Trash Trout Cleanout in Boone, NC 9/19
2024-09-19 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Boone Fire Station #2, 1075 State Farm Rd, Boone, NC, 28607
Want to get in the river AND contribute to its health? Assist with cleanout and inventory of trash types and brands found within the Trash Trouts. This week’s trash trout cleanout will be at Winkler’s Creek. Made from recycled materials, this passive litter collection device will be sure to get you asking questions and feeling good about what we can do to mitigate the trash found in the river.
We’ve got the boots, waders and gloves, just bring your love for river health! Please provide boot/wader size for all registered participants.
Kids are welcome at this event, however, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire duration of the event.
Please Bring:

Water
Snacks
Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
You are welcome to bring your own boots and waders if you have them

Watauga Tailwaters Guided Paddle near Johnson City, TN 9/20
2024-09-20 11:00 - 15:00 | Blevins Boat Ramp, Blevins, Johnson City, TN, 37601, United States
Join MountainTrue’s Riverkeeper water team staff on a guided tailwater float on the Watauga River. Some of our best MountainTrue river experts have teamed up to spend the Friday afternoon on the water with you!
You can bring your own boat (and lifejacket) or rent a boat from MountainTrue but hurry, we have a limited number of available boats.
Children aged 5 and up are welcome to attend as long as they are with a parent/guardian for the duration of the outing. All skill levels of paddling are welcome.
We will meet at Blevins Boat Ramp and provide a shuttle and boats.
Please remember to bring: Water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, towel & change of clothes for after and your life jacket if you are bringing your own boat.
Rain Date: October 4th. Please reserve both dates on your calendar to ensure attendance.

Catch MountainTrue's Watauga Riverkeeper team at Appalachian Mountain Brewery (AMB) Oktoberfest in Boone, NC on 9/21
2024-09-21 12:00 - 22:00 | AMB-Boone, 163 Boone Creek Dr., Boone, NC, 28607
Oktoberfest is back and better than ever! Get ready for an all-day celebration filled with brews, brats, and belly-laughing fun! Come visit the MountainTrue table for some fun games, new merch and more information on all the activities we have planned this Fall and Winter.
$5 cover at the door will be donated to charities.
Full event information can be found here.

Catch MountainTrue's Watauga Riverkeeper Team at King Street Farmer's Market on 9/10 and 9/24
2024-09-24 15:30 - 18:30 | 126 Poplar Grove Connector, 126 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, NC, 28607
Come visit the MountainTrue booth at the King Street Market on September 10th and September 24th, and stock up on fresh, local food and crafts. This spacious, outdoor market every Tuesday is designed with working families in mind to give them the perfect opportunity to shop locally during the week. Be sure to grab your Hellbender and Riverkeeper merchandise, as well as find out what fun events are coming up!
Catch us 9/10 and 9/24!

**CANCELED** MountainTrue Volunteer Appreciation Party in Boone, NC
2024-10-10 17:00 - 19:30 | The Valle Crucis Community Park, 2892 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis, NC, 28604, United States
DUE TO THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE HELENE, THIS EVENT IS CANCELED FOR OCT 10.
To celebrate the end of Swim Guide season, we would like to celebrate our volunteers’ efforts in our clean water work. This is also a chance to reconnect with our volunteers involved with our monthly VWIN chemical sampling program, live-staking work, and invasive plant removal. We are so excited to share stories of how their sampling has made a difference in the New and Watauga River watersheds with our dedicated volunteers.
Volunteers, feel free to bring a friend, kids, or a loved one. Be sure to sign-up so we can account for food and drinks!
This event will be rain or shine.
Don’t forget that MountainTrue volunteers are eligible for a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. To receive your complimentary membership, please email members@mountaintrue.org.

**CANCELED** Trash Trout Cleanout in Boone, NC 10/17
2024-10-17 15:00 - 16:30 | Boone Fire Station #2, 1075 State Farm Rd, Boone, NC, 28607
**This Trash Trout was removed from Winkler’s Creek before the Tropical Storm and we’re not sure when we’ll be able to re-deploy it.**
Want to get in the river AND contribute to its health? Assist with cleanout and inventory of trash types and brands found within the Trash Trouts. This week’s trash trout cleanout will be at Winkler’s Creek. Made from recycled materials, this passive litter collection device will be sure to get you asking questions and feeling good about what we can do to mitigate the trash found in the river.
We’ve got the boots, waders and gloves, just bring your love for river health! Please provide boot/wader size for all registered participants.
Kids are welcome at this event, however, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire duration of the event.
Please Bring:

Water
Snacks
Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
You are welcome to bring your own boots and waders if you have them

Watauga Riverkeeper Clean Up- Guy Ford (near Boone, NC)
2024-10-19 09:00 - 14:30 | Wine to Water Warehouse, 689 George Wilson Rd, Boone, NC, 28607
Join us again on Saturday, October 19th for a Watauga River clean-up! We will meet at the Wine to Water Warehouse at 9 am to check in and then head to the clean-up site, arriving by 10 am.
Our team has limited waders, boots, gloves, N95 masks, and safety glasses. It is recommended that you bring your own PPE for the clean-up.
Lunch will be provided. While there will be some vegetarian options, it is recommended that you bring your own snacks/lunch if you have any specific dietary restrictions.
**All volunteer opportunities are subject to change based on weather and circumstances. Please be patient with our team and community as we all recover from the storm.**
Locations:
Meet at 9 am: Wine to Water Warehouse (689 George Wilson Rd. Boone, NC 28607)
Clean-up site (arrive by 10 am): Guy Ford (811 2/8 US-321 Sugar Grove, NC 28679)

Watauga Riverkeeper Clean Up- Brookshire Park near Boone, NC
2024-10-22 13:00 - 16:00 | Brookshire Park, 250 Brookshire Rd., Boone, NC, 28607, United States
Join us on Tuesday, October 22nd at Brookshire Park from 1pm to 4pm to help clean up trash along the South Fork of the New River.
Our team has limited waders, boots, gloves, N95 masks, and safety glasses. It is recommended that you bring your own PPE for the clean-up.
Lunch will be provided. It is recommended that you bring your own snacks/lunch if you have any specific dietary restrictions.
**All volunteer opportunities are subject to change based on weather and circumstances. Please be patient with our team and community as we all recover from the storm.**

Watauga Riverkeeper Clean Up- Clawson-Burnley Park near Boone, NC
2024-10-24 09:00 - 13:00 | Clawson-Burnley Park, 355 Martin Luther King Jr St, Boone, NC, 28607
Help our team keep the Greenway Clean from 9 am to 1 pm on October 24th. We plan to get outside and make more headway removing trash along the South Fork of the New River.
Our team has limited waders, boots, gloves, N95 masks, and safety glasses. It is recommended that you bring your own PPE for the clean-up.
Lunch will be provided. It is recommended that you bring your own snacks/lunch if you have any specific dietary restrictions.
**All volunteer opportunities are subject to change based on weather and circumstances. Please be patient with our team and community as we all recover from the storm.**

Watauga River Hurricane Helene Clean-up near Sugar Grove, NC 11/1
2024-11-01 10:00 - 13:00 | 5486 US-321, 5486 US-321, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679
Join us on Friday, November 1st, for a Watauga River clean-up! We will meet at the clean-up site at 10 am, talk as a group, and then disperse along the river for trash pickup. This area needs a good litter sweep and we are also working to identify any hazardous or large debris items (cars, propane tanks, etc.).
Our team has limited waders, boots, gloves, N95 masks, and safety glasses. It is recommended that you wear long-sleeved pants and shirt, sturdy boots, and bring your own PPE just in case. Please be sure to bring water and a snack.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.
**All volunteer opportunities are subject to change based on weather and circumstances. Please be patient with our team and community as we all recover from the storm.**

River Clean-up with Middle Fork Greenway and MountainTrue near Boone, NC
2024-11-07 10:00 - 13:00 | Boone Gorge Park, 36°11'25.3"N 81°39'24.7"W
Join us for a rewarding day of community service as we partner with Blue Ridge Conservancy and The Middle Fork Greenway for a River Clean-Up as an ongoing effort to clean up post-Helene. Help us make a difference as we collect litter and debris along the riverbanks.
We plan to meet at Boone Gorge Park on November 7th from 10 am-1 pm to help clean up the Middle Fork New River. This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, meet like-minded individuals, and contribute to a healthier environment.
Meet-up coordinates: 36.190361, -81.656861 (Turn off of Blowing Rock Rd./Hwy 321 to Jordan V Cook Rd., then take a slight left on Old Blowing Rock Rd., the entrance will be 0.1 miles on your right). Here is the google link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PemBkNWrqgHfNmwS7
Our team has limited waders, boots, gloves, N95 masks, and safety glasses. It is recommended that you wear long-sleeved pants and shirt, sturdy boots, and bring your own PPE just in case. Please be sure to bring water and a snack.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.
**All volunteer opportunities are subject to change based on weather and circumstances. Please be patient with our team and community as we all recover from the storm.**

River Clean up at Deer Valley Athletic Club in Boone, NC 11/9
2024-11-09 10:00 - 13:00 | Deer Valley Athletic Club, 507 Bamboo Dr., Boone, NC, 28607
Join us for another river clean up from 10 am-1 pm on Saturday, November 9th at Deer Valley Athletic Club to remove trash from the East Fork of the New River. We are excited to have a great turnout with plenty of parking— there is tons to do on this section of river (tell your friends, and still carpool if you can!).
Meet-up coordinates: (36.1918810, -81.6333086) Deer Valley Athletic Club; on the backside near the river Bamboo Rd, to Sports Club Ln https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y3vkkuqoAZC8XwYYA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Our team has limited waders, boots, gloves, N95 masks, and safety glasses. It is recommended that you wear long-sleeved pants and shirt, sturdy boots, and bring your own PPE just in case. Please be sure to bring water and a snack.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.
**All volunteer opportunities are subject to change based on weather and circumstances. Please be patient with our team and community as we all recover from the storm.**

River Clean-up at Old Cove in Sugar Grove, NC 12/14
2024-12-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Old Cove Creek, 207 Dale Adams Road, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679
Join us for another river clean up from 10 am – 1 pm on Saturday, December 14th (originally scheduled for Nov. 23rd this event was postponed due to the chance of inclement weather). We are excited to have a great turnout (tell your friends, and still carpool if you can!).
Our team has limited waders, boots, gloves, N95 masks, and safety glasses. It is recommended that you wear long pants and long-sleeved shirt, sturdy boots, and bring your own PPE just in case. Please be sure to bring water and a snack.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.
**All volunteer opportunities are subject to change based on weather and circumstances. Please be patient with our team and community as we all recover from the storm.**
The rain/snow date for this event will be December 21st. Please mark your calendar for both dates.

Catch MountainTrue at the Winter Farmer's Market in Boone, NC
2025-01-18 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-02-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, NC, 28607
Come visit us at the Saturday Winter Farmer’s Market in Boone, NC! From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., your Watauga Riverkeeper team will be set up with live-staking demos, well-testing kits, and Riverkeeper merch for our High Country community. This is a great opportunity to meet our team, learn about riparian buffer rehabilitation methods, and chat with us about water quality.
Check out the Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture website for more information.

Big Horse Clean Up 2.0 with New River Conservancy in Lansing 2/1
2025-02-01 10:00 - 14:00 | Lansing Creeper Trail Park, 114 S Big Horse Creek Road, Lansing, NC, 28643
Join MountainTrue and other awesome organizations in Lansing, NC, for a clean-up on Big Horse Creek. This cleanup is a collaboration between New River Conservancy, MountainTrue, Keep Ashe Beautiful and Trout Unlimited. (Originally scheduled for 1/29 but has been postponed to 2/1 due to weather).
Please Bring: food and water, and dress in layers for the cold weather.
Meet at: Lansing Creeper Trail Park @ 114 S Big Horse Creek Road, Lansing, NC
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQ7AHP9XeKxskCpCm_G4HOC28LVwQu5lkYAYVoAIGuPdcRYA/viewform

Live Staking Work Day near Boone, NC 2/8--This event is FULL
2025-02-08 10:00 - 13:00 | NC
Live staking season is officially here! Come help us start to restore riverbanks of the High Country after Hurricane Helene. We’ll be planting stakes that will eventually grow into trees, and protect our rivers from erosion and pollution. This event is full. Please view our event calendar for more upcoming workdays.
The exact location will be announced at a later date. We will email registered participants with the exact location and meet-up details..
We’ll decide where we’re planting based on that week’s weather. Work locations will be along the Watauga or New Rivers. Depending on the warmth that day, we may be paddling, so there could be an opportunity to canoe down and plant as we go. We will let you know beforehand what the day will hold.
Please bring: Lunch/snacks, Warm layers & gloves (we’ll be on the water, so dress for weather and make sure it’s things you don’t mind getting dirty), Rubber boots and/or waders and An extra set of dry clothes.

Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the outing but youth are welcome.

Elk River Clean-up near Banner Elk, NC 2/22-CANCELED
2025-02-22 09:30 - 14:30 | Lowe’s Food (Banner Elk), 4000 NC-105, Linville, NC, 28604
Due to inclement weather, this event has been canceled. Please check back for other upcoming events! Come join the Clean Water team as we clean up the trash left behind by Hurricane Helene. We will be removing trash and debris along the riparian areas. Please note this will be a land-based clean-up.
Meet-up: Lowe’s Food in Banner Elk @ 4000 NC-105 Linville NC 28604
The group will meet and carpool to our clean-up location on the Elk River.
Please wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and long sleeves (and waders if you have them), and bring drinking water, snacks, and perhaps a change of clothes for afterward in case you get wet or dirty.
We will have plenty of trash bags, gloves, safety glasses, and buckets for use, along with some hand tools such as shovels, loppers, hand saws, rakes, etc., However feel free to bring your own if you would like. We will have our dump trailer there for the removal of collected garbage and recyclables.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.
**All volunteer opportunities are subject to change based on weather and circumstances. Please be patient with our team and community as we all recover from the storm.**

Live Staking Work Day near Boone, NC 2/22-CANCELED
2025-02-22 10:00 - 13:00 | NC
Due to inclement weather, we are forced to cancel this event; the ground will be too cold. Please check back for additional upcoming workdays soon! Live staking season is officially here! Come help us start to restore riverbanks of the High Country after Hurricane Helene. We’ll be planting stakes that will eventually grow into trees, and protect our rivers from erosion and pollution.
The exact location will be announced at a later date. We will email registered participants with the exact location and meet-up details..
We’ll decide where we’re planting based on that week’s weather. Work locations will be along the Watauga or New Rivers. Depending on the warmth that day, we may be paddling, so there could be an opportunity to canoe down and plant as we go. We will let you know beforehand what the day will hold.
Please bring: Lunch/snacks, Warm layers & gloves (we’ll be on the water, so dress for weather and make sure it’s things you don’t mind getting dirty), Rubber boots and/or waders and An extra set of dry clothes.

Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the outing but youth are welcome.

Boone Greenway Trail Clean-up NC 3/7
2025-03-07 10:00 - 14:00 | 283 Martin Luther King Jr. St. Boone NC, 28607. 36.204297, -81.651667, 283 Martin Luther King Jr. St., Boone, NC, 28607
Come join Mountain True as we clean up the trash left behind by Hurricane Helene. We will be removing trash and debris along the Boone Greenway Trail in the riparian areas. Please note this will be a land-based clean-up.
Please wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and long sleeves (and waders if you have them), and bring drinking water, snacks, and perhaps a change of clothes for afterward in case you get wet or dirty.
We will have plenty of trash bags, gloves, safety glasses, and buckets for use, along with some hand tools such as shovels, loppers, hand saws, rakes, etc., However feel free to bring your own if you would like. We will have our dump trailer there for the removal of collected garbage and recyclables.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.
**All volunteer opportunities are subject to change based on weather and circumstances. Please be patient with our team and community as we all recover from the storm.**
Children aged 14 and are older are welcome. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire duration of the event.

Live Staking Work Day near Valle Crucis, NC 3/15
2025-03-15 10:00 - 13:00 | NC
Live staking season is officially here! Come help us start to restore the riverbanks of the High Country after Hurricane Helene. We’ll be planting stakes along Dutch Creek, a tributary of the Watauga River. Livestakes will eventually grow into trees, and protect our rivers from erosion and pollution.

We will be meeting from 10 am-1 pm at the Valle Country Fair Grounds (on the left across the street from the Valle Crucis Conference Center) with parking available here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/egPkgKX8VDkEVzJ47

We are grateful for our partnership with Valle Crucis Conference Center, which made this day possible! Be sure to check their website for a full list of all their events and offerings: https://vcconferences.org/

Please bring: Plenty of water, lunch/snacks, warm layers & gloves (we’ll be in and around the creek, so dress for weather and make sure it’s items you don’t mind getting dirty), rubber boots and/or waders and an extra set of dry clothes.
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the outing but youth are welcome. Please no pets!

Live Staking Work Day with MountainTrue and Mast General Store in Banner Elk, NC 3/21
2025-03-21 09:00 - 15:00 | NC
We are so excited to partner with Mast General Store in Honor of World Water Day to plant live stakes along a treasured tributary of the Watauga River, Dutch Creek. This service day is open to all Mast General Store, as well as the public!
We will be hosting two planting “shifts”, the first one from 9am-11am and the second from 12pm-3pm. We will have live stakes from Foggy Mountain Nursery- they offer a variety of native riparian species we will plant along the banks to stabilize the creek. This is great for water quality, bank stabilization, and providing habitat for pollinators and aquatic species alike!
MountainTrue will have livestakes, tools, waders, gloves, etc. to offer volunteers throughout the day, but as always, if you have gear or a favorite pair of gloves, you may be more comfortable bringing those!
Children are welcome as long as accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please no pets.
Location: Mast General Store Annex 2918 Broadstone Rd, Banner Elk, NC 28604, parking available
We are looking forward to planting with you soon! https://mountaintrue.org/mountaintrue-faq-live-staking/

Register Now!

North Toe River Clean-up in the High Country (NC) 3/22
2025-03-22 09:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Baptist Church, 268 Powder Creek Rd., Newland, NC, 28657
Come join Mountain True as we clean up the trash left behind by Hurricane Helene. We will be removing trash and debris along the riparian areas. Please note this will be a land-based clean-up.
Please wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and long sleeves (and waders if you have them), and bring drinking water, snacks, and perhaps a change of clothes for afterward in case you get wet or dirty.
We will have plenty of trash bags, gloves, safety glasses, and buckets for use, along with some hand tools such as shovels, loppers, hand saws, rakes, etc. However feel free to bring your own if you would like.
Meet-up location:
Powdermill Baptist Church
268 Powder Creek Rd.
Newland NC 28657
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.
**All volunteer opportunities are subject to change based on weather and circumstances. Please be patient with our team and community as we all recover from the storm.**
Children aged 14 and are older are welcome. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire duration of the event.

Live staking Workday in partnership with the Middle Fork Greenway in Blowing Rock, NC 3/22
2025-03-22 10:00 - 13:00 | Tweetsie Railroad, 300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln., Blowing Rock, NC, 28605
Join us Saturday 3/22 from 10 am-1 pm for a stream repair workshop! We will be planting live stakes along the Middle Fork Greenway, near Tweetsie Railroad! We will have a variety of native riparian species that we will plant along the Middle Fork, a tributary of the South Fork of the New River, to help stabilize the river banks, prevent erosion, and provide habitat and food for pollinators and aquatic species.
A special thank you to The Middle Fork Greenway for permission to plant, Tweetsie for allowing parking, and Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church for sponsoring this workday. We are grateful for our partners and collaborators who make these opportunities possible!
MountainTrue will have live stakes, tools, waders, gloves, first aid kit, etc. available for volunteers, but you are always welcome to bring your own gear to be more comfortable.
Please bring: Plenty of water, lunch/snacks, warm layers & gloves (we’ll be in and around the creek, so dress for the weather and make sure you bring items you don’t mind getting dirty), rubber boots and/or waders and an extra set of dry clothes.
Parking: Park at the far end of the Tweetsie parking lot here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/neoLrZ8NLZNkaJQx9 36.168199, -81.647677
General address to the parking lot: 300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 (take a left into the Tweetsie parking lot and we will be in the far left corner of the lot near the Middle Fork of the New River).
We are looking forward to planting with you soon! https://mountaintrue.org/mountaintrue-faq-live-staking/

Register Now!

Helton Creek Clean-Up with New River Conservancy in Grassy Creek, NC 3/29
2025-03-29 10:00 - 14:00 | 1850 Big Helton Rd., Grassy Creek, NC 28631, 1850 Big Helton Rd., Grassy Creek, NC, 28631
Join MountainTrue and other awesome organizations in Grassy Creek, NC for a clean-up on Helton Creek. This clean-up is a collaboration between New River Conservancy, MountainTrue, Keep Ashe Beautiful and Trout Unlimited.
Please bring: food, water and dress in layers for the cold weather. Rubber boots are best for trudging around this area.
Meet at: 1850 Big Helton Rd., Grassy Creek, NC 28631
RAIN DATE in case of inclement weather is 4/5/25
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/ACfr5HJq7NLYaDCn6
https://newriverconservancy.org/events/
Anyone age 18 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the clean-up, but kids are welcome.

Support the Watauga Riverkeeper at NC Conservation Network Earth Day Event in Boone, NC 4/9
2025-04-09 12:00 - 15:00 | NC
Come visit our table on Sandford Mall, among others, for NC Conservation Networks’ Campus Fellow Earth Day Event. This semester’s campaign is all about saving North Carolina’s wetlands. Our team will be there to talk about all things MountainTrue, Watauga Riverkeeper, and wetlands (our favorite!).
Swing by for a sticker, merch, just to say hi, or to learn something new! Thank you to our partners at NC Conservation network on hosting another great educational event!
The Expo will take place at Appalachian State University’s Sanford Mall: 300 Locust St, Boone, NC 28608
Parking is available on King Street.

Invasive Plant Workday at Rivers Park House near Boone, NC 4/11
2025-04-11 15:00 - 17:00 | Rivers Park House, 150 Clay House Dr, Boone, NC, 28607
To celebrate the Northern Peaks State Trail coming to Boone, join us for an afternoon of eradicating invasive plants on the property! In partnership with The Town of Boone and Blue Ridge Conservancy, this workday focuses on the history, eradication, and uses of some of the plants we’ll see. As the new southern terminus of the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST) in downtown Boone, we are excited to revitalize the property and allow native flora to begin finding new life at the site! Flora and fauna expert Will Bennett, our friends from Blue Ridge Conservancy, and Town of Boone folks will be joining us for both workdays. Our main focuses will be garlic mustard and oriental bittersweet.
Please bring snacks and water. It is recommended to wear long pants and sturdy boots for all invasive plant workdays. Some hand tools will be provided, but if you have your own gardening gloves, loppers, or shears, please bring them!
PARKING: Limited parking is available on-site for those needing accessibility. If you are able, it is recommended to find parking downtown and walk to the site.
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the workday.

Register Now!

North Fork New River Clean Up with New River Conservancy in Creston, NC 4/12
2025-04-12 10:00 - 15:30 | Creston Fire Station, 167 3 Top Rd, Creston, NC, 28615
Join MountainTrue and New River Conservancy in Creston, North Carolina for a North Fork clean-up on April 12, 2025. This will be a floating cleanup so folks will need to prepare to be on the water for ~5 hours.
Please Bring: snacks, water, and waders if you have them!
Meet at: the Creston Fire Station (167 3 Top Rd, Creston, NC 28615)
(36.42990307013774, -81.62010433035957)
Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/QX6SPJGAHFuoc5g16
https://newriverconservancy.org/events/
RAIN DATE: 4/19/25

Fly Fishing Film Festival in Boone, NC 4-27 benefiting MountainTrue and the Watauga Riverkeeper
2025-04-27 18:00 - 22:00 | Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, 559 West King Street, Boone, NC, 28607, United States
The 2025 International Fly Fishing Film Festival, sponsored by Boone’s Fly Shop and benefiting MountainTrue and the Watauga Riverkeeper, is coming to the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country on Sunday, April 27th.
IF4™ is the world’s leading fly-fishing film event, consisting of films produced by professional filmmakers from all corners of the globe and showcases the passion, lifestyle, and culture of fly fishing. It is the gathering place of the fly-fishing community and a celebration of friendship, fly-fishing stories and stoke.
This year’s event kicks off with a pre-screening concert performance with Mad Tom & The Chubs from 6 to 7 PM. The film festival film screening begins at 7 PM.
Be sure to snag tickets from The Appalachian Theatre ASAP! Please visit MountainTrue in the lobby for raffle tickets prior to the show. Fly fishing gear like rods and Hellbender swag will be raffled during intermission.
Click here for full event information or to buy tickets.

Invasive Plant Workday at Rivers Park House near Boone, NC 5/3
2025-05-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Rivers Park House, 150 Clay House Dr, Boone, NC, 28607
To celebrate the Northern Peaks State Trail coming to Boone, join us for an afternoon of eradicating invasive plants on the property! In partnership with The Town of Boone and Blue Ridge Conservancy, this workday focuses on the history, eradication, and uses of some of the plants we’ll see. As the new southern terminus of the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST) in downtown Boone, we are excited to revitalize the property and allow native flora to begin finding new life at the site! Flora and fauna expert Will Bennett, our friends from Blue Ridge Conservancy, and Town of Boone folks will be joining us for both workdays. Our main focuses will be garlic mustard and oriental bittersweet.
Thanks to High Country sustainability guru, Becca Nenow, volunteers will have the opportunity to enjoy a special invasive plant themed snack during this workday. Did you know some of our most pesky invasive plants are edible and quite delicious?
Please bring snacks and water. It is recommended to wear long pants and sturdy boots for all invasive plant workdays. Some hand tools will be provided, but if you have your own gardening gloves, loppers, or shears, please bring them!
PARKING: Limited parking is available on-site for those needing accessibility. If you are able, it is recommended to find parking downtown and walk to the site.
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the workday.

Register Now!
