MountainStrong Hurricane Recovery Fund

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, MountainTrue is dedicated to addressing the urgent needs of our community.

Donate
MountainTrue
Donate
eNews Signup
 - 
Arabic
 - 
ar
Bengali
 - 
bn
German
 - 
de
English
 - 
en
French
 - 
fr
Hindi
 - 
hi
Indonesian
 - 
id
Portuguese
 - 
pt
Russian
 - 
ru
Spanish
 - 
es
MountainTrue
Donate
eNews Signup

Post-Helene WNC Resource Guide

Post-Helene WNC Resource Guide

FEMA

FEMA Helpline is available at (800)621-3362. View more resources + submit a FEMA application at fema.gov/disaster/4827 – remember to submit your application as quickly as possible!

Disaster/Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available in 25 counties in WNC and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. People in these counties have 60 days from October 1 to file an application. The deadline to apply is December 2, 2024. Apply now at des.nc.gov

Teladoc

Call Teladoc Health natural disaster hotline at 855-225-5032 to request your free visit. You will need to call the hotline, even if you already use a Teladoc Health account to receive care. Service agents are ready to help.

WiFi/Phone Service

  • Visit spectrum.net/Helene to get info about the storm and access helpful resources/find Spectrum WiFi access points

Travel

I-40E going to McDowell County is open to the public. I-40W going into Asheville is also open to the public. I-40W going toward Tennessee is closed at Exit 20. Visit NC Drive for a comprehensive map of road closures.

Regional/city/town-centric resources

Regional info from State Rep. Lindsey Prather

Text (828)630-8871 for food/water/medicine distribution/pickup info.

Text-only version of Blue Ridge Public Radio

Visit text.bpr.org – no ads or images; loads quickly

Asheville/Buncombe County:

Food and water distribution sites are open 12-4 p.m. or supplies run out (this is changing day-to-day, please follow Buncombe County on Instagram/Facebook for better updates). Please bring containers to refill water.

  • William W. Estes Elementary School – 275 Overlook Road, Asheville
  • Sand Hill Elementary – 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville (Please enter via Acton Circle)
  • North Windy Ridge Intermediate School – 20 Doan Road, Weaverville
  • Fairview Elementary School – 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
  • Black Mountain Ingles on NC-9 – 550 NC-9, Black Mountain, NC
  • Asheville Middle School – 211 S. French Broad Ave, Asheville, NC

Food in the form of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) and bottled water are available at two distribution sites beginning Wednesday, October 2. Two MRE packages per adult, and one per child will be allowed per day. Cases of bottled water are available, one case per family per day. Distribution will last until 7 p.m. or until supplies run out.

  • Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave, Asheville
  • Lindwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd, Asheville

Bulk water is available at Pack Square Park (70 Court Plaza). Some containers are available but please bring your own if possible.

  • Asheville Resource Map: has information on emergency shelter locations, food/water distribution sites, food/water/gas/internet availability, and neighborhood conditions 
  • Bill Ore Baptist church has supplies (water, food). Location: 801 Fairview Rd, Asheville NC 28803 
  • Hominy Baptist has food, water, baby and feminine products, cleaning & pet supplies at 135 Candler School Rd. Hot food will be available starting at 1 p.m. on 10/3
  • Free meals from World Central Kitchen at Bears Smokehouse on Coxe Ave

 

Showers

  • The Reuters Family YMCA at Biltmore Park is open to the public and offering free showers
  • AB Tech is offering free showers; you have to go through Mission Hospital Drive/Victoria Dr to get there

 

Prescriptions

  • Publix on Hendersonville Rd, bring your prescription bottles
  • Mission Hospital Pharmacy is open and will fill 3-4 day supplies of meds if you can show a valid current Rx, even just a pill bottle. Limited supplies available
  • CVS on Smokey Park Highway in Candler

 

Wifi

  • The Reuter YMCA in South Asheville (3 Town Square Blvd, Asheville, NC) is open to the public for hot showers, Wifi, charging stations, and playground. There is no drinkable water. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The Asheville Y downtown (30 Woodfin St, Asheville, NC) has Wifi outside.
  • The Ferguson Y in West Asheville (31 Westridge Market Pl, Candler, NC) has Wifi outside.

 

Trash dropoff sites – Buncombe County

  • Ingles @ 2901 Hendersonville Rd in Fletcher
  • Ingles @ 1865 Hendersonville Rd in Asheville
  • Ingles @ 225 Charlotte Hwy in Asheville

How to disinfect wells via Buncombe County Gov’t

Cleveland County/Shelby

  • Follow Cleveland County Govt. on Facebook 
  • Cleveland County Phone Bank: clevelandcounty.com/main/news_detail_T12_R322.php. The Phone Bank will provide information on where to find gas, groceries, medication, and other important resources and can be reached at (980) 484-4636 (INFO). The Phone Bank will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until power has been restored to much of the county.
  • Follow the City of Shelby on Facebook to find resources for water and food distribution.

Madison County/Marshall: (info via Roar WNC)

Marshall Mutual Aid Hub is now open every day from 2-6 p.m. @ Suite 1685 Hwy 213, Marshall, NC. Food, medical supplies + more will be available as they come in.

Haywood County

  • Haywood County Call Center (828)356-2020, will open after 12 p.m. on 10/3
  • The County’s main Food Distribution Center and Operation is at Woodland Baptist Church – 545 Crabtree Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785
  • They have a significant need for more food and other supplies. Here is their donation list: 
    • Non-Perishable Food such as canned meats, vegetables, and fruit; dried fruit, beans, rice, and pasta; cereals, oatmeal; etc. 
    • Water, 
    • Trash Bags,
    • Nitrile Gloves, 
    • Diapers (All Sizes), 
    • Baby Formula, 
    • Baby Bottles, 
    • Cleaning Supplies, 
    • Adult Diapers, 
    • Hygiene Products, 
    • Matches, 
    • Can Opener, 
    • First Aid Kits, 
    • Yard Supplies/Tools, 
    • Disposable paper goods (cups, plates, utensils, and paper towels)

They also need volunteers to help unload supplies and assemble care packages. If you have access to the Internet and can sign up for shifts through their website, that would help them get consistent coverage. However, if you don’t have access to the Internet, they just stop by, and they’ll put you to work. Sign-up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4EA8A62CA2F8CE9-51882476-distribution#/

Henderson County

  • Follow Henderson County Gov’t on social media: Instagram + Facebook
  • Starting 10/3, free to-go hot meals will be served twice daily around noon and 5 p.m. at four of the resource hubs in Henderson County. These meals are first come, first served:
    • Etowah Elementary, 320 Etowah School Road Etowah, NC 28729
    • East Henderson High, 150 Eagle Pride Dr, East Flat Rock, NC 28726
    • North Henderson High, 35 Fruitland Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
    • Mills River Town Hall, 124 Town Center Drive. Mills River, NC 28759
  • Henderson County Wellness Check Status Map
  • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline = 988. 24/7 call, text, chat

High Country/Watauga/Ashe/Avery Counties

Read this comprehensive guide put together by The Watauga Democrat for info on food, water, showers, wifi, local businesses, and more.

Polk County/Saluda

MountainTrue – @ the Apple Mill – 1345 Ozone Drive, Saluda, NC 28773: supplies distribution drive-thru open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (plenty of supplies, please come by!)

Rutherford County

Follow Rutherford County Emergency Management on Facebook

Other orgs to follow for updates + info on social media:

Amazing local organizations working to aid our mountain communities, along with all of us at MountainTrue, please follow them on social media to get updates about ongoing mutual aid efforts, especially Instagram + Facebook: (Instagram accounts linked below)

How to help:

Hurricane Helene + Weather Safety

Hurricane Helene + Weather Safety

Hurricane Helene + Weather Safety

As Hurricane Helene heads toward the Gulf Coast of Florida, our region is already experiencing a historic rain event. Due to warming ocean temperatures, the hurricane is expected to intensify to a Category 3 storm, or possibly stronger, by this afternoon.

Communities along and near Hurricane Helene’s path are preparing for extremely high winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding. Here in our mountain region, heavy rains can lead to flooding and landslides along steep slopes, highways, and roads. In the hours and days to come, please take safety precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your community.

  1. Stay Informed
  • Monitor Weather Updates: Stay updated with local news, weather reports, and alerts from the National Weather Service.
  • Find Resources & Sign Up for Alerts: Subscribe to state (NC, GA)  and local (NC, GA) emergency alerts and weather apps that provide real-time information. Find Hurricane Helene Resources and updates for your state: NC, GA.
  1. Avoid Flooded Areas
  • Stay Home if Possible and Avoid Unnecessary Travel: Downed power lines, tree limbs, high water, standing water, and landslides will make travel dangerous.
  • Find Out About Road Closures and Conditions (NC, GA).
  • Turn Around, Don’t Drown: Never drive or walk through flooded roads or areas; the water may be deeper or moving faster than it appears.
  • Stay Away from Rivers and Streams: Flash flooding can occur rapidly, especially near rivers and streams. Avoid these areas during and after heavy rain.
  1. Prepare for Power and Water Outages
  • Charge Devices: Make sure all mobile devices, power banks, and essential electronics are fully charged.
  • Have Backup Power: If you have a generator, use it safely outdoors, away from windows, doors, and vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
  1. Be Cautious of Debris and Downed Power Lines
  • Avoid Downed Lines: Treat all downed power lines as live and dangerous. Report them to your local power company immediately.
  • Watch for Debris: Be cautious of fallen trees, branches, and other debris that can pose safety hazards.
  1. Have Emergency Supplies Ready
  • Stock Emergency Kits: Have an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights, and batteries.
  • Keep Important Documents Safe: Store important documents in waterproof containers and keep them easily accessible.
  1. Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water
  • Floodwaters May Be Hazardous: Avoid wading in floodwaters, which can contain contaminants, sewage, and dangerous debris.
  • Boil Water Advisories: Follow any boil water advisories issued by local authorities to ensure water safety.
  1. Check on Family, Neighbors, and Vulnerable Individuals
  • Help the Vulnerable: Check on elderly neighbors, individuals with disabilities, and others who may need assistance.
  • Offer Shelter if Safe: If you have a safe, dry place, consider offering shelter to those in need, following local safety guidelines.
  1. Watch for Landslides and Erosion
  • Stay Alert for Landslides: Be mindful of areas prone to landslides, especially after heavy rain.
  • Avoid Steep Slopes: If you live near a steep slope, monitor the ground for movement and report any concerns to local authorities.

We don’t yet know how the storm will impact our region and neighbors. MountainTrue staff and our Riverkeepers will be monitoring the situation closely to determine how we can best assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Stay safe out there.

Get Out the Vote NC: Voting Resources & Dates

Get Out the Vote NC: Voting Resources & Dates

Get Out the Vote NC: Voting Resources & Dates

VOTE EARLY!

Why Your Vote Matters

North Carolina’s natural beauty and resources are precious. By voting in the 2024 General Election, you have the power to elect leaders who will prioritize the protection and preservation of our environment.

Key Dates to Remember

  • Oct. 11, 2024: Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.).
  • Oct. 17, 2024: In-person early voting begins; same-day registration available.
  • Nov. 2, 2024: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.).
  • Nov. 5, 2024: General Election Day.

How to Register to Vote

If you’re not registered or you need to update your address or party affiliation, don’t worry! It’s easy and quick. You can register online, by mail, or in person. Visit ncsbe.gov/registering/how-register

Find Your Early Voting Location

Early voting gives you the flexibility to vote at a time that works for you. Find your nearest early voting location at ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-early-person & vt.ncsbe.gov/evsite/. Click here for info for voters affected by Hurricane Helene. 

Locate Your Election Day Polling Place

Make sure you know where to go on Election Day. Find your designated polling place and sample ballot at NC Voter Search: vt.ncsbe.gov/PPLkup/

What to Bring

  • Valid ID: North Carolina requires a photo ID to vote. Check the NC Voter ID Information for acceptable forms of identification: ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id 
  • Sample Ballot: Review your sample ballot before you go to vote to familiarize yourself with the candidates and issues.

Stay Informed

Visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections to stay updated with the latest information about the 2024 General Election. ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election 

Vote for a Sustainable North Carolina

Protecting North Carolina’s environment ensures clean air, water, and a healthy ecosystem for future generations. Your vote is your voice. Use it to advocate for a greener, healthier North Carolina!

Speak Up for Old Growth Forests

Speak Up for Old Growth Forests

Speak Up for Old Growth Forests

This action has expired

We need you to tell the US Forest Service to implement strong protections for old-growth forests. Please submit a comment urging the Forest Service to strengthen NOGA by clarifying its language and better considering eastern forests. 

The Forest Service is currently seeking public comment on their proposed National Old-Growth Amendment (NOGA). The amendment, which responds to a Biden-Harris Administration executive order mandating stronger protections for old-growth forests, would require all national forest plans across the country to incorporate additional consideration of old-growth forest management needs.

This amendment is an important step towards protecting a shrinking resource, but it needs to be improved. In its current form, NOGA lacks clarity and includes loopholes that could inadvertently worsen current management practices for old-growth forests. Far from meeting its intent of protecting and restoring old-growth forests, NOGA’s current language could allow for inappropriate old-growth harvest.

Submit a Comment

Comments are due September 20th.

Old-growth forests store large amounts of carbon, clean the air we breathe, provide critical wildlife habitat, maintain and increase biodiversity, filter water, and reduce wildfire risks. The old-growth forests of the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forests are home to several endangered and threatened species, including four species of endangered bats and the imperiled Blue Ridge lineage of green salamanders. Unfortunately, across the nation, old-growth forests are in decline, facing stressors from pests, extreme weather, and commercial logging. NOGA offers an opportunity to better protect and restore old-growth forests, but only if it’s finalized and implemented properly.

Our Concerns:

  • As written, NOGA fails to allow passive management as a method of preserving or enhancing old-growth characteristics. Although the Forest Service recognizes that a “hands-off” approach can better serve old-growth forests, especially in areas that are not fire-prone, NOGA currently prescribes only active management options.
    Solution: NOGA should be amended to include passive management as an option for managing old-growth forests.
  • Proactive stewardship of old-growth forests has the potential to degrade the old-growth ecosystem. The ambiguity of the draft text could lead to an interpretation that degradation of old-growth forests is ok if that degradation contributes to a project meeting other goals.
    Solution: NOGA should include a non-degradation clause for cases where proactive stewardship methods are employed.
  • The exceptions allowed under NOGA are unclear. This lack of clarity could lead to a situation where development within old-growth forests is permitted, so long as there is sufficient old-growth outside of the developed area to make up for some loss within the developed area.
    Solution: The Forest Service should remove the exception that allows for development at an “ecologically appropriate scale” and employ clear, already defined language to improve NOGA’s clarity.
  • While old-growth forests decline, threats to old-growth increase. Simply preserving existing old-growth will not be enough to stop the decline, so recruiting mature forests into an old-growth stage is crucial to protecting these ecosystems. As written, NOGA does not offer a clear path by which the Forest Service can identify suitable mature forests and manage them to become old-growth.
    Solution: NOGA should be amended to include a clear plan for recruitment of mature forests into old-growth conditions.
  • Lastly, NOGA prescribes a one-size-fits-all approach to forest management. As written, NOGA characterizes threats to old-growth forests uniformly across the country. While fire poses a risk to western forests, eastern old-growth forests are more vulnerable to improper management and commercial logging. The same management actions that benefit fire-prone western forests will not be suitable for moist eastern forests.
    Solution: NOGA should better characterize threats and more specifically prescribe management actions based on forest type and location.
Submit a Comment

MountainTrue’s September 2024 E-Newsletter

MountainTrue’s September 2024 E-Newsletter

MountainTrue’s

September 2024 E-Newsletter

September news from MountainTrue’s four regional offices:  

Central Region News

Click here to read

High Country News

Click here to read

Southern Region News

Click here to read

Western Region News

Click here to read

Central Region News

A message from Executive Director Bob Wagner: 

After a few crisp mornings, suddenly you can taste fall in the air. It’s the beginning of the end of summer. Although our days are still long and often hot, you can’t help but look forward to the next season and sometimes begrudgingly say goodbye to the last. These are fantastic days to go for a hike, to discern the changes in leaf color on a distant ridge, to watch the birds and other animals preparing for winter, and go for a paddle. 

Likewise, at MountainTrue, we’re also transitioning. We’ve completed our final Swim Guide monitoring for the season; compiled and shared results from our farmer survey of weather impacts; we’re wrapping up our summer programming and preparing for our upcoming Annual Gathering on September 14. There, we’ll celebrate our amazing volunteers and supporters as well as MountainTrue’s accomplishments this year. We’ll also introduce our new board members and look forward to the big environmental challenges we are facing. Come join us!

NEWS & ADVOCACY UPDATE

Read about our housing work in The Laurel Magazine

Our Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC program was featured in the August issue of The Laurel of Asheville. Spotlight On: Working to Tackle Climate Change and Housing Shortages by Building Up, Not Out. Read the full article here.

MountainTrue joins petitions asking EPA to withdraw state authority over water permits 

MountainTrue and other conservation groups, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, recently filed a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency asking it to take back North Carolina’s authority to regulate water pollution because the state legislature is crippling the state’s ability to protect its waterways, drinking water sources, and communities from harmful pollution. Learn more. 

 

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS

Celebrate our work with us this weekend!

Join us at our Annual Gathering at Devil’s Foot Beverage in Asheville on Saturday, September 14, where we’ll recognize our Regional Volunteers of the Year and our Esther Cunningham Award Recipient. Please join us in congratulating our outstanding volunteers: Eva Snyder (Central Region); Marie Jackson (Southern Region); Bill Horton (Western Region); Tammy Haley (High Country Region); and last but not least, the Esther Cunningham Award recipient, Bob Gale.

Help eradicate invasive plants at Richmond Hill Park

Richmond Hill Park is Asheville’s largest forested park and hosts miles of trails. Despite its suburban location, Richmond Hill has a diversity of native plants that are being choked out by nonnative invasive plants. Participants will receive training in plant ID + invasive species control methods. Join MountainTrue Biologist Josh Kelly on Sunday, September 15, to remove nonnative invasive plants and help the native forest thrive!

Curious about solar energy?

Don’t miss a chance to hear from our friends at Sugar Hollow Solar at Brainy Brews in Asheville, NC, on Wednesday, September 18. We’ll discuss what solar energy is, how it benefits the environment (and you), financial incentives and tax rebates for 2024, and next steps for getting started. Sugar Hollow Solar will buy the first drink for any homeowner who brings a copy of their power bill!

Come get crafty with us!

Join us on Thursday, October 10, from 6-8 p.m. for a community craft night with Street Creature Puppet Collective as we craft props for the Asheville Holiday Parade! This will include helping with a giant Hellbender puppet, painting tangerine darter cutouts, and more. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. You don’t have to be crafty to come help out and have fun. Kids are welcome. RSVP here. Stay tuned for more details on how to participate in the Holiday Parade!

See Asheville on an e-bike!

Take an e-bike tour of Asheville with the Flying Bike and MountainTrue’s Healthy Communities team on Saturday, October 5. Don’t miss your chance to get the inside scoop on Asheville’s urban core, including stories of how redlining has shaped our city, the infamous Pit of Despair, and plans for the I-26 Connector. Stick around after for a casual member hang at The RAD Brewing Company.

Hike the Craggies with us this fall

Congressman Chuck Edwards has the opportunity to make history by creating North Carolina’s first National Scenic Area in the Craggy Mountains, an idea with broad local support. Hike the Big Butt Trail on Friday, October 11, with MountainTrue Biologist Josh Kelly and experience the beautiful forests, views, flora, and fauna of the Craggy Mountains. Learn more + register.

Save the date for our Online Fall Native Plant & Tree Sale, running October 1-31

If you missed out on the spring sale (or if you just want more native plants), don’t miss your chance to show your yard and garden a little local love. All items are sourced from Carolina Native Nursery, and sale proceeds benefit the work of MountainTrue. Certain items sold out quickly during our spring sale, so don’t wait to purchase! The pick-up date for Asheville, NC, will be Tuesday, November 19, from 3-6 p.m. Sign up here to be notified when the sale goes live.

 

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Pre-order your I Love Mountains merch thru September 30

Our new I Love Mountains merch was designed by Ellis Gibson (winner of MountainTrue’s Kid’s Design Contest) and refined by Calor Creative. Order your merch today! Pre-order options include youth and toddler sizes! Orders are expected to ship in early November. 

Want to volunteer + help raise funds for MountainTrue?

If you’re looking for an easy volunteer activity, look no further! MountainTrue is the nonprofit beneficiary for the Wicked Spooky 5k in Asheville, NC, on Saturday, October 26. MountainTrue will receive $5 per runner for providing 17-20 volunteers. You choose your shift and role. Lend a hand, watch costumed runners AND earn a free beer ticket to use after your shift. Find out more or register!

MountainTrue spring ‘25 internship

Our Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC Housing Intern will support program goals by creating social media content, conducting general program outreach, event planning, research on best practices in the pro-housing movement, and more. This position will be based out of our Asheville, NC, office. Learn more + apply by October 8!

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Lunch & learn w/ Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC & Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Susan Bean, Housing & Transportation Director for MountainTrue, will discuss why environmentalists should support building more housing. The virtual presentation and discussion is scheduled for Thursday, September 12, from 12-1 p.m. Learn more and register.

The Grey Eagle Classic Golf Tournament, Benefiting MountainTrue

When: Sunday, September 15, at 2 p.m. 

Where: Omni Grove Park Inn Golf Course

What: Grab your golf clubs and the best players you can find. This tournament welcomes local businesses, community partners, supporters of music and arts, and all of our river friends for a day full of golf, games, food, drinks, and lots of fun! Your participation and a portion of proceeds will directly support MountainTrue. Sign-up and learn more. 

Get Out The Vote AVL

NC Conservation Network is hosting a non-partisan GOTV letter-writing event at The Rad Brewing Company in Asheville on Tuesday, October 1, from 5-8 p.m. They’ll provide pizza for attendees. RSVP here.

Eco Grief circle: October 10 thru November 21 

Eco Grief circle with The School of Global Citizenry in partnership with the Western United Methodist Conference is back. Participants in this seven-week hybrid learning experience will explore emotional and spiritual responses to ecological and social challenges. MountainTrue Creation Care Alliance supporters will receive a $20 discount at checkout with the code: greenchalice. Sign up here.

High Country News

A message from High Country Regional Director & Watauga Riverkeeper Andy Hill: 

And just like that, the summer is coming to a crispy close. I’m grateful to our 2024 Swim Guide volunteers and sponsors who covered 26 Swim Guide sites across the New and Watauga River watersheds. Don’t worry; we’ll still have plenty more opportunities to gather and serve with MountainTrue this fall! Join us at our Annual Gathering on Saturday, September 14, to celebrate our Regional Volunteers of the Year and our Esther Cunningham Award Recipient. Linger here between seasons and soak up the last bit of summer swimming. Stay tuned for upcoming live staking opportunities after the leaves fall.

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS

Celebrate our work with us this weekend!

Join us at our Annual Gathering at Devil’s Foot Beverage in Asheville on Saturday, September 14, where we’ll recognize our Regional Volunteers of the Year and our Esther Cunningham Award Recipient. Please join us in congratulating our outstanding volunteers: Eva Snyder (Central Region); Marie Jackson (Southern Region); Bill Horton (Western Region); Tammy Haley (High Country Region); and last but not least, the Esther Cunningham Award recipient, Bob Gale.

One last chance to soak in summertime with your Riverkeeper crew! 

Join us for our Annual Watauga Tailwaters Float on Friday, September 20, near Johnson City, TN. We’re so excited to get back out on the water with y’all before the colder weather moves in. Spread the word and be sure to sign up to let us know if you’ll need to rent a boat. See y’all on the water!

Celebrate Oktoberfest with us at AMB

Catch the Watauga Riverkeeper team at Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s (AMB) Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 21, from 12-10 p.m. in Boone, NC. Don’t miss the brews, brats, and belly-laughing fun! The MountainTrue table will have some fun games, new merch, and more info on all the activities we have planned this fall and winter. A $5 cover at the door will go to local charities.

We 💙 our volunteers!

Have you volunteered with MountainTrue this year? Join us for our High Country Volunteer Appreciation Party on Thursday, October 10, from 5-7:30 p.m. for food, drinks, and connection. Sign up here.

TroutFest 2024

Join us during the first weekend of October to celebrate the First Annual TroutFest hosted by The Speckled Trout Outfitters! We’re so grateful to our river family at Speckled Trout for putting together this festival celebrating fishable water. This event will be a vibrant celebration of community, nature, and local culture, featuring various events, activities, and demonstrations. Keep checking their event page for more info about this weekend-long celebration!

Help us clean the Trash Trouts this fall

Want to get in the river and contribute to its health? Assist with one of our upcoming Trash Trout cleanout days where we remove trash from the traps and inventory trash types and brands! Upcoming Boone workdays include September 19 and October 17.

 

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Stay tuned for our upcoming live staking workdays at the old Shulls Mill dam site

Once plants go dormant for the season, the 2024 live staking season will be back and more fun than ever! We’re looking forward to getting out and further supporting our post-dam removal rehabilitation efforts. Stay tuned for workday postings on our events page.

Pre-order your I Love Mountains merch thru September 30

Our new I Love Mountains merch was designed by Ellis Gibson (winner of MountainTrue’s Kid’s Design Contest) and refined by Calor Creative. Order your merch today! Pre-order options include youth and toddler sizes! Orders are expected to ship in early November. 

 

ADVOCACY UPDATE

MountainTrue joins petitions asking EPA to withdraw state authority over water permits 

MountainTrue and other conservation groups, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, recently filed a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency asking it to take back North Carolina’s authority to regulate water pollution because the state legislature is crippling the state’s ability to protect its waterways, drinking water sources, and communities from harmful pollution. Learn more. 

 

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS & EVENTS

Community shout-outs

Huge thanks to our friends at Beech Mountain Resort for a summer filled with awesome music, food, and friends! The 2024 Summer Concert Series was a huge success this season. Thanks for another awesome summer of jamming out with us on top of the mountain!

The Depot Street hellbender mural is officially completed and even more beautiful than we imagined! An awesome partnership that ended in an incredible piece of artwork for all of our community to enjoy. Thank you to the artists and groups who were part of the wildly successful unveiling and celebration on August 24. 

The summer went by fast, and our 2024 Swim Guide season has officially come to an end. One final thank you to all of our incredible Swim Guide site sponsors and volunteers who made it possible for us to sample 26 sites weekly across the High Country Region. We couldn’t have done it without y’all! The Swim Guide ’25 season will sneak up fast, so reach out to emma@mountaintrue.org or hannah@mountaintrue.org to find out more about becoming a Swim Guide sponsor or volunteer. 

Before fall crept in, our team finally enjoyed a Friday afternoon snorkeling at the Upper Watauga Gorge Park after battling with rain all summer. We had a fun group come out and explore with us, and we saw our fair share of hogsuckers, shiners, and chubs. Stay tuned for potential guided snorkeling adventures during spawning season (if you’re willing to brave the chilly water!)  

Lunch & learn w/ Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC & Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Susan Bean, Housing & Transportation Director for MountainTrue, will discuss why environmentalists should support building more housing. The virtual presentation and discussion is scheduled for Thursday, September 12, from 12-1 p.m. Learn more and register.

Eco Grief circle: October 10 thru November 21 

Eco Grief circle with The School of Global Citizenry in partnership with the Western United Methodist Conference is back. Participants in this seven-week hybrid learning experience will explore emotional and spiritual responses to ecological and social challenges. MountainTrue Creation Care Alliance supporters will receive a $20 discount at checkout with the code: greenchalice. Sign up here.

Southern Region News

A message from Executive Director Bob Wagner: 

After a few crisp mornings, suddenly you can taste fall in the air. It’s the beginning of the end of summer. Although our days are still long and often hot, you can’t help but look forward to the next season and sometimes begrudgingly say goodbye to the last. These are fantastic days to go for a hike, to discern the changes in leaf color on a distant ridge, to watch the birds and other animals preparing for winter, and go for a paddle. 

Likewise, at MountainTrue, we’re also transitioning. We’ve completed our final Swim Guide monitoring for the season; compiled and shared results from our farmer survey of weather impacts; we’re wrapping up our summer programming and preparing for our upcoming Annual Gathering on September 14. There, we’ll celebrate our amazing volunteers and supporters as well as MountainTrue’s accomplishments this year. We’ll also introduce our new board members and look forward to the big environmental challenges we are facing. Come join us!

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS

Celebrate our work with us this weekend!

Join us at our Annual Gathering at Devil’s Foot Beverage in Asheville on Saturday, September 14, where we’ll recognize our Regional Volunteers of the Year and our Esther Cunningham Award Recipient. Please join us in congratulating our outstanding volunteers: Eva Snyder (Central Region); Marie Jackson (Southern Region); Bill Horton (Western Region); Tammy Haley (High Country Region); and last but not least, the Esther Cunningham Award recipient, Bob Gale.

Don’t miss our Saluda, NC, open house

Save the date for Thursday, October 24, from 5-7 p.m.! Our Green Riverkeeper office has recently moved to Saluda, NC, and is hosting an open house to celebrate with the community. Come out to see the new space, mingle with fellow MountainTrue supporters, build new relationships, and support local businesses in the area. We’ll have food, drinks, music, and live painting — you don’t want to miss it! More details coming soon.

 

NEWS & UPDATES

MountainTrue joins petitions asking EPA to withdraw state authority over water permits 

MountainTrue and other conservation groups, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, recently filed a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency asking it to take back North Carolina’s authority to regulate water pollution because the state legislature is crippling the state’s ability to protect its waterways, drinking water sources, and communities from harmful pollution. Learn more. 

Broad Riverkeeper Paddle Raffle in the news

Check out this article about your Broad Riverkeeper in The Laurel of Asheville. Aside from being your Broad Riverkeeper, David Caldwell has been carving wood for the last 30 years. Enjoying woodworking as a career has now become a side job; he’s only taking commissions for custom kayak and canoe paddles. But you have a chance to own one by buying a raffle ticket to support MountainTrue’s work! Purchase your online raffle tickets by September 12.

Broad Riverkeeper David Caldwell announces Fishing Tournament results:

Alright, y’all – the results are in for the 2024 Broad River Fishing Tournament!

🎣 Broad’s Best Angler: Fitz McMurry with 18, 19, and 19.5″ catches totaling 56.5 inches. Prize: $75 check. Jay Hitt came in second place for this category with 15, 15.5, and 19″ catches totaling 49.5 inches. 

🎣 Biggest Bass: Viviana Salazar with a 21″ smallmouth. Prize: $25 gift certificate from Bass Shack.

🎣 Biggest Panfish: Joe Buchanan with a nice 6” sunfish. Prize: $25 gift certificate from Bass Shack.

🎣 Biggest Catfish: me! Only because I was the only one to have a picture of the catfish I caught. But I can’t accept a prize, gotta keep it fair!

🎣 Most Unusual Fish: Jay Hitt with a 15″ Sucker. Prize: $25 check.

Congratulations, everyone! What a beautiful and fun 10 days of fishing on the river. Can’t wait to do it again next year. Thanks for entering and for your support. This is one of my favorite events of the year. Keep those lines tight!

Pre-order your I Love Mountains merch thru September 30

Our new I Love Mountains merch was designed by Ellis Gibson (winner of MountainTrue’s Kid’s Design Contest) and refined by Calor Creative. Order your merch today! Pre-order options include youth and toddler sizes! Orders are expected to ship in early November. 

Read about our housing work in The Laurel Magazine

Our Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC program was featured in the August issue of The Laurel of Asheville. Spotlight On: Working to Tackle Climate Change and Housing Shortages by Building Up, Not Out. Read the full article here.

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Lunch & learn w/ Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC & Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Susan Bean, Housing & Transportation Director for MountainTrue, will discuss why environmentalists should support building more housing. The virtual presentation and discussion is scheduled for Thursday, September 12, from 12-1 p.m. Learn more and register.

Eco Grief circle: October 10 thru November 21 

Eco Grief circle with The School of Global Citizenry in partnership with the Western United Methodist Conference is back. Participants in this seven-week hybrid learning experience will explore emotional and spiritual responses to ecological and social challenges. MountainTrue Creation Care Alliance supporters will receive a $20 discount at checkout with the code: greenchalice. Sign up here.

Born of the Broad River Exhibit at the Earl Scruggs Center

Bluegrass and Broad River history buffs: catch this cool exhibit at the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, NC, until December 30, 2024. Learn about the life and career of legendary bluegrass musician Earl Scruggs in his own words, and how the Broad River Region played such an instrumental role in bluegrass history. 

Western Region News

A message from Western Regional Director Callie Moore: 

I love cool mornings and the changing of the seasons, especially summer fading into fall, which is what September is all about. Here at MountainTrue, we’re also starting a seasonal transition that focuses less on water quality monitoring (although we keep sampling year-round) and puts more of an emphasis on habitat restoration after the snakes, bees, and trees go dormant. There’s a lot to read about in this issue, so I’ll let you get to it. Thank you for your support of MountainTrue!

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS

Hope to see you this Saturday at our Annual Gathering!

Join us at our Annual Gathering at Devil’s Foot Beverage in Asheville on Saturday, September 14, where we’ll recognize our Regional Volunteers of the Year and our Esther Cunningham Award Recipient. Please join us in congratulating our outstanding volunteers: Eva Snyder (Central Region); Marie Jackson (Southern Region); Bill Horton (Western Region); Tammy Haley (High Country Region); and last but not least, the Esther Cunningham Award recipient, Bob Gale.

Come early at 3 p.m. to meet our new Board Members. General programming will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will include reflecting on our achievements to date in 2024 and honoring some outstanding volunteers. Heavy snacks and one free drink per person will be provided. And, stick around after the business for a fiery round of MountainTrue-themed trivia! 

Annual Fall Native Tree & Shrub Sale coming in October

Don’t miss your chance to show your property a little local love. We’ll begin accepting online orders on Tuesday, October 1. All plants are sourced from reputable local nurseries, and sale proceeds benefit the work of MountainTrue. We anticipate that some items will sell out quickly, so don’t wait to place your order! The pick-up date for Murphy, NC, will be Thursday, November 21, from 3-6 p.m. Sign up here to be notified when the sale goes live.

Hike outing, national forest policy update & social planned for October 5

Join MountainTrue Biologist & Resilient Forests Director Josh Kelly on Saturday, October 5, for a hike in the Whitewater Special Interest Area, which is renowned for its unique flora and wildlife. The Forest Service attempted to log 15 acres of the Special Interest Area as part of the Southside Project, but MountainTrue and our partners took legal action and won. We’ll meet at 9:45 a.m. in Cashiers, NC, to carpool to the trailhead. Register for the hike now! 

After the hike, come chat with Resilient Forests Director Josh Kelly and our new Public Lands Engagement Manager, Katherine Stahl, at Whiteside Brewing in Cashiers, NC. We’ll be there from 4-6 p.m. MountainTrue will buy your first beverage. Don’t miss your chance to meet these dedicated staff members! Sign up here.

 

NEWS & UPDATES

MountainTrue joins petitions asking EPA to withdraw state authority over water permits 

MountainTrue and other conservation groups, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, recently filed a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency asking it to take back North Carolina’s authority to regulate water pollution because the state legislature is crippling the state’s ability to protect its waterways, drinking water sources, and communities from harmful pollution. Learn more. 

Huge thanks to our Swim Guide volunteers

Our Swim Guide sampling season ended in August after we provided results prior to the Labor Day holiday weekend. In the Hiwassee and Little Tennessee River watersheds, MountainTrue collected 341 E.coli samples at 23 locations across our region. We analyzed them and provided information about where it’s safe to swim every week for 15 weeks this summer! And we couldn’t have done it without our very dedicated volunteers. New 2024 volunteer Will Norris collected weekly E.coli samples from two sites on the Little Tennessee River and arranged for MountainTrue staff to pick them up at the Nantahala Outdoor Center’s General Store. Other dedicated volunteers who saved us a lot of time and vehicle miles this season are David Best, Stacey Cassedy, John Knoblich, and Lynn Hert. Thank you, everyone!

Dam removal in various stages all across WNC

Dam removal has become a major focus for MountainTrue’s Clean Waters team as a tool to mitigate the impacts of climate change, restore aquatic connectivity, and open safe public recreation corridors for paddlers. Working in partnership with groups like American Rivers, we were able to successfully advocate for a WNC Dam Removal Fund of $7.2 million to be established by the NC General Assembly and distributed through the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. A large portion of the funding is paying for studies to support dam removal here in the western region. Dam removal projects are in various stages of development (including feasibility) for the Burningtown Lakes Dam on Daves Creek in Macon County; Cullowhee Dam on the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County; and Ela Dam on the Oconaluftee River in Swain County. Funding has also been used to support the removal of two dams on the Watauga River, as well as projects in the Catawba, New, and French Broad river basins.

Help us welcome our new AmeriCorps Project Conserve member, Kate Bridgers

Sylva, NC, local Kate Bridgers starts an 11-month term this month serving as MountainTrue’s Western Region Water Quality and Habitat Restoration Associate. Kate received her Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Development with a concentration in Environmental Studies from Appalachian State University in August 2023. Protecting clean water and our region’s rich biodiversity is very important to Kate, and she’s excited that MountainTrue and AmeriCorps Project Conserve are offering her a hands-on role and the ability to give back to her community. You can reach out to Kate via email at wro-wq-habitat@mountaintrue.org later this month. 

Read about our housing work in The Laurel Magazine

Our Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC program was featured in the August issue of The Laurel of Asheville. Spotlight On: Working to Tackle Climate Change and Housing Shortages by Building Up, Not Out. Read the full article here.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Volunteer opportunity in Macon County

MountainTrue is working to expand our microplastics sampling program into Macon County, NC. We’re seeking volunteers to collect quarterly water samples from local rivers and streams. We’ve collaborated with Mainspring Conservation Trust to create an accessible drop-off and pick-up location for jars and samples. For more in-depth information about our microplastic sampling program, watch this video. If you’re interested in volunteering to take microplastic samples, please email Kate Bridgers, our new Western Region AmeriCorps member. Please let us know if you have a stream location in mind that you’d like to sample. If not, we’ll assign you a location from our list of possible sample sites!

Spring ’25 internship opportunity available in the Murphy, NC, area

MountainTrue’s Western Regional Office is offering a paid internship during the spring 2025 semester. The internship is part-time for a total of 150 hours over 12 weeks (late January-April). Primary responsibilities will be to assist with our Georgia Adopt-A-Stream volunteer water quality monitoring program and to manage our microplastics sampling program in the Hiwassee River Basin. Learn more + apply by October 30.

Pre-order your I Love Mountains merch thru September 30

Our new I Love Mountains merch was designed by Ellis Gibson (winner of MountainTrue’s Kid’s Design Contest) and refined by Calor Creative. Order your merch today! Pre-order options include youth and toddler sizes! Orders are expected to ship in early November. 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Lunch & learn w/ Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC & Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Susan Bean, Housing & Transportation Director for MountainTrue, will discuss why environmentalists should support building more housing. The virtual presentation and discussion is scheduled for Thursday, September 12, from 12-1 p.m. Learn more and register.

Eco Grief circle: October 10 thru November 21 

Eco Grief circle with The School of Global Citizenry in partnership with the Western United Methodist Conference is back. Participants in this seven-week hybrid learning experience will explore emotional and spiritual responses to ecological and social challenges. MountainTrue Creation Care Alliance supporters will receive a $20 discount at checkout with the code: greenchalice. Sign up here.

MountainTrue Calls on EPA to Protect NC Waters from Legislative Sabotage

MountainTrue Calls on EPA to Protect NC Waters from Legislative Sabotage

MountainTrue Calls on EPA to Protect NC Waters from Legislative Sabotage

The following is a letter sent to our members on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, announcing MountainTrue’s decision to petition the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw North Carolina’s authority to regulate water pollution. 

Dear members and supporters,

I’m writing to share some important news with you regarding the future of North Carolina’s water quality, environment, and public health. MountainTrue has always been committed to safeguarding the public water resources of Western North Carolina. Our mission to protect the health of our waterways and the well-being of our communities has never been more critical. However, the obstacles we now face have made it clear that the state cannot meet its obligations under the Clean Water Act. 

Therefore, MountainTrue has joined the Southern Environmental Law Center, Cape Fear River Watch, Environmental Justice Community Action Network, and the Haw River Assembly in filing a formal petition asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw North Carolina’s authority to regulate water pollution. This action is necessary because the state legislature has crippled the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s ability to protect our waterways, drinking water sources, and communities from harmful pollution.

As with most states, EPA delegates authority to North Carolina to regulate pollution from industry and wastewater treatment plants into rivers, lakes, and other waters through the “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System” program. This means the state takes on EPA’s legal duty to issue water pollution permits that protect North Carolina waters, to solicit participation from the public, and to enforce against any polluters that violate water quality laws. 

Unfortunately, the North Carolina General Assembly has systematically undermined the Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Management Commission to the point that the state can no longer effectively protect our waters. 

These legislative actions have led to weakened permits, an inability to regulate toxic chemicals effectively, and a state budget that leaves DEQ severely underfunded. As a result, industrial facilities are allowed to operate under expired permits with outdated protections, efforts to better protect the public and enforce against polluters are routinely blocked, and North Carolinians are exposed to more pollution in our waterways and drinking water sources.

Moreover, recent changes to state law have given final authority over water pollution permits to the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings, an entity that is not equipped to prioritize public health and environmental safety. This shift not only sidelines DEQ’s expertise but also cuts the public out of the permitting process altogether.

Given these circumstances, we believe that the only path forward is to request that the EPA reclaim its authority over water pollution regulation in North Carolina. This is a drastic measure, but one that is necessary to ensure that our waters and communities are protected from the serious threats posed by unchecked pollution.

We understand that this news may be concerning, and we want to assure you that MountainTrue will continue to fight tirelessly for clean water and healthy communities. We will keep you informed of any developments as the EPA considers our petition and takes action.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to protecting our precious public waters.

Sincerely,

Gray Jernigan
Deputy Director & General Counsel

Resources: