MountainTrue

Paddle-n-Plant Workday
2019-03-02 10:00 - 16:00, 2019-03-06 10:00 - 16:00, 2019-03-12 10:00 - 16:00, 2019-03-13 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)

Lobbying 101
2019-03-06 18:00 - 20:00 | YWCA, 185 South French Broad Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801
MountainTrue is proud to co-sponsor this workshop put on by Democracy NC. In our current political climate, the term lobbying is kind of a dirty word, often associated with big money, special interests and backroom deals. But there’s another way to look at it. Lobbying is one way a group of people with shared policy interests or goals can influence, persuade or pressure elected officials to support our ideas. If we want to build power in our communities, lobbying should be one tool in our organizing toolkit. Come engage with us around what lobbying is and how we can use it to win on issues we care about.
This event is co-sponored by MountainTrue, the Asheville-Buncombe NAACP, Children First Communities In Schools, Just Economics, and the YWCA of Asheville. Please RSVP here.

Paddle Camping on the French Broad
2019-03-07 18:00 - 20:00 | The Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy St., Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Have you ever wanted to do a paddle overnighter? Do you want to get a taste of a river expedition? Learn the secrets behind using the FB Paddle Trail.
Here’s a sneak peak:
Secret #1: Your canoe or kayak is doing most of the heavy lifting. So, bring whatever you want! You’re not backpacking, so if you want your dog to have a costume box and it fits in your boat, bring it.
Headwaters Outfitters, the French Broad Riverkeeper, and MountainTrue are hosting another session on how to use the FB Paddle Trail. Whether you’re looking to do one night or 14, we’ll tell you how. Get all your questions answered – from what gear to bring, to how to reserve campsites, and where to stock up on beer. There will even be a raffle to win a free camping weekend.

Richmond Hill Invasive Species Workday
2019-03-09 09:00 - 13:00 | Richmond Hill Park, 300 Richmond Hill Dr, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States

High Country Live Staking Workday
2019-03-09 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-03-16 10:00 - 14:00 | The Valle Crucis Community Park, 2892 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis, NC, 28604, United States

Bugs 'N Brew
2019-03-12 17:00 - 18:30 | Sanctuary Brewing Company, 147 1st Ave E, Hendersonville, NC, 28792, United States
Join us for a happy hour to learn more about the tiny insects that live in our streams and ways you can get involved to help protect our waterways. Tiny insects (aquatic macroinvertebrates) are indicators of water quality. The stream teams of MountainTrue’s SMIE program head out to locations in Henderson and Polk county to collect and identify these insects in a process known as bio-monitoring. Our citizen scientists come from all sorts of backgrounds and most have no experience to begin with! If you aren’t able to join us for the happy hour, check out of SMIE training on the 30th!
Check out these cool macroinvertebrates!

Book Study: The Hidden Life of Trees
2019-03-12 18:00 - 2019-04-16 19:15 | Jubilee! Community Church, 46 Wall St, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States

Ash Inventory Training
2019-03-16 10:00 - 16:00 | Street Gap

Civics 101 Workshop Series
2019-03-19 18:30 - 19:45 | YWCA, 185 South French Broad Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801
Find out how to best advocate for the issues you care about within our local government.
The League of Women Voters along with a coalition of local nonprofits working to empower our community to advocate effectively, is presenting this series so that you can productively communicate with local representatives, staffers and commission members.
Each session will be a panel discussion with representatives about how to best communicate about the issues you are passionate about and will work through scenarios on advocating for things like city infrastructure, community services and affordable housing.
Panel discussion will be moderated with time for questions from the audience.
Event series:
March 19 – Asheville City Government
April 9 – Buncombe County Government
May 14 – Board of Education
Come to one or all sessions!
Please contact us at info@lwvab.org if you would like Spanish interpretation services or childcare (include the number of children and ages).
Coalition members include: Just Economics of WNC, League of Women Voters, Children First CIS of Buncombe County, MountainTrue, YWCA of Asheville

Green River Gorge Hike
2019-03-23 09:00 - 16:00 | Green River Cove Trail, 3770 Green River Cove Road, Saluda, 28773, United States

Stream Team Training
2019-03-30 09:00 - 16:00 | Blue Ridge Community College, 180 W Campus Dr, Flat Rock, NC, 28731, United States

Climate Interactive Role Play
2019-03-31 17:30 - 19:30 | First Congregational Church, 20 Oak Street, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States

No Man's Land Film Festival - Brevard
2019-04-03 18:15 - 21:30 | Oskar Blues Brewery, 342 Mountain Industrial Drive, Brevard, NC, 28712

Supporting Native Species at Home - Workshop
2019-04-04 18:30 - 20:00 | Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton Street, Asheville, NC, 28806

Hendersonville Green Drinks: The Power of Partnerships to Achieve our Energy Future
2019-04-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Black Bear Coffee, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville, NC, 28792, United States
Hendersonville, NC – On Thursday, April 11th, Hendersonville Green Drinks welcomes Robert Sipes, the Vice President of Duke Energy’s Western Carolinas Modernization Project. The Project encompasses a number of energy reduction and infrastructure development programs, including the conversion of the Asheville Power Plant from coal to natural gas and community programs aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing demand. The increasing focus in Western North Carolina and worldwide on the connection between our energy sources and climate change, in addition to the rapid advances in energy technology, have created a need for new partnerships on the local and national scale. In his talk, Robert will focus on the new partnerships being built in Western North Carolina aimed at developing and promoting solutions to our current energy
Robert Sipes serves as the Vice President of Duke Energy’s Western Carolinas Modernization project. The project encompasses the conversion of the Asheville Power Plant from coal to gas, the addition of significant transmission and substation infrastructure, the implementation of several distributed energy resource projects, and engagement with the community to implement existing and new programs to mitigate peak demand growth, increase efficiency, and reduce electric usage. Robert graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He began his career in the energy industry in 1983 working in electric power line construction for Stackhouse Inc., and since then, has served in a wide variety of roles in the electric utility industry.
About Hendersonville Green Drinks: Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by MountainTrue, Conserving Carolina and Black Bear Coffee. Come to Green Drinks to learn more about current environmental issues, have relevant discussions, and meet with like-minded people. This is a monthly event and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to drink at Green Drinks, just come and listen. Black Bear Coffee offers beer, wine, coffee drinks and sodas. A limited food menu will be available.

Richmond Hill Invasive Species Removal Workday
2019-04-13 09:00 - 13:00 | Richmond Hill Park, 300 Richmond Hill Dr, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Join us and help restore native plant communities by controlling non-native invasive plants at Richmond Hill Park. This is the City of Asheville’s only forested park and is home to many special native plant and animal species! Volunteers help to stop the spread of harmful non-native invasive species and return native species to the unique park.
We’ll provide all gloves, equipment and necessary instructions. Please bring snacks, water and a rain jacket and wear long pants, long sleeve shirt and closed toe shoes (no open shoes or sandals allowed for safety).

Green River Spring Cleaning
2019-04-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Fishtop Access, 2302 Green River Cove, Saluda, North Carolina, 28773

No Man's Land Film Festival - Boone
2019-04-13 17:30 - 21:00 | Center 45, 200 Den Mac Dr, Boone, NC, 28607

Project Drawdown Workshop
2019-04-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Henderson County Library, 301 N Washington Street, Hendersonville, NC, 28739
On April 16, MountainTrue, the Creation Care Alliance of WNC and the Citizens’ Climate Lobby of Henderson County are proud to co-sponsor the Introduction to Project Drawdown workshop – a workshop sharing what international researchers have identified as the one-hundred most impactful solutions to reverse climate change. The event will be held from 5:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at the Morris Kaplan Auditorium in the Henderson County Library.
“The Project gives the uplifting message that each of us can play a role in bringing these solutions to life, and what those roles might be,” says Gray Jernigan, MountainTrue’s Green Riverkeeper and Southern Regional Director. “Come hear about living buildings, walkable cities, silvopastures, cows on a beach, green roofs and more.”
This event is designed for individuals and groups who are ready to identify personal and family solutions to global warming that are within reach, and/or have an interest in working with community organizations and local governments to implement climate solutions and policies. Social and eco-justice advocates Pam and Charley Rogers will lead the workshop.
The workshop is based on the book, Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reduce Global Warming, edited by environmentalist Paul Hawken. The book features the work of more than 200 researchers and scientists who have mapped, measured and modeled the top 100 solutions to reverse global warming, concluding that we can begin reversal of greenhouse gases by 2050 using existing technologies.
MountainTrue champions resilient forests, clean waters and healthy communities in Western North Carolina. To this end, MountainTrue fosters and empowers advocates throughout the region to be engaged in policy and project advocacy, outreach and education, and on-the-ground projects.
The Creation Care Alliance of WNC is a network of people of faith and congregations who have united around a moral and spiritual call to preserve the integrity, beauty and health of God’s creation. We bring practical and hopeful solutions to our congregations and broader secular communities by engaging hearts and minds through inspiration, education, service, and advocacy.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. Our consistently respectful, nonpartisan approach to climate education is designed to create a broad, sustainable foundation for climate action across all geographic regions and political inclinations. By building upon shared values rather than partisan divides, and empowering our supporters to work in keeping with the concerns of their local communities, we work towards the adoption of fair, effective, and sustainable climate change solutions.

Broad River Greenway Cleanup
2019-04-21 15:00 - 18:00 | Broad River Greenway Canoe Access, 126 Broad River Drive, Shelby, NC, 28152, United States

Living with Bears in North Carolina
2019-04-24 17:30 - 18:30 | St. Paul’s Mountain Vineyard, Flat Rock Square, 2698 C Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC, 28731

Volunteer to be a weekly Water Ranger
2019-04-24 18:00 - 19:00
Every summer, the French Broad Riverkeeper team needs help collecting weekly, water samples around our beautiful watershed. Thousands of people float, boat, and swim in our streams everyday, so we want to make sure it’s safe for them to enjoy. Sign up here!
As a Water Ranger, you’ll go out each Wednesday morning to collect a water sample, drop it off at a community site nearby and then we’ll tell the world the results on the Swimguide website. We’ll teach you everything you need to know, and give you all the sampling supplies. It’s a fun way to get to know parts of the watershed you may never have seen, and a great educational opportunity for all ages. Below are all the sites we need a volunteer to take over. You’ll sample the same site each week. The process itself does not take long at all, but it is ideal if you live near where you sample.
We currently need folks at the following sites, but if you live near somewhere where people get into the river, don’t hesitate to ask if we can add another site. Here’s a link to a map to see where these sites are located.

French Broad at Champion Park
French Broad at Wilson Rd. (Pisgah Forest Access)
French Broad at Penrose: Crab Creek Rd.
French Broad at Lazy Otter Outfitters (Banner Farm Rd)
Mills River Boat Access
Cane Creek at Fletcher Community Park
French Broad at Westfeldt Park
French Broad at Glen Bridge River Park
Swannanoa at Charles D. Owen (or Warren Wilson College)
Swannanoa at Azalea Park
Hominy Creek at Hominy Creek Greenway
French Broad at Craven St. Bridge
Pigeon River at Canton Recreational Park
Nolichucky at the AT

We’ll have an orientation session to teach you everything you need to know, and give you all your materials on April 24, 2019 at 6PM at the MountainTrue office (29 N. Market St. #610 Asheville NC 28801).
If you have any questions contact Anna@mountaintrue.org or 828-258-8737 ext 212

Practicing Shalom in Our Time of Climate Change
2019-04-24 18:00 - 19:00 | First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NE, 28801, United States
We are happy to present this 4-part series for our church and our community to examine climate change. We will consider its effects on our world, and explore the role of our Christian faith in response. Join us as leaders share their expertise.
April 24 – “Living in this time of Climate Change” Deke Arndt, Chief, Monitoring Branch, National Center for Environmental Information, NOAA From his experience as climate scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Deke will speak to us about the recent report from the National Climate Assessment, helping us understand major points of interest. Additionally, he will speak to conditions we might expect in the Southeastern US with regard to cli- mate change. We are fortunate to have Deke share his scientific expertise with us.
May 1 – “Practicing Shalom in Climate Change” Rev. Nancy Sehested, Co-pastor, Circle of Mercy Congregation Nancy will lead us in an exploration of the relationship between our faith and climate change. What can we glean from our Scriptures that speak to this issue? How are we then called to respond?
May 8 – “Asheville Responds” A Panel of Local Leaders:
Sophie Mullinax, Blue Horizons Project, Coordinator Dawn Chavez, Asheville Greenworks, Director Scott Hardin-Nieri, Mountain True, Director of Creation Care Alliance From these community leaders, we will learn of their efforts in Asheville and Buncombe County to mitigate climate change. Additionally, they will help us know ways we can participate with them or on an individual basis to make a positive difference in combating climate change.
May 15 – “First Baptist Responds” Dr. Mack Dennis, Pastor Mack will give an overview of ways our church has already taken steps to reduce our energy consumption and live more sustainably. Where do we go from here? Mack will share ideas that are being explored and visions for our future of ways we can help as we live in this time of climate change.

No Man's Land Film Festival - Asheville
2019-04-25 19:30 - 21:30 | New Belgium Brewing Company, 21 Craven St, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Join us for the premier all-women adventure film festival featuring short films about women adventurers who will inspire you with their tenacity, their spunk and their femininity – all interwoven to showcase the full scope of woman-identified athletes and adventurers, looking to undefine what it means to be a woman in adventure, sport and film.

Water Quality Volunteer Training
2019-04-27 09:00 - 12:00 | The Valle Crucis Community Park, 2892 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis, NC, 28604, United States

Earth Day Vigil
2019-04-28 17:30 - 19:30 | First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NE, 28801, United States
The Creation Care Alliance of WNC welcomes people of all faiths to an Earth Day Vigil on Sunday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.(Labyrinth walk at 4:15) at the Sacred Garden/Labyrinth of First Baptist Church, 5 Oak Street in downtown Asheville. This event is a celebration of creation, and a call to spiritually grounded action to care for it during a time when it is in peril. The theme is “Walking the Path” and will include interactive and contemplative practices. This year, instead of hosting the Vigil closer to Earth Day, it will be offered on April 28th to make space for those observing Passover and Easter.
The vigil will be structured as if moving through a Labyrinth in four movements, Remembering, Releasing, Receiving, and Returning with song, poetry, messages of inspiration and invitations to action from local faith and community organizations and leaders.The time will have
Words of reflection and blessings will be delivered by Rev. Carol Hovis from Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Rev. Nancy Walton of Trinity United Methodist Church, Rev. Tommy Bratton and Marian Sadler Arledge of First Baptist Church, Rev. Scott Hardin-Nieri of the Creation Care Alliance of WNC, Dr. Hun Lye, Founder and Spiritual Director of Urban Dharma, and Isa Whitaker a member of the Islamic Center of Asheville and the Community Garden Network Coordinator at Bountiful Cities. Sound and musical leadership will be offered by Jenna Lindbo from Land of the Sky United Church of Christ and Joe Hallock of Solar Powered Sound.
Following the Earth Day Vigil, there will be a reception upstairs with donated food and drink. Also opportunities to walk the Labyrinth in mediation and prayer will be available after the vigil.
Creation Care Alliance reminds those interested in attending to consider biking, carpooling or taking public transportation, First Baptist is close to the Charlotte @ College Bus Stop. In the event of rain or bad weather, the vigil will take place just inside of First Baptist Church in the Sanctuary with a labyrinth available inside in the chapel.
