MountainTrue

High Country Live Staking Workday (1/28/22)
2022-01-28 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | NC
Location TBD

Southern Region Live Staking 2/16/22
2022-02-16 10:00 - 15:00 | NC
This event is sold out. Click here for another live staking workday opportunity.

Join MountainTrue and the City of Hendersonville to combat streambank sediment erosion in our local waterways through live staking workdays in our Southern Region. Live staking is the process of planting live cuttings of dormant trees in the riparian buffer zone along a streambank which helps filter stormwater runoff, protect vital aquatic habitat, and prevent soil erosion and sediment pollution. As these planted live stakes grow into trees, they stabilize the sides of rivers and creeks and reduce the amount of sediment and toxins flowing into the river. Come plant with us at one of our live staking workdays in Hendersonville in February!

If an event is sold out, please contact outings@mountaintrue.org to have your name added to the waiting list. If spots open up, we will notify you.

High Country Live Staking Workday (2/19/22)
2022-02-19 10:00 - 14:00 | NC

Southern Region Live Staking Workday 3-2-22
2022-03-02 10:00 - 15:00 | NC

Invasive Plant Walk and Talk in Hendersonville, NC 7/13/22
2022-07-13 09:30 - 11:30 | NC

High Country Live Staking Workday 12/09/22
2022-12-09 15:00 - 17:00 | The Valle Crucis Community Park, 2892 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis, NC, 28604, United States

High Country Live Staking Workday 12/10/22
2022-12-10 10:00 - 14:00 | The Valle Crucis Community Park, 2892 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis, NC, 28604, United States

High Country Live Staking Workday
2023-01-21 10:00 - 14:00 | Brookshire Park, 250 Brookshire Rd., Boone, NC, 28607, United States

High Country Live Staking Workday 2/18/2023
2023-02-18 10:00 - 14:00 | The Valle Crucis Community Park, 2892 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis, NC, 28604, United States

High Country Live Staking Workday 3/25
2023-03-25 10:00 - 14:00 | Watauga Upper Gorge Access, 2531 Old Watauga River Rd, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679, United States

Live Staking Work Day near Boone, NC 12/15
2023-12-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Wards Mill Dam, 443 Old Watauga River Rd, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679, United States
Come plant native trees with MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper at the historic former site of Wards Mill Dam! This project has been completed for 2 years, and we are able to continue repairing the vegetative buffer thanks to support from TVA’s Shade Your Stream program and the Tennessee River Basin Network.
If you’re looking to get outside and help us restore and replenish streambanks, these work days are a great way to meet new friends and do some good work for Mother Nature too!
Live staking involves taking dormant cuttings of a living tree and planting them along the river’s edge. For the remainder of 2023, our live staking goals prioritize improving riparian habitat connectivity at high-priority stream sites in the Watauga drainage following the historic Ward’s dam removal.
What to bring:

Lunch/snacks
warm layers & gloves (we’ll be on the water, so dress for weather, but also make sure it’s things you don’t mind to get dirty)
rubber boots and/or waders (We have some, but not many so bring your own if you have them.)
water to drink

We will meet at the Old Watauga River Rd at the Ward’s Mill Dam site. Park along the sides of the gravel road. Please DO NOT block the barn or driveways.

Live staking workday at Union County Farmers Market in Blairsville, GA.
2024-01-26 13:00 - 15:00 | 290 Farmers Market Way Blairsville, GA, 290 Farmers Market Way, Blairsville, GA, 30512, United States
Come out to Blairsville, GA to assist MountainTrue as we install livestakes along streams on the Union County Farmers Market property to improve the water quality in Butternut Creek.
No prior experience is necessary; we will provide tools and training. Please register in advance so that we will have enough tools, gloves, etc for you. This is a kid friendly event and a wonderful engaged learning experience!
Please bring:
Warm layers
Water and snacks
You may wish to bring your own work gloves, but gloves will be provided by MountainTrue as well.
Let’s work together to improve the water quality of Butternut Creek with the power of livestakes!
Contact Western Region Program Coordinator, Tony Ward with any questions (tony@mountaintrue.org).

Live Staking Work Day near Sugar Grove, NC 2-2
2024-02-02 11:00 - 14:00 | Wards Mill Dam, 443 Old Watauga River Rd, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679, United States
Come plant native trees with MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper at the historic former site of Wards Mill Dam! This project has been completed for 2 years, and we are able to continue repairing the vegetative buffer thanks to support from TVA’s Shade Your Stream program and the Tennessee River Basin Network.
If you’re looking to get outside and help us restore and replenish streambanks, these work days are a great way to meet new friends and do some good work for Mother Nature too! Live staking involves taking dormant cuttings of a living tree and planting them along the river’s edge. For our 2024 livestaking season, our goals prioritize improving riparian habitat connectivity at high-priority stream sites in the Watauga drainage following the historic Ward’s dam removal.
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 (We have some, but not many so bring your own if you have them.) water to drink

There is parking along the side of the road.

Live Staking Work Day near Sugar Grove, NC 2-17
2024-02-17 10:00 - 14:00 | Wards Mill Dam, 443 Old Watauga River Rd, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679, United States
Come plant native trees with MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper at the historic former site of Wards Mill Dam!
If you’re looking to get outside and help us restore and replenish streambanks, these work days are a great way to meet new friends and do some good work for Mother Nature too! Live staking involves taking dormant cuttings of a living tree and planting them along the river’s edge. For our 2024 livestaking season, our goals prioritize improving riparian habitat connectivity at high-priority stream sites in the Watauga drainage following the historic Ward’s dam removal.
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 (We have some, but not many so bring your own if you have them.) water to drink

There is parking along the side of the road.

Live Staking Workday at Island Park in Bryson City
2024-03-20 13:00 - 16:00 | Bryson City Island Park, 213 Bryson St, Bryson City, NC, 28713, United States
Come out to help with planting 1500 native live stakes this dormant season at Bryson City Island Park. MountainTrue West will be holding this community volunteer workday on March 20th to install various species of live stakes for bank stabilization, wildlife habitat, and beautification as the next step in the Island Park Bank Restoration Project. Gloves are provided but you are welcome to bring your own if you wish.
Please bring:
Closed toed shoes
Warm layers (recommended)
Water and snacks
The workday will be held on Wednesday, March 20th from 1-4pm. In case of rainy weather, we will have the workday on Thursday, March 28th, instead.
Contact western region program associate Eve Davis with any questions (wro-wq-habitat@mountaintrue.org).

Live Staking Work Day near Sugar Grove, NC 3-23
2024-03-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Wards Mill Dam, 443 Old Watauga River Rd, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679, United States

Live Staking Work Day near Sugar Grove, NC 4-5-CANCELLED
2024-04-05 11:00 - 14:00 | Wards Mill Dam, 443 Old Watauga River Rd, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679, United States
Unfortunately (OR fortunately) Spring has Sprung, and the trees are no longer dormant and viable for planting. We will have more events next year November-March/April depending on the weather. We will not be hosting our last planting event.

But there are more ways to get involved on our website: https://mountaintrue.org/eventscalendar/

**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.

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.

French Broad River Livestaking Workday near Fletcher or Brevard 1/23 CANCELED
2025-01-23 10:00 - 15:00 | NC
Due to the incredibly cold temperatures in the area this week, this event has been canceled. Please check out one of the other upcoming Live Staking dates! Come help us start to restore riverbanks of the French Broad after Hurricane Helene. We’ll plant stakes that will eventually grow into trees.
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
An extra set of dry clothes

We will email you with the exact location and more details closer to the event date.
We’ll decide where we’re planting based on that week’s weather and will be in touch about final location. Expect work locations to be either in Fletcher or in the Rosman/Brevard areas. Depending on the warmth that day, we may be paddling, so there could be an opportunity to canoe down and plant as we go, but we will let you know beforehand.

French Broad River Live Staking Workday near Fletcher or Brevard 1/25-CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER
2025-01-25 10:00 - 15:00 | NC
Due to the blast of cold weather that has hit our region, the ground is frozen in the areas that we planned to work. This event will be canceled. Please check our Events Calendar for upcoming workdates in February. Come help us start to restore riverbanks of the French Broad after Hurricane Helene. We’ll plant stakes that will eventually grow into trees.
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
An extra set of dry clothes

We will email you with the exact location and more details closer to the event date.
We’ll decide where we’re planting based on that week’s weather and will be in touch about final location. Expect work locations to be either in Fletcher or in the Rosman/Brevard areas. Depending on the warmth that day, we may be paddling, so there could be an opportunity to canoe down and plant as we go, but we will let you know beforehand.

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.

French Broad River Live Staking Workday near Fletcher or Brevard 2/20-CANCELED
2025-02-20 10:00 - 15:00 | NC
Due to extremely cold weather, we are forced to cancel this event. The ground will be too cold. Please check out our other live staking event on February 22nd! Come help us start to restore riverbanks of the French Broad after Hurricane Helene. We’ll plant stakes that will eventually grow into trees.
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
An extra set of dry clothes

We will email you with the exact location and more details closer to the event date.
We’ll decide where we’re planting based on that week’s weather and will be in touch about final location. Expect work locations to be either in Fletcher or in the Rosman/Brevard areas. Depending on the warmth that day, we may be paddling, so there could be an opportunity to canoe down and plant as we go, but we will let you know beforehand.

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.

French Broad River Live Staking Workday near Fletcher or Brevard 2/22
2025-02-22 10:00 - 15:00 | NC
Come help us start to restore riverbanks of the French Broad after Hurricane Helene. We’ll plant stakes that will eventually grow into trees.
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
An extra set of dry clothes

We will email you with the exact location and more details closer to the event date.
We’ll decide where we’re planting based on that week’s weather and will be in touch about final location. Expect work locations to be either in Fletcher or in the Rosman/Brevard areas. Depending on the warmth that day, we may be paddling, so there could be an opportunity to canoe down and plant as we go, but we will let you know beforehand.

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!

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!

Live staking and Tree Planting Workday with NCWF's High Country Wild Chapter near Banner Elk, NC 1/8
2026-01-08 12:00 - 15:00 | NC
Join your High Country crew, in partnership with High Country Wild, a local chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) for another live staking workday to kick off the New Year. We will be planting thousands of trees at the park that day, thanks to National Wildlife Federation’s Trees Trees for Wildlife Program. We were not able to host any workdays at the park last year, so this year we are twice as excited! VCCP has a very special place in our hearts, so we are really looking forward to being able to plant along the Watauga and Dutch Creek in that section

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.
**We will have some waders and boots, but bring your own if you have them! We will also have gloves and loppers available.
Meet-up location: Valle Crucis Community Park (2892 Broadstone Rd, Banner Elk, NC 28604)
All youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian for the duration of the workday.
We are looking forward to planting with you soon! https://mountaintrue.org/mountaintrue-faq-live-staking/
All volunteers are eligible for a one year, complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. To activate your membership, please email members@mountaintrue.org
* Rain date: January 15
