Stronger Than the Storm: Reflecting on a Year of Recovery After Hurricane Helene

Dear Friends,

One year ago, Hurricane Helene changed everything.

Across Western North Carolina, more than 100 lives were lost. Homes and businesses were destroyed. Entire communities were left without power, food, and running water for weeks.

In those first hours and days, people came together. Neighbors helped neighbors. And MountainTrue joined first responders, community groups, and churches to meet urgent needs. We organized supply deliveries. Carried medicines and essentials into areas cut off by the storm. Even fired up a mobile grilling operation to serve thousands of hot meals to families in the hardest-hit communities.

As days turned into weeks, people’s needs kept changing. So we stayed flexible. We tested wells, water, and soil for contamination. Partnered with Wine to Water to distribute water filters and well-testing kits. Sent chainsaw crews to clear roads and homes. And even helped set up a mobile laundry station in the Emma community.

But recovery isn’t just about today—it’s about tomorrow.

That’s why we launched the Appalachian Design Center to help communities like Swannanoa, Hot Springs, and Marshall rebuild stronger. We partnered with American Rivers and the Pew Charitable Trusts to secure $10 million from the state to remove hazardous dams damaged by the storm.

And we piloted an ambitious debris-cleanup program that put people back to work restoring our rivers—out-of-work guides, hospitality staff, and others hit hardest by the storm. With the help of volunteers, that program removed more than 3 million pounds of trash from local waterways.

Now, with support from the State of North Carolina, we’re expanding the program to provide more jobs and mobilize even more volunteers to clean up rivers, lakes, and streamfronts across Western North Carolina and the Qualla Boundary.

As we look back on this past year, we know the work isn’t over. Recovery means building a safer, healthier, and more resilient future for all of us.

And we want to mark this moment together.

On Thursday, October 2, please join us in Asheville for Stronger Than the Storm: A MountainTrue Gathering Honoring the Challenge, the Recovery, and the People Making It Happen. This will be a time to reflect, to honor the lives and communities forever changed, and to celebrate the resilience, generosity, and determination that make Western North Carolina strong.

Thank you for being MountainTrue. Together, we will protect the places we share.

With gratitude,
Bob Wagner, Executive Director
MountainTrue

Join Us for Stronger Than the Storm

Join us on October 2 for Stronger Than the Storm: A MountainTrue Gathering. Together we’ll reflect, honor our communities, and celebrate the resilience and generosity that make WNC strong.

RSVP

Help Us Rebuild Better Than Ever

Discover how communities are rebuilding stronger and smarter in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene—visit appalachiandesign.org

Volunteer

Help Us Clean Up Our Rivers

Want to help restore our rivers? Visit cleanupwncrivers.com to volunteer, donate, or learn more about how you can make a difference today.

Learn More

Support the Work of MountainTrue

Your gift powers clean rivers, resilient forests, and healthy communities. Donate to MountainTrue today and help us build a safer, stronger, and more resilient future together.

Donate

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!

Take Action: Speak up to Protect our USFS Southern Research Station

The USDA has proposed changes to the U.S. Forest Service structure. The proposal is far-reaching, but could have a huge impact on the US Forest Service if implemented. The Forest Service currently has a hierarchical structure of Washington Office > Regional Office > Forest Supervisors Office > Ranger District Office. The Forest Service also has a research branch that provides information on forest economics, forest pests and pathogens, timber management techniques, wildlife habitat, watershed management, fire management, and forest inventory, among other responsibilities. The headquarters for the Southern Research Station is in Asheville, North Carolina, and two important research forests, Bent Creek and Coweeta, are also located in Western North Carolina. The current reorganization plan would eliminate all Regional Offices and consolidate Forest Service Research to Fort Collins, Colorado. This plan would lead to the elimination or relocation of more than 100 forestry, administrative, and research jobs in Western North Carolina.

Take Action

The economic effects of the reorganization would reverberate for decades. More than just the local job losses, the closing of the Southern Research Station would stifle innovation in forestry and conservation for decades to come. The Forests of the Southeast are distinct from those in other parts of the country. Southern National Forests have always gotten less funding and attention than those in the West, while the water, recreation, and wildlife they supply to the South are crucial. Please tell the USDA and your elected officials to save the US Forest Service and the Southern Research Station from this costly and unneeded reorganization.

Take Action: Tell Congress to Protect Public Land Roadless Areas, Pass RACA

Tell Congress: Pass the Roadless Area Conservation Act Making Protection Permanent

On June 23rd, 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. 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

Fight for Roadless Areas!

Fortunately, The Roadless Area Conservation Act (RACA) has been introduced in the Senate with many co-sponsors. RACA would make the Roadless Rule more durable and end the ability of bureaucrats to remove it with a simple rulemaking process. Contact your Senators and Congressional Representatives today, and ask them to support the Roadless Area Conservation Act and oppose Secretary Rollins’ attempt to end the rule.

Take Action

Resilient Forests Organizer

Western North Carolina

Apply Now

Position Summary

MountainTrue is seeking a Resilient Forests Organizer. This is a full-time position (40hrs/week) based in western North Carolina that reports to the Organizing Manager. They are tasked with:

60% – Organizing, advocacy, and outreach to engage the public to address threats and seek opportunities to protect, invest in, and better steward local, state, and federal public lands in the region.

40% – Manage volunteers to steward public lands and build a sense of ownership and appreciation for our public lands through activities such as non-native species control, ecological restoration, and monitoring and maintenance of trail and road infrastructure on public lands.

Key Responsibilities

Work with the Resilient Forests Program Director, Organizing Manager, Deputy Directors, Regional Directors, and partner organizations to organize the public around campaigns to protect public lands from exploitation.
Support the Resilient Forests Program Director, the Organizing Manager, and Regional Directors to organize MountainTrue members and the general public to steward public lands by controlling invasive species, maintaining trails, monitoring road conditions, and helping to accomplish ecological restoration projects.
Educate the public about their rights and responsibilities through curricula, blog posts, social media, letters to the editor, and opinion pieces related to public lands.

Qualifications

Organizing Experience: Proven experience working with communities on issue campaigns through on-the-ground grassroots organizing and online mobilization.

Project Leadership: Experience in planning, leading, and managing projects, including coordinating with peers to achieve desired outcomes, and tracking and reporting on progress to senior managers.

Communications: Skilled in creating powerful, compelling written and oral communications. Ability to convey complex ideas through brief, simple materials. Experience and credibility when presenting materials to external audiences.

Collaboration: Effective at working with others to reach common goals and objectives.

Relationship Building: Skilled at establishing and cultivating strong relationships with peers, across different levels of the organization and externally. Proven ability to establish strong relationships with community members.

Additional Qualifications: Required

Familiarity with Western North Carolina and the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
Demonstrated excellence in organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Proficiency and comfort with public speaking.
Experience and ability to work outdoors, including in steep terrain and inclement weather.
Willingness to learn new skills and grow.

Additional Preferred Experience

Experience with online advocacy tools or CRMs such as EveryAction, Bonterra, Action Network, Salsa Labs, Blue State Digital, or Nationbuilder
Proficiency in basic computer applications and software
Fundraising experience
Project management tools such as Asana, Monday, or Zoho
Leading groups in outdoor settings
Knowledge of public lands and local conservation issues
Knowledge of local flora, fauna, and ecology
Experience with wilderness first aid

Location & Travel

This position is based in Western North Carolina. This position utilizes frequent virtual meetings and phone calls. Travel costs are covered by the organization.

Compensation

$50,000 annual salary. The benefits package includes 20 vacation days per year, 12 holidays, sick leave, a sabbatical after five years, health insurance, and a simple IRA with an employer contribution of up to 3%. MountainTrue provides continuing education and professional development support.

How to apply

Email resume, cover letter, and three references to Organizing Manager Linda Tatsapaugh at linda@mountaintrue.org.

In your cover letter, describe your role in a past grassroots campaign and what you learned from the experience. Also, name your favorite protected species (flora or fauna) and why.

Application deadline: Sunday, July 20, 2025

MountainTrue values and respects all types of diversity and strongly encourages applicants from traditionally marginalized groups to apply. We prohibit discrimination and harassment and provide equal employment opportunity without regard to, and not limited to, ethnicity, religion, race, national origin, abilities, gender identity, age or genetic information. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and promoting those from minority and disadvantaged groups.

Resilient Forests E-News: May ’25

Events Roundup

May25 wildflower walk + garlic mustard pull pic

We had an incredible small group of volunteers join us this month for our annual wildflower walk and garlic mustard pull! Four volunteers worked with Resilient Forests Director Josh Kelly to pull 89 pounds of invasive garlic mustard, then hiked two miles back to the parking area with their very full trash bags. Thank you to these amazing volunteers!

Get Involved

Ongoing: Sign up to document landslides on public lands in Western NC. We have already had over 50 people sign up – thank you! Check out our documentation progress here. Having trouble using the app? Fill out this form.

Wednesday, May 28th: Join us TOMORROW for Conservation Conversations in Asheville! We’ll be at RAD Brewing from 5:30-7pm, hearing from organizations working to recover the places we love following Helene. MountainTrue will be joined by Asheville Greenworks, Hemlock Restoration Initiative, and Carolina Mountain Club. RSVP here!

Friday, May 30th: Join MountainTrue and Carolina Mountain Club for a day of trail maintenance near Asheville! The work location will be decided closer to the date, and we’ll communicate that to you the week of the workday. Sign up here!

Saturday, June 21st: Come on out for MountainTrue’s annual BioBlitz! Help MountainTrue document biodiversity at Hickory Nut Gap Farm near Asheville. Volunteer with us in the afternoon, then celebrate a job well done at the evening barn dance! Sign up here!

Federal Policy Updates Affecting Public Lands & Forests

House passes budget bill including “pay to pollute” provisions, removes public lands transfers: The House passed a megabill late on 5/21, advancing it to the Senate. While a previous version of the bill included language allowing for sales of public lands to states, this language was removed from the version that passed. Another provision in the bill allows companies to pay a fee to expedite environmental permitting processes for projects, essentially a “pay to pollute” scheme. The bill still includes major funding cuts for the National Park Service.

Trump Administration proposes eliminating habitat protections in Endangered Species Act: A proposed rule threatens to substantially weaken the Endangered Species Act by eliminating habitat protections for threatened and endangered species. The rule seeks to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” under the ESA, which currently prevents habitat destruction for endangered species. Stripping the definition of harm to leave out habitat destruction would open the floodgates to developers, loggers, miners, oil and gas drillers, and others to destroy endangered species habitat, driving species to extinction in the process.

Contact Your Legislators

Please consider reaching out to your legislators and urging them to (1) remove NPS funding reductions and NEPA changes from the “big, beautiful bill,” and (2) oppose changes to the ESA. Follow this link to submit a letter to your Senators and Representative. Your home address will determine which elected officials your message is sent to.