MountainTrue reunites former Swannanoa resident with cup lost during Helene

Last August, Max Trumpower was excited to move to the Asheville area. One month before Hurricane Helene, the ceramic artist settled into an apartment overlooking what was then the gently flowing Swannanoa River east of Asheville. In late September, that all changed.

On the evening of September 26, with the water steadily rising, Max decided to leave their apartment for a friend’s house in a safer location. Two days later, Max’s entire apartment building, including all their belongings, was gone, swept away by the swollen Swannanoa. The same storm took the lives of two others in a neighboring building who did not leave their home soon enough. With little keeping Max in Asheville, they left the state with more room in their suitcase than when they arrived.

Ten months after Helene, with the help of volunteers from City Year, Truist and N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson, MountainTrue recovered several personal items along the banks of the Swannanoa River. Among them, a small handmade ceramic cup was found completely intact. It featured a cityscape design with intricate details, and an artist’s signature — Autumn McCay, a Cincinatti, Ohio-based ceramic artist. We reached out to Autumn and found that she created the small “sipper” cup for one friend in particular — Max. The cityscapes featured on Autumn’s ceramic pieces were reflections of the Louisville, Kentucky skyline where they both once lived. The cup detailed some of their favorite Louisville hangouts — an incredibly personal expression of their friendship.

Now returned to Max, this special sipper cup represents one of only two items from their Asheville home. The other, a control panel from their personal kiln, was found lodged under a boulder in the riverbed nearby. Among Max’s extensive losses are irreplaceable large figurative ceramic sculptures that they created. We were thrilled to be able to return this special sipper cup to Max, one small step on the road to recovery! Good luck to Max! We can’t wait to see what you make next!

— Mandy Wallace, MountainTrue Artifact Recovery Technician

We’re Refreshing Our Look — But Our Mission Remains the Same

At MountainTrue, we’ve always believed that protecting the places we share — our rivers, forests, and communities — starts with being deeply rooted in the people and places of the Southern Blue Ridge. That’s why we’re refreshing our brand to better reflect who we are today and where we’re going tomorrow.

Over the coming months, you’ll notice updates to our logo, colors, typography, and design. These changes are grounded in our core values: we are professional and effective, yet proudly grassroots and community-driven. We are hopeful, forward-thinking, and fiercely committed to creating a healthier, more resilient region for generations to come.

Along with these updates, we’re also building a brand-new website that’s easier to use, more accessible, and better equipped to tell the stories of our work and the people who make it possible. We’ll be launching the new site later this year — and we can’t wait to share it with you.

We appreciate your patience and support during this exciting transition. Our look may be evolving, but our mission remains the same: to champion clean waters, resilient forests, and healthy communities across the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains

Thank you for being part of the MountainTrue community.

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

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.

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.

Take Action: Protect Lake Chatuge Shoreline Wetlands

Photo: Wetlands around the shore of Lake Chatuge would be permanently impacted by a proposed new development.

One of our Swim Guide volunteers was wearing a t-shirt yesterday that said “Lake Chatuge is my happy place.” I’m sure many of you share that sentiment, especially given the number of comments submitted recently on the spillway repair project.

We need your help today to protect Lake Chatuge in a different way. A new residential development is being proposed off of Elf School Road in Clay County, NC. If it gets permitted as planned, the project will permanently alter the way water flows and is filtered before entering Lake Chatuge and wipe out more than 60% of the existing wetlands. Agencies are requesting public comments on this project by Friday, June 27.

Will you take action now to protect Lake Chatuge’s water quality & wildlife habitat?

Take Action

There are two parcels involved in the development on either side of the road, one of which is upland that is currently forested with moderately steep slopes; the other is lowland on the Lake Chatuge shoreline. At the heart of the lowlands is approximately 0.36 acres of stream and 0.26 acres of wetlands. Developers propose to build a dam below the uppermost part of the wetlands to create a water feature and permanently destroy 0.16 acres — 61.5% of the total amount of wetlands on the parcel. Construction of 39 housing units in the small watershed of the intermittent stream would likely significantly degrade the remaining wetlands as well.

Wetlands sustain a large number of plant and animal species, some of which are only found there. They can improve water quality; reduce erosion and flooding; and moderate the effects of warming water temperatures. They can also be beautiful places for people to enjoy the outdoors. Hundreds of acres of wetlands have been lost to development projects just like this one over the years. While MountainTrue is generally not opposed to development and we recognize the critical need for more homes in Clay County, we want to conserve the remaining wetlands we have, especially along lake shorelines where they help to improve water quality.

Please ask the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NC Division of Water Resources to protect the existing wetlands and water quality in Lake Chatuge during this permitting process. We can’t afford to lose any more! Be sure to submit your comments before Friday, June 27.

Take Action

Thank you for helping protect Lake Chatuge and the streams and wetlands around it.