MountainTrue

Endemic Species Halloween Pub Crawl
2018-10-27 16:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | NC, United States
Celebrate Halloween and the diversity of the Blue Ridge Mountains by dressing up as one of our unique species and enjoying some of the finest pubs in downtown Asheville. Creativity in costumes is encouraged and don’t be afraid to get puny! For ideas of species to dress up as check out this list. Copy names and paste to your browser for images and information about species. Knowledgeable folks are welcome to add to the list of endemic species. Please invite your friends!

2018 MountainTrue Annual Gathering
2018-10-24 18:00 - 20:00 | New Belgium Brewing Company, 21 Craven St, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States

Oklawaha Greenway Invasive Removal Workday
2018-10-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Patton Park, 1730 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville , NC, 28791, United States

Fall Scenic Hike
2018-10-20 09:00 - 16:00 | NC

Richmond Hill Park Restoration Work Day
2018-10-13 09:00 - 13:00 | Richmond Hill Park, 300 Richmond Hill Dr, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States

What's on the Ballot?
2018-10-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Wondering what you can expect on your ballot this November in Asheville? Join us to learn more about what local, state, and national offices will be on your ballot and what powers and responsibilities those offices actually have. This will be a one and a half hour interactive training co-hosted by Democracy NC, Just Economics, Children First/Communities and Schools, and MountainTrue.

Woodfin Blueway and Greenway -Catch the Wave
2018-10-03 17:00 - 19:30 | French Broad River Academy – Boys Campus, 1990 Riverside Drive, Woodfin, NC, 28804, United States
On October 3rd, join event co-hosts – Asheville Greenworks, Connect Buncombe, French Broad River Academy, Riverlink, and French Broad Riverkeeper/MountainTrue to celebrate great progress to date, to learn more about the project, and to gather with friends. The project design team will be on hand with presentations and to gather your input.
You can purchase tickets for the event here.
Complementary snacks, soft drinks, and beer provided.

Awesome RAFFLE

RPM MAX “Makers’ Edition” whitewater kayak from Dagger Kayaks
Specialized Crosstrail Disc Bicycle from Motion Makers Bike Shop
Manta Ray Angler 12 XT fishing kayak by Native Watercraft
Hala inflatable standup paddleboard from Southern Raft Supply
Homeslice whitewater kayak from Liquid Logic.

Separate drawings for each, and raffle participants will put their ticket(s) toward whichever ltem(s) they wish. **** YOU NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN**** For those unable to attend the event, tickets for the raffle may be purchased here online, and we’ll enter them for you. Winners will be notified by email.

We’re planning for an outdoor event in beautiful fall weather, but there is plenty of indoor space on-site just in case….
Learn more about the project at woodfingreenwayandblueway.org

3rd Annual Sarah Sweep!
2018-09-29 10:00 - 22:00 | Double Shoals Mill, 199 Old Mill Rd., Shelby, NC, 28150, United States
Join the Broad River Alliance on Sept. 29 for the third annual “Sarah Sweep,” a day-long event to help clean up the Broad River! The event is held to honor the memory of Sarah Spencer, a former river enthusiast and volunteer. Participants in the river cleanup will meet at the Double Shoals Mill at 199 Old Mill Road in Shelby, NC at 10 A.M., and the cleanup will last until 3 or 4.
Sarah Spencer was 26-years-old when she died in a car crash on June 12, 2016. Her friends decided to honor her memory by starting the Sarah Sweep. “Sarah participated in her last official cleanup on my birthday as her gift to me,” Sarah’s mother, Judy Spencer, remembers. “I was told that she did a cleanup every time she was on the river. She always wanted to pick up just one item of trash until there was absolutely no more room in the kayak or canoe.”
After the cleanup, all are welcome to join the afterparty at the Double Shoals Mill for brats (both carnivore and vegetarian options) and vegetables hot off the grill. Food will be served starting at 5 P.M., and live music will begin at 5:30. The lineup is as follows:

Dale Brittain – 5:30 P.M. – 7 P.M.
Roadside Alice – 7 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
Red Crayon 8:30 P.M. – 10 P.M.

For the cleanup, participants should bring a boat, water, lunch, sunscreen and gloves. There is a suggested $10 donation for the afterparty to help pay for food and expenses. All profits will be split between Double Shoals Cotton Mill and the Broad River Alliance.
The following volunteers are needed:
River clean up: 20-30
Cooking/prep for the afterparty: 4
Door/gate: 6 (three shifts: 2-5:00, 5-8:00, and 8-10:00, with two people on each shift)

50th Anniversary Celebration of Wild and Scenic Rivers
2018-09-28 17:00 - 20:00 | New Belgium Brewing Company, 21 Craven St, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Join American Rivers, MountainTrue, American Whitewater, and New Belgium Brewing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. This exciting evening includes live music, a screening of the short film 5000 Miles of Wild along with prize giveaways and opportunities to take action on behalf of rivers near and far.
By RSVPing here and taking action at the event you will be entered into the prize drawing for a chance to win awesome prizes like a Yeti flip cooler!
Beer specials include $3 Fat Tire Amber Ale and Fat Tire Belgian White. 100% of tips collected will be donated to nonprofit partners.
Join us to raise a glass and our awareness for the lifeblood of our community and our brewery – RIVERS!

Flight of the Butterflies Moving Screening
2018-09-27 18:30 | Blue Ridge Community College, Bo Thomas Auditorium, 180 W. Campus Dr. , Flat Rock, NC , United States
Come celebrate the local migration of monarchs at Blue Ridge Community College with a special screening of “Flight of the Butterflies”. This awe-inspiring film tells the story of extraordinary insect endurance and human perseverance. Viewers will learn about the remarkable annual life cycle and migration of the monarch butterfly as well as the determined Canadian scientist, Dr. Fred Urquhart, who spent 40 years trying to determine exactly where the butterflies went after mysteriously disappearing each fall. Described as “a natural history epic and a compelling detective story,” this interconnected scientific adventure spans not only thousands of miles, but generations. The award-winning production team filmed hundreds of millions of monarchs in their remote overwintering sanctuaries in Mexico and along their migratory routes from Canada, across the U.S. and into Mexico.
Following the screening, international monarch butterfly expert and educator, Estela Romero, will make a special presentation with time for questions and answers about her home near the monarch’s overwintering sanctuaries in the mountains of Mexico. Estela will also share her family’s memories of experiences with monarchs prior to their “discovery” and revelation to the rest of the world in 1976.
Learn more about what you can do to help monarchs and other pollinators by visiting the Bee City USA/Bee Campus USA, MountainTrue, and Conserving Carolina exhibit tables. Conserving Carolina will provide a free native milkweed plant (limit of 1 per household, please) to the first 50 attendees to come by! Planting milkweed helps monarchs by providing leaves for their caterpillars to eat as well as nectar to help the fuel the flight of adult butterflies.

Brevard Happy Hour with MountainTrue to Learn About Ecology, Volunteer Opportunities
2018-09-26 17:00 - 19:00 | D.D. Bullwinkles’, 60 E Main St, Brevard, NC, 28712, United States
On September 26, join MountainTrue and the French Broad Riverkeeper at D.D. Bullwinkels’ Outdoors in Brevard for a happy hour to learn about MountainTrue’s work to protect Western North Carolina’s rivers, forests and communities. The happy hour will last from 5 to 7 p.m.
“We’re really looking forward to a fun happy hour for folks to come by after work or school and to learn what MountainTrue and our French Broad Riverkeeper are doing to protect water quality in and around Brevard,” says Gray Jernigan, MountainTrue’s Southern Regional Director. “We’ll have information available for people to get involved in our work, a presentation about some recent water sampling, and snacks and drinks available for all to enjoy.”
The happy hour will feature delicious craft beer at the D.D.’s taproom along with complimentary homemade food. There will also be a raffle with outdoor prizes, including t-shirts, daypacks, gift certificates from local retailers and more.

Invasive Plants Workday - DuPont Forest Festival
2018-09-22 10:00 - 13:00 | Guion Farm Access at DuPont Forest, 3045 Sky Valley Rd 28739, Hendersonville, NC, 28739, United States
Come help MountainTrue’s Ecologist & Public Lands Director, Bob Gale, and Forest Keeper Coordinator, Rhys Burns, remove non-native invasive plant species from part of the DuPont State Forest. These non-native species displace native ones that play important roles in the ecosystem. With MountainTrue’s guidance you can learn to identify and control non-native invasive species and help restore part of the forest. All equipment will be provided, but bring work gloves if you have them. You’ll also need close-toed shoes (old sneakers or hiking boots are ideal), water, and snacks. This invasive removal effort is part of the first DuPont Forest Festival, run by the Friends of DuPont Forest. You can find more information about the Forest Festival here.

Moonlight Paddle
2018-09-20 19:00 - 22:00 | Hominy Creek Park, 194 Hominy Creek Rd., Asheville, NC, 28806, United States

Riverkeeper Beer Series Cruise then Booze at Oskar Blues
2018-09-15 13:00 - 17:30 | Oskar Blues Brewery, 342 Mountain Industrial Drive, Brevard, NC, 28712
Join MountainTrue, 98.1 The River, and Headwaters Outfitters at Oskar Blues Brewery to Cruise then Booze at Oskar Blues Brewery. This event is the next great installment of the Riverkeeper Beer Series!
UPDATE: The paddling portion of this event has been cancelled. We will meet right at Oskar Blues at 1 to taste the specially-made Riverkeeper Beer. Those who have paid already can request a refund or get a free raffle ticket. Raffle tickets are $15 and prizes include a free fly fishing trip valued at $375 from Headwaters Outfitters, hammocks from Eno, and more!
Click here to register!

FAQs

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Contact or the French Broad Riverkeeper with any questions (hartwell@mountaintrue.org or Anna@mountaintrue.org).

Hendersonville Green Drinks: Why Bees?
2018-09-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Black Bear Coffee, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville, NC, 28792, United States
On Thursday, September 13, Hendersonville Green Drinks welcomes Jim Poe with the Henderson County Bee Keepers Association. He will talk about why bees are getting so much attention these days – what’s the big deal! The immense value of bees to the production of food is difficult to calculate, but suffice it to say, it’s not just honey that benefits humans. Photographer turned beekeeper, Poe manages 34 of his own hives, plus helps others with theirs.
Who: Jim Poe, Henderson County Bee Keepers Association
What: September’s Green Drinks Topic: Why Bees?
When: September 13, 2018 – 5:30 networking, 6:00 presentation
Where: Black Bear Coffee, 318 N. Main St. Hendersonville, NC
Having lived in Hendersonville as a youngster, Jim Poe moved back to continue his 30-year career as a photographer by opening a studio on Haywood Road, James Poe Photography. Then, after a 6-year stint in Southwest Colorado, he moved back to western NC again. He says, “Although photography has been great to me, it’s honeybees that now have my heart!” In 2014 he attended a Bee School put on by the Henderson County Bee Keepers Association and was hooked! Poe now serves on their board as Director of External Communications; and considers bees almost a full-time job.
About Hendersonville Green Drinks
Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by MountainTrue, Conserving Carolina and Black Bear Coffee Co. 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.

Mills River Big Sweep - Sold Out!
2018-09-08 13:00 - 20:00 | Westfeldt Park, 83 Fanning Bridge Rd., Fletcher, NC, 28732, United States
Join Asheville GreenWorks, MountainTrue, 98.1 The River, and French Broad Outfitters at Sierra Nevada for the next great installment of the Riverkeeper Beer Series! Come ready to float, clean up our river, and taste the release of the Riverkeeper Beer at the after party.
Participants will meet at Westfeldt Park, on Fanning Bridge Road, and we will have a variety of options for clean up location. Some crews will head downstream and several crews will be shuttled upstream to various access points, and work our way back downstream. Sierra Nevada is hosting an after post for us with beer and live music, so everyone can make their way down the street to the brewery to enjoy a beer and live music.
The first ten folks to register will receive the 2018 Recover Brands Riverkeeper Beer Series shirt. Everyone will have a chance to win some great prizes from ENO, NOC, and other great prizes for the weirdest trash, most tires, creepiest trash, and best overall trash haul.

Powered by Eventbrite

Watauga River Big Sweep
2018-09-08 13:00 - 15:00 | NC

Green River Big Sweep 2018
2018-09-08 12:00 - 16:00 | NC

River Heroes Film Party To Benefit New WNC Film
2018-09-06 19:00 | New Belgium Brewing Company, 21 Craven St, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
The Center for Cultural Preservation, WNC’s cultural history and documentary film center, is proud to announce a partnership with New Belgium Brewing Company to help the Center make its new film on the River Heroes of WNC. New Belgium of Asheville will host a special benefit film screening and musical performance to support the Center’s new documentary film on Thursday, September 6 in their Brew House, along the French Broad River. Acclaimed local singer/songwriter David Wiseman will perform followed by a screening by the Center’s award-winning film, Come Hell or High Water, Remembering the Great Flood of 1916.
This event is co-sponsored by MountainTrue, New Belgium Brewing, Hendersonville Tents and Headwaters Outfitters. A suggested donation of $10 gets you in and advanced reservations are strongly recommended by registering online at www.saveculture.org or calling the Center at (828) 692-8062.

Building Our City Speaker Series: Michelle Mapp
2018-08-28 17:30 - 19:00 | YMI Cultural Center, 39 S Market St, Asheville, NC, 28801
Asheville is a community on the rise. The design of our community impacts how we interact with the space around us and with each other, and influences how we live. Join us for this five-part speaker series featuring national experts on urban design, planning, placemaking, transportation and other community development topics to explore the role of thoughtful design in building livable communities. These deep-dive community conversations are dedicated to creating a better understanding of the role design plays in the growth of Asheville and its surrounding regions.
This month’s speaker is Michelle Mapp who serves as the CEO of the South Carolina Community Loan Fund, a nonprofit, mission based lender that has facilitated the development of more than $246 million in community development projects throughout South Carolina. A certified Housing Development Finance Professional, Michelle has been with SCCLF for 11 years and has served in her current capacity for the past 6 years.
Reserve your spot here!

Riverkeeper Beer Series Pickup, Paddle, Party- HiWire
2018-08-25 13:00 - 17:30 | French Broad Outfitters, 230 Hominy Creek Road, Asheville, NC, 28806
Join Asheville GreenWorks, MountainTrue, 98.1 The River at French Broad Outfitters for the next great installment of the Riverkeeper Beer Series! Come ready to float, cleanup our river, and taste the release of the Riverkeeper Beer at the after party. HiWire will have a tap takeover will tasty Riverkeeper Beer, as well as all their usual favorites.
Participants will meet at French Broad Outfitters and will be shuttled up Hominy Creek and the French Broad River, where we will float back to the after party with live music and HiWire beer on tap at French Broad Outfitters, with boats full of trash. Boats and paddling gear are provided, but folks are welcome to bring their own. This section of river is flatwater and suitable for all paddlers.
The first ten folks to register will receive the 2018 Recover Brands Riverkeeper Beer Series shirt. Everyone will have a chance to win some great prizes from the Asheville Gear Builders for weirdest trash, most tires, creepiest trash, and best overall trash haul. Click here to register!

NC Department of Environmental Quality Public Hearing on Duke Energy Permit
2018-08-22 18:00 - 19:30 | South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road, Asheville, North Carolina, 28803
DEQ is holding a public hearing on August 22 at 6 p.m. at the South Buncombe Library at 260 Overlook Road to hear from the community on Duke’s proposal to modify their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater permit for Asheville. While analysis of this proposal and talking points are forthcoming, we encourage you to plan to attend and push DEQ to protect the French Broad River against toxic coal ash pollution and make Duke Energy clean up its coal ash at Asheville safely and responsibly.

Riverkeeper Beer Series at New Belgium
2018-08-10 13:00 - 18:00 | New Belgium Brewing Company, 21 Craven St, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Join Asheville GreenWorks, MountainTrue, 98.1 The River, and French Broad Outfitters at New Belgium for the next great installment of the Riverkeeper Beer Series! Come ready to float, clean up our river, and taste the release of the Riverkeeper Beer at the after party.
Participants will meet at New Belgium and will be shuttled to the Swannanoa River, where we will float back to the Craven Street boat access with boats full of trash. We can then walk to the Wedge for beer, live music, and prizes. Boats and paddling gear are provided, but folks are welcome to bring their own. This section of river is flatwater and suitable for all paddlers.
The first ten folks to register will receive the 2018 Recover Brands Riverkeeper Beer Series shirt. Everyone will have a chance to win some great prizes from the Asheville Gear Builders for finding the weirdest trash, most tires, creepiest trash, and best overall trash haul.

Powered by Eventbrite

Annual French Broad River Paddle Trip
2018-08-01 08:00 - 2018-08-03 17:00 | NC

Riverkeeper Float Fest
2018-07-29 10:00 - 17:00 | NC
Join the Watauga Riverkeeper, Appalachian Mountain Brewery and River & Earth Adventures for a float down the New River!
Come out for the long-awaited Riverkeeper Float Fest sponsored by the We Can So You Can Foundation and Appalachian Mountain Brewery, and hosted by River & Earth Adventures. Proceeds benefit MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper and help protect clean water in the High Country.
This will be a family-friendly, experiential educational event and a fun day out on the water. Tickets for floats are sorted into three launch times to keep the river from getting too crowded, but all participants are welcome all day at the River and Earth Adventures outpost for the festival. The riverside fest will have a barbecue with volleyball, cornhole and other yard games. MountainTrue staff and Riverkeepers will lead environmental education activities including kick-net sampling for macro invertebrates, snorkel tours and watershed modeling.
Appalachian Mountain Brewery will offer local craft beer tastings. River & Earth Adventures will provide tubes and shuttles. Ticket price includes free shuttle from Boone. BBQ, grill items and beer will be for sale on site.
Click here to purchase your float tickets!

Music in the Valle: The Worthless Son-in-Laws
2018-07-27 19:00 - 22:00 | The Valle Crucis Community Park, 2892 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis, NC, 28604, United States
Valle Crucis Community Park’s summer concert series is back and on July 27, MountainTrue and the Watauga Riverkeeper will be sponsoring the show! Headliners, The Worthless Son-in-Laws are “an indie-rock Americana alt.dad-rock transcendental giant-beard some-pig terrific humble band from Boone, North Carolina.” Join us in the High Country for great music, great times and to support MountainTrue!
The event is free, but a $5 donation for individuals or $10 donation for families is suggested. There will be food available at the concert. Seating is not provided, so be sure to bring your chairs or blankets.

Michael Franti & Spearhead: Stay Human Tour
2018-07-27 17:00 - 22:00 | The Salvage Station, 466 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC, 28804, United States
Michael Franti & Spearhead return to Asheville on Friday, July 27 to headline the Riverkeeper Beer Series at the Salvage Station for the second year in a row. The show is presented by MountainTrue and 98.1 The River, with proceeds supporting the work of the French Broad Riverkeeper – a MountainTrue program that serves as the primary protector and watchdog of the French Broad River Watershed.
Click here to get your tickets!
PARKING: The Salvage Station has limited onsite parking with a fee structure designed to incentivize carpooling. Proceeds will benefit MountainTrue and the French Broad Riverkeeper. Cars with 3 or more passengers can park for free. Cars with 2 people cost $5 and cars with just 1 person cost $10 to park in this lot. Alternatively, there is free parking with a shuttle service running from 6pm until 11pm to and from the Chamber of Commerce parking lot at 36 Montford Ave. Further free parking with shuttle pick up is available at Isaac Dickson Elementary School at 125 Hill St. and also at Montford North Star Academy at 90 Montford Ave. The closest shuttle pick up point to the North Star Academy parking lot is the Chamber of Commerce pick up point on Hill St.
“Michael Franti & Spearhead brought such amazing energy to Asheville last year that it was a no-brainer to bring him back for this year’s French Broad Riverkeeper Concert,” says French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson. “Asheville loves Michael and he seems to love us back. Last year he took a surprise tubing float down the French Broad before jumping on stage.”
Michael Franti is a world-renowned musician, filmmaker, and humanitarian who is recognized as a pioneering force in the music industry. Franti believes in using music as a vehicle for positive change and is revered for his energetic live shows, political activism, worldwide philanthropy efforts and authentic connection to his global fan base known as the SOULROCKER FAM.
Tickets: On sale at the Salvage Station or online at SalvageStation.com for Michael Franti on Wednesday March 28 at 10am for Michael Franti fan club members and will go on sale to the public on Friday March 30 at 10am. General admission tickets are $33.50 and include a download of Franti’s new album. VIP tickets are $110 and include a VIP pre party from 5-7pm at the Salvage Station, an acoustic performance by Michael, fully catered meal, booze at the pre party, and a special roped off viewing area with a private bar.

Riverkeeper Beer Series Pickup, Paddle, Party- Catawba Brewery
2018-07-21 13:00 - 17:30 | Catawba Brewing Company, 63 Brook Street, Asheville, NC, 28801
Join Asheville GreenWorks, MountainTrue, 98.1 The River, and French Broad Outfitters Catawba Brewery in Biltmore Village for the next great installment of the Riverkeeper Beer Series! Come ready to float, clean up our river, and taste the release of the Riverkeeper Beer at the after party.
Participants will meet at Catawba Brewery and will be shuttled by French Broad Outfitters up the Swannanoa River, where we will float back to the brewery with boats full of trash. Boats and paddling gear are provided, but folks are welcome to bring their own. This section of river is flatwater and suitable for all paddlers.
The first ten folks to register will receive the 2018 Recover Brands Riverkeeper Beer Series shirt. Everyone will have a chance to win some great prizes from the Asheville Gear Builders for finding the weirdest trash, most tires, creepiest trash, and best overall trash haul. Click here to register!

FAQs

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Contact or the French Broad Riverkeeper with any questions hartwell@mountaintrue.org or Anna@mountaintrue.org.

Summer Fire Ecology Hike at Lover's Leap
2018-07-21 08:00 - 15:00 | NC
In the April of 2016, a wildfire ignited on Silvermine Creek and went on to burn over 5,000 acres of forest near Hot Springs. But were there positive outcomes from these fires? Join MountainTrue Ecologists Bob Gale and Josh Kelly for a Fire Ecology hike on July 21st, 2018. We’ll be doing a slightly strenuous hike on the Lover’s Leap and Silvermine trails near Hot Springs. We will explore the effects of the fire after two years on a hike with scenic views of the French Broad River from Lover’s Leap. Along the way, we will stop to identify trees, flowers, and appreciate the views.
Hikers should expect a 5 mile journey with about 700 feet of elevation change. The trail is narrow in places and has a few obstacles to be aware of, so hikers should be prepared for a slightly strenuous through a beautiful terrain. We expect it will be a hot day, so please dress accordingly.
What to Bring:
-Hiking boots, lunch & snacks, water bottle (make sure to bring lots of water!), sturdy clothing to hike in, camera, sunscreen, medications for any allergies, etc.
*Be prepared for rainy or hot weather
Space is limited to 20 hikers, sign up below!

Where Does Our Water Come From?
2018-07-10 10:00 - 12:00 | William DeBruhl Water Plant, 1370 Bee Tree Rd, Swannanoa, NC, 28778
On average Americans use between 80 to 100 gallons of water per day, but have you ever wondered where the water from the tap originates? Join MountainTrue for a free tour of the William DeBruhl Water Plant in Swannanoa. The DeBruhl Plant is an award winner for outstanding turbidity removal and offers beautiful views of the Bee Tree Reservoir. Come for this unique opportunity to learn how our water is purified before it appears in our taps. Spots are limited, so sign up today!
