MountainTrue

2023 Virtual BioBlitz
2023-06-10 - 2023-06-25 | NC
Each year, MountainTrue hosts a BioBlitz to record all the species we can find in a given area. We identify and catalog organisms in-person and virtually using the online app iNaturalist to make the event accessible to all. Our 2023 Bioblitz will focus on the Craggy Mountains. This is an area of astounding diversity that the Forest Service has recognized as a Forest Scenic Area in the new Forest Plan for Pisgah National Forest. MountainTrue and Friends of Big Ivy are partnering to hold an in-person bioblitz on June 10. We have recruited over 20 experts to lead you, your friends, and your family to discover and photograph the natural diversity of the Craggy Mountains. What’s more, the information you collect will be crucial in documenting the special character of the area, helping the Forest Service to better protect it, and in demonstrating to Congress that it should be designated a permanently protected National Scenic Area. Need more information about iNaturalist? Visit our information page here: https://mountaintrue.org/bioblitz23/
If you would like to attend the in-person Bioblitz event on June 10th, please register using this link: https://mountaintrue.org/event/2023-bioblitz/
If you would like to participant virtually, all you need is a smartphone with the iNaturalist app and to sign up for the 2023 MountainTrue Craggy Mountain Bioblitz using the form BELOW. You don’t even have to know the identity of the plants and animals you are photographing. Just take pictures of the unique features of each organism and upload those to iNaturalist and a worldwide network of experts will help identify your observations. The Bioblitz will include all federal land in the Craggy Mountains and will last two weeks, from June 10 – June 25, 2023.

VWIN Sampling Weekend in the High Country 6/10-6/11
2023-06-10 - 2023-06-11 | NC

Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC 6/8
2023-06-08 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | NC
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 weeks trash trout clean out 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 and waders, just bring your love for river health! Sign up so we know your sizes and how many people to bring equipment for.
Please note under MountainTrue policy, we will never share your contact information with external groups or individuals.
**Note: Dates and times are subject to change due to weather conditions with short notice. Please follow our Watauga Riverkeeper Instagram and Watauga Riverkeeper Facebook Page or email hannah@mountaintrue.org to receive the most up-to-date information on event changes/cancellations.

Lewis Creek Preserve Nature Walk in Hendersonville, NC 6/7/23
2023-06-07 09:00 - 11:00 | Lewis Creek Nature Preserve, 15 Ida Rogers Dr., Hendersonville, NC, 28792, United States

plēb Wine Release Event
2023-06-03 12:00 - 20:00 | Pleb Urban Winery, 289 Lyman St, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
On June 3rd plēb will be releasing several wines in a lil’ celebration they are calling “Acid on the River”. They will be joined by some of their friends in the beer, wine, food, tattoo, charity (including MountainTrue) and art communities for the occasion. The French Broad Riverkeeper program receives a portion of proceeds from specific sales.
No tickets.
As is plēb tradition, come as you are… thirsty, hungry and open minded.

Headwaters Fun Float on the Broad River in Shelby, NC
2023-06-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Cooke’s Hometown Market, 4601 Polkville Rd, Shelby, NC, 28150, United States
We are heading up to the South Mountain foothills for a fun paddle on the cool shady waters of the First Broad River. The water is likely to be pretty shallow and “bony”, that is, we will be scraping and dragging over quite a few rocks and gravel beds.
Meet up at Cooke’s Hometown Market at 10:00 am sharp! (4601 Polkville Rd, Shelby, NC 28150) You can follow us to the put-in to drop off boats. Then we’ll take all the vehicles to the take-out spot and shuttle back to begin paddling.
Please bring your boat, paddle, and lifejacket, water, lunch, sunscreen, sturdy water shoes or sneakers (no flip-flops), towel and a dry change of clothes. We have some kayaks available to rent for an additional fee, please be sure to purchase rental gear at checkout if you need it.
The rain date for this paddle will be June 10th.

Crawfish Boil to benefit MountainTrue's French Broad Riverkeeper Program
2023-05-23 16:00 | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
BEER WEEK: CRAWFISH BOIL
Sierra Nevada Brews + Music + Crawfish!
All Ages
Doors: 4pm // Show: 5pm
Free To Attend / Crawfish Available To Purchase
Orders will only be taken on the day of the event at our in-house taqueria! We are limiting the number of crawfish orders to 75 this year. First come, first served!
$55 per order of crawfish — proceeds go to MountainTrue — includes crawfish boil (~4 lbs per person) with sides! Sierra Nevada brews available for purchase.

Moss Lake Paddle Race and Fundraiser for Broad Riverkeeper
2023-05-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Camp Creek Boat Ramp, 863 New Camp Creek Church Rd., Kings Mountain, NC, 28086, United States
All are invited to join us in this first ever paddle race at Moss Lake!
We will meet up at 10:00 sharp at the public access/boat ramp at 863 New Camp Creek Church Rd, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. Your Broad Riverkeeper, David Caldwell, will give a brief introduction and explain the race course and rules, and the race will start at about 10:45. We will paddle up the lake approximately 2 miles, circle around an island, and race back down to the finish line in the boat landing area. Volunteer Safety/Observer boats will be anchored along the race course to help guide the way and assist anyone who might have trouble.
Rules for the race are simple:

You must wear a pfd (life jacket) the entire time on the water
No motors allowed
No sails or pedal power
Boats may include: canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, other small craft
Paddle solo, tandem, or as many people who will safely/legally fit in the boat
No interfering with other boats. Keep it clean.

Prizes: $200 for first, $100 for second, $50 for third.
Event sponsors are:
City of Kings Mountain
Joy Pharr Realty – Ivester Jackson Blackstream, Christie’s International Real Estate
Michael Cheng
We are looking for “safety boat” volunteers who can anchor their vessels along the course. Email david@mountaintrue.org for more information.

Guided River Snorkel near Boone, NC 5/20
2023-05-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Watauga Upper Gorge Access, 2531 Old Watauga River Rd, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679, United States

VWIN Sampling Weekend in the High Country 5/13-5/14
2023-05-13 - 2023-05-14 | NC

Nature Walk at Nodding Trilliums Private Nature Preserve in Cullowhee
2023-05-12 10:00 - 13:00 | NC

Swim Guide Volunteer Launch in the High Country
2023-05-11 17:30 - 19:00 | The Valle Crucis Community Park, 2892 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis, NC, 28604, United States
Come learn more about our swim guide program with our water team staff at the Cooper Pavillion at Valle Crucis Community Park from 5:30-7:00pm on Thursday evening. We are currently recruiting volunteers for our 23 swim guide sites in the New and Watauga River watersheds. Hear about how our mountain community is one of many contributing to an international effort to monitor bacteria levels at local “beaches” or, in our case, lakes or streams.
Sites are assigned on a first come, first served basis, but you are encouraged to sign up to join our list of Backup Swim Guide Volunteers. Sampling typically requires a 1 to 2 hour commitment, 1 time per week.

Waiting List: Pilot Cove Loop Spring Hike 5/10
2023-05-10 10:00 - 15:00 | NC

2023 Spring Green Bash
2023-05-06 17:00 - 21:00 | Green River Adventures, 111 E. Main Street, Saluda, NC, 28773, United States
2023 Spring Green Bash
Get ready for an exciting day full of kayaking trips, waterfall rappelling, treks, cold beer, and good music when the Spring Green Bash — Saluda’s favorite river and block party — returns on Saturday, May 6th!
The whole Green River community is invited to the Spring Green Bash block party at Green River Adventures in downtown Saluda, NC. We’ll enjoy great beer from Oskar Blues Brewing and music by Pretty Little Goat Stringband. We’ll also announce the winner of the charity raffle for a Liquidlogic Remix XP kayak! Proceeds from the raffle benefit MountainTrue’s Green Riverkeeper – the protector and defender of the Green River Watershed.
The party will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the parking lot for Green River Adventures at 111 E Main St., Saluda, NC 28773.
Where: Green River Adventures, 111 E. Main Street, Saluda, NC
When: Saturday, May 6, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
HOW TO ENTER THE RAFFLE:
1. Enter online by completing this form and paying with credit card, OR
2. Pay cash in person at the event on May 6.

13th Annual Green River Spring Cleaning in Saluda, NC
2023-05-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Fishtop Access, 2302 Green River Cove, Saluda, North Carolina, 28773
Join MountainTrue’s Green Riverkeeper and Liquidlogic Co-founder Shane Benedict for the 13th Annual Green River Spring Cleaning! We’ll meet at the Fishtop Access (2302 Green River Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773) at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 6th where we will divide into teams then get on the river to pull out as much litter as possible before the summer paddling season. We need paddlers of all skill levels to tackle each section of the Green all the way from the Upper Green below the Tuxedo hydroelectric station, through the Narrows, down the Lower Green, and all the way to Lake Adger. Bring your boat, paddling gear, snacks/lunch, and water, and be prepared to get dirty and wet.
After party in downtown Saluda at the Spring Green Bash with Green River Adventures! Information about the after party and purchasing raffle tickets for the event giveaway can be found here: https://mountaintrue.org/event/2023-spring-green-bash/

Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC 5/4
2023-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | NC

Pisgah & Nantahala National Forest Plan Meeting with WNC Sierra Club
2023-05-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Reuter Center, 300 Campus View Rd., Asheville, NC, 28804, United States
Join the Western NC Sierra Club for a presentation on the newly revised Pisgah and Nantahala National Forest plan. This event will be happening in person and online via zoom. Please visit the Sierra Club website for the most up to date information on the presentation. We look forward to seeing you there!

May Microplastics Sampling in the High Country
2023-05-01 | NC

Jackson Greenway Workday 4/29
2023-04-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Jackson County Greenway Loop, Monteith Gap Rd, Cullowhee, NC, 28723, United States

Wildflower Walk and Garlic Mustard Pull 4/28/23
2023-04-28 10:00 - 16:00 | NC

Roan Mountain Garlic Mustard Pull with Appalachian Trail Conservancy
2023-04-28 09:30 - 14:00 | NC
Join the Appalachian Trail Conservancy on April 28th for their Roan Mountain garlic mustard pull. Volunteers will gather at Roan Mountain in Tennessee to pull and bag as much garlic mustard as they can! This invasive non-native plant has invaded many heavily trafficked areas of the state park. Let’s join together to protect the biodiversity and habitat along the A.T. landscape. This event is being hosted in partnership with Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Roan Mountain State Park, and the Cherokee National Forest.
Please visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website here for more details and how to sign up.

Earth Day Film Festival in Boone, NC
2023-04-22 15:00 - 22:00 | NC
Join MountainTrue and The Town of Boone at the Appalachian Theatre this Earth Day! We will be celebrating by focusing on films talking about climate change. This event is free but donations from this event will go to benefit MountainTrue.
To read more about the films and reserve your tickets, follow this link: https://www.apptheatre.org/events-and-tickets/boone-earth-film-fest.

Nature Walk prior to the Spring Fling Street Fair & Nature Expo in Andrews, NC 4/22/2023
2023-04-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Heritage Park, 155 Wilson St., Andrews, NC, 28901, United States

International Fly Fishing Film Festival in Boone, NC
2023-04-21 19:00 - 21:30 | NC
The 2023 International Fly Fishing Film Festival is back! Join us at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country for a night of fly-fishing films and fun. A series of ten films will be shown over a two hour period. The fun will include an exclusive raffle, proceeds of which will go to support your Watauga Riverkeeper!
Tickets can be reserved using this link: https://www.showclix.com/event/if42023boonenc. We hope to see you there!

Bryson City Island Park Volunteer Workday 4/20
2023-04-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Bryson City Island Park, 213 Bryson St, Bryson City, NC, 28713, United States

Wildflower Walk and Garlic Mustard Pull 4/19/23
2023-04-19 10:00 - 16:00 | NC

Wildflower Walk on the John Muir Recreation Trail near Reliance, TN
2023-04-15 10:00 - 16:00 | NC

Waiting List: Spring Headwaters & Wildflower Hike 4/13
2023-04-13 10:00 - 16:00 | Strawberry Gap Trailhead

VWIN Sampling Weekend in the High Country 4/8-4/9
2023-04-08 - 2023-04-09 | NC

2023 Blowing Rock Speckled Trout Derby
2023-04-01 | NC
Come join MountainTrue and your Watauga Riverkeeper for the Speckled Trout Derby in Blowing Rock, NC. This family friendly event has been happening for over four decades and is sure to impress.
Follow this link to find registration: https://blowingrock.com/troutderby/. Please refer to this site for location, time, and date details in case anything changes.
