Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC 3-8
2024-03-08 14:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Boone Fire Station #2, 1075 State Farm Rd, Boone, NC, 28607
Want to get in the river AND contribute to its health? Assist with cleanout and inventory of trash types and brands found within the Trash Trouts. This week’s trash trout clean out 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.
We’ve got the boots and waders, just bring your love for river health! Sign up so we know your sizes and how many people to bring equipment for.
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

Winter Bird Watch around Lake Chatuge near Hayesville, NC 3/9/2024-CANCELED DUE to WEATHER
2024-03-09 07:30 - 09:30 | Chatuge Dam, 1407 Chatuge Dam Rd, Hayesville, NC, 28904, United States
There is a 90% chance of rain on Saturday, March 9th so we must cancel this event. We hope to reschedule this at a later date.
MountainTrue is hosting the 18th Annual Winter Bird Watch outing around Lake Chatuge! Participants will meet at Chatuge Dam and carpool/caravan to various sites around the lake. Typically 18-25 different species of birds are observed on the outing, ranging from small songbirds to larger birds of prey and wintering waterfowl associated with more northern climes (like loons!).
Retired Young Harris College professor and former Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition board member Brenda Hull will again lead the outing. A spotting scope is provided for up-close views, but participants should still bring binoculars and a favorite bird identification guide, if they have them.
Kids ages 8 & up are welcome but anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
What to bring:
Binoculars and bird guides if you have them
Water and snacks if desired
Warm layers (there is usually a breeze by the lake).
**As much as we love our furry friends, pets are not permitted on this outing.
Join us to learn more about our feathered winter visitors!

Additional Resources for your reference:
Birdwatching for Beginners: How to Start Birding

https://www.audubon.org/birding/how-to-start-birding

7th Annual Bill Beazel/Allen Robbins Memorial Tailwater Roundup in Bluff City, TN
2024-03-09 08:00 - 15:00 | Bluff City Boat Ramp, Bluff City, TN, 37618
Come join our friends from the Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited for a clean-up in Bluff City, Tennessee. They have teamed up with local fishing guides, paddling enthusiasts, and community members to host this event for the 7th year in a row on the South Holston and Watauga Rivers.
Pack your car with friends and family and join the annual effort to help our downstream neighbors keep their watershed beautiful!
There will be a celebration at the end of the day with food and prizes. Bags and gloves will also be provided. Our water team will be there as well to support their cleanup efforts to protect our valuable river resources.
WHERE
Watauga River
Ingles parking lot
768 W Elk Ave
Elizabethton, TN 37643
After party is at Watauga River Lodge 643 Smalling Rd, Watauga, TN 37694.
For more information about the event or after-party click here.

Plastic Jesus: Real Faith in a Synthetic World Webinar
2024-03-12 13:00 - 14:00 | virtual
Everywhere we look in our culture, you will find plastic. One place where you will not find plastic, however, is in the Bible. Join us for a conversation about plastic and the call to a genuine faith with special guests Avery Davis Lamb (Co-Director of Creation Justice Ministries) and Anna Alsobrook (MountainTrue Watershed Science and Policy Manager).
We will discuss the plastic crisis and what we can do–highlighting MountainTrue’s campaign to address single-use plastic pollution and Creation Justice Ministries’ new resource for Christian faith communities on Earth Day Sunday, Plastic Jesus: Real Faith in a Synthetic World.
*This webinar will be recorded with a copy of our conversation sent out to all who register. Even if you can’t attend in person, we hope you sign up to get the recording!

Green Drinks in Hendersonville, NC: Sustainability Initiatives for the City of Hendersonville
2024-03-14 17:30 - 19:00 | The Grove at Trailside Brewing, 873 Lenox Park Dr, Hendersonville, NC, 28739, United States
Join the City of Hendersonville for this month’s Green Drinks to hear from City Sustainability Manager, Caitlyn Gendusa about various sustainability initiatives the City is working on. Participants will hear updates on topics such as zero and low-emission transportation, waste management, energy efficiency, and more. There will also be an update on the City’s first Sustainability Strategic Plan, which is expected to be finalized and adopted this spring. This plan includes a public input survey currently available online for community members to provide their feedback.
Caitlyn Gendusa is the Sustainability Manager for the City of Hendersonville where she works to advance municipal sustainability efforts ranging from energy, transportation, waste management, and land management. Before her work with the City, she worked for four years as the Land Conservation Manager for Upstate Forever, a non-profit land conservation organization in Greenville, SC. Her academic background includes sustainable agriculture and development where she worked on various projects including farm-to-school education, sustainability planning for a conference center, and research on organic agriculture methods. She is originally from Atlanta, GA, but has called Western North Carolina home for five years.
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 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. Trailside Brewing Co. offers beer, wine, cider, prosecco and non-alcoholic beverages. A limited food menu will be available.

Green River Cove Wildflower Walk near Saluda, NC with MountainTrue and Hemlock Restoration Initiative
2024-03-17 12:30 - 17:00 | Fishtop Access, 2302 Green River Cove, Saluda, North Carolina, 28773
Enjoy a guided hike with MountainTrue Biologist Josh Kelly and Olivia Hall from The Hemlock Restoration Initiative (HRI) at one of the earliest blooming wildflower sites in Western North Carolina.
The moderate, four-mile hike will include information on wildflower identification, tree identification, and forest ecology. Join us as we discuss the importance of hemlocks and Hemlock Woolley Adelgid Management across the game land, including the Paddlers Hemlock Health Action Taskforce (PHHAT) treatment program, a partnership between HRI and the MountainTrue Green Riverkeeper.
Children are welcome as long as they can walk or be carried up to 4 miles. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the outing.
Please remember to bring:
Water
Snacks
Raingear
Sturdy footwear
Clothing comfortable for the weather
And a notebook if you wish to document any information
Feeling thirsty after the hike OR can’t attend the hike but want to gather? Join your fellow hikers, supporters and MountainTrue staff at the Green River Brew Depot for a casual hang from 5:30-6:30 pm.
The rain date for this event is March 24th. Please make sure to save both dates in your calendar just in case.

Post Hike Hangout with MT Staff and Supporters in Saluda, NC
2024-03-17 17:30 - 18:30 | The Green River Brew Depot, 26 Church St., Saluda, NC, 28773
Can’t join us for the Green River Cove Wildflower Walk near Saluda on March 17th but want to gather with your fellow MountainTrue supporters and staff? Join us for a casual hangout at The Green River Brew Depot from 5:30-6:30 pm.
If the March 17th hike is canceled due to weather, the hangout will be on the hike rain date: March 24th. Please check our website for any cancellation notices.

Live Staking Workday at Island Park in Bryson City
2024-03-20 13:00 - 16:00 | Bryson City Island Park, 213 Bryson St, Bryson City, NC, 28713, United States
Come out to help with planting 1500 native live stakes this dormant season at Bryson City Island Park. MountainTrue West will be holding this community volunteer workday on March 20th to install various species of live stakes for bank stabilization, wildlife habitat, and beautification as the next step in the Island Park Bank Restoration Project. Gloves are provided but you are welcome to bring your own if you wish.
Please bring:
Closed toed shoes
Warm layers (recommended)
Water and snacks
The workday will be held on Wednesday, March 20th from 1-4pm. In case of rainy weather, we will have the workday on Thursday, March 28th, instead.
Contact western region program associate Eve Davis with any questions (wro-wq-habitat@mountaintrue.org).

World Water Day 2024 with MountainTrue's Clean Water Teams
2024-03-22 - 2024-03-25
Join us as we celebrate World Water Day throughout our regions. What is World Water Day, you might ask? It’s a day to acknowledge and appreciate the importance of water and the hard work we do around protecting and conserving this precious resource.
Throughout the Southern Blue Ridge, our 4 Riverkeepers and Western Region Water Quality Team diligently work to ensure the health and safety of our rivers, streams, and lakes so they can be resources we can enjoy today and into the future.
On March 22nd, World Water Day here is where you can catch us:
Asheville, NC: We will be at The Rad Brew Co. in Asheville, NC, from 5 to 7 pm. Chat with French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson, and grab a glass of “Stream of Conscience”. A portion of proceeds from “Stream of Conscience” beer sales will benefit the work of MountainTrue.
French Broad Riverkeeper, Hartwell Carson
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Boone, NC: Catch Watauga Riverkeeper, Andy Hill and the High Country Water Team at AMB from 5-8 pm. Raise a glass to over 50 years of the Clean Water Act! Come visit the MountainTrue team at AMB and lets cheers to fishable, swimmable, and drinkable water. We couldn’t have good beer or good fishing without good water!
Peace, Love and Water Symposium at Appalachian State University (ASU) from 3-5 pm. Visit the Watauga Riverkeeper team at ASU’s World Water Day celebration! This event will have tabling activities, geology museum tours, and presentations from local water activists. Thank you to our friends at the Office of Sustainability for having us!
Watauga Riverkeeper, Andy Hill
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hendersonville, NC: Catch Green Riverkeeper, Erica Shanks at Trailside Brewing Company from 5-8. Come listen to music and grab a drink (n/a options also available).
Green Riverkeeper, Erica Shanks
Shelby, NC: Broad Riverkeeper, David Caldwell will be at Newgrass Brewing from 4-7 pm.
Broad Riverkeeper, David Caldwell
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
And on Monday, March 25th we’ll be in Bryson City at Mountain Layers Brewing Co. from 5 to 7 pm. Come chat with Western Regional Director, Callie Moore and learn more about our restoration work at Island Park, the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail, Swim Guide, and more!
Western Regional Director, Callie Moore
Let’s give a cheers for our hardworking Riverkeepers and Clean Water Team!

Live Staking Work Day near Sugar Grove, NC 3-23
2024-03-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Wards Mill Dam, 443 Old Watauga River Rd, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679, United States
Come plant native trees with MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper at the historic former site of Wards Mill Dam!
If you’re looking to get outside and help us restore and replenish streambanks, these work days are a great way to meet new friends and do some good work for Mother Nature too! Live staking involves taking dormant cuttings of a living tree and planting them along the river’s edge. For our 2024 livestaking season, our goals prioritize improving riparian habitat connectivity at high-priority stream sites in the Watauga drainage following the historic Ward’s dam removal.
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 (We have some, but not many so bring your own if you have them.) water to drink

There is parking along the side of the road.

Coffee Hour with MountainTrue: Ancient Forests of the Blue Ridge in Asheville, NC
2024-03-26 08:00 - 09:00 | Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins, 9 Midnight Drive, Asheville, 28806, United States
The original forests of the Blue Ridge had trees of all ages and sizes. Large, old trees were abundant. The onslaught of industrial logging removed most of those forests, but due to the ruggedness of our mountains and sustained conservation over generations, at least 3% of the Southern Blue Ridge is in old-growth condition. Josh Kelly has spent years documenting and protecting old-growth forests on public land. Josh will take you on a 45 minute, coffee inspired, exploration of our region’s old-growth forests, including where to find them, how to recognize them, and the deep values they represent.
Bagels & coffee will be provided for participants. Please come early enough to get settled in before the programming starts at 8.
On-site parking is limited but there is additional public parking within walking distance and several locations on site to lock up bikes if you feel like perusing the Greenway.
We are excited to provide more opportunities in 2024 for our supporters to learn about our work and the places we protect. Check out our other upcoming opportunities on our event calendar.

Missing Middle Housing: TL;DR. An event exploring what middle housing is and why we need it.
2024-03-28 17:30 - 19:00 | Ferguson Auditorium at AB-Tech Community College, 19 Tech Dr., Asheville, NC, 28801
Wait – so you’re saying that you did NOT read the 150+ page report that came out just before the holidays? We feel you. And this event is for you. We want everyone to understand what is meant by the term middle housing – because it may not be what you expect. We also want to talk about why it would be a good thing for our community if we could get more of it.
Homes like duplexes, triplexes, granny flats, and townhomes are considered middle housing. Often called “missing middle housing”, these types of homes used to be common across Asheville and cities throughout the United States. However, due to the adoption and rise of exclusionary zoning policies designed to keep people of color and renters out, these home types – which are more naturally affordable – were banned from our communities. Today, our communities still feel the legacy of these exclusionary zoning rules, and most of the homes we build today are larger and more expensive as a result.
This event will include speakers representing different interests in our community – from environmentalists to housing advocates to older adults – addressing specifically what middle housing means for them. We’ll have plenty of visuals so you can see examples of middle housing types and maybe even see some homes you recognize. You’ll have opportunities to ask questions and also share with us your thoughts. Admission is free, we ask that you RSVP so that we can ensure we have space and seating for everyone.
We hope to see you there!
This event is Co-hosted by: MountainTrue and Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC, AARP NC Mountain Region, Asheville City Association of Educators, Asheville for All, Asheville Food and Beverage United, Asheville on Bikes, Buncombe County Association of Educators, East Fork Pottery, Just Economics, Mountain Housing Opportunities, Pisgah Legal Services, and Thrive Asheville.

Live Staking Work Day near Sugar Grove, NC 4-5-CANCELLED
2024-04-05 11:00 - 14:00 | Wards Mill Dam, 443 Old Watauga River Rd, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679, United States
Unfortunately (OR fortunately) Spring has Sprung, and the trees are no longer dormant and viable for planting. We will have more events next year November-March/April depending on the weather. We will not be hosting our last planting event.

But there are more ways to get involved on our website: https://mountaintrue.org/eventscalendar/

Blowing Rock Trout Derby in Blowing Rock, NC
2024-04-06 06:00 - 16:00
For over four decades the town of Blowing Rock has held the Trout Derby to celebrate the beginning of Trout season with some friendly competition and many prizes! Join the MountainTrue team and your Watauga Riverkeeper for a family-friendly day of fun!
Visit https://blowingrock.com/troutderby/ for more competition details!
Tabling, food, and prizes at The Speckled Trout Outfitters 916 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Derby Headquarters: The Picnic Shelter at Robbins Pool, 173 Lakeside Dr. Blowing Rock, NC 28605
*Public parking is available on the street and parking garages in downtown Blowing Rock

Big Creek Wildflower Hike with Carolina Mountain Club and MountainTrue Biologist Josh Kelly
2024-04-10 08:00 - 17:00
Join members of the Carolina Mountain Club (CMC) and MountainTrue Biologist Josh Kelly for a wildflower hike in beautiful Big Creek. A comfortable roadbed meanders along rushing rapids, Mouse Creek Falls, huge boulders, and deep swimming holes. A beautiful forest and early wildflower environment make for a special experience – so bring your camera to this moderate in-and-out hike. Josh will discuss plants and trees along the way. Expect a slower hike because of the many wildflowers we will see. For this reason, we may not hike all the way to Big Creek.

Hike details:
*Trip Leader: Adrianne Chang, Phone: 414-690-5424, email: acjp9349@yahoo.com

10.3 miles in and out, 500 ft. ascent, Rated A-C
Carpool Meet-up locations:

First Meeting Place 8:00 am sharp: Home Depot off Exit 44 of I-40.
Second Meeting Place: Pilot Truck Stop off Exit 24 of I-40 at 8:30 AM – but if you plan to meet here please contact trip leader Adrianne Chang first.
There is a limit of 20 hikers, 10 from Mountain True and 10 from CMC. Please contact hike leader Adrianne Chang for reservations.
Parking tags are required in the Great Smoky Mountains. Visit smokymountainnationalpark.com/parking-tags/ for information.
This hike satisfies the requirements of Hike #30 of the FH100 Challenge.
Traffic in both directions of I-40 is reduced to one lane between Exit 20 and MM18 so there will be delays.
Topo(s): Cove Creek Gap, Luftee Knob,Waterville
Please Bring:

Water
Snacks and lunch
Layers
Comfortable shoes
Walking sticks if you desire

Please contact Adrianne Chang with any questions about the hike.

2024 5Point Film Screening Raffle benefiting MountainTrue in Asheville, NC
2024-04-11 - 2024-05-20
5Point Film Screening Raffle benefiting MountainTrue in Asheville, NC
Support MountainTrue with your raffle ticket purchase. Enter to win one of three raffle packages.
HOW TO ENTER THE RAFFLE:
1. Enter online by completing this form and paying with a credit card OR
2. Pay in person at the event on May 21st in Asheville, NC.

VENUE CHANGE: Native Plant and Shrub Sale Pick Up in Asheville, NC 4-11 ONLY for those that purchased through our online Native Plant sale that ended March 31st
2024-04-11 16:00 - 19:00 | Pleb Urban Winery, 289 Lyman St, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Pick up your Native Plant and Shrub order in Asheville, NC on Thursday, April 11th between 4 and 7 p.m. Due to the heavy rainfall and risk of flooding at our original venue (The Outpost) the pick-up location has CHANGED!
The NEW pick-up location is:
plēb urban winery
289 Lyman St, Asheville, NC 28801
Google Maps

Pick-up will still start promptly at 4 pm and will run through 7 pm.
**If you can come on the earlier side of the pick-up window it may help us alleviate any long lines. We expect a rush after the workday ends between 5:30 and 6 pm.

This is a rain or shine event, and our hard-working staff and volunteers will be dancing in the rain to get your plants safely loaded into your cars.
Please make sure your car is ready to carry wet plants and is large enough to carry your entire order!
**MUST pick up on April 11th unless prior arrangements have been made by emailing amy@mountaintrue.org.
How pick-up will work:
Please use the entrance closest to VJ’s Auto Services and exit near Foundy Street. We will have someone helping to direct you on where to go (we will be filling orders in the side parking lot). We kindly ask that you stay warm and dry, waiting in your car for someone to come check-in with you.
For other questions about the pick-up event OR if you cannot come on Thursday, please contact amy@mountaintrue.org or 828-713-1480 as soon as possible.
P.S. Former MountainTrue Ecologist, Bob Gale will be hanging out inside the winery to help answer any questions you might have about your plants. Stay to chat and grab a beverage to help us support our friends at plēb who graciously allowed us to use their parking area.

Green Drinks in Hendersonville, NC: Hendersonville Water and Sewer - Utility Update
2024-04-11 17:30 - 19:00 | The Grove at Trailside Brewing, 873 Lenox Park Dr, Hendersonville, NC, 28739, United States
Join us for an informative session led by Adam Steurer, Utilities Director, who will summarize utility history, operations, project updates, and initiatives. Hendersonville provides 80,000 people with water service and 21,000 people with sewer service in Hendersonville and surrounding Henderson County.
Adam Steurer, Utilities Director, is passionate about leading the Hendersonville water and sewer utility in providing the highest level of service to the community while enhancing sustainability through conscientious stewardship of water resources.
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 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. Trailside Brewing Co. offers beer, wine, cider, prosecco and non-alcoholic beverages. A limited food menu will be available.

Spring Wildflower Hike near Shelby, NC 4-12
2024-04-12 10:30 - 14:30 | Broad River Greenway Canoe Access, 126 Broad River Drive, Shelby, NC, 28152, United States
Join our MountainTrue Broad Riverkeeper, David Caldwell, as we explore the downstream trail at our Broad River Greenway. David will discuss the value and concerns associated with the Broad River along the way.
Meeting location is the Broad River Greenway main parking lot beside the Ranger Station and bathrooms at 10:30 sharp.
This out and back hike is approximately 5 miles with almost no elevation change, although the terrain is rugged. Children are welcome on this hike if they can hike 5 miles.
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire duration of the hike.
While we love our furry friends, please no dogs on this hike.
Please bring:

Appropriate outerwear
Sturdy hiking shoes or boots
Water
Lunch and snacks
Walking stick (if you have one)

The rain date for this event is April 19th. Please hold both dates in your calendar.

Community Invasive Plant Workday on Jackson County Greenway in Cullowhee, NC Series 2024
2024-04-12 13:00 - 16:00 | Jackson County Greenway Loop, MONTEITH GAP Rd, Cullowhee, NC 28723
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 Eve Davis with any questions (wro-wq-habitat@mountaintrue.org).

Happy Hour with MountainTrue at Innovation Station in Dillsboro, NC
2024-04-12 16:00 - 17:00 | Innovation Station, 40 Depot St, Dillsboro, NC, 28725
Join MountainTrue at Innovation Station in Dillsboro at 4:00 on Friday, April 12th for a “happy hour” social gathering to celebrate our habitat restoration work on the Greenway. Volunteers who participated in any of the workdays will receive a free beverage between 4-5 pm as a thank you!
Although we love our volunteers, anyone interested in learning more about MountainTrue is welcome and we hope to see you there.
Afterward, stay at the Station from 5-7 pm to learn more about trails, trail work, and sustainable recreation with Friends of Panthertown. Get details and RSVP for their event here: https://panthertown.org/events/.

CANCELED: Macroinvertebrate and Water Quality Volunteer Training in Saluda, NC
2024-04-13 09:30 - 16:00 | Saluda Library, 44 W Main St, Saluda, NC, 28773
This event has regretfully been canceled. Join your Green Riverkeeper for a full day of volunteer training for our Clean Water programs! Most of the day, you will learn about our SMIE (Stream Monitoring Information Exchange) program, which looks for macro-invertebrates in our local creeks and streams to determine stream health.
We will also add time to discuss and demonstrate how to take samples for our summer Swim Guide E. Coli monitoring and monthly samples for our VWIN (Volunteer Water Information Network) program.
The morning session will be classroom-style at the Saluda library. In the afternoon we will be on private property at Big Hungry sampling for bugs in a gorgeous location! (Registrants will follow each other to the private location day of training.)
We are limiting class attendance to 15 people to ensure everyone has a great hands-on experience. After the training, you can sign-up to volunteer with our clean water programs that stand out to you!
Participants need to be prepared to get into the creek in the afternoon. Waders will be provided but shoes that can get wet and go over the wader booties are required.
**Please be prepared with water, snacks, sunscreen and any medical supplies participants may need. There are local spots to grab lunch after the morning session to take to the afternoon location, or participants may bring their own lunch.
**For questions about future opportunities, please email erica@mountaintrue.org

Lunch and Learn with MountainTrue: Single-Use Plastics in Asheville, NC
2024-04-17 11:30 - 12:30 | Green Sage Cafe, 633A Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC, 28804
Want to learn what MountainTrue has been doing to address single-use plastics and how you can help? Join us for a lunch and learn, hosted by MountainTrue and Green Sage Cafe.
We see them all over the road, clogging storm drains, and in the river, but plastics are more than just a trash issue. Single-use plastics are items of convenience, most of which are unrecyclable, that we may use for a few minutes before throwing them out. These disposable items wreak havoc on the environment but also pose serious threats to our health, our landfills, and the most vulnerable populations among us.
MountainTrue is excited to be the 2024 recipient of Green Sage’s annual donation program. Bring your reusable Green Sage glass juice bottles and coffee mugs to any Green Sage location and they’ll donate 10 cents to MountainTrue each time! Learn more about this program here.
Participation is limited to 14 so don’t wait to register!
Lunch will be purchased separately by participants. To make ordering easier, Green Sage will have a designated cash register for Lunch and Learn participants. Please arrive between 11:10 and 11:25 so you can order and get settled before the presentation.

MountainTrue's Henderson County Convenience Center Tour in Hendersonville, NC
2024-04-18 16:30 - 17:30 | Henderson County Convenience Center, 265 Convenience Center Dr, Hendersonville, NC, 28791
Join us for a tour of the Henderson County Convenience Center and Compost Facility. Learn about the recycling options Henderson County offers to residents including single-stream recycling, glass recycling, food waste collection, Hard to recycle items like foam packaging, florescent lights, electronics, cooking oil, appliances, and more.
This is an excellent visit for individuals who are looking to find out more about recycling options in Henderson County or individuals interested in visiting the compost facility.
This tour will include walking on uneven surfaces so please wear appropriate close-toed shoes. Kids are welcome with a supervising parent or guardian.
If the tour is full, please email amy@mountaintrue.org to be put on the waitlist.
Parking instructions will be sent to registrants closer to the event date.

Support the Watauga Riverkeeper at Appalachian State University's Earth Day Expo in Boone, NC
2024-04-19 13:00 - 16:00
Appalachian State University’s Earth Day Expo will be centered around the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, with Watauga Riverkeeper representing Goal #6, Clean Water and Sanitation.
Other community partners and organizations will represent the other 16 goals, creating a unique way for students and other community members to see the region’s dedication to sustainability and wellness for all. Stop by and say hi!
The Expo will take place at Appalachian State University’s Sanford Mall: 300 Locust St, Boone, NC 28608
Parking is available on King Street.

Town of Boone Earth Day Celebration in Boone, NC
2024-04-19 17:00 - 19:00
Join the MountainTrue team and the Town of Boone in celebrating Earth Day at the Jones House downtown! This will be a great opportunity to meet community members who are dedicated to keeping our high country beautiful! You won’t want to miss this fun-filled town event!
The event will take place at the Jones House Cultural Center (604 W King St, Boone, NC 28607)

French Broad Paddle Trail Clean Up - Redmon Dam River Access near Marshall, NC
2024-04-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Redmon Dam River Access, 2753 Redmon Rd., Marshall, NC, 28753, United States
In honor of Earth Day MountainTrue members and the general public are invited to help clean up trash at Redmon Dam River Access in Madison County. Come help remove litter, illegally-dumped construction and industrial garbage, and tires from an otherwise lovely public access point to the French Broad River near the town of Marshall.
MountainTrue will provide trash bags and removal of collected garbage, but volunteers are asked to bring their own gloves, along with clothing that can get wet and dirty. Please also bring a change of clothes for afterwards, along with drinking water and snacks. This event will also be an opportunity to learn more about the French Broad Paddle Trail and other aspects of the French Broad Riverkeeper progam.
This event is kid friendly but anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the full duration of the event.
Parking is limited so we will meet at the Ingles in Marshall to carpool.
We hope you will join us!

Green Built Alliance 2nd Annual Earth Day 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run
2024-04-20 10:00 - 12:00
MountainTrue is proud to support Green Built Alliance in promoting their 2nd Annual Earth Day 5K. The race is presented by Green Built Alliance to help reduce our community’s carbon footprint!

Saturday, April 20, 2024
5K Race begins at 10:00 AM
1 Mile Fun Run begins at 10:05 AM

Register by April 1st to be guaranteed a FREE race t-shirt. After that date, t-shirts will only be available in limited sizes and quantities.

Early registration includes a t-shirt, goody bag, and bib with chip-timing services. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 overall male and female finishers as well as age group finishers!

Children 2 and under can join you for free (without registering) for the 1 Mile Fun Run, but kids 3 and up must be registered.

RSVP on Facebook to stay up to date!

Funds raised will support Green Built Alliance‘s programs that promote sustainability, impact environmental justice, and serve our community. The race aims to create a positive footprint, providing educational opportunities for supporting and engaging our community’s commitment to 100% Renewable Energy by 2042.

Catch MountainTrue staff at the Earth Day Fair after the race!
**This is NOT a MountainTrue fundraiser but we are happy to promote our partners in environmental conservation.

For questions about the race, please contact: earthday5k@greenbuilt.org

Hendo Earth Fest in Downtown Hendersonville, NC
2024-04-20 10:00 - 15:00
Join MountainTrue at the City of Hendersonville’s Hendo Earth Fest! The purpose of the Hendo Earth Fest is to promote community education for all ages on environmental and sustainable practices, inspire action, and renew and expand commitments to protect our planet. Local and regional environmental allies focus on participation/hands-on activities and demonstrations designed to educate, renew, and expand action to protect our Western North Carolina environment and natural resources.
Ride your bike to the Hendo Earth Fest! Join a family-friendly bike ride to Hendo Earth Fest starting at 10:00 a.m. at First Congregational Church (5th Ave. & White Pine St) and ride down 4th Avenue to downtown Hendersonville. Blue Ridge Bicycle Club is providing free secure bike parking at City Hall.
Full event information found here.
Location: Downtown Hendersonville, Main Street from 6th Avenue to 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue.
Photo courtesy of: Jeff Shields, Conserving Carolina

Fly Fishing Film Festival in Boone, NC 4-20 benefiting MountainTrue and the Watauga Riverkeeper
2024-04-20 19:00 - 22:30 | Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, 559 West King Street, Boone, NC, 28607, United States
The 2024 International Fly Fishing Film Festival, sponsored by Boone’s Fly Shop and benefiting MountainTrue and the Watauga Riverkeeper, is coming to the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country on Saturday, April 20. Get a headstart on Earth Day Celebrations with us!
IF4™ is the world’s leading fly-fishing film event, consisting of films produced by professional filmmakers from all corners of the globe and showcasing the passion, lifestyle, and culture of fly fishing. It is the gathering place of the fly-fishing community and a celebration of friendship, fly-fishing stories and stoke.
Be sure to snag tickets from The Appalachian Theatre ASAP! Doors open at 6:30 p.m with pre-ordered adult tickets being $10/each and day-of-show tickets being $15/each.
Bring out friends and family for a Saturday night filled with films, popcorn, beer, and great company!
Purchase tickets or watch the trailer
