saluda, NC, though it still makes me smile to say that. My parents moved here full-time in 1992, and I’ve been coming to Saluda since I was about seven or eight. Back then, I swore I’d never live in such a small town. It felt like there just wasn’t enough to do—and definitely not enough people.

But life has a funny way of shifting your perspective. Over time, the quiet that once felt limiting started to feel like peace. Now, our home is tucked in the woods, and it’s my favorite kind of retreat. I can stay ‘on the mountain’ for weeks and never feel restless.

Professionally, I’ve spent my career in healthcare—starting as an ICU and emergency nurse, then moving into emergency management, and later serving as Chief Clinical Officer for an organ procurement organization. These days, I run my own leadership coaching and consulting practice focused on transforming organizational culture and building high-reliability teams. Psychological safety and belonging are at the heart of that work—and, honestly, at the heart of how I try to live.

I’ve always been drawn to wide-open spaces. While the Blue Ridge Mountains have my heart, I also love the wild expanses of Montana and Colorado. The fewer the people, the better.

When I’m not working, you’ll find me outside—mountain biking, hiking, or occasionally trading the trails for a road or gravel ride. My husband and four dogs keep me moving, too. I also volunteer with MountainTrue, Saluda Fire and Rescue, and Spartanburg County Search and Rescue—it’s one of the ways I stay connected to both service and community.

Why I Support MountainTrue

I first connected with MountainTrue during Hurricane Helene. Erica and the rest of the team didn’t have to step in—but they did. They showed up, figured out what was needed, and used their connections to make things happen. Honestly, I’m not sure where we would have been without their help.

As I’ve learned more about MountainTrue, I’ve come to deeply appreciate how they live their mission. They don’t just care for the rivers and forests—they strengthen the communities that depend on them. Many of those communities are the most vulnerable, and MountainTrue takes a holistic, systems-based approach that builds long-term resilience.

Their work reminds me that true sustainability isn’t just about protecting nature—it’s about caring for people, too.

Who Taught Me to Give

I learned about giving from my parents, Barbara and Robert Seiler. Both have always been deeply involved in volunteer work, and their example shaped how I see the world.

As a child, I remember going with my mom to Greater Birmingham Ministries—a multi-faith, multi-racial organization that provides emergency support to people in need and works toward a more just society. She started volunteering there when I was in elementary school and was there nearly every day. Over time, her commitment grew to include environmental causes as well.

My dad served on several boards focused on strengthening community infrastructure and supporting people with different challenges. Their dedication didn’t stop when they moved to Saluda—they simply found new ways to serve.

From them, I learned that there’s always room at the table and that we each have a responsibility to leave the world better than we found it.

The Most Meaningful Gift I’ve Ever Given

That’s a hard question because meaning shows up in so many forms. While financial support matters, the gifts that have stayed with me the most come from rolling up my sleeves and working alongside others. There’s something powerful about connecting with people—listening to their stories, sharing the work, and knowing you’re part of something bigger. Even as an introvert, I find energy in those moments of quiet connection.

And when the giving involves manual labor, it feels especially grounding. You can see what you’ve accomplished with your own hands—and maybe the best part of all—I get to be outside. That combination of purpose, people, and nature fills me in a way nothing else does.

Why Others Should Join MountainTrue

If you’re not yet a member of MountainTrue, I encourage you to take a closer look. Review their IRS Form 990, read their newsletter, and—most importantly—meet their team. You’ll see right away that MountainTrue is fiscally responsible and deeply committed to being good stewards of both our community and our shared resources.

Their dedication to protecting our beloved mountains runs deep, and they understand that lasting impact comes through partnership. And beyond all that, they’re simply great people. Genuine, passionate, and a joy to be around.”

Director of Finance

Asheville, NC

Apply Now

Position Summary

MountainTrue is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director of Finance to join our team. The Director of Finance will be responsible for the financial health of our organization, providing financial guidance and support to senior leadership. This role requires a strong understanding of financial principles, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and concisely.

The ideal candidate for this role will have at least 3 years of progressive financial leadership experience, preferably with a non-profit organization.

Click here to learn more about the position & submit your application. Applications accepted until the position is filled.

MountainTrue’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year & Esther Cunningham Awards

Every year, MountainTrue recognizes five individuals from across the Southern Blue Ridge as our regional Volunteer of the Year and Esther Cunningham award winners. We celebrated these exceptional MountainTrue volunteers at our 2025 Annual Member Gathering – Stronger Than the Storm – on Thursday, October 2, at Asheville Yards in Asheville, NC.

MountainTrue’s regional Volunteer of the Year Award winners include:

High Country Region: Hope Thingelstad

For Hope Thingelstad, Western North Carolina isn’t just a place to live —it’s a passion. While she professionally promotes the area as a tourism destination for the Watauga County TDA, her love for the region extends far beyond her work. A graduate of Appalachian State University’s Sustainable Development program, Hope is a familiar face on local trails, often hiking with her dog, hitting the disc golf course, or finding a peaceful spot by the river to read. She also has a deep appreciation for the area’s rich live music and arts culture. Hope is committed to helping others discover and care for the same beautiful environment and creative community that she cherishes.

Central Region: Eric Wolf

Eric Wolf has been a steadfast ally to the French Broad Riverkeeper team, rolling up his sleeves to protect our rivers time and time again. He’s hauled out countless pounds of debris, collected multiple rounds of water samples, and never shied away from the hard work it takes to safeguard clean water. His dedication has been a true force in supporting MountainTrue’s mission.

Western Region: David Best

David has been a monthly Adopt-A-Stream volunteer for 13 years, and he is also a weekly Swim Guide volunteer in the summer. He serves on MountainTrue’s Hiwassee Watershed Advisory Council and has been a critical liaison with the Towns County Civic Association. In his capacity on that board, he attends planning board meetings and has been super helpful in keeping MountainTrue’s Western Region staff aware of what’s happening in Towns County, Georgia. Recently, David also helped spread our message by presenting about MountainTrue’s work to a local organization. He’s a true ambassador for MountainTrue!

Southern Region: David Rikard

David was born and raised in Western North Carolina. David, his wife Carol, and their kids, Josie and Grady, love the outdoors. They especially enjoy floating the river, camping, and counting how many blue herons they see on their river adventures. David’s favorite pastime is fishing for smallmouth bass. He’s a dedicated volunteer who cares deeply for clean water.

2025 Esther Cunningham Award Winner: Katherine Taaffe

This award is given each year in honor of one of our organization’s founders, Esther Cunningham. In many ways, Esther was an ordinary person – born and raised in Macon County, a mother and a grandmother, a teacher, a beauty shop owner, and an active community volunteer. Then one day she learned about plans the Forest Service had to explore for oil and gas in her beloved mountains, which prompted her to become a full-time crusader for her mountains and the larger environment. From then on, she bravely stood up, rallied her community, and tirelessly fought to protect and defend the forests of Western North Carolina. All of us here today represent her legacy.

So we give this award to people who have fought the fight, often dedicating their lives to these battles, who win some, lose some, but always keep fighting.

This year’s recipient, Katherine Taaffe, has been involved with the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition and MountainTrue for the past 15 years. She served on the Coalition board of directors for five years, then on the merger team, and since 2019, she’s served on both the MountainTrue Board of Directors and the Hiwassee Watershed Advisory Council. She has served as the MountainTrue Board Treasurer for two years. She is also part of our volunteer monthly water quality monitoring program. But beyond these formal credentials, she is a passionate advocate for the environment across all of MountainTrue’s program areas! In addition to her water quality work, she’s also written letters to the editor on forest planning topics, and is looking into developing workforce housing on her property in Murphy. And, she talks to many of her dog grooming customers about our work. She is truly a champion and ambassador for MountainTrue.

Glass Foundation Supports New Truck For French Broad Riverkeeper!

MountainTrue and our French Broad Riverkeeper team would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Asheville-based Glass Foundation for their recent grant, which enabled us to purchase a new pickup truck (pictured above) for our French Broad Riverkeeper program.

Anyone who has worked alongside the MountainTrue Clean Waters team over the last 10 years will be familiar with our old truck, the 2005 GMC Sierra, which seemed to always be on its last leg due to the daily strain brought by our work. While that truck hasn’t officially bit the dust (it’s now assisting one of our colleagues), the increased workload post-Helene demonstrated the need for a new vehicle. The new truck is out there today helping with river clean-ups, access point and campsite improvements, water quality sampling, events and meetings, and everything else we do each day to protect and steward the French Broad.

Thanks to a generous $50,000 grant, we purchased a 2022 Ford F-150 with four-wheel drive and enough power to pull even our largest dump trailer. We then outfitted it with all-terrain tires, a toolbox, canoe rack, and decals for MountainTrue and French Broad Riverkeeper. We even had a little money left over to put towards a utility-style dump trailer, which is perfect for smaller clean-ups, paddle trail tasks, and other stewardship endeavors. Purchased in mid-July, the truck has only been in use for less than two months, but has already contributed to several clean-ups, floats, access point improvements, campsite construction projects, and more. With fewer than 20,000 miles on it, we anticipate this truck spending a long life with our organization and having an outsized impact on our work to advocate for a clean, safe, accessible, and scenic French Broad River.

The Glass Foundation is based in Asheville, and was created in 2000 by Kenneth E. and Nancy J. Glass, and strives to help Western North Carolina thrive as a whole community educationally, environmentally, and culturally, and offer a distinctive quality of life. Their 2025 grant cycle prioritized disaster recovery in addition to their traditional focus areas of environmental education and preservation, and developmental and educational opportunities for children and teens.

Thanks again to the Glass Foundation for their support. We are sincerely grateful!

Take Action: Tell the USDA to Keep the Roadless Rule

We need you to take action today to stop the USDA from rescinding the Roadless Rule.

On June 23, Agriculture Secretary Rollins announced that the Trump Administration will end the Roadless Rule, which has protected 58.5 million acres of roadless Forest Service land for 25 years. The Roadless Rule was finalized in 2001 after years of planning and public consultation. Over 600 public meetings were held and 1.6 million public comments were received on the rule, with 97% in favor of protecting the last wild areas in America from roadbuilding and commercial logging.

While most Roadless Areas are in the western US and Alaska, North Carolina is blessed with more public land and wild country than most eastern states. About 15%, or 152,000 acres, of Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests are protected by the Roadless Rule. These areas include well-known and beloved places like Cheoah Bald, South Mills River, Laurel Mountain, the Black Mountains, Tusquitee Bald, and Upper Wilson Creek. Roadless areas provide the best remaining fish and wildlife habitat in the nation, and unique recreational opportunities. Ending the roadless rule is nothing more than a handout to a small group of people that would benefit from logging and mining them.

But what about wildfire risk, some will ask? The truth of the matter is that fire is a crucial part of forest health, and roads bring both more arson fires and more fire suppression. The natural fires that burn in roadless areas maintain and renew the forest and don’t harm communities, which are by definition far from roadless areas. In fact, just 5% of roadless acreage is near human habitation. Plus, the Roadless Rule already contains the flexibility to cut trees to reduce wildfire risk and insect outbreaks. The Roadless Rule is working – don’t let oligarchs and bureaucrats take it away!

Take Action

The public comment period opened August 29 and only lasts 3 weeks. In order to facilitate informed comments on the roadless rule, MountainTrue has developed roadless.org, a comment writing tool specifically designed to educate you about the roadless rule and produce a quick, unique comment that will be persuasive and impactful. All you have to do is visit the site, choose between three options for the time you want to spend on commenting, and approve the comment that you draft with the help of an assistant, and copy and paste your comment when you are finished.

The comment period for the Roadless Rule ends on September 19!

Take action now to protect our Roadless Areas!

Press Release: MountainTrue Announces Hannah Woodburn as Upper New Riverkeeper

FOR RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2025

AUGUST 21, 2025

MountainTrue Names Hannah Woodburn as Inaugural Upper New Riverkeeper

The New role expands protections for vital mountain waterways in Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany Counties.

Boone, NC — MountainTrue is proud to announce the appointment of Hannah Woodburn as the first Upper New Riverkeeper, a new full-time position dedicated to safeguarding the headwaters and tributaries of the New River in North Carolina’s High Country. This appointment expands MountainTrue’s Riverkeeper program to five and underscores the organization’s commitment to clean water in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains.

“I am honored to serve as the Upper New Riverkeeper. As a North Carolinian, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to clean water and fishable, swimmable rivers, for generations to come,” says Hannah. “The New River watershed is beautiful, and I’m looking forward to getting to know the community better and building meaningful partnerships to help protect the river we know and love.”

Hannah holds a Master’s Degree in Biology from Appalachian State University, where she also earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Science. She has been a member of MountainTrue’s Clean Water Team since 2020, and most recently served as the Watershed Coordinator for the High Country Watauga Riverkeeper program.

“Hannah brings deep local and scientific knowledge, a love for our community, and a fierce passion for clean water,” says Andy Hill, MountainTrue’s High Country Regional Director and Watauga Riverkeeper. “She’s been a vital part of our team since 2020, and her leadership as the inaugural Upper New Riverkeeper is exactly what this watershed needs.”

Meet Your Riverkeeper!

The public is invited to join MountainTrue and the Upper New Riverkeeper at two upcoming “meet and greet” events partnered with local businesses. These gatherings offer an opportunity to meet Hannah Woodburn, ask questions, and share any water quality concerns. Guests who sign up or visit the MountainTrue table will be entered in a prize raffle. We look forward to celebrating clean water together!

Thursday, September 11, 6-8 p.m. at New River Brewing Taproom & Brewery/Brewzer’s Bites in West Jefferson, NC
833 U.S. Hwy 221 Business, West Jefferson, NC 28694
Thursday, October 16, 6-8 p.m. at Speckled Trout Outfitters + Outfitters Tap Room in Boone, NC
140 Depot St #1, Boone, NC 28607

For more details, visit: mountaintrue.org/eventscalendar/

About the Upper New Riverkeeper

As the new Upper New Riverkeeper, Hannah will patrol local waterways, respond to pollution complaints, and lead community-based water quality volunteer programs like Swim Guide, Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN), and Trash Trout. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Hannah will prioritize long-term resilience efforts such as advocating for dam removal, septic repair funding, riparian buffer protections, stream restoration, and stronger surface water standards. Hannah will work to improve water quality, monitor the ecological health of the river, and build strong community partnerships.

“We’re not alone in this work,” says Hannah. “We collaborate with local governments, farmers, faith communities, businesses, and other nonprofits to protect our shared waters. “Whether you’re a paddler, angler, farmer, or just someone who loves the river — this watershed belongs to all of us, and we need your voice and your help.”

The Upper New Riverkeeper jurisdiction includes 754 square miles and more than 2,000 stream miles in North Carolina, and encompasses the towns of Boone, Todd, West Jefferson, Jefferson, and Sparta. The watershed includes a dense network of headwater streams and two major tributaries—the North and South Forks of the New River—that converge and flow north into Virginia. While the watershed is renowned for its stunning headwater streams and natural beauty, it also faces significant challenges, including aging sewer infrastructure, aging septic systems, high levels of bacteria in certain areas, and a lack of oversight from state regulators. With growing development pressures in the watershed, the need for an active, on-the-ground watchdog has never been more urgent.

About MountainTrue

MountainTrue champions resilient forests, clean waters, and healthy communities in the Southern Blue Ridge. With a focus on science-based advocacy and grassroots engagement, we’re active in the Broad, French Broad, Green, Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, New, and Watauga River watersheds. MountainTrue is home to the Broad Riverkeeper, French Broad Riverkeeper, Green Riverkeeper, Watauga Riverkeeper — and now, the Upper New Riverkeeper. Learn more at mountaintrue.org.

About Waterkeeper Alliance

Waterkeeper Alliance is a global movement uniting more than 300 Waterkeeper Organizations and Affiliates worldwide, focusing citizen action on issues affecting our waterways, from pollution to climate change. Waterkeepers patrol and protect over 2.5 million square miles of rivers, lakes, and coastlines in the Americas, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa. For more information, please visit: waterkeeper.org

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Protect Public Lands in Cherokee County: Public Lands Are For The People – Not Private Developers

About the issue

On April 21, 2025, the Cherokee County Commissioners unanimously adopted a Petition for Redress of Grievances to the US Government that states in part: “Lakefront land should be made available for private and commercial development such as private homes and commercial development to enhance the property tax base of Cherokee County and to support revenue generation for the benefit of the citizens of the county.”

The “lakefront land” to which the petition refers is comprised of hundreds of acres, including popular hunting areas and beloved recreation areas like Cherokee Lake, Hanging Dog, and Panther Top, just to name a few.

Privatizing the national forest around Lake Hiwassee would be a devastating loss for the people of Cherokee County. These public lands belong to all of us — they’re where we hunt, fish, hike, and make memories with our families. Selling them off to developers or out-of-state investors threatens our way of life and turns shared treasures into exclusive playgrounds for the wealthy. Once this land is gone, we’ll never get it back.

MountainTrue is opposed to the sale of public lands, particularly for the purpose of private development.

We recognize the need for better access to public lands and more developed recreation facilities in Cherokee County, including a campground on Hiwassee Lake. We are willing to advocate for this, as well as for development of a state park, as long as public lands are not relinquished in the process.

Get involved:

The next Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meeting is set for Tuesday, July 29, at 6:30 p.m. If you would like to speak, you must arrive early and sign up in advance.

To receive future updates from MountainTrue on this project and other local happenings, click here to sign up for communications from MountainTrue.

Comment from MountainTrue member and former Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition board chair, Jason Chambers:

“To my friends in Cherokee County, NC, including deer hunters, bear hunters, coon hunters, fishermen, hikers, and anyone who enjoys our National Forest Land. In case you weren’t aware, our local commissioners signed a petition stating their desire to sell the National Forest land surrounding Lake Hiwassee. It would be sold not to you and me, but to rich developers.

We cannot let this happen. If the rich get a single inch of the land we all own, they will take a mile. Soon, it will only be the rich who will be able to hunt and fish because they will own all the land.

If you think I’m being silly, read the paragraph below. The big beautiful bill you’re hearing about in the news contains a provision you may not know about. And yes, North Carolina is not on the list of states affected, but if this happens, it will set a precedent and we will be next.

‘According to a budget blueprint released Wednesday evening by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the federal government would be required to sell off between 2.2 and 3.3 million acres of land owned by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service over the next five years… The 11 states that would be affected by the proposal are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.’

So please tell your friends, call your congressman, representatives, commissioners, whoever. But make your voice heard. Tell whoever will listen that our public lands are Not. For. Sale.“

[dipi_carousel columns=”1″ effect=”coverflow” loop_wide=”on” autoplay_wide=”on” pause_on_hover_wide=”on” autoplay_speed_wide=”1001″ admin_label=”Pixel Carousel – photos from folder” module_id=”photos” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipi_carousel_child label=”Cherokee Lake” img_src=”https://mountaintrue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Cherokee-Lake-July-2012_21-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Cherokee Lake in July” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||on||||||” title_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_carousel_child][dipi_carousel_child label=”Cherokee Lake Picnic Area” img_src=”https://mountaintrue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Cherokee-Lake-picnic-area.jpg” title_text=”Cherokee Lake picnic area” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||on||||||” title_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_carousel_child][dipi_carousel_child label=”Hiwassee Lake” img_src=”https://mountaintrue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Hiwassee-Lake_Callie-D-Moore.jpg” title_text=”Hiwassee Lake, photo by Callie Moore” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||on||||||” title_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_carousel_child][dipi_carousel_child label=”Joe Brown Hwy” img_src=”https://mountaintrue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/21-Sept-2012-Joe-Brown-Hwy_0134-1-scaled.jpg” title_text=”A view of the lake off Joe Brown Highway” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||on||||||” title_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_carousel_child][dipi_carousel_child label=”Hiwassee Lake from Panther Top” img_src=”https://mountaintrue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/View-Hiwassee-Lake-from-Panther-Top-Fire-Tower.jpg” title_text=”A view of Hiwassee Lake from Panther Top Fire Tower” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||on||||||” title_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_carousel_child][dipi_carousel_child label=”Hanging Dog” img_src=”https://mountaintrue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2021-05-26-Hanging-Dog_1-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Hanging Dog” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||on||||||” title_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_carousel_child][/dipi_carousel]

Local Hiwassee Lake Popular Recreation Areas/Beloved Places

Cherokee Lake/Persimmon Creek Dam

Popular among locals for fishing in Cherokee Lake and Hiwassee Lake on both sides of the dam, camping on the shores, swimming and paddling in both Hiwassee Lake and Cherokee Lake, and hunting in adjacent USFS-owned land. Picnic area at Cherokee Lake is also heavily used.

Hiwassee Dam Recreation Area

Local swimming, fishing, and picnics at the pavilion on Hiwassee Dam Access Road at the dam.

Mickens Branch Boating Access

A WRC-managed boating access and some primitive camping sites managed by TVA. Located just before Hiwassee Dam on the access road.

Alabama Rock

A popular local swimming hole off Joe Brown Highway.

Shooks Marina

Locally run marina business off Joe Brown Highway offering boat rentals and slips, gas and supplies, and used by locals as a fishing access.

Dukes Hideaway Marina

Locally run marina business off Joe Brown Highway offering boat and slip rentals, gas, fishing, swimming, and a mini store.

Grape Creek Boating Access

Off Joe Brown Highway, WRC-managed boating access.

Shoal Creek Falls

Waterfall within short hiking distance of Hawassee Lake on Talking Trees Road.

Panther Top and Seed Orchard

Large expanse of USFS land bordering Hiwassee Lake and Nottely River, popular with locals for hiking, hunting, and other forest activities. Some primitive camping along the Forest Service roads in more remote areas adjacent to Hiwassee Lake. Panther Top Fire Tower is open in the fall for views of fall foliage and is very popular.

Hanging Dog Recreation Area

Once a campground run by the USFS, now a recreation area with hiking trails, a mountain bike trail, and two boat ramps – one for low water access and the other for higher water access. Picnic pavilion, swimming, a WRC fishing pier, and bank fishing are also popular with locals.

Payne Street and the “Backwaters”

Payne Street has full pool boating access in town, and the road follows the lake/river bank past the boat ramp. A local fishing favorite due to access to the fluctuating backwaters as the lake levels rise and fall, and its tendency to congregate game fish.

Hiwassee Street Boating Access

Just across from Murphy Fire Department in the downtown area is a high water boating access that gives year-round boating access to paddlers and summer access to motorized boats.

Murphy Riverwalk and Canoe Trail

Run by Heritage Partners and the Town of Murphy, this greenway system follows the Hiwassee and Valley Rivers and offers canoe and kayak access in several areas along with boardwalks and the locally popular “Leech Place” from Cherokee Folklore. Used by locals for walking, fishing, boating access, and education. The greenway goes through a large portion of Downtown Murphy and has several access points along its four-mile length from Murphy High School to Konehete Park and on to the L&N Depot.

Recent News

Read more about the issue in this article, published July 22 by News Channel 9.

Click here

More info & important insight

Read relevant news articles published in the Cherokee Scout.

Click here

View the map

View a map of the Tusquitee Ranger District in Nantahala National Forest

Click here

View Photos

Big News: MountainTrue Launches Major River Cleanup Effort Across WNC

Dear MountainTrue Members & Friends,

We’re thrilled to share a major milestone in our region’s recovery from Hurricane Helene.

MountainTrue is partnering with the State of North Carolina to launch one of the largest river cleanup efforts Western North Carolina has ever seen. Backed by $10 million in state funding through the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), this program will put people back to work, restore our rivers, and bring our communities together.

This is more than a cleanup—it’s a recovery effort grounded in our core values: clean water, healthy ecosystems, and resilient communities.

About the Program

After Helene, federal aid helped address major rivers and large debris, but smaller streams and tributaries were left behind — still clogged with trash, broken infrastructure, and storm debris. That’s where we come in.

Over the next year and a half, MountainTrue will:

Deploy paid cleanup crews across Western North Carolina
Remove debris from rivers and streams across our region
Continue to grow our network of volunteers
Work directly with landowners to access and restore hard-to-reach areas

In our pilot phase alone, our staff and volunteers have already removed nearly 3 million pounds of debris. This new program lets us scale that success across 26 counties and the Qualla Boundary.

How You Can Get Involved

Apply for a job: We’re hiring! Visit cleanupwncrivers.com for good, steady work with real impact.
Volunteer: Check out our volunteer events to lend a hand. To organize a cleanup day with your church, hiking club, or civic group, contact cleanupprogram@mountaintrue.org
Landowner? If you own riverfront property, we may be able to help clean it up — at no cost to you. Contact us at cleanupprogram@mountaintrue.org
Donate: Your support helps us go further, reach more places, and restore rivers faster. Every gift matters.

Why This Matters

It’s creating jobs for people displaced by the storm.
It’s protecting water quality and public safety.
It’s helping revive WNC’s outdoor recreation and tourism economy.
And it shows what’s possible when communities come together.

This is a proud moment for MountainTrue—and a powerful example of what we can achieve with your support. In the weeks ahead, we’ll share more ways you can help spread the word, volunteer, and celebrate the impact we’re making together.

Thank you for being part of this important work. You make all of this possible.

With gratitude,

Bob Wagner, MountainTrue Executive Director

MountainTrue’s Helene Cleanup Crews: FAQ

MountainTrue’s River Debris Cleanup Program

After Hurricane Helene, MountainTrue is leading a monumental effort to help Western North Carolina recover and return to being a thriving economy — by cleaning up the rivers, putting people back to work, and bringing communities together.

MountainTrue is partnering with the State of North Carolina to launch one of the biggest river cleanups the region has ever seen. This effort is creating good, steady jobs for people who were displaced by the storm and it’s giving thousands of volunteers a chance to make a real difference in their own backyards.

Clean rivers mean healthier communities, safer neighborhoods, a better environment and a stronger outdoor recreation economy – no one is better equipped to lead this work than MountainTrue. We’re the only grassroots environmental group that serves all of WNC and we’ve already proven this model works. In our pilot program, we removed more than 3 million pounds of trash and debris from local rivers and streams.

With your help, we can accelerate this effort and make sure our rivers—and our region—come back stronger than ever.

What is the program?

MountainTrue is partnering with the NC Department of Environmental Quality to lead a major river debris cleanup effort across Western North Carolina.
The program is funded by $10 million in state recovery funds allocated after Hurricane Helene.

Why is this needed?

Hurricane Helene left significant debris in smaller rivers and tributaries—many of which federal programs like FEMA couldn’t fully address.
Debris increases flood risk, harms water quality, and threatens our recreation and tourism economy.

What will MountainTrue do?

Over the next 18 months, we’ll deploy paid cleanup crews and volunteers to restore more than 150 miles of rivers and streams.
We’re also working with landowners to gain access to hard-to-reach areas and offering free cleanups of affected riverfront property.

What impact will this have?

We’re creating jobs for people displaced by Helene.
We’re protecting clean water, improving public safety, and supporting the recovery of local economies that rely on river-based recreation.
So far, we’ve already removed nearly 3 million pounds of debris through our pilot efforts.

How can people get involved?

Volunteer – we’re hosting river cleanups across WNC. If you’d like to volunteer with us, find an upcoming cleanup on our events calendar – advance registration is preferred and greatly appreciated!
Join the cleanup crew – click the button below to apply for a position in one of our cleanup crews.

Join the cleanup crew - apply here

More info:

What happens to the trash & storm debris collected from cleanup sites?

All debris and trash are removed by MountainTrue as quickly as possible. At times, we may make piles of trash over several days. We will remove everything we have collected before moving to a new site. We follow county guidelines when disposing of the trash we’ve collected from waterways. When possible, we make every effort to recycle or repurpose what we pick up. If our crews find important items in the storm debris, we also work to identify and return lost items to their owners.

Other ways to support this program:

Donate to our MountainStrong Recovery & Resilience Fund, sign up to volunteer with us, and support your WNC Riverkeepers! You can follow MountainTrue and our four Riverkeepers on Facebook & Instagram:

MountainTrue: Instagram & Facebook
Broad Riverkeeper David Caldwell: Instagram & Facebook
French Broad Riverkeeper Anna Alsobrook: Instagram & Facebook
Green Riverkeeper Erica Shanks: Instagram & Facebook
Watauga Riverkeeper Andy Hill: Instagram & Facebook

MountainTrue Cleanup Crew

Various locations in WNC

Apply Now

Join the MountainTrue Cleanup Crew

Good, honest work — for our rivers and our communities.

After Hurricane Helene, MountainTrue is leading a monumental effort to help Western North Carolina recover and return to being a thriving economy — by cleaning up the rivers, putting people back to work, and bringing communities together.

MountainTrue is partnering with the State of North Carolina to launch one of the biggest river cleanups the region has ever seen. This effort is creating good, steady jobs for people who were displaced by the storm and it’s giving thousands of volunteers a chance to make a real difference in their own backyards.

The Job

Paid, part-time and full-time positions available
Work outdoors removing storm debris from rivers and streams
Clean up sites in Buncombe, Madison, Henderson, Mitchell, Yancey, Watauga, and more
Training and safety equipment provided
Positions available through December 2026

We’re especially looking for people who:

Lost work due to Hurricane Helene
Have experience in hospitality, outdoor rec, or hands-on labor
Want to get back to work doing something that matters

What you’ll need:

A strong work ethic and ability to work on a team
Comfort working outside in various weather conditions
Ability to lift at least 40 lbs
Transportation to job sites (we may be able to help)

Apply Today

Join a crew that’s restoring our rivers, one stream at a time. Fill out the quick application below, and someone from our team will follow up with you soon.

Apply Now

Questions?

Reach out to us at cleanupprogram@mountaintrue.org.

Let’s bring our rivers—and our region—back stronger than ever.