MountainTrue

Pickup Event for Western Region Fall Native Tree & Shrub Sale in Murphy, NC (only for those that purchased through our MURPHY, NC ONLINE Plant Sale that ended Oct. 31st)
2024-11-21 15:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | MountainTrue Western Regional Office, 90 Tennessee Street, Murphy, NC, 28906, United States
This is the pick up event for plants that are pre-ordered and paid for through our western region Fall Native Tree & Shrub Sale fundraiser. The plants are delivered by the nurseries to the MountainTrue Western Regional Office parking lot on the morning of the event, so no early pick-up is available. We will not be ready to fill orders until 3:00 pm sharp! If you arrive early, please find a parking place. Do not form a line in your cars that will quickly prevent others from entering the parking lot.
What to expect: Your plants are entering dormancy this month, which is a kind of “hibernation” for the winter. Don’t be surprised if they have no leaves at all! It’s perfectly natural, as this is the time of year that deciduous trees lose their leaves. Also, some of the 3-gallon trees will be 8-10′ (feet) tall. We’ve folded them into a Prius before, but it’s not easy!
If you cannot make it on Thursday, November 21st and there’s no one else who can pick up your order for you, please contact us as soon as possible either by emailing tony@mountaintrue.org or calling 828-837-5414. We do not want to move your plants around unnecessarily!
This event will be held rain or shine!

Join MountainTrue at the 2024 Asheville Holiday Jamboree on Nov. 23rd
2024-11-23 11:00 - 17:00 | Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
In light of the exhaustion of local resources and the catastrophic events of the past month+, the Asheville Holiday Parade has become the Asheville Holiday Jamboree this year. The event will take place on Saturday, November 23rd from 11 am to 5 pm in Pack Square Park.
MountainTrue will have a tent at the event, showing that we are MountainStrong and we need YOU! Let’s celebrate the resilience of our community and bring some much-needed joy to the season.
We need volunteers to take shifts dressed as Native Species, engaging with people and handing out native seed packets.
Volunteer Shifts Needed:
11 am to 1 pm
1 pm to 3 pm

When you aren’t hanging around the MountainTrue tent, make sure to catch some of the performances at the main stage.
If you want to help but aren’t sure what to wear, find some ideas Appalachian Endemics and Native Species List for 2024
**The official theme for the Jamboree is Winter Wonderland so if you want to add a snowy element to your costume, let your creativity take the “reins”!
Please reach out to amy@mountaintrue.org with any questions.

Mold Matters: Health & Home Safety After Helene
2024-11-25 11:00 - 12:30 | Land of Sky Association of Realtors, 21 Restaurant Court, Asheville, NC, 28805
This community learning session invites organizations, residents and neighborhood leaders to learn about the health risks associated with mold after flooding, how to conduct inspections, and both self-mitigation and professional remediation processes. Our experts will guide participants through essential mold mitigation practices to help ensure a safer, healthier community. Information on accessing mold kits will also be provided to assist with ongoing monitoring and prevention.
Presented by Thrive Asheville in partnership with the Commercial Building Alliance of Asheville, Land of Sky Regional Council, Hood Huggers, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, and MountainTrue with expert insights from Green Home Solutions.
When: 11am-12:30pm, Monday, November 25th
Where: Land of the Sky Association of Realtors (Both online and virtual options will be offered).
Food & Beverages: Complimentary snacks provided for in-person attendees
How to Register:

Attend in person

Attend online

For questions about the event, please contact: kelly@thriveasheville.org

MountainTrue co-hosting Trivia @ Innovation Brewing, Sylva NC 11/25
2024-11-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Innovation Brewing, 414 W Main Street, Sylva, North Carolina, 28779
MountainTrue is co-hosting Monday Night Trivia at Innovation Brewing in Sylva, NC!
Join Kate, MountainTrue’s Americorps member, for a fun evening of craft beverages and friendly competition! Test your MountainTrue knowledge with a chance to win Innovation Brewing gift cards and MountainTrue merchandise.
When: 7:00pm (arrive early to sign-up )
Where: Innovation Brewing 414 W Main Street, Sylva NC
See you there!

French Broad River Clean-Up: Paddling Glen Bridge to Bent Creek in Asheville, NC 12/5
2024-12-05 10:00 - 14:00 | Bent Creek River Park, 1610 Brevard Rd., Asheville, NC, 28806
Come join the French Broad Riverkeeper team in cleaning up trash and debris left behind by Hurricane Helene along the river between Glen Bridge River Park and Bent Creek River Park. This will be a boat-based paddling clean-up on a 5-mile section of class 1 river. All participants must have prior paddling experience and have proper cold-weather attire.
MountainTrue has up to 8 canoes available to borrow, but participants can bring their own boat – canoes, jon boats, and drift boats would be best (not kayaks or inflatables). This will be a paddling-only event (no option for only working the access points).
Please wear long sleeves, long pants, work boots, rubber boots and/or waders. We will have protective equipment available (gloves, glasses, masks), but feel free to bring your own as well. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring tools (loppers, saws, shovels, ladders, etc.) to help dislodge and collect garbage.
Please bring any water or food that you need. Please scroll to the bottom to register.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.

Community Invasive Plant Workday on Jackson County Greenway in Cullowhee, NC Fall Series 2024
2024-12-06 13:00 - 16:00 | NC
MountainTrue, in partnership with the Mainspring Conservation Trust, is hosting a community volunteer workday to control non-native invasive plants and restore native habitat at the Jackson County Greenway. We will primarily be pulling up roots and using hand tools to remove invasive shrubs like Chinese privet and Multiflora rose then treating the stumps.
No prior experience is necessary; we will provide tools and training. Please register in advance so that we will have enough tools, gloves, etc. We have large and small tasks available, so you don’t need to be able to do strenuous physical labor in order to participate. Please, no pets. Please bring:
Closed-toed shoes (required)
Long pants
Long-sleeved shirts recommended
Water and snacks
Let’s work together to improve the wildlife habitat and natural beauty of the Greenway!!
Contact western region program associate Kate Bridgers with any questions (wro-wq-habitat@mountaintrue.org).

Calling Volunteers in Asheville, NC! MountainTrue is the Non-Profit Beneficiary for the Wicked Spooky 5k on December 7th. Sign-up by November 20th.
2024-12-07 08:45 - 10:30 | The Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC, 28801
MountainTrue is the non-profit beneficiary for Kick It Event Management’s Wicked Spooky 5k which was rescheduled to Saturday, December 7th after Hurricane Helene! How it works: we raise money for our work in exchange for providing volunteers for the event. Any funds raised will support MountainTrue, including the hurricane recovery work we are doing in the community.
Volunteers will receive a drink ticket for a beer or a n/a beverage after their shift.
Volunteer Shifts Needed:
8:45AM-10:30AM: Course Marshal (10 volunteers) These volunteers will pick up their safety vests and/or STOP/SLOW signs and then head to their designated position on the course. The sweep vehicle will pick up their items after the last runner and relieve them.
8:45AM-10:30AM: Aid Station (4 volunteers) These volunteers will meet at the aid station location and their safety gear will be there. We will have aid station table, cooler jug, water, trash, cups, gloves, hand sanitizer, and instructions there. The sweep vehicle will pick up everything and let them know the last runner has passed.
If your desired shift is full: please consider taking an open shift or signing up to be a back-up volunteer (in the event that someone calls out sick, etc. we will need a list of folks we can call).
AGE RESTRICTIONS: Anyone under the age of 18 needs to be with a parent or guardian for the entire event.
For planning purposes, the race coordinators have asked for volunteer sign-ups at least two weeks in advance of the race. Please register by November 20th.
**Some exceptions may be made. If you wish to register after November 20th, please contact amy@mountaintrue.org
We appreciate you and the time you spend volunteering to protect the places we love and share. To show our gratitude, we’re offering MountainTrue volunteers a complimentary, one-year membership. To become a member of MountainTrue, simply email members@mountaintrue.org and request a complimentary membership. Thank you for all the work that you do to protect our environment!

Community Invasive Plant Workday at Pinnacle Park, Sylva NC 12/11
2024-12-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Pinnacle Park, FISHERS CREEK RD, Sylva, North Carolina, 28779
MountainTrue, in partnership with the Mainspring Conservation Trust and the Pinnacle Park Foundation, is hosting a community volunteer workday to control non-native invasive plants and restore native habitat at the Pinnacle Park in Sylva. We will primarily be pulling up roots and using hand tools to remove invasive shrubs like Chinese privet, Autumn Olive, and Burning Bush then treating the stumps.
No prior experience is necessary; we will provide tools and training. Please register in advance so that we will have enough tools, gloves, etc. We have large and small tasks available, so you don’t need to be able to do strenuous physical labor in order to participate. Please leave pets at home.
Please bring:
Closed-toed shoes (required)
Long pants
Long-sleeved shirts recommended
Water
Medications you may need
Let’s work together to improve the wildlife habitat and natural beauty of Pinnacle Park!!
Contact western region program associate Kate Bridgers with any questions (wro-wq-habitat@mountaintrue.org).

French Broad River Hurricane Helene Clean-up in Alexander 12/12
2024-12-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Alexander River Park, 2590 Old Marshall Highway, Alexander, NC, 28701
Come help the French Broad Riverkeeper team clean up trash and debris left behind by Hurricane Helene at Alexander River Park in Buncombe County. We will be removing garbage from within the park itself and along the riparian areas upstream and downstream of the park. Please note that this will be a land-based clean-up (no boats).
Please wear long sleeves, long pants, work boots, rubber boots and/or waders. We will have gloves and glasses available, along with plenty of trash bags, but feel free to bring your own as well. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring tools (shovels, rakes, loppers, hand-saws, etc.) to help dislodge and collect garbage, along with ample water and snacks.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.

Swannanoa Watershed Sample Blitz in Asheville 12/12
2024-12-12 10:30 - 15:00 | MountainTrue — Asheville, 29 North Market Street, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Help members of the French Broad River water team take water samples to assess Hurricane Helene’s impact. We’ll meet at the MountainTrue Asheville Office where we will give out supplies and a map before dividing up to grab samples. We’ll teach you everything you need to know, send you off to collect samples and have you drop samples back at our office to process. This event will be focused in the Swannanoa watershed.
Please wear long sleeves, long pants, work boots, rubber boots and/or waders, and bring any snacks or drinks you may need.
End time will depend on how quickly we complete our sampling.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups or Sampling!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.

River Clean-up at Old Cove in Sugar Grove, NC 12/14
2024-12-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Old Cove Creek, 207 Dale Adams Road, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679
Join us for another river clean up from 10 am – 1 pm on Saturday, December 14th (originally scheduled for Nov. 23rd this event was postponed due to the chance of inclement weather). We are excited to have a great turnout (tell your friends, and still carpool if you can!).
Our team has limited waders, boots, gloves, N95 masks, and safety glasses. It is recommended that you wear long pants and long-sleeved shirt, sturdy boots, and bring your own PPE just in case. Please be sure to bring water and a snack.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.
**All volunteer opportunities are subject to change based on weather and circumstances. Please be patient with our team and community as we all recover from the storm.**
The rain/snow date for this event will be December 21st. Please mark your calendar for both dates.

Green Clean in Saluda, NC on 12/14
2024-12-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Green Riverkeeper Office, 7347 Ozone Dr, Suite 4, Saluda, NC, 28773
We will be working down on the Lower Green to clean up trash along the roadside. This is NOT A RIVER CLEANUP! We will NOT have volunteers in the water. Volunteers should be prepared to clean up large metal debris, sharp objects, heavy household items and more.
We will announce the areas we will be working on the morning of the cleanup. Folks with chainsaw skills are encouraged to attend, but need to know the skills may not be needed once we get down into the Cove. Volunteers should be flexible as to the schedule and needs of the day as they can change quickly. The environment we will be working in is somewhat dynamic with hazards to be considered. That being said, all of this work to clean along the river will require a high level of focus on safety.
It is worth noting for anyone who has not yet been to a hard-hit disaster zone that the scale of destruction in the Green is hard to fathom. One should prepare for the day to not only be physically difficult but emotionally taxing as well. Please know your limits for this day of service. We will have many volunteer opportunities within the year to come so if this isn’t the time for you to volunteer, there will be more options in the future for other skill levels!
Volunteers will meet at the Green Riverkeeper office to grab cleanup supplies and carpool down into the Green to limit our footprint with vehicles. Upon sign-up you will receive an email with what to bring with you the day of.

French Broad River Hurricane Helene Holiday Clean-up in Marshall 12/19
2024-12-19 10:00 - 13:00 | Barnard Park, 1995 Barnard Rd, Marshall, NC, 28753
Come join the French Broad Riverkeeper team as we clean up the trash left behind by Hurricane Helene at Barnard Park. We will be removing trash and debris from the park itself and along the riparian areas upstream, downstream and across the river. Please note that this will be a land-based clean-up (no boats).
Please wear long sleeves, long pants, work boots, rubber boots and/or waders. We will have gloves and glasses available, along with plenty of trash bags, but feel free to bring your own as well. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring tools (shovels, rakes, loppers, hand-saws, etc.) to help dislodge and collect garbage, along with ample water and snacks. Please dress for the weather and expect to get dirty. If you have festive holiday clothing you don’t mind getting dirty please wear it!
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.

2025 Paddling Film Festival World Tour RAFFLE benefiting MountainTrue in Asheville, NC
2025-01-01 - 2025-03-06 | NC
2025 Paddling Film Festival Raffle featuring TWO raffle packages with a variety of outdoor swag.
Buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win!
All ticket sales benefit the work of MountainTrue. You do not need to be present at the film screening to win. Full raffle guidelines below.
HOW TO ENTER THE RAFFLE:
1. Enter online by completing this form and paying with a credit card OR (Online ticket sales cut off at 11:59 pm on March 5th, 2025)
2. Pay in person at the event on March 6th in Asheville, NC.
P.S. Want to watch the films? Join us for the Paddling Film Festival in Asheville, NC on March 6th.

First Day Hike to the Wesser Bald Fire Tower via the Appalachian Trail near Nantahala, NC
2025-01-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Tellico Gap Trailhead Parking, Aquone, NC, 28781
Join Western Regional Director Callie Moore for a winter hike on the first day of the new year! This 2.3-mile loop is considered moderately challenging; however, avid hikers would likely consider it easy. There are 748 feet of elevation gain over the first 1.3 miles and then descending the same amount over the last mile of the hike. At the top, we’ll have a stunning 360-degree view across Nantahala National Forest from the platform of a historic fire tower.
Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leash.
Meet-up location:
Tellico Gap Trailhead Parking, Aquone, NC 28781 35.2770536,-83.5876857
Please bring (if desired): Water, Hiking Stick/Pole, Warm layers, Close-toed shoes, Sunscreen

Buy Tickets for the 2025 Paddling Film Festival World Tour Screening in Asheville, NC benefiting MountainTrue (Screening March 6th)
2025-01-01 19:00 - 2025-03-06 21:30 | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
It’s back!! MountainTrue is excited to bring the Paddling Film Festival World Tour back to Asheville, North Carolina on Thursday, March 6th in honor of World Water Day. World Water Day, held on March 22nd every year since 1993, is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater.
What better way to celebrate than by watching the best paddling films and being in community with other clean water supporters?! You’ll be inspired to explore rivers, lakes, and oceans, push extremes, embrace the paddling lifestyle, and appreciate the wild places.
Doors to the Grey Eagle will open at 6 PM, and the show will begin at 7. Seats are general admission so come early to snag your spot and grab some food from the Grey Eagle Taqueria.
Tickets are being sold by The Grey Eagle and are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Kids under the age of 12 are $5. (*Venue convenience fees not included in ticket pricing). Buy film tickets now!
We’ll have several short films before an intermission, which will feature a short presentation about the work of MountainTrue’s French Broad Riverkeeper Program and a RAFFLE featuring TWO Raffle Packages with a variety of outdoor gear and swag. What are you waiting for? Grab a raffle ticket now!
The Films:

Film
Duration

Ganga Girls
0:19:17

Streamers, Steamers and Struggles on the Krka
0:08:23

Ay Chihuahua!
0:17:07

Duration of 1st half
0:44:47

Interval
0:15:00

Made x Mtns
0:06:40

The Smoke that Thunders
0:04:30

Van by a River-The Abby Holcombe Story
0:15:01

Sbonelo
0:09:00

Duration of 2nd half
0:35:11

Total Event Time
1:49:58

A HUGE Thank you to our sponsors for making this event happen:

Christmas Tree Recycling in Hendersonville, NC Jan 6-10th; return for mulch on January 11th CANCELED
2025-01-06 09:00 - 2025-01-10 16:00 | Jackson Park Ball Field, 801 Glover St, Hendersonville, NC, 28792, United States
Due to inclement weather, the recycling event has been canceled.
Recycle your live Christmas trees & wreaths this season!
As you go out to buy your live trees for the holidays, remember that you’ll be able to bring them to this event and collect mulch for your home gardens and landscaping.
Henderson County residents can drop their trees off at Jackson Park from Jan. 6-10, and plan to return and load up on mulch January 11, 2025, from 9 to 2 p.m. at Jackson Park (801 Glover St, Hendersonville, NC). Ball Field # 6.
The Henderson County 4-H Club will also be collecting holiday lights during the event as a fundraiser for their programs. Bring your holiday lights, in any working order and support our young farmers!

French Broad River Hurricane Helene Clean-up in Alexander 1/18 hosted by United by Blue
2025-01-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Alexander River Park, 2590 Old Marshall Highway, Alexander, NC, 28701
There is still a large amount of debris along the French Broad River in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Join us in coming together to help the Asheville community by cleaning up the French Broad River. Removing debris from the river will allow for outdoor recreation and tourism to return to the area as well as get rid of any materials that might be leaching harmful chemicals into the water. Now more than ever it is important for us to come together and support communities in need.
Please wear long sleeves, long pants, work boots, rubber boots and/or waders. We will have gloves and glasses available, along with plenty of trash bags, but feel free to bring your own as well. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring tools (shovels, rakes, loppers, hand-saws, etc.) to help dislodge and collect garbage, along with ample water and snacks.
We will provide free bagels and coffee for volunteers in the morning, but feel free to bring water and any food that you need. United by Blue will also be donating sustainable giveaways for volunteers!
After the cleanup, New Belgium Brewing has graciously donated FREE BEER for volunteers. We will head to the New Belgium Brewery at 21 Craven Street after we wrap the cleanup.
SIGN-UP HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/french-broad-river-cleanup-tickets-1082664922929?aff=oddtdtcreator
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.

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.

Invasive Plant Removal Workday at Little Tennessee Greenway, Franklin, NC 1/18
2025-01-18 13:00 - 16:00 | 803 Ulco drive, TASSEE SHELTER 803 Ulco Drive, Franklin, North Carolina, 28734
MountainTrue, in partnership with the Mainspring Conservation Trust and the Friends of the Greenway (FROGs), is hosting a community volunteer workday to control non-native invasive plants and restore native habitats at the Little Tennessee Greenway in Franklin, NC.
We will primarily be pulling up roots and using hand tools to remove invasive plants like Chinese privet, Autumn Olive, Kudzu and Multiflora Rose.
No prior experience is necessary; we will provide tools and training. Please register in advance so that we will have enough tools, gloves, etc. We have large and small tasks available, so you don’t need to be able to do strenuous physical labor in order to participate. Please leave pets at home.
Please bring:
Closed-toed shoes (required)
Long pants
Long-sleeved shirts recommended
Water
Medications you may need
Let’s work together to improve the wildlife habitat and native plant heath of the Little Tennessee Greenway!
Contact western region program associate Kate Bridgers with any questions (wro-wq-habitat@mountaintrue.org).
RAIN DATE: JAN 25th

Save the Date! French Broad River Hurricane Helene Clean-up in Alexander, NC 1/23-CANCELED
2025-01-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Walnut Island River Park, 3042 Old Marshall Hwy, Alexander, NC, 28701
Due to the incredibly cold weather we are experiencing this week, this event has been canceled. Please sign up for the clean-up on January 30th instead! Come help the French Broad Riverkeeper team clean up trash and debris left behind by Hurricane Helene.
Please wear long sleeves, long pants, work boots, rubber boots and/or waders. We will have gloves and glasses available, along with plenty of trash bags, but feel free to bring your own as well. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring tools (shovels, rakes, loppers, hand-saws, etc.) to help dislodge and collect garbage, along with ample water and snacks.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.

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.

French Broad River Hurricane Helene Clean-up near Asheville 1/30
2025-01-30 10:00 - 14:00 | Walnut Island River Park, 3042 Old Marshall Hwy, Alexander, NC, 28701
Come help the French Broad Riverkeeper team clean up trash and debris left behind by Hurricane Helene. We will be removing trash and debris along the riparian areas upstream and downstream. Please note this will be a land-based clean-up.
Please wear long sleeves, long pants, work boots, rubber boots and/or waders. We will have gloves and glasses available, along with plenty of trash bags, but feel free to bring your own as well. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring tools (shovels, rakes, loppers, hand-saws, etc.) to help dislodge and collect garbage, along with ample water and snacks.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.

Big Horse Clean Up 2.0 with New River Conservancy in Lansing 2/1
2025-02-01 10:00 - 14:00 | Lansing Creeper Trail Park, 114 S Big Horse Creek Road, Lansing, NC, 28643
Join MountainTrue and other awesome organizations in Lansing, NC, for a clean-up on Big Horse Creek. This cleanup is a collaboration between New River Conservancy, MountainTrue, Keep Ashe Beautiful and Trout Unlimited. (Originally scheduled for 1/29 but has been postponed to 2/1 due to weather).
Please Bring: food and water, and dress in layers for the cold weather.
Meet at: Lansing Creeper Trail Park @ 114 S Big Horse Creek Road, Lansing, NC
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQ7AHP9XeKxskCpCm_G4HOC28LVwQu5lkYAYVoAIGuPdcRYA/viewform

Community Invasive Plant Workday at Pinnacle Park | Sylva, NC | 2/7
2025-02-07 13:00 - 16:00 | Pinnacle Park, FISHERS CREEK RD, Sylva, North Carolina, 28779

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.

Everett Rd. Transylvania County Clean-up with MountainTrue & Conserving Carolina 2/8
2025-02-08 10:00 - 14:00 | Everett Rd. Clean-up, 44 Everett Rd, Pisgah Forest, NC, 28768
Come join the French Broad Riverkeeper team and Conserving Carolina as we clean up the trash left behind by Hurricane Helene in Transylvania County. We will be removing trash and debris along the riparian areas upstream and downstream. Please note this will be a land-based clean up.
Please wear long sleeves, long pants, work boots, rubber boots and/or waders. (Expect to get dirty!) We will have protective equipment available (gloves, glasses), but feel free to bring your own as well. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring tools (loppers, saws, shovels, ladders, etc.) to help dislodge and collect garbage.
Please bring water and snacks and any food or drinks that you need.
Volunteer Safety Reminder: Always Wear Your PPE During Cleanups!
As more volunteers participate in river clean-ups and other recovery activities, many will be coming into contact with mud, sludge, sediment, and dust left behind by the storm. These materials may contain higher levels of pollutants and contaminants, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
To work safely, we recommend using the following personal protective equipment (PPE):
✔️Rubber boots that can be easily cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
✔️Rubber gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with contaminated materials.
✔️N95 masks (or better) to reduce inhalation of harmful dust and particles.
✔️Long sleeves to protect your arms from direct contact with potentially harmful substances.
✔️Waterproof bandages to cover any cuts or abrasions, reducing the risk of infection.
✔️Safety glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from mud particles and dust.
After your clean-up activities, be sure to shower as soon as possible to remove any remaining contaminants from your skin and clothing. Given the lack of running water in many areas, you may want to arrange your shower plans before signing up for a clean-up. It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety while helping our community recover.

Winter Tree ID Hike at the Jackson County Greenway in Cullowhee, NC
2025-02-08 13:00 - 16:00 | Jackson County Greenway, 342 Old Cullowhee Rd, Sylva, North Carolina, 28779
Learn how to identify trees in the winter with Western Region Program Coordinator, Tony Ward. The Jackson County Greenway offers a paved, relatively flat walk and features a wide diversity of native trees perfect for identification! During this walk in the woods along the Tuckasegee River, we will discuss the different ways that you can identify trees in your area. This hike is open to all skill levels of tree identifiers. Registration is required.
Although we love our furry friends, please no pets on this outing.
In the event of inclement weather, this outing will be held on Saturday, February 15th at 1pm.
