MountainTrue

Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC 2-9
2024-02-09 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

First Online Annual Native Shrub and Plant Sale in Asheville, NC RESTOCKED!
2024-02-15 08:00 - 2024-03-31 23:59 | The Outpost, 521 Amboy Rd, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
We are thrilled to announce our first online Asheville-based Annual Native Perennial and Shrub Sale. Get a jump start on Earth Day and take steps to get your yards and gardens back to their “roots”.
Choose from several native perennial species and shrubs, including azaleas, ornamental native plants, pollinator species, and those particularly beneficial to wildlife. All plants are sourced locally from Carolina Native Nursery.
Pricing is $15 for 1-gallon, $35 for 3-gallon and $12 for 1-gallon perennials.
Orders will be accepted online from February 15th through March 31st, while supplies last. You must pay for the order at the time you submit it in order to secure your species and size of choice. Then, pick up your order in Asheville, NC on Thursday, April 11th between 4 and 7:00 p.m. from The Outpost on Amboy Rd. in Asheville, NC.
**MUST pick up on April 11th unless prior arrangements have been made by emailing amy@mountaintrue.org. Early pick-up is not available. Items will not be delivered until the morning of April 11th.
Native shrubs and perennials are a vital component of healthy streams and lakes. They help prevent erosion, filter pollution from runoff, and provide food and shelter for wildlife. MountainTrue staff and volunteers spend significant time and resources removing nonnative invasive plants along streams and lake shorelines to protect water quality and ensure that the native vegetation stays healthy.
Full species list and descriptions
Pricing List
Plants that are found here inspire a “sense of place” and pride in our mountain communities and promote wise stewardship and conservation of natural resources. For questions related to these or other native and invasive plant species, email Western Region Program Coordinator, Tony Ward.

Support MountainTrue at PechaKucha in Asheville 2-16
2024-02-16 19:30 - 21:00 | The Grove House, 11 Grove Street, Asheville, NC, 28801
PechaKucha Night Asheville will celebrate 21 years of global PechaKucha with our 33rd volume — another evening of fascinating presentations from the most creative and interesting people in and beyond Asheville, all following the beautifully simple PechaKucha 20×20 format: 20 images, shown for 20 seconds each. This volume features Mountain True’s own Susan Bean, Housing and Transportation Director, delivering a presentation on Missing Middle Housing in Asheville.
Doors at The Grove House open at 7 PM and the presentations begin at 7:30 PM.
Get your tickets today at https://pechakuchaavl.org/attend and learn more at https://pechakuchaavl.org, on Instagram @pechakuchaavl, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pknavl.
**Ticket purchases support PechaKucha Asheville but MountainTrue is proud to have the opportunity to present to the community.

Live Staking Work Day near Sugar Grove, NC 2-17
2024-02-17 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.

Trivia Night and Beer Release in Asheville, NC
2024-02-20 19:00 - 21:00 | The River Arts District Brewing Company, 13 Mystery Street, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Beat the Winter Blues with us in a fiery round of FREE trivia at The River Arts District Brewing Company. There will be prizes for the top 3 trivia teams.
Trivia not quite enough to lure you out on a chilly night? RAD Brewing will also be releasing a special beer, “Stream of Conscience”, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting MountainTrue.
Trivia will start at 7 pm. Bring a friend (or two or three) and come early to grab your table, a drink/snack and chat with MountainTrue staff. Tin Can Pizzeria food truck will be on site so come hungry! (Trivia teams are limited to 6 per team). We hope to see you there!

Forever Chemicals Documentary Screening and Discussion Presented by NC Conservation Network in Asheville, NC
2024-02-21 18:15 - 19:30 | The River Arts District Brewing Company, 13 Mystery Street, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
MountainTrue is a proud member of the North Carolina Conservation Network. They are a statewide network of over 60 environmental, community and environmental justice organizations focused on protecting North Carolina’s environment and public health.
NC Conservation Network will be hosting a free screening of WRAL’s Forever Chemicals: North Carolina’s Toxic Tap Water at RAD Brewing in Asheville, NC. Also known as PFAS chemicals, they’ve been found across the state and are harming our communities’ health and well-being. Directly following the screening, we’ll have a short discussion about forever chemicals in our state. We’ll also have some immediate actions you can take to help us stop forever chemical pollution.
MountainTrue will be on hand to support and we hope you will join us in supporting this event.
Event Details

Date: 02/21/2024 6:15pm-7:30pm
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Host: NC Conservation Network
Address: 13 Mystery Street, Asheville, North Carolina 28801
Event Website

The film will start promptly at 6:15pm, so we encourage you to get there early to secure your spot and mingle with everyone in attendance. If you plan to come, please RSVP by clicking this link or email kristen@ncconservationnetwork.org.
This is not a MountainTrue hosted event but we are proud to support it. Please send any event inquiries to kristen@ncconservationnetwork.org.

Special Edition Green Drinks in Hendersonville, NC 2/22: "Drought, Climate Change, and The Mystery of the Missing Western Water"
2024-02-22 17:30 - 19:00 | The Grove at Trailside Brewing, 873 Lenox Park Dr, Hendersonville, NC, 28739, United States
Hear Rocky Mountain Biological Lab Research Scientist Ian Breckheimer discuss how a team of environmental scientists are revolutionizing our understanding of water in the West and helping us adapt to climate change. Ian was raised in Western North Carolina.
The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the American Southwest, and the river’s 40 million human users are struggling to adapt to a severe drought made worse by climate change. The vast majority of the river’s flow comes from winter snowpack in the Rocky Mountains, and in recent years scientists and water managers have become extremely good at measuring how much water is in the snowpack in early spring. Ideally, we could use this information to forecast how much water will be available for human use in the river the following summer, helping us better conserve this scarce resource. Unfortunately, water forecasting on the Colorado is has been held back by a large and unpredictable amount of snow water (up to 25% of the river’s annual flow) that seems to disappear between the snowpack and the river. Solving the mystery of this “missing” water has brought together a diverse group of hydrologists, ecologists, and atmospheric scientists at a remote field station in Colorado. This talk will gather and synthesize exciting new results from their pioneering work, showing how environmental researchers can play a critical role in helping us adapt to accelerating climate change.
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.

2024 Watershed Gala in Young Harris, GA
2024-02-29 17:30 - 19:30 | Charles Suber Banquet Hall, Young Harris College, Young Harris, GA, 30582
The Watershed Gala is an upscale social gathering that celebrates good water quality still being measured in many rivers, lakes, and streams and recognizes those who work to sustain it. This year’s event will be shorter and slightly less formal, featuring a menu of heavy hors d’oeuvres, along with wine, beer, sodas, and water.
An in-person silent auction will be held throughout the event with beautiful art and craft items made right here in the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as unique opportunities to relax, dine, and play! Popular local musician Troy Underwood will provide his bluesy, soul, folk sound for the evening.
After the presentation of the Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award, several select items will be auctioned live by local auctioneer and entertainer, Tim Ryan.
Ticketing information here:
*Individual tickets (that don’t include a table seat) are $40/each. Buy individual tickets!
*Tables for 8 can be purchased for $360/ each. Tables are limited so don’t wait! Buy your tables for 8 now!
Join us for an evening of laughter, fun, and camaraderie! The deadline for purchasing tickets is Wednesday, February 21st.
Full event information can be found here.

Winter Tree ID Hike-LOCATION CHANGE
2024-03-07 12:00 - 16:00
We have learned that the Parkway is closed in the stretch where the Flatrock Loop Trail is, so we are making a last-minute location change.

Updated location: Bull Gap on the the Blue Ridge Parkway

Park at the gate. This section of trail is surprisingly diverse and even offers some long-range views. We will meet at noon and return to our vehicles by 4 p.m.

Do you want to improve your ability to identify trees in all seasons? Winter is the time to do that! On this hike we will be treated to an afternoon in an ancient oak forest and views from a granitic outcrop. Along the way, participants will learn both basic and advanced techniques for tree identification. We will also discuss forest ecology, wildlife habitat, and more.
This hike is moderately strenuous and open to all knowledge levels. Children are welcome if they can hike up to 3 miles. All participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the outing.
Please bring:
*Sturdy hiking shoes
*Clothes/layers appropriate for the weather
*Snacks
*Rain Gear
*At least 1 liter of water
We love our four-legged friends but pets are not permitted on this hike.

Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC 3-8
2024-03-08 14:00 - 16:30 | Boone Fire Station #2, 1075 State Farm Rd, Boone, NC, 28607

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

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/.
