Hendersonville Green Drinks: The Story of DuPont State Recreational Forest
2019-11-14 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Black Bear Coffee, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville, NC, 28792, United States
On Thursday, November 14th, Hendersonville Green Drinks presents The Story of DuPont State Recreational Forest. Sara Landry, the Executive Director of the Friends of DuPont State Forest, will share the origin story of our state’s first recreational Forest and how group of citizens saved it from development. In addition to the history of the area, Landry will also discuss what the Friends of DuPont are doing to create a Master Trails Plan and ensure the future of the Forest.
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.

HCO Paddle-n-Plant Workday
2019-11-15 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-12-06 10:00 - 14:00, 2019-12-13 10:00 - 14:00, 2020-02-09 10:00 - 14:00, 2020-02-16 10:00 - 14:00 | The Valle Crucis Community Park, 2892 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis, NC, 28604, United States

Plugged in Buncombe: Sustainability Advisory Committee on Energy and Environment
2019-11-20 15:30 - 17:30 | Asheville Downtown Police Department, 4th Floor Conference Room, 100 Court Plaza, 4th Floor Conference Room, Asheville, NC, 28801
In an effort to encourage Buncombe County residents to get plugged into our local democracy, we want you to join us at advisory board or committee meetings. These meetings are designed to encourage residents’ input on specific community issues at the city and county level. Staff from our organizations regularly attend these meetings, but for the next three months we will serve as your guide to understanding and engaging with these committees. We will be available before the meetings for questions and will stick around after to discuss the meeting.
The Sustainability Advisory Committee on Energy and the Environment is the committee responsible for developing and recommending policy to support topics such as sustainable energy, waste reduction, sustainable economic development and land use planning. You can find other committees we will be attending as part of the Plugged in Buncombe initiative here.
Plugged in Buncombe Representative: Susan Bean, Community Engagement Manager for MountainTrue, an environmental advocacy non-profit that works to promote clean waters, resilient forests, and healthy communities.
Sign up here to let us know you’ll be attending.

Bearwallow Contemplative Hike w/ CCA
2019-12-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Bearwallow Mountain, 4854 Bearwallow Mountain Rd, Hendersonville, NC, 28792

Alexander River Park Public Workday
2019-12-07 12:00 - 16:00 | Alexander River Park, 2590 Old Marshall Highway, Alexander, NC, 28701
Join Asheville GreenWorks, Mountain True and RiverLink for a restoration extravaganza! RSVP here
We will start our service with an intro into the Alexander River Park’s history, the benefits of several important native species found here and learn how to improve riparian buffer zones. Following the intro we will break into groups that will rotate through our four activities : River Cane Propagation, Invasive Removal, Tree Planting and Stream Cleanup.
All tools, water and snacks will be provided — Just bring yourself, close-toed shoes and warm clothes that can get dirty!
We will meet in the Alexander River Park Parking Lower Parking Lot at noon — Look for tables and the GreenWorks Truck and Tool Trailer.

Hendersonville Green Drinks: The Plastic Reduction Task Force & the Trash Trout
2019-12-12 17:30 - 19:00 | Black Bear Coffee, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville, NC, 28792, United States
On Thursday, December 12th, Hendersonville Green Drinks welcomes Eric Bradford, Director of Operations for Asheville GreenWorks, who will talk about their newly formed Plastic Reduction Taskforce and the locally installed Mud Creek Trash Trout. Bradford will also discuss the French Broad Litter Reduction Program, and other programs that focus on reducing our dependence on single-use plastics. He’ll also touch on how reducing our plastic consumption can protect fragile ecosystems, and ways that you can get involved.
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.
Eric Bradford is a native of Buncombe County and grew up with Quality Forward/Asheville GreenWorks coming into his community to teach about the importance of environmental stewardship. He’s spent the majority of his career in project management and operations. Since joining Asheville GreenWorks as the Director of Operations, he’s overseen a variety of programs, ranging from water quality work to urban forestry. Eric views it as his personal and professional goal to make Asheville and Buncombe County an environmentally sound and sustainable place for many generations to come.

Hendersonville Green Drinks: How Geology Has Shaped Your Favorite Mountains and Waterfalls
2020-01-09 17:30 - 19:00 | Appalachian Coffee Co., 1628 5th Ave W, Laurel Park, NC, 28739
On Thursday, January 9th, Hendersonville Green Drinks welcomes Bill Jacobs, author of the recently published book “Whence these special places?”, an exploration of the geologic processes that produced WNC’s array of mountains and waterfalls. Jacobs will discuss how some of our most iconic natural places were formed, including Panthertown Valley, Looking Glass Rock and Falls, Shining Rock, Devil’s Courthouse, and Triple, Rainbow and Whitewater Falls. The book and presentation are designed for non-scientists, so no previous geology knowledge is necessary. Signed copies of his book will be available for purchase.
Jacob’s talk will mark our first Green Drinks at our new location. After years of calling Black Bear Coffee home, Green Drinks is headed down the road to Appalachian Coffee in order to accommodate its growing number of event attendees. The Green Drinks Steering Committee is excited about the possibilities the new space will offer but will always appreciate the hospitality Black Bear has provided over the years.
Bill Jacobs retired from his legal career in 2011 and began to explore the extraordinary landscapes of the Eastern Blue Ridge, particularly the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau and surrounding areas. His curiosity led him to a wide array of courses, papers, and books as well as extensive on-the-ground research. This led him to write “Whence These Special Places?”, which focuses on how geologic history has shaped the overall landscape and individual mountains, waterfalls and natural features. Bill lives in Asheville with his wife Susan and two dogs, but spends most of the summer in Cashiers. When he’s not geologizing or hiking with his dogs, he’s likely to be found on his bicycle.
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.

Holiday Recycling in Hendersonville
2020-01-11 09:00 - 14:00 | Jackson Park Ball Field, 801 Glover St, Hendersonville, NC, 28792, United States
MountainTrue is proud to host its annual Holiday Recycling Event at Jackson Park on Saturday, January 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Area residents are invited to bring their Christmas trees, wreaths, broken string lights and used greeting cards to be mulched and recycled.
Trees, wreaths, lights and greeting cards should be brought on the day of January 11. Trees and wreaths should be stripped of all decorations and lights.
The mulcher has been provided by King Hardware & Rental and Hendersonville and Henderson County personnel will be on site to much the trees. Lights will be recycled by the Henderson County Coop Extension Service for the 4-H Project.
MountainTrue volunteers will be on hand to help and serve free cookies and hot apple cider. Free mulch will be available to those that want to take some home for your garden and landscaping.

Rate Hike Hearing in Franklin
2020-01-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Macon County Courthouse, 5 W. Main street, Franklin, 28734
Duke Energy is trying to raise our electric bills to pay for dirty energy. Again. The company’s latest rate hike proposal would increase residential electricity costs by another 6.7% – or about $97 more per year for the average customer.
Duke’s proposal lacks any direct investment in renewable energy and would raise our rates to burn more gas, create a “deferral” account of up to $2.5 billion for Duke to access in a future rate hike, and call for customers to foot the bill to clean up coal ash – even though Duke knew this coal ash was toxic as far back as the 1980s, and did nothing to prevent it. The rate increase would also come only two years after their last rate hike, and would be their fifth rate hike in ten years.
On January 15, join MountainTrue members in Franklin to tell the NC Utilities Commission: Enough is enough. Don’t let Duke pass the bill for more dirty energy to customers.

Rate Hike Hearing in Morganton
2020-01-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Burke County Courthouse, 201 South Green Street, Morganton, NC, 28655, United States
Duke Energy is trying to raise our electric bills to pay for dirty energy. Again. The company’s latest rate hike proposal would increase residential electricity costs by another 6.7% – or about $97 more per year for the average customer.
Duke’s proposal lacks any direct investment in renewable energy and would raise our rates to burn more gas, create a “deferral” account of up to $2.5 billion for Duke to access in a future rate hike, and call for customers to foot the bill to clean up coal ash – even though Duke knew this coal ash was toxic as far back as the 1980s, and did nothing to prevent it. The rate increase would also come only two years after their last rate hike, and would be their fifth rate hike in ten years.
On January 16, join MountainTrue members in Morganton to tell the NC Utilities Commission: Enough is enough. Don’t let Duke pass the bill for more dirty energy to customers.

Timber Sale Project Hike
2020-01-18 10:00 - 16:00 | NC

Climate Change Communication Strategies
2020-01-23 17:30 - 19:30 | The Collider, Suite 401, 1 Haywood St., Asheville, North Carolina, 28801
The Collider on January 23 from 5:30-7:30 PM for an engaging evening on effective strategies for climate change communication. From 5:30-6:00 PM, there will be a brief reception in the Collider lobby with complimentary beer and beverages. We, and several other organizations who are co-hosting the event, will be tabling in the lobby.
At 6:00 PM, there will be a brief presentation followed by an open and informal facilitated discussion on types of effective communication strategies and how individuals can implement those in their lives and work.
Bring friends and family – all are welcome! Please reach out to Kelsey at khall6@unca.edu with any questions or concerns.
The Collider is located at 1 Haywood St. in downtown Asheville; the top floor of the Wells Fargo Building facing Pritchard Park.

Winter Tree ID Workshop
2020-02-01 13:00 - 16:00 | NC

Creation Care Retreat
2020-02-07 12:30 - 2020-02-08 18:00 | Montreat Conference Center-Anderson Auditorium, 303 Lookout Rd., Montreat, NC, 28757

Make Our National Forests Your Valentine - Asheville
2020-02-12 10:00 - 10:30 | Forest Service Supervisor’s Office, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
MountainTrue, the I ?Pisgah Coalition and other forest lovers will deliver Valentine’s cards, flowers and other expressions of love and affection to the Asheville headquarters of the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forests on Wednesday, February 12 in advance of the scheduled Valentine’s Day release of the draft resource management plan. We invite you to bring your own Valentine’s card and meet us at the Forest Service Supervisor’s Office in Asheville to share the love!
Each Valentine card is a message of love for our forests from a member of the public asking the forest service to adopt a management plan that protects the unique qualities of Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests so that people who care about recreation, ecological restoration, natural areas, clean water, wildlife, and local economies are all satisfied with the plan. The draft resource management plan for Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests has been in the works since 2013 and, once finalized, will set the priorities and rules under which these public lands will be managed for the next 10 to 20 years. Forest advocates want to ensure a plan that protects the health and vitality of our forests and the communities that depend on them.

Hendersonville Green Drinks: The State of the Broad River
2020-02-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Appalachian Coffee Co., 1628 5th Ave W, Laurel Park, NC, 28739
Hendersonville, NC – On Thursday, February 13th, Hendersonville Green Drinks welcomes David Caldwell, MountainTrue’s Broad Riverkeeper. The Broad River has its headwaters in the Chimney Rock area and runs all the way to Colombia, S.C. In his talk, David will focus on the many threats that face the river, from factory and farm pollution to riverside development, and highlight the work he does to protect the river. David will also discuss his work that led to the recent settlement with Duke Energy and what this victory means for the coal ash that has threatened the safety of the river for years.
Who: David Caldwell, Broad Riverkeeper
What: February Green Drinks topic: The State of the Broad River
When: Thursday, February 13th, 2019 – 5:30 networking, 6:00 presentation
Where: Appalachian Coffee, 1628 5th Ave W, Laurel Park, NC 28739
David Caldwell moved to the Broad River Watershed in 1987, after receiving in Engineering degree from Clemson University. Since then, he’s been swimming, fishing, paddling and exploring the watershed’s rivers and tributaries. In 2011 he founded the Broad River Paddle Club to connect folks who enjoyed recreating on the Broad River. After many years of paddling the river, he developed a concern for the health of the watershed that led him to found the Broad River Alliance, a Waterkeeper Affiliate, in 2015. After over 3 years of volunteer work protecting the river, David became a member of MountainTrue’s staff. David received his Waterkeeper license and became the first Broad Riverkeeper in 2019. David is also an excellent woodcarver and has been running a wood carving business for 25 years.
About Hendersonville Green Drinks
Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by MountainTrue, Conserving Carolina and Appalachian 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. Appalachian Coffee Co. offers beer, wine, coffee drinks and sodas. A limited food menu will be available.

Make Our National Forests Your Valentine - Murphy
2020-02-14 10:00 - 10:30 | US Forest ServiceTusquitee Ranger District Office, 123 Woodland Dr, Murphy, NC, 28906, United States
MountainTrue, the I ?Pisgah Coalition and other forest lovers will deliver Valentine’s cards, flowers and other expressions of love and affection to the Tusquitee Ranger District Office of the US Forest Service on Friday, February 14 to welcome the scheduled Valentine’s Day release of the draft resource management plan. We invite you to bring your own Valentine’s card and meet us at the Murphy Office to share the love!
Each Valentine card is a message of love for our forests from a member of the public asking the forest service to adopt a management plan that protects the unique qualities of Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests so that people who care about recreation, ecological restoration, natural areas, clean water, wildlife, and local economies are all satisfied with the plan. The draft resource management plan for Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests has been in the works since 2013 and, once finalized, will set the priorities and rules under which these public lands will be managed for the next 10 to 20 years. Forest advocates want to ensure a plan that protects the health and vitality of our forests and the communities that depend on them.

Paddle-n-Plant Workday
2020-02-21 10:00 - 16:00 | NC

Coal Ash Closure Hearing and Afterparty
2020-02-25 18:00 - 20:30 | Chase High School Cafeteria, 1603 Chase High Rd, Forest City, NC, 28043
The NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) has listened to thousands of North Carolinians and ordered Duke Energy to clean up its coal ash at the Cliffside Plant and six other sites across the state. February 25 is the last hearing on the Cliffside plant to tell NCDEQ that a full cleanup is the only acceptable solution for Duke’s coal ash. We need to turn out once again to thank DEQ and make sure they know they have the public’s support to keep acting boldly to protect North Carolina’s environment – now and in the future.
We invite you to come out to the public hearing at 6, and then join us for an afterparty at Barley’s Taproom in Spindale to celebrate this historic victory!
Hearing Info:
NCDEQ Coal Ash Closure Hearing
February 25, 2020 at 6pm
Chase High School Cafeteria
1603 Chase High Rd., Forest City, N.C. 28043
Hearing Afterparty:
Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria
123 W. Main St.
Spindale, NC 28160
Timing: After hearing is over – probably 7:30-8pm

52 Weeks/52 Trees
2020-02-27 17:00 - 2020-03-15 17:00 | The Gallery at Flat Rock, 2702-A Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC, 28731, United States
Saluda painter Dale L. McEntire Honors Trees by Rendering One Tree Per Week
The Gallery at Flat Rock is excited to present an exhibition of paintings by artist Dale McEntire that are inspired by a love of the trees that surround us. What started as an homage to the beauty of trees gradually turned into a series of artworks, with each painting rendered in a particular style suited to the individual tree. This exhibition— titled 52 Weeks 52 Trees is the culmination of McEntire’s idea to create one tree painting per week over 52 weeks starting in 2019. Ten percent of proceeds from sales of paintings from 52 Weeks 52 Trees will be donated to the local environmental advocacy nonprofit MountainTrue
Opening reception: Thursday, February 27 from 5-7pm.
An artist talk is scheduled for Saturday, March 14 at 3pm.
“I had the idea of making a series of individual trees as I have spent a lot of time outside in the woods throughout my life,” says McEntire. “The outline and form of a tree against the backdrop of the landscape and sky are very unique and interesting.” Recognizing the vital role trees play in our ecosystem, given the current climate crisis, he wanted to express their significance while also challenging himself to paint a tree every week in a spirit of experimentation through painting in a variety of styles and techniques.
A native of Western North Carolina, McEntire trained in fine art at Mercer University, at Penland School of Craft and through private studies in the U.S. and Europe. McEntire works in oils and pastel, as well as in stone, steel, glass and bronze to create paintings and sculpture out of his studio in Saluda, North Carolina. An interest in the spiritual essence of nature is evident in his use of color and form of his contemporary landscape paintings.
The Gallery at Flat Rock represents finely curated art and craft, and is located in Flat Rock Square at 2702-A Greenville Highway in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; or by appointment. To learn more, please visit the gallery website at galleryflatrock.com or call the gallery at 828-698-7000.

Watershed Gala
2020-02-27 17:30 - 20:30 | Young Harris College, 228 Maple St., Young Harris, GA, 30582, United States
The 12th Annual Watershed Gala and Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award presentation will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2020 in the Charles Suber Banquet Hall at Young Harris College. We hope you will join us for a delightful evening of food, laughter, and fun…and to help honor this year’s Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award winner – Brenda Hull!
Although the primary purpose of the Gala is to celebrate good water quality and to recognize those who work to sustain it, the event is also our largest fundraiser. To that end, we are currently soliciting sponsorships and donations of items for the auctions and raffle. Our nearly 200 guests come not only from the local 4-county area, but from places like Raleigh, Charlotte and Asheville, NC; Chattanooga and Knoxville, TN; and the greater Atlanta area. It’s a great opportunity to support clean water AND expose your business to a far-ranging audience! Certain donations are also tax-deductible.
The deadline for online reservations has passed. Please contact Callie Moore directly to inquire about availability: email callie@mountaintrue.org or call 828-837-5414.

Public Budgets: How to Influence the City of Asheville's Spending
2020-03-04 17:30 - 19:30 | YWCA, 185 South French Broad Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801
What do you value? What do you want to change?
Government spends money on the things that we value collectively, like safety and roads. It decides every year the prioritization of issues to address and services to provide. Are you interested in or curious about where our tax dollars go and how we can have a say in how they are spent?
The government budgeting process is where the rubber hits the road and is one of the most important processes for change in our community. During the budgeting process, our city, for example, allocates money to everything from police to transit to special projects.
What if you feel your values aren’t heard? If you want the government to address issues or make change, the budgeting process is where you should speak the loudest. How do you do it?
Find out how you can participate in the city of Asheville’s budgeting process through an interactive workshop. You will learn content of budgets, the timeline and processes for approval, and the best ways to advocate for change.
Event is Free but please RSVP here
Brought to you by Plugged In Buncombe, a partnership of MountainTrue, Just Economics, Children First/Communities in Schools, the League of Women Voters, and Democracy NC

Building Our City with Patrick Bowen
2020-03-05 17:30 - 19:00 | The Collider, Suite 401, 1 Haywood St., Asheville, North Carolina, 28801
Reserve your ticket here.
In 2015, Bowen National Research conducted a Housing Needs Assessment and Market Study for the Asheville region. In 2019, Patrick’s firm provided an update, including key demographic characteristics and trends of Asheville’s housing market (including projections through 2023). The 2019 Bowen Report also illustrates key changes in both the rental and for-sale housing markets over the past five years.
On March 5th, Patrick will represent his firm’s findings and address the challenges our community faces as we seek solutions to our region’s affordable housing crisis.
Doors open at 5:30 and program begins at 6:00.
Building our City is brought to you by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty, the Asheville Downtown Association, the City of Asheville, the Asheville Design Center of MountainTrue, Urban 3, Thrive Asheville, Carleton Collins Architecture, and Aloft Asheville Downtown.
Reserve your ticket here.

Spring SMIE Training
2020-03-07 09:00 - 16:00 | Blue Ridge Community College, 180 W Campus Dr, Flat Rock, NC, 28731, United States

Morganton, NC: US Forest Service Draft Plan Public Meeting
2020-03-10 17:30 - 20:30 | Foothills Conference Center, 2128 S. Sterling St., Morganton, NC, 28655, United States
The Nantahala and Pisgah forest plan is being revised to handle the challenges of managing our complex ecosystems to meet the needs of all users for the next 15 years. The Forest Service has scheduled public open houses in communities around the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests to offer an overview of the proposed forest plan. This is an opportunity to talk with US Forest Service specialists about aspects of the national forests you care about and to learn what is proposed for the management of these lands for the next 10-15 years. MountainTrue staff and members will also be on hand to discuss our own analysis of the draft and priorities we hope public comments will address. We hope to see you there!

Hendersonville Green Drinks: What's Happening in Our Parks?
2020-03-12 17:30 - 19:00 | Appalachian Coffee Co., 1628 5th Ave W, Laurel Park, NC, 28739
Hendersonville, NC – On Thursday, March 12th, Hendersonville Green Drinks welcomes Carleen Dixon, Henderson County Parks & Recreation Director. In her talk, Carleen will provide an update on what’s new with our parks, including new programs and changes to the rental system. Carleen will also discuss upcoming improvements to local parks and highlight several special events to look forward to this year.
Parking at Appalachian Coffee is limited, but overflow parking is available across the street at First Congregational Church.
Carleen Dixon was born in Transylvania County and received a Bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation from Colorado State University. Since receiving her degree, Carleen has worked for five different government Parks & Recreation Departments, gaining over 20 years of professional experience. She is a certified Parks and Recreation Executive, the top certification available in the field. Carleen and her family believe that the mountains of Western North Carolina are the most beautiful place to live and enjoy exploring new parts of our region whenever possible.
About Hendersonville Green Drinks
Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by MountainTrue, Conserving Carolina and Appalachian 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. Appalachian Coffee Co. offers beer, wine, coffee drinks and sodas. A limited food menu will be available.
