MountainTrue

May Days on the First Broad River Paddle Trail, Riverhill to Big Bay, SC 5/31-CANCELED
2025-05-31 10:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | NC
Broad Riverkeeper is sad to announce that all May Saturdays Guided Outings will have to be postponed indefinitely. We just learned that contractors, hired by Cleveland County to remove Hurricane debris from the First Broad River, will be working in the entire 50 miles of the waterway over the next few months. We scouted and cleared the first three sections that we had planned for outings. But we don’t have a schedule from the contractors to know when and where they will be working. New potentially dangerous obstacles may be created as the work continues. We recommend that paddlers stay off the First Broad River until we know more as the work progresses. Stay safe! Contact David, your Broad Riverkeeper, david@mountaintrue.org if you have questions.
5th Saturday in May, join your Broad Riverkeeper for a special peek at the final section of the First Broad River as it makes its way to the confluence with the “Big” Broad. The put in is on private property. We are accessing with special permission.
Meet beside the bridge on Riverhill Drive at 10:00 am sharp! We will unload boats and gear, then take all the vehicles to the take-out spot and shuttle back to begin paddling. This section is approximately 9.5 miles (3.5 miles on the First Broad and 6 on the Broad). The river slows down as we near Big Bay, so be prepared to paddle for the final 2 miles. We will be on the water for about 6 hours, including a stop for lunch.
Meetup: northwest side of Riverhill Drive bridge 1724 Riverhill Drive, Shelby, NC
Coordinates: 35.218253, -81.608052
Please bring your boat, paddle, lifejacket (PFD), water, lunch, sunscreen, sturdy water shoes or sneakers (no flip-flops), towel and a dry change of clothes.
* we have some kayaks available to rent, max. 4 rentals
If you reserve a boat, please call David at 704-300-5069 to confirm PFD (life jacket) size.
Please no children on this section of the river.
The RAIN DATE for this is June 1st. Please save both dates in your calendar.

2025 BANFF Premier Adventure Raffle: Kayak/paddle AND Winner's choice of 3 adventure packages. TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
2025-06-01 09:00 - 2025-09-13 23:59 | NC
🎉 Get ready, Asheville! Not only is the BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour coming to town, but MountainTrue is cranking up the heat with the BANFF Premier Adventure Raffle — and tickets are ON SALE NOW! 🚨Want to add some serious adventure to your life? One lucky winner will paddle away with a Moken 10 Lite V2 kayak in Green Flash, a sleek Day Tourer 230 cm paddle in Lime Camo, AND get to pick from 3 epic adventure packages of their choice!
Don’t miss your shot at glory — grab your raffle tickets and get ready to ride the wave of adventure!
Scroll to the bottom to read full raffle guidelines or to purchase tickets.
A BIG THANKS to feelfree Kayaks for their generous donation of the kayak and paddle.

Moken 10 Lite V2 in Green Flash:

AND, Winner’s choice of 3 adventure packages:

Prize Package # 1:
Colorado Front Range Adventure Getaway
3-Night Stay in Colorado with Choice of Cog Railway or Rocky Mountain National Park for 2
This Experience Includes:
Adventure Activity for two
3-night stay in a standard guest room in Colorado Springs or Boulder, Colorado
Winspire booking & concierge service
Reservations are subject to availability, blackout dates, and major holidays.
Prize Package # 2:
Grand Canyon Starry Nights
3-Night Stay at in a Sky Dome with Grand Canyon Sunset Tour for 2
This Experience for 2 Includes:
Grand Canyon Sunset Tour
3-night stay at Clear Sky Resorts in a Sky Dome
Winspire booking & concierge service
Blackout Dates: The week of major US holidays and major local events. Additional dates may apply. This package is available late April – November.
Prize Package # 3:
Snowy Slopes of Jackson Hole
Snowy Slopes of Jackson Hole: Lift Tickets with 3-Night Stay for 2
This Experience for 2 Includes:
3-night stay in a Grand King or 2 Queen room at Alpine House
Daily breakfast
$1000 Jackson Hole Gift Card to purchase lift tickets
Winspire concierge & booking service
This package is available for the months of November, December, January, February, and March.
**These packages do NOT include airfare or transportation.
DEADLINE TO ENTER: Online ticket sales end at 11:59 pm on September 11th, 2025. Unless the 150 tickets have already sold out, tickets will be available to purchase at the BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour screenings in Asheville, NC on September 12th and 13th.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Winspire Travel packages and experiences must be booked within one year of the purchase date. The actual travel date must occur within two years of the purchase date. Reservations are subject to availability, blackout dates, and major holidays. Reservations must be booked 60 days in advance of travel. Purchases through charity fundraisers are non-refundable.
Certificates cannot be resold or replaced if lost, stolen, or destroyed. Transportation is the responsibility of the winner unless otherwise stated.
SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION OF WINNER: The Winner will be drawn and notified on September 15, 2025 and will be notified by telephone and/or email. If the potential winner cannot be reached after 10 days from the first notification attempt, or if an entrant is found to be ineligible, or a prize notification is returned as undeliverable, such prize will be forfeited, and an alternate winner will be selected by random drawing.
ELIGIBILITY: Present employees and board directors of MountainTrue and any immediate family members residing with the employees are not eligible to participate. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Contest void where prohibited.
Ticket purchases are non-refundable and are not tax-deductible. By entering the raffle, participants agree that MountainTrue, its agents and employees have no liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind which result from the date of award. The prize is non-transferable, and cannot be exchanged for cash. MountainTrue may use winner’s name and likeness for publicity purposes without further compensation. MountainTrue is not responsible for any failure of communication or failure of the Internet or its website. MountainTrue reserves the right to modify these rules and will give prompt announcement of any rule changes. All decisions of MountainTrue are final and binding in all matters related to this raffle.

MountainTrue Riverkeeper Beer Series Clean-up with New Belgium 6/7
2025-06-07 13:00 - 17:00 | New Belgium Brewing Company, 21 Craven St, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Our region’s rivers were heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, and with breweries playing a key role in our tourism economy, MountainTrue, the French Broad Riverkeeper, and New Belgium are teaming up to help restore our waterways.
Join us on June 7 for a river cleanup! We’ll head out for an on-the-water cleanup, then return to the brewery to celebrate with beer and prizes.
MountainTrue can provide a spot in a boat for 20 people but we encourage folks to bring their own boats to clean-up. Please make sure you bring a PFD if you bring your own boat. **To borrow a boat from MountainTrue, please click here).
All participants, regardless of whether you are borrowing a boat or bringing your own, MUST pre-register so we can adhere to safety standards.
Meet-up location and shuttling info will be emailed to participants the week before the event.
All volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours!
Kids under the age of 18 are welcome as long as accompanied by a parent or guardian AND they feel comfortable in a boat for several hours.
A HUGE thank you to New Belgium, Eno and Recover brands for sponsoring this event!

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MountainTrue Riverkeeper Beer Series Clean-up in Hot Springs, NC with Big Pillow Brewing 6/8
2025-06-08 13:00 - 17:00 | Big Pillow Brewing, 25 Andrews Ave N, Hot Springs, NC, 28743
Calling all paddlers! Our region’s rivers were heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, and with breweries playing a key role in our tourism economy, MountainTrue, the French Broad Riverkeeper, and Big Pillow Brewing are teaming up to help restore our waterways.
Join us on June 8 for a river cleanup! We’ll head out for an on-the-water cleanup on the whitewater section 9 of the French Broad River.
We will meet at NOC and Blue Heron, and shuttle to Barnard, then have a shuttle back from Stackhouse. The after party will be at Big Pillow, with prizes and shirts for the weird and wild trash.
We encourage you to bring your own boat and PFD. (MountainTrue can provide boat spots for only 12 people but we have loads of space for folks bringing their own boats). Please click here to reserve your spot in a MountainTrue boat.
All participants (whether bringing your own boat or borrowing) MUST pre-register to ensure we can adhere to safety standards.
All volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours!
Kids under the age of 18 are welcome as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian AND they feel comfortable in a boat for several hours.
A HUGE thank you to Big Pillow Brewing, Eno and Recover brands for sponsoring this event!

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Life Depends on Rivers at New Belgium Brewing in Asheville 6/12
2025-06-12 17:00 - 19:00 | New Belgium Brewing Company, 21 Craven St, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Toast the French Broad! Join New Belgium Brewing, American Rivers, RiverLink, and MountainTrue to raise a pint for Asheville’s hometown river: the French Broad. American Rivers has named the Rivers of Southern Appalachia, including the French Broad and neighboring rivers recovering from Hurricane Helene, among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2025. Together, we are spotlighting Western North Carolina’s revival — and calling on state and national leaders to protect our rivers and make sure our community is prepared for future storms. Let’s come together riverside to drink great beer, connect with friends, and take action for the French Broad.
RSVP here (or just show up!)
Life Depends on Rivers® celebration and action for the French Broad
June 12, 5:00-7:00 pm
Come hungry: food trucks will be open!
American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring
partnerships to safeguard the 3.5 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers®. America’s Most Endangered Rivers® highlights ten rivers whose fate will be decided in the coming year and encourages decision-makers to do the right thing for the rivers and the communities they support.
RiverLink promotes the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its watershed for all. RiverLink accomplishes its mission by improving watershed health and climate resilience, providing permanent public access to the river through conservation and recreation easements, reclaiming contaminated lands for public use and enjoyment,
empowering over 1,000 volunteers each year, and annually educating over 5,000 students, as well as the public at large, about the importance of a healthy French Broad River watershed.
MountainTrue champions resilient forests, clean waters, and healthy communities in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Our members protect our forests, clean up our rivers, plan
vibrant and livable communities, and advocate for a sound and sustainable future for all. MountainTrue is active in the Broad, French Broad, Green, Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, New,
and Watauga watersheds and is home to the Broad Riverkeeper, French Broad Riverkeeper, Green Riverkeeper, and Watauga Riverkeeper. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,
MountainTrue is committed to leading the recovery of our region with a vision to rebuild stronger, safer, and better prepared for the impacts of climate change.

Green Drinks: Conserving Carolina’s Trails – Conservation and Recreation (Hendersonville, NC) 6/12
2025-06-12 17:30 - 19:00 | The Grove at Trailside Brewing, 873 Lenox Park Dr, Hendersonville, NC, 28739, United States
Join Conserving Carolina’s Trails and Land Management Coordinator, Max Howes, for an update on Conserving Carolina’s trail systems! Conserving Carolina has built and maintains ~39 miles of trail in the region, showcasing many acres on, and scenic views from, protected land. He will be going over what makes trails sustainable, why they are important to the region, what it takes to build and maintain trails, trail history, Conserving Carolina’s involvement with the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail, and more! There will be an update on current trail conditions post-Helene, new trail projects, and opportunities to get involved with trail expansion and maintenance.
Max was born and raised in North Carolina, visiting areas across the state while calling Chapel Hill his home until he left for college. He attended Denison University in Ohio where he earned a B.A. in environmental studies with a minor in geoscience. Knowing he wanted to return to North Carolina after graduation, he served two terms with AmeriCorps Project Conserve as Conserving Carolina’s Habitat Restoration and Volunteer Coordinator. He gained a great appreciation for the diverse flora and fauna as well as the mountain trails in the area. He is now Conserving Carolina’s Trail and Land Management Coordinator. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, disc golf, biking, and watching college basketball.
5:30 p.m.: Grab and drink and network with like-minded locals.
6:00 p.m.: Enjoy the presentation and learn something new!
Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by Conserving Carolina, MountainTrue and Trailside Brewing Co. Come to Green Drinks to learn about current environmental issues, discuss relevant, 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. Trailside Brewing Co. offers beer, wine, cider, prosecco and non-alcoholic beverages. A limited food menu will be available.
Photo courtesy of Conserving Carolina.

French Broad River Clean-Up - Morrow Landing to Hap Simpson Park near Brevard, NC 6/14
2025-06-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Hap Simpson Park, 666 Greenville Hwy, Brevard, NC, 28712
Volunteers are invited to help clean up trash with French Broad Paddle Trail Manager, Jack Henderson, and other members of MountainTrue’s French Broad Riverkeeper team.
The clean-up will be boat-based and focus on the French Broad River in Transylvania County between Morrow Landing and Hap Simpson Park.
MountainTrue can provide canoes (with paddles and PFDs) to volunteers with previous paddling experience, but attendees are otherwise requested to bring their own boats. MountainTrue will also provide gloves, trash bags, a dumpster for trash removal, and a shuttle to the put-in.
If you need to borrow a boat from MountainTrue, please use the boat request form. (We have a limited number of boats so you must complete this form to borrow a boat).ALL participants, regardless of whether you are borrowing a boat or bringing your own, must sign-up through the “sign-up” link to ensure we can adhere to safety standards for the maximum number of participants.
Please bring:

PFD if bringing your own boat.
Appropriate clothing and footwear for paddling and cleaning up trash (closed-toed shoes recommended).
Drinking water, snacks, lunch.
Change of clothes for after the event.

Kids under the age of 18 are allowed as long as accompanied by a parent/guardian AND are experienced paddlers.
To thank you for your time, volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours.
This event has been generously-sponsored by Explore Brevard through the Transylvania County TDA’s Transylvania Always grant program. Transylvania Always’ mission is to address the impact of users on the county’s public lands, specifically the safe and enjoyable use of natural resources, and we’re fortunate to have received funding to support our work to clean up the French Broad River.

We are also partnering with Conserving Carolina, a Hendersonville-based land trust servicing Polk, Henderson, and Transylvania counties, and parts of Rutherford and other surrounding counties. Their mission is to protect, restore, and inspire appreciation of the natural world, and we are grateful that their work includes bringing staff and volunteer support to clean-ups and other initiatives that overlap with ours.

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MountainTrue Post Hurricane Helene river clean-up in Buncombe County, NC 6/18
2025-06-18 10:00 - 14:00 | NC
Come join the French Broad Riverkeeper as we clean up the trash left behind by Hurricane Helene in Buncombe County. We will be removing trash and debris along the riparian areas upstream and downstream. Please note this will be a land-based cleanup.
Please wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and long sleeves (and waders if you have them), and bring drinking water, lunch/snacks, and perhaps a change of clothes for afterward in case you get wet or dirty. We will have plenty of trash bags, gloves, safety glasses, and buckets for use, along with some hand tools such as shovels, loppers, hand saws, rakes, etc., however, feel free to bring your own if you would like. We will have our dump trailer there for the removal of collected garbage and recyclables.
LOCATION:126 Swannanoa River Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
https://maps.app.goo.gl/spZTbxeHnhrLbYGL9

There is parking available across the street from the river in the old antique mall / Hajoca PVC pipe area.
To thank you for your time, volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours.

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CAC Asheville Extreme Weather Peoples' Hearing in Asheville, NC 6/18
2025-06-18 18:00 - 19:45 | NC
This is a community event (not hosted by MountainTrue). Come hear firsthand stories from community members, local leaders, climate advocates, and health experts about how extreme weather is hitting home—and why we must stand up to the dangerous rollbacks of climate protections.
If you would like to testify at the event and tell your story of how extreme weather impacted you, please submit this form

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Visit the Watauga Riverkeeper Team at Boonerang in Boone, NC 6/21
2025-06-19 00:00 - 2025-06-22 00:00 | Downtown Boone
We are so excited to have an information table again this year at Boonerang… a FREE music & arts festival in Downtown Boone running from June 19-22nd! Come visit our Clean Water team on June 21st and learn what we have been up to this year on and off the river. Hear how you can support our work and help protect the places we share!
We will also have new MountainTrue merch and stickers available.
Enjoy all the music, art, food, and vendors Boonerang has to offer. It is sure to be a good time & the talk of the town you don’t want to miss! Full event details available here: https://www.boonerangfest.com/
https://www.boonerangfest.com/faqs

MountainTrue Lower Green River Clean-up with Conserving Carolina near Saluda, NC 6/21
2025-06-21 10:00 - 14:00 | Green Riverkeeper Office, 7347 Ozone Dr, Suite 4, Saluda, NC, 28773
Join your Green Riverkeeper and Conserving Carolina to Clean the Lower Green!
We will meet at the Green Riverkeeper Office in Saluda, NC at 10 am and carpool down to the river. The exact clean-up location will be announced in an email closer to the event date.
This event will be land and river-based. If you want to be on the river, please plan to bring your own boat (MountainTrue is not providing boats for loan for this event) and appropriate river gear (pfd, helmet, paddles etc).
Please wear closed-toe shoes, weather-appropriate attire (including things you don’t mind getting wet). Bring drinking water, lunch/snacks, and perhaps a change of clothes for afterward. We will have plenty of trash bags and gloves for use, along with some hand tools such as shovels, loppers, etc.; however, feel free to bring your own if you would like.
All volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours!
Kids under the age of 18 are welcome as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian AND they feel comfortable in a boat for several hours.

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MountainTrue Broad River Summer Sweep, Hwy 221 to 221A near Henrietta, NC 6/21
2025-06-21 10:00 - 16:00 | NC
Join your Broad Riverkeeper and Rutherford Outdoor Coalition for a river sweep on a section of the Broad that has just opened up for recreation. North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission completed the Hwy 221 access last year and just recently finished the Hwy 221A access. This is a water-based clean-up.
This 4.5 mile stretch of river is beautiful, wide, and easy to paddle, with a few fun class I-II rapids.
Meetup is at 10:00 AM sharp at the Hwy 221 put-in, 35.206404, -81.838500 . PLEASE ENTER THE COORDINATES for directions.
We will stop for lunch and a swim along the way. Please bring your boat, paddle, and lifejacket (PFD), water, lunch, sunscreen, sturdy water shoes or sneakers (no flip-flops), towel and a dry change of clothes. If you don’t have a boat, we have some kayaks available to loan, max. 4. If you need to borrow a boat, please call David @ 704-300-5069 to confirm PFD size and boat preference.
RAIN Date for this event is June 28th. Please save both dates in your calendar. For safety reasons, no particants under the age of 18 on this clean-up.
To thank you for your time, volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours.

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2025 MountainTrue BioBlitz at Hickory Nut Gap Farm near Asheville, NC 6/21
2025-06-21 12:30 - 17:00 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview, NC, 28730
Each year, MountainTrue hosts a BioBlitz to record all the species we can find in a given area. We identify and catalog organisms using the online app iNaturalist. The BioBiltz this year will be on June 21st at Hickory Nut Gap Farm near Asheville, NC.
Volunteers will hike with experts in reptiles/amphibians, mammals, birds, plants and mushrooms.*Group sign-ups are taken at the event and are first come, first serve. Group availability is subject to change.
We will meet at 12:30 pm to complete waivers and sign-up for groups. The BioBlitz will kick off at 1 pm and end at 5 pm. But the fun doesn’t stop there. We hope our volunteers will stick around for the barn dance at Hickory Nut Gap from 5 to 9 pm. All BioBlitz volunteers will receive free admission to the barn dance.
Garage BBQ food truck will be on site where you can purchase dinner. MountainTrue will provide snacks.
Please bring: water, sunscreen, bug spray, notebook (if desired), sturdy close-toed shoes and any snacks, etc. that you may need.
**Kids aged 6 and up are welcome to join if they are accompanied by a parent/guardian for the duration of the trip.
Thanks to our friends at Hickory Nut Gap Farm for hosting us!

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MountainTrue Riverkeeper Beer Series Clean-up in Asheville, NC with Wicked Weed Brewing 6/21
2025-06-21 13:00 - 17:00 | Pearson Bridge, 706 Pearson Bridge Rd., Asheville, NC, 28806
Calling all paddlers! Our region’s rivers were heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, and with breweries playing a key role in our tourism economy, MountainTrue, the French Broad Riverkeeper, and Big Pillow Brewing are teaming up to help restore our waterways.
Join us on June 21 for a river cleanup! We’ll head out for an on-the-water cleanup, then return to the brewery to celebrate with beer and prizes.
We encourage you to bring your own boat and PFD. (MountainTrue can provide boat spots for only 20 people but we have loads of space for folks bringing their own boats). Please click here to reserve your spot in a MountainTrue boat.
All participants (whether bringing your own boat or borrowing) MUST pre-register to ensure we can adhere to safety standards.
All volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours!
Kids under the age of 18 are welcome as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian AND they feel comfortable in a boat for several hours.
A HUGE thank you to Wicked Weed Brewing, Eno and Recover brands for sponsoring this event!

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“A Tale of Three Watersheds”: Village Green Nature Series talk presented by Callie Moore 6/25
2025-06-25 17:30 - 19:00 | Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC, 28717
Join Western Regional Director, Callie Moore, for a presentation of “A Tale of Three Watersheds” at the Village Green Nature Series, Cashiers, NC.
Learn what a watershed is and about the three watersheds that drain the Cashiers area of the Highlands plateau. Where do the rivers go when they leave the plateau? Do they all contain the same species of fish and other aquatic life? This free talk – part of the annual Village Nature Series – is meant to provide a basic understanding of streams and rivers in the Cashiers area, as well as threats to their quality and what we can do to protect them.

Trail Maintenance Workday with MountainTrue & Carolina Mountain Club near Asheville, NC 6/27
2025-06-27 08:00 - 14:00 | NC
Join MountainTrue and Carolina Mountain Club for a day of trail maintenance work!
Please bring plenty of water, lunch, snacks, and any medications you may need. Wear closed-toed shoes and long pants, and bring a hard hat, eye protection, and work gloves if you have them. We will provide these if you do not have them, as well as any tools necessary for the work.
Children that are able to hike in and out to the worksite are welcome as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
This will be a moderately strenuous workday that includes hiking to a work site and completing trail maintenance work for a few hours.
Location: the exact location will be emailed to participants closer to the event. We will be in the Asheville, NC area.

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MountainTrue Turner Shoals Dam Clean-up with Conserving Carolina near Mill Spring, NC 6/27
2025-06-27 10:00 - 13:00 | 260 Wolverine Trail, 260 Wolverine Trail, Mill Spring, NC, 28756
Join your Green Riverkeeper and Conserving Carolina to clean up the Lower Green at Turner Shoals Dam access area. This will be a land-based cleanup along the river.
Please wear closed-toe shoes, weather-appropriate attire (including things you don’t mind getting wet). Bring drinking water, lunch/snacks, and perhaps a change of clothes for afterward. We will have plenty of trash bags and gloves for use, along with some hand tools such as shovels, loppers, etc.; however, feel free to bring your own if you would like.
All volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours!
Kids under the age of 18 are welcome as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

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MountainTrue Riverkeeper Beer Series Clean-up in Brevard, NC with Oskar Blues 6/28
2025-06-28 13:00 - 17:00 | Pisgah Forest River Access, 3520 Wilson Rd., Pisgah Forest, NC, 28768
Our region’s rivers were heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, and with breweries playing a key role in our tourism economy, MountainTrue, the French Broad Riverkeeper, and Oskar Blues are teaming up to help restore our waterways.
Join us on June 28 for a river cleanup! We’ll head out for an on-the-water cleanup, then return to the brewery to celebrate with beer and prizes.
We encourage folks to bring their own boats to clean-up but, MountainTrue can provide a spot on a boat for 20 people if you don’t have one. Please make sure you bring a PFD if you bring your own boat.Please click here to reserve your spot in a MountainTrue boat.
All participants, regardless of whether borrowing a boat or bringing their own, MUST pre-register so we can adhere to safety standards.
Meet-up location: Pisgah Forest River Access (3520 Wilson Rd, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768). Shuttling info: Everyone will meet at Pisgah Forest River Access at 1:00 PM and be shuttled to the put-in at Hap Simpson Park.
All volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours!
Kids under the age of 18 are welcome as long as accompanied by a parent or guardian AND they feel comfortable in a boat for several hours.
A HUGE thank you to Oskar Blues, Eno and Recover brands for sponsoring this event!
Additionaly, this event has been generously-sponsored by Explore Brevard through the Transylvania County TDA’s Transylvania Always grant program. Transylvania Always’ mission is to address the impact of users on the county’s public lands, specifically the safe and enjoyable use of natural resources, and we’re fortunate to have received funding to support our work to clean up the French Broad River.

We are also partnering with Conserving Carolina, a Hendersonville-based land trust servicing Polk, Henderson, and Transylvania counties, and parts of Rutherford and other surrounding counties. Their mission is to protect, restore, and inspire appreciation of the natural world, and we are grateful that their work includes bringing staff and volunteer support to clean-ups and other initiatives that overlap with ours.

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Post Hurricane Helene Swannanoa River clean-up in Asheville, NC with REI Co-op 6/29
2025-06-29 10:00 - 14:00 | 2 Hendersonville Rd, 2 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville, NC, 28803
Come join the French Broad Riverkeeper and REI Asheville as we work to clean up Hurricane Helene damage along the Swannanoa River in the Biltmore Village area. We will be removing trash and debris along the riparian areas. Please note this will be a land-based clean-up.
***Fun swag will be provided to each volunteer. Stick around after for a cold drink and social time with fellow volunteers.
Kids aged 14 and up are welcome as long as accompanied by a parent or guardian.
To thank you for your time, all volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours.
Thanks to REI co-op for their support!

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Say Hi to MountainTrue at the Town of Boone 4th of July Parade to support Public Lands 7/4
2025-07-04 11:00 - 13:00 | NC
Join MountainTrue for the Town of Boone 4th of July Parade to march for Public Lands. Please wear MountainTrue gear. Don’t have any? Check out our Shopify Store! (Please make sure you allow at least a week or two for shipping).
More info about the parade here.
For questions, please contact Wayne Williams: willwe@appstate.edu

MountainTrue Trash Trout Cleanout with 828 Real Estate in Boone, NC 7/8
2025-07-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Boone Fire Station #2, 1075 State Farm Rd, Boone, NC, 28607
Want to get in the river AND contribute to its health? Assist MountainTrue and 828 Real Estate with cleanout and inventory of trash types and brands found within the Trash Trout. This trash trout cleanout will be at Winkler’s Creek. Made from recycled materials, this passive litter collection device will be sure to get you asking questions and feeling good about what we can do to mitigate the trash found in the river.
Kids are welcome at this event, however, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire duration of the event.
Please Bring:

Water
Snacks
Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
You are welcome to bring your own boots and waders if you have them

Anyone borrowing boots/waders from MountainTrue must provide sizing on the sign-up form.

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Summertime Long Float with MountainTrue & Rutherford Outdoor Coalition in Rutherfordton, NC 7/12
2025-07-12 09:00 - 17:00 | NC
Join your Broad Riverkeeper and Rutherford Outdoor Coalition for a long, fun paddle on two sections of the Broad that have just opened up for recreation. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission recently completed the Hwy 221 access, our take-out point. We’ll start at the Coxe Road access and paddle 14 miles! The first section of the river is upstream of the confluence with the Green River, so is relatively narrow and shaded with some trees to maneuver around. Once the Green enters the Broad, the river is much wider and has more flow and no obstacles, with a few fun class I-II rapids.
Meetup is at 9:00 AM sharp at the Coxe Road access, 35.292635, -81.991388
We will stop for lunch and a swim along the way. With an average speed of 2-3 mph, total time on the river will be 7 to 8 hours. Not recommended for inexperienced paddlers. (Please, no kids on this trip.)
Please bring: your boat, paddle, and lifejacket, water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, sturdy water shoes or sneakers (no flip-flops), and a dry change of clothes. If you want to enjoy the scenery, you are encouraged to bring binoculars as well.
If you reserve a boat, please call David at 704-300-5069 to confirm PFD (life jacket) size.
The RAIN DATE is July 19th. Please reserve both dates on your calendar.

Trivia Night with MountainTrue and NC Conservation Network in Asheville, NC 7/16
2025-07-16 19:00 - 20:00 | The River Arts District Brewing Company, 13 Mystery Street, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
🌿🌎Calling all nature fans, climate champs, and curious minds! 🌎🌿 Join MountainTrue and NC Conservation Network for a night of environmental trivia where you can flex your knowledge on forests, rivers, wildlife, climate, and all things green.
📅 Date: Wednesday, July 16th🕖 Time: 7 to 8:30 pm📍 Location: The RAD Brewing Co. 13 Mystery St. Asheville, NC 28801
🍃 Free to play🌟 Prizes for the sharpest green minds🥤 Snacks, drinks & good company👥 Come solo or bring a team (up to 6)
We’ll see you in the wild (or at least at the trivia table)! (Sign-ups not required, but encouraged).

MountainTrue Lower Green River Clean-up near Saluda, NC 7/18
2025-07-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Fishtop Access, 2302 Green River Cove, Saluda, North Carolina, 28773
Please join our Green River work crew for an afternoon cleaning up a small section of the Lower Green. This work day will not require a boat, but volunteers should be prepared to be in and out of the water on steep banks and uneven terrain.
Please be prepared for the day to be strenuous, as you will be pulling large trash from the river and its banks to haul up to the road to be loaded into a dump trailer.
Closed-toed shoes are required. Work gloves and tools will be provided, but please bring plenty of water, sunscreen, snacks, hats, medical needs, and appropriate clothing to pull out large and potentially sharp objects from the river. We will meet at Fish Top Access to sign waivers and talk about how the day will run, and then we will carpool to the cleanup location.
All volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours!
Please, nobody under the age of 18.

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Party on the Mountain Weekend at Beech Mountain, NC 7/18 & 7/19
2025-07-18 16:30 - 22:00, 2025-07-19 16:30 - 22:00 | Beech Mountain Resort, 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC, 28604, United States
Join MountainTrue at the Party on the Mountain at Beech Mountain this year! Remember to bring your (empty!) water bottle; we will have a water bottle refill station at the concert series. Swing by to chat about Clean Water with us and see what the Riverkeepers have been up to at MountainTrue this year! New MountainTrue merch will also be available for purchase.
Get your tickets and answer questions here: https://summerconcert.beechmountainresort.com/
Friday, July 18
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
with Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge
Boy Named Banjo · Susto Stringband · Ashes & Arrows · Holler Choir
Adrian and Meredith · The Ain’t Sisters
Saturday, July 19
Lake Street Dive
with the 502s
The Wilder Blue · Jon Stickley Trio · The Wildmans
If Birds Could Fly · Goldpine · Taylor Winchester
David Lamotte · Adam Bolt
Doors & Schedule
4:30 p.m. – VIP Doors Open & Food Truck Village
5:30 p.m. – General Admission Doors Open & Food Truck Village
7:00 p.m. – Show Start (Set times are subject to artist discretion)
Please note: Party weekend includes a broader schedule of bands throughout the day at various venues.
Tickets
All tickets are general admission.
VIP tickets include priority stage-front standing room.
Re-Entry
No re-entry to concert grounds, except for emergencies.
Seating Policy
Chairs are permitted but not in front of the stage.
All Ages Welcome Children 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

7/19 Nature Yoga at The Little Tennessee Greenway, Franklin NC
2025-07-19 09:00 - 10:30 | Macon County Library, 149 Siler Farm Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734
Join MountainTrue for a rejuvenating experience of nature yoga and forest bathing. Everyone is welcome, regardless of skill level. Immerse yourself in gentle yoga movements surrounded by nature and unwind under a canopy of leaves. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, relax, and be in community with others.
Please leave pets at home.

Please Bring:
– Comfortable walking shoes
– Yoga mat (we cannot provide additional mats)
– Water (and snacks for yourself)
– Any medication you might need

Registration is required, limited spots available.

MountainTrue Hemlock Hike at John Rock near Brevard, NC 7/19-CANCELED
2025-07-19 09:00 - 12:30 | John Rock Loop Trailhead, Fish Hatchery Ln, Brevard, NC, 28712
We regret that this hike has been canceled. We hope you will check out our other upcoming events! Join MountainTrue and Hemlock Restoration Initiative (HRI) on a guided hike at John Rock to see hemlock trees! Learn from Josh Kelly and HRI’s Olivia Hall about hemlock conservation and the importance of these ecosystems.
John Rock Trail Loop is a moderately difficult 5-mile hike with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. We’ll be back to the trailhead by lunchtime, but please bring plenty of water and any snacks you would like along the way.
*Children are welcome if they can hike up to 5 moderately strenuous miles. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the outing.

As much as we love our furry friends, no pets are permitted on this hike.
Please remember to:
-Wear sturdy hiking shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather (including rain gear).
-Bring water, lunch, snacks and any medications you may need
The trailhead for John Rock Loop Trail is to the left of the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. Park and meet our group at the trailhead at 9 am.
The RAIN DATE for this event will be July 26th. Please save both dates in your calendar.

French Broad River Clean-Up - Island Ford River Access to Morrow Landing near Dunns Rock, NC 7/19
2025-07-19 10:00 - 15:00 | NC
Volunteers are invited to help clean up trash with French Broad Paddle Trail Manager, Jack Henderson, and other members of MountainTrue’s French Broad Riverkeeper team.
The clean-up will be boat-based and focus on the French Broad River in Transylvania County between Island Ford River Access and Morrow Landing.
MountainTrue can provide canoes (with paddles and PFDs) to volunteers with previous paddling experience, but attendees are otherwise requested to bring their own boats. MountainTrue will also provide gloves, trash bags, a dumpster for trash removal, and a shuttle to the put-in.
If you need to borrow a boat from MountainTrue, please use the boat request form. (We have a limited number of boats so you must complete this form to borrow a boat).ALL participants, regardless of whether you are borrowing a boat or bringing your own, must sign-up through the “sign-up” link to ensure we can adhere to safety standards for the maximum number of participants.
Please bring:

PFD if bringing your own boat.
Appropriate clothing and footwear for paddling and cleaning up trash (closed-toed shoes recommended).
Drinking water, snacks, lunch.
Change of clothes for after the event.

Kids under the age of 18 are allowed as long as accompanied by a parent/guardian AND are experienced paddlers.
Meet-up coordinates: Island Ford River Access (GPS Coordinates: 35.17843014706829, -82.75543437584966)
To thank you for your time, volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours.
This event has been generously-sponsored by Explore Brevard through the Transylvania County TDA’s Transylvania Always grant program. Transylvania Always’ mission is to address the impact of users on the county’s public lands, specifically the safe and enjoyable use of natural resources, and we’re fortunate to have received funding to support our work to clean up the French Broad River.

We are also partnering with Conserving Carolina, a Hendersonville-based land trust servicing Polk, Henderson, and Transylvania counties, and parts of Rutherford and other surrounding counties. Their mission is to protect, restore, and inspire appreciation of the natural world, and we are grateful that their work includes bringing staff and volunteer support to clean-ups and other initiatives that overlap with ours.

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MountainTrue Hominy Creek Water Quality Sample Blitz near Asheville, NC July 22, 29 & Aug 5th
2025-07-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Ingles-Enka, 1572 Sand Hill Rd., Candler, NC, 28715
We’re doing an intensive water quality look in Hominy Creek. For three weeks, we’ll be taking samples specifically looking at bacteria pollution in Hominy Creek.
We’ll meet at the Ingles parking lot (address below), where MountainTrue staff will give you materials and teach you what you need to know. From there, we’ll all go grab samples from different locations and then meet back at the Ingles parking lot by 2PM to drop samples off, so MountainTrue staff can bring them back to the lab to process.
Bring lunch and a small cooler if you have one. We’ll provide sampling materials and gloves. We’ll be working off of Google Maps, so it’s helpful to have that app on your phone, or partner with someone who does. Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet or dirty.
Meet-up location: Ingles Parking Lot 1572 Sand Hill Rd, Candler, NC 28715
Please wear clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting wet or dirty.
Samples will be taken on three consecutive weeks. Please sign up for the shifts that work for you.

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