MountainTrue

MountainTrue Ecologist and Public Lands Director Bob Gale's Retirement Celebration
2023-06-13 16:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | The Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy St., Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
MountainTrue Ecologist and Public Lands Director, Bob Gale, is retiring after 25 years! Join us as we share stories, cake and raise a glass to his hard work and accomplishments. We will be in the courtyard of the Wedge at the Foundation from 4:30- 6:30 pm with the Cloud Room reserved in the case of rain. Let’s shower Bob with the same love he has bestowed upon his community! We hope to see you there.
We will have a donation box available at the event. Should you feel so inclined, you can make a donation to help fund Bob’s next adventures. All funds raised will go directly to Bob.

2023 MountainTrue-a-thon
2023-06-15 00:00 - 2023-08-31 23:59
Calling all hikers, bikers and paddlers! Raise money for MountainTrue while doing your favorite activities this Summer. Participants of any experience level collect pledges from family and friends for miles completed between June 15 and August 31st.
We have some awesome prizes this year for the participant raising the most $ for MountainTrue AND for the participant in each category (hiking, biking and paddling) that completes the most miles.
Check out our Resource Page for recommended trails, packing lists and helpful tips on how to ask for support from family and friends. What are you waiting for?! Sign up now and help us put the FUN in FUNDRAISING this Summer.

River Cleanup with Wicked Weed in Asheville, NC 6-17-23
2023-06-17 13:00 - 16:30
Come join the river cleanup hosts MountainTrue and Wicked Weed on June 17 from 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. as we clean up the Swannanoa & French Broad rivers!
Park at the Craven Street river access or as close as you can. We’ll shuttle up to the put-in on the Swannanoa River and paddle back with boats full of tires, plastic bottles, and surprises found along the way. The afterparty will be at the Wicked Weed Brewery in downtown Asheville, and prizes will be awarded for weirdest trash found.
Bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and clothes you don’t mind getting wet and dirty. These sections of the Swannanoa and French Broad are flatwater and suitable for all paddlers.
Bringing your own boat: Please make sure to bring your own life jacket and paddle.
Planning to borrow a boat: Please choose the ticket option below that includes a boat! We will also provide a life jacket and a paddle.

CANCELLED - Green Clean Series 6/22
2023-06-22 17:30 - 20:00 | Fishtop Access, 2302 Green River Cove, Saluda, North Carolina, 28773
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED – Due to ongoing flash floods and rain we are cancelling this event. Please sign up for one of our other upcoming Green Clean events in July and August!
Join the Green Riverkeeper on Thursday, June 22nd to kick off our Green Clean Series! This event will continue to happen the 4th Thursday of every month June-August from 5:30-8ish. You do not have to kayak to be a part of the monthly cleans. We absolutely welcome road-side helpers too! We’ll meet at the Fishtop Access at 5:30pm to split into teams before heading out!
Please bring water, snacks, gear appropriate for the water or roadside (gloves, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, medical needs, etc). We will provide trash bags.
Green River Brew Pub will offer one free drink to clean up volunteers that present a ticket after each clean up this summer! As a thank you, The SPOT offers you a gift to enjoy within a week of your participation in the clean-up!
If you have any questions about the clean-ups please contact our Green Riverkeeper at erica@mountaintrue.org. Let’s protect our special places, friends!

Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC 7/6
2023-07-06 14:00 - 16:00
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 weeks 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.
Please note under MountainTrue policy, we will never share your contact information with external groups or individuals.
**Note: Dates and times are subject to change due to weather conditions with short notice. Please follow our Watauga Riverkeeper Instagram and Watauga Riverkeeper Facebook Page or email hannah@mountaintrue.org to receive the most up-to-date information on event changes/cancellations.

VWIN Sampling Weekend in the High Country 7/8-7/9
2023-07-08 - 2023-07-09

5th Annual Broad River Race Day and Fun Float
2023-07-08 13:00 - 16:00 | Lake Houser Put In, NC
The meetup address is: 1350 Lake Houser Rd, Mooresboro, NC 28114
Coordinates: 35.220358, -81.731398

Michael Franti and Spearhead
2023-07-08 18:00 - 22:00 | The Salvage Station, 466 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC, 28804, United States
Join us for the 2023 Michael Franti & Spearhead concert at the Salvage Station featuring Fortunate Youth! All proceeds from the concert support the work of the French Broad Riverkeeper, a program of MountainTrue and the primary protector and defender of the French Broad River watershed. Get your tickets now!
Doors open at 6:00pm and music starts at 7:00pm. There will be several food trucks and full bars open for you to enjoy! Please visit the Salvage Station’s event page for the most up to date information, tickets, parking information, and other FAQs.

French Broad Float 2023
2023-07-12 - 2023-07-14 | Hot Springs Campground, 315 Bridge Street, Hot Springs, NC, 28743
WE ARE BACK, FOLKS!! After a couple-year hiatus due to Covid, we’re ready to bring our favorite river trip back to the masses!
Our annual French Broad Float is back! Every year, MountainTrue and our French Broad Riverkeeper guide participants on an incredible trip down a stretch of the French Broad River, creating powerful memories of camping under the stars on the French Broad River Paddle Trail and exploring what can feel like uncharted territory right in our own backyards. Leave the hustle behind, and experience the joys of river travel while having your meals provided, your campfire built and your gear transported for you to your next campsite.
The dates for 2023 are July 12-14. The plan is to launch our canoes near Hot Springs, NC, enjoy scenic views of the river, and tackle some small rapids along the way before finishing up at the river access near Hwy 25/70. We’ll highlight the work of the Riverkeeper program to keep our waterways clean in WNC, and still have plenty of time for cornhole and s’mores.
Camping has been arranged for each night of the trip. Attendees will feast on delicious meals prepared by our staff. You’re welcome to bring all your own gear, or we can provide watercraft (canoes, duckies, kayaks) for those that need it. For those folks, we’ll include paddles, life jackets, and helmets.
If you’re feeling especially adventurous, then join us on a one-day rafting trip of Section 9 on July 11! Flowing through the heart of Pisgah National Forest, the trip starts in Barnard, NC with a few warm-up class II rapids. The rest of the section highlights the beauty of the river and the Blue Ridge Mountains while bounding down numerous class II and class III rapids. We’ll end with an exciting class IV rapid called Frank Bells. It’s a beautiful stretch that we’re hoping can be designated as a Wild and Scenic River one day. Arriving in Hot Springs, NC, you can grab a beer, hike, or enjoy a soak in natural hot springs before we launch for the main trip the following day.
We look forward to seeing you on the water! Scroll down past the FAQ section to submit a sign-up form!
French Broad Float – FAQs
What does my registration fee include?
Your registration fee includes shuttle, food, beer, awesome and knowledgeable guides, educational activities, tours, and a great time with other paddlers.
Do I need to be an experienced paddler?
It helps to have spent some time paddling a boat, but it’s not necessary for the trip. The pace and distance of each day’s journey and the difficulty of the river is generally suitable for beginner to intermediate paddlers. The trip does have some class II rapids with one small, class III rapid.
What do I need to bring?
You only need to bring personal camping items, including a tent, sleeping pad and bag, and personal items. Leave the rest to us. When you register, we will email you with a list of suggested supplies. Camp gear is limited to 40 pounds, and two bags per person. If you’re bringing your own boat, it should be of a size and weight that you and another person can carry.
Where do we camp?
Camping will be on the banks of the river every night. This is backcountry, primitive camping. Some sites might have a composting toilet or porta-john. On other sites, we’ll be using a groover system.
Do I need to bring food?
Breakfast, dinner and sack lunches will be provided as part of your registration. Yummy beer will be available on each night of the trip. You are welcome to bring some other must-have snacks and drinks as well.
Where do I leave my car?
Everyone will meet in Hot Springs. We have arranged a safe place to meet and leave your cars. Your camping gear will be shuttled between campsites, allowing you to travel light on the river. We will email these details closer to the date.
Do I have to paddle with all my camping gear?
Not at all! Unless you’re really into it. We’ll have vans and trailers to lug gear from campsite to campsite.
Do I have to wake up super early?
Not at all! We don’t sleep until noon, but this is a laid-back kind of paddle. We encourage you to get all the beauty sleep you need (we don’t want any zombies out there). Just be sure you’re ready to launch your boat around 10 or 11 AM.
Do I have to sleep late?
Not at all! If you’re an early riser (before 7), get up and get going when you feel ready. We might not have breakfast ready for you, but you are welcome to get up, raid the kitchen coolers for snacks or coffee, go birding, or whatever you super early birds do.
Can I go fishing?
Sure! Just make sure you have both a North Carolina and Tennessee fishing license with you.
More questions? Call or email the French Broad Riverkeeper at Hartwell@MountainTrue.org.

Beech Mountain Concert Series
2023-07-15 17:00 - 22:00 | Beech Mountain Resort, 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC, 28604, United States
Beech Mountain Summer Music Series is back, come jam out with us on the mountain and listen to Amos Lee with Langhorne Slim! The shows are set to start at 7PM and are open to all ages (children 5 and under for free!) RAIN OR SHINE EVENT!
Ticket Options:
General Admission: $55
VIP: $150 (includes one complimentary drink ticket, early entry, premium viewing area near VIP tent/bar, and VIP portable restrooms)
VIP gates open at 5PM // General Admission gates open at 5:30
*Patrons are permitted to bring camping chairs and blankets
Purchase tickets and access up to date show information here: https://www.beechmountainresort.com/summer-concert-series-2023/

The River Runs On
2023-07-20 18:00 - 21:00 | New Belgium Brewing Company, 21 Craven St, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
The River Runs On explores the release of a forest plan that decides the fate of two of the most important national forests in the country – the Pisgah and Nantahala. Featuring some of the top conservationists and most popular spots within the region, the documentary reflects on our relationship to these public lands and what the future may hold for this unique part of the world.
Presented by MountainTrue, this screening will be held in the brewhouse at New Belgium. The doors will open at 6:00pm and the film will begin at 7:00pm.
**Seating is limited and will be on a first come basis, so be sure to arrive early and snag a beer and seat before it begins! (MountainTrue will receive all bar tips from the event).

Purchase Tickets
Immediately following the film, we will have a panel discussion where members of the audience will be able to ask questions about the Pisgah-Nantahala Forest Plan and it’s release. Joining the discussion will be characters from the film, including Josh Kelly with MountainTrue, David Whitmire from Headwaters Outfitters and Will Harlan from the Center for Biological Diversity.
To learn more about the film, please visit www.theriverrunson.com. Want to watch the trailer? Find it on Vimeo, here.

Craggy National Scenic Area Hike near Barnardsville, NC
2023-07-21 10:00 - 16:00
Join MountainTrue for a hike in the proposed Craggy Mountain National Scenic Area. The Craggy Mountains are one of the mightiest mountain ranges in eastern North America and are traversed by the Blue Ridge Parkway. The National Forest Lands of the Craggy Mountains have popular support to become a national scenic area designed to permanently protect the scenic and biological values of the area. Join biologist Josh Kelly for a six-mile hike through the spectacular high-elevation forests and vistas of the Craggies. Along the way, we will appreciate the flora, fauna, and natural history of the area.

Limpieza de Broad River Greenway / Trail cleanup at Broad River Greenway
2023-07-21 12:30 - 16:00 | 126 Broad River Dr., 126 Broad River Dr., Shelby, NC, 28152, United States
ENGLISH BELOW
¡Únete a nosotros en el Evento de Limpieza de Senderos durante la Semana Latina de la Conservación!
Fecha: viernes, 21 de julio de 2023
Hora: 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Lugar: Estación del Guardabosques de Broad River Greenway, 126 Broad River Dr, Shelby, NC 28152
Coordenadas de encuentro: 35.220426, -81.731488
¡Celebra la Semana Latina de la Conservación uniéndote a MountainTrue y Latinos Aventureros para una tarde de limpieza de senderos en el hermoso Broad River Greenway en Boiling Springs, NC! Juntos, podemos tener un impacto positivo en nuestro medio ambiente y preservar la belleza natural de nuestro entorno.
Trae tu almuerzo en una bolsa y únete a nosotros para disfrutar de una comida relajante junto al río a las 12:30 pm. Luego, aproximadamente a la 1:30 pm, nos dividiremos en tres equipos para limpiar la basura en los diferentes senderos. ¡Trabajemos juntos para mantener el Broad River Greenway impecable! Nos encontraremos nuevamente en la Estación del Guardabosques alrededor de las 3:00 pm para compartir lo que hemos recolectado y terminar el día con un refrescante baño en la playa. ¡Será una gran oportunidad para conectar con personas afines y disfrutar del aire libre!
Para obtener más información, contacta a:
David Caldwell, Guardián del Río Broad: david@mountaintrue.org, 704-284-9002
Vivianette Ortiz, Latinos Aventureros: vortiz@latinosaventureros.org, Whatsapp- +17048796290
¡Unámonos para un día de conservación, comunidad y aventura! No te pierdas esta increíble oportunidad. ¡Te esperamos!
ENGLISH
Join us for a Latino Conservation Week Trail Cleanup Event!
Date: Friday, July 21, 2023
Time: 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Broad River Greenway Ranger Station, 126 Broad River Dr, Shelby, NC 28152
Meetup Coordinates: 35.220426, -81.731488
Celebrate Latino Conservation Week by joining MountainTrue and Latinos Aventureros for a trail cleanup afternoon at the stunning Broad River Greenway in Boiling Springs, NC! Together, we can make a positive impact on our environment and preserve the natural beauty of our surroundings.
Bring a bag lunch and join us for a relaxing meal by the river bank at 12:30 pm. Afterward, at approximately 1:30 pm, we’ll split into three teams to clean up litter along the different trails. Let’s work together to keep the Broad River Greenway pristine! We’ll meet back at the Ranger Station around 3:00 pm to share what we’ve collected and end the day with a refreshing swim at the beach. It’ll be a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and enjoy the outdoors!
For more information and to reserve your spot – please visit the official event page here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/limpieza-de-broad-river-greenway-trail-cleanup-at-broad-river-greenway-tickets-676693758247?aff=oddtdtcreator

Beech Mountain's Passport to Adventure Stream Ecology Hike
2023-07-21 15:00 - 17:00 | Buckeye Recreation Center, 1330 Pine Ridge Rd, Beech Mountain, NC, 28604, United States
Free to the public! Take a walk with MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper staff and learn about stream ecology on the mountain. This will be an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the wildlife around us through the lens of science and advocacy. A huge thank you to Beech Mountain Parks & Recreation for hosting Watauga Riverkeeper as a guest speaker in their summer outdoor series called “Beech Mountain’s Passport to Adventure”.
This hike is not strenuous but expect to get wet and wear the appropriate clothing! Bring a water bottle, snack, any safety equipment they may need (ie. walking stick).

Valle Crucis Park BioBlitz
2023-07-23 09:30 - 16:30 | The Valle Crucis Community Park, 2892 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis, NC, 28604, United States
Join MountainTrue’s High Country team for the 3rd annual BioBlitz at Valle Crucis Community Park on Sunday, July 23. This is an annual event – hosted by MountainTrue on iNaturalist – that seeks to get experts, naturalists, and curious others outdoors to document every living organism we can find. Stop by anytime between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to explore the meadows and wetlands along the river and help us find and identify as many different plants, animals, and fungi as we can for the park’s species list!
For the most up to date information, registration, and FAQs, please visit the Valle Crucis Community Park website.

Green Clean Series 7/27
2023-07-27 17:30 - 20:00 | Fishtop Access, 2302 Green River Cove, Saluda, North Carolina, 28773
Join the Green Riverkeeper on Thursday, July 27th for our Green Clean Series! This event will continue to happen the 4th Thursday of every month June-August from 5:30-8ish. You do not have to kayak to be a part of the monthly cleans. We absolutely welcome road-side helpers too! We’ll meet at the Fishtop Access at 5:30pm to split into teams before heading out!
Please bring water, snacks, gear appropriate for the water or roadside (gloves, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, medical needs, etc). We will provide trash bags.
Green River Brew Pub will offer one free drink to clean up volunteers that present a ticket after each clean up this summer! As a thank you, The SPOT offers you a gift to enjoy within a week of your participation in the clean-up!
If you have any questions about the clean-ups please contact our Green Riverkeeper at erica@mountaintrue.org. Let’s protect our special places, friends!

Guided River Snorkel near Boone, NC 7/29
2023-07-29 10:00 - 12:30 | Watauga Upper Gorge Access, 2531 Old Watauga River Rd, Sugar Grove, NC, 28679, United States
Join our High Country Water Team in exploring aquatic wildlife in the Watauga River. We will get up close and personal with many native fish species, such as the tangerine darter. Using view buckets, we can see under the water’s surface and observe the life teeming below. This is a great opportunity to learn about aquatic ecosystems, and what makes the Watauga River truly unique. Our staff will provide viewbuckets, identification books, and a wealth of knowledge of the region.
Important: *Option to rent a wetsuit and snorkel for a fully immersive experience at an additional cost*. If you would like to rent a wetsuit and snorkel gear, be sure to purchase both a ticket ($10-$30) and the additional ticket for rental gear ($20). Please also indicate what size wetsuit you will need based on the sizing chart linked here.
The rain date for this event will take place on August 26th.

Cancelled - Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC 8/4
2023-08-04 14:00 - 16:00
This event has been cancelled due to high amounts of rainfall. Please consider signing up for another trash trout event we have in the future.

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 weeks 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.
Please note under MountainTrue policy, we will never share your contact information with external groups or individuals.
**Note: Dates and times are subject to change due to weather conditions with short notice. Please follow our Watauga Riverkeeper Instagram and Watauga Riverkeeper Facebook Page or email hannah@mountaintrue.org to receive the most up-to-date information on event changes/cancellations.

Broad River Summer Sweep 8/5
2023-08-05 13:00 - 17:00 | Lake Houser Put In, NC

Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC Kickoff Party - BYON: Bring Your Own Neighbor!
2023-08-10 17:00 - 19:00 | The Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy St., Asheville, NC, 28801, United States

VWIN Sampling Weekend in the High Country 8/12-8/13
2023-08-12 - 2023-08-13

Beech Mountain Concert Series
2023-08-12 17:00 - 22:00 | Beech Mountain Resort, 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC, 28604, United States
Beech Mountain Summer Music Series is back, come jam out with us on the mountain and listen to Grace Potter with Morgan Wade! The shows are set to start at 7PM and are open to all ages (children 5 and under for free!) RAIN OR SHINE EVENT!
Ticket Options:
General Admission: $55
VIP: $150 (includes one complimentary drink ticket, early entry, premium viewing area near VIP tent/bar, and VIP portable restrooms)
VIP gates open at 5PM // General Admission gates open at 5:30
*Patrons are permitted to bring camping chairs and blankets
Purchase tickets and access up to date show information here: http://beechmountainresort.com/summer-concert-series-2023/

Riverkeeper Float Fest in Todd, NC
2023-08-19 10:00 - 17:00
It’s that time of year… The Riverkeeper Float Fest is back and better than ever! Join us on Saturday, August 19, for a fun-filled & family-friendly event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at River & Earth Adventures’ New River Outpost in Todd, NC. Click here for more event details.

Green Clean Series 8/24
2023-08-24 17:30 - 20:00 | Fishtop Access, 2302 Green River Cove, Saluda, North Carolina, 28773
Join the Green Riverkeeper on Thursday, August 24th for our Green Clean Series! You do not have to kayak to be a part of the monthly cleans. We absolutely welcome road-side helpers too! We’ll meet at the Fishtop Access at 5:30pm to split into teams before heading out!
Please bring water, snacks, gear appropriate for the water or roadside (gloves, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, medical needs, etc). We will provide trash bags.
Green River Brew Pub will offer one free drink to clean up volunteers that present a ticket after each clean up this summer! As a thank you, The SPOT offers you a gift to enjoy within a week of your participation in the clean-up!
If you have any questions about the clean-ups please contact our Green Riverkeeper at erica@mountaintrue.org. Let’s protect our special places, friends!

4th Annual Broad River ‘Virtual’ Fishing Tournament
2023-08-26 - 2023-09-04
Go out on your own or with your friends to your favorite locations on the Broad River or any tributary. You can fish one day or all week long!
This is a for-fun and “bragging rights” only tournament, no cash or material prizes will be given. Recognition as the “Broad’s Best Angler” will be given to the fisher person who has the highest combined total length of their three biggest fish. We will also recognize winners for catching the biggest bass, biggest catfish, biggest panfish (bream or crappie) and for the most unusual fish.
Here’s how it works: When you catch a “nice one”, take a photo of the fish lying on a fish ruler and send it via email to david@mountaintrue.org. We will tally up the fish measurements after Labor Day, the last day of the tournament, and announce winners that week.
Registration is free! Fill out the form below to let us know you’re planning on competing.

Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail Kickoff at Island Park in Bryson City, NC
2023-08-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Bryson City Island Park, 213 Bryson St, Bryson City, NC, 28713, United States
Beat the heat and help us celebrate the launch of the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail in Bryson City! We invite you to kick off the new Island Park Snorkel Site on Saturday, August 26th from 10:00am-12:00pm. We will unveil our new educational signage, then get in the river and explore our underwater backyard. Snorkelers will be treated to a beautiful array of creatures like Tangerine Darters and Warpaint Shiners, which are common at this site, as well as other fish, salamanders, freshwater mussels, crayfish, macroinvertebrates, and more. Don’t have a snorkel? We’ll bring one for you! Just indicate on the form below if you will need one. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please fill out the form below, then grab your bathing suit and get ready to see the world from a fish’s-eye view. Wear a swimsuit or other clothes to get wet, including shoes. Bring a towel.
There is no designated parking for the park at this time. You will need to park in available public parking spaces downtown and walk to the park. This event is weather dependent. If it rains heavily in the days leading up to the event, the water will be cloudy and we will reschedule. Please, no pets.

Antlers & Acorns: The Boone Songwriters Festival
2023-09-04 - 2023-09-09 | 559 W King St, Boone, NC 28607, 559 W King St., Boone, NC, 28607, United States
Antlers and Acorns: The Boone Songwriters Festival brings together the wordsmiths, the weavers of chords and sharps and flats, the storytellers, the prophets, and the liars. The town is the venue, the bars and restaurants, the cafes, and the stage. Fans of words and music will walk the streets from one welcoming door to the next to hear their favorite singer/songwriter tell the stories of their songs, where they came from, and where they went.
For a week each September King and Howard Streets and beyond will be filled with fans of great songwriting for the chance to sit and listen to the ones who pen the songs we love and be among the first to hear what’s coming from these artists. Good food, great drinks, and songs that stay with you while surrounded by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains just as the colors of the leaves begin to turn. There will be opportunities for VIP passes, tours of breweries, and lots of interaction with the songwriters and musicians coming to the mountains for this unique weekend. To view the event schedule, click the link here.
Form more information and to purchase tickets, visit Working Title Farm’s website here. VIP tickets are available for pre-purchase, general admission tickets are available day-of. All questions about tickets should be sent to workingtitlefarm@yahoo.com.

8th Annual Sarah Sweep and First Broad River Festival
2023-09-09 | Double Shoals Mill, 199 Old Mill Rd., Shelby, NC, 28150, United States
All are welcome to join us on this lovely section of river that Sarah Spencer held dear to her heart. While paddling the shallow, shaded, cool waters that flow between rock cliffs and rhododendron, Sarah would always stop to pick up any litter along the way. Sarah, Beejay, Billy, and Davey died tragically in 2016 in a car accident. This event is in remembrance and honor of these friends and their love for our river.
Meet us behind Double Shoals Mill at 10:00am Saturday morning (35.381188, -81.544954). We will drop our boats there beside the river and take vehicles down to Zion Church Rd., then catch a shuttle back to the mill to begin. Note: You must provide your own shuttle this year.
Please bring your boat, paddle, and lifejacket, water, lunch, sunscreen, gloves, sturdy water shoes or sneakers (no flip-flops), and a dry change of clothes. We have some extra kayaks available only if you reserve them in advance (limited quantity available, please contact David at david@mountaintrue.org to reserve kayaks).
After the clean up we will head back to the Double Shoals Mill for an evening of fabulous local music and food at the First Broad River Festival. We hope you will stay and join us. More details to be sent out to participants who register below. The rain date for this sweep and festival will be September 30th!

Field Session for new Adopt-A-Stream volunteers in Young Harris, GA
2023-09-09 09:00 - 16:00 | Cupid Falls Park, Young Harris, GA
MountainTrue is offering the opportunity for residents that value clean water in the Hiwassee River watershed to get involved in a hands-on way with our volunteer water quality monitoring program. Volunteers can get certified to sample Water Chemistry and/or Bacteria. In the Water Chemistry workshop volunteers will learn how to test stream samples for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH and conductivity. Those participating in the Bacterial sampling will learn how to test for and identify the presence of E. coli in our waterways. This field session will be divided into two parts with Water Chemistry practices in the first two hours and Bacterial practices in the last hour, with a short break in between. If you are only certifying in Water Chemistry, you may leave after the first part of the field session is complete. Although there is no charge for the workshops, pre-registration is required.
Volunteers can choose any stream they would like to sample; however, we have also identified sites in both Georgia and North Carolina where we would like to have data to help plan or evaluate water quality improvement projects. Certified volunteers can check-out monitoring equipment (free of charge) from locations in Hiawassee, Young Harris, Blairsville, Hayesville, and Murphy.
**You must also participate in a Part 1 Water Chemistry session before attending this field session. These are being offered virtually via the Zoom meeting platform. You may also choose a Part 1 Bacterial session if you would like to be certified for monitoring E.coli too. When you register for a field session, you’ll receive links to sign up for Part 1 of the courses.

Watauga Tailwaters End of Summer Guided Paddle near Johnson City, TN
2023-09-15 10:00 - 15:00 | Blevins Boat Ramp, Blevins, Johnson City, TN, 37601, United States
Join MountainTrue’s Riverkeeper water team staff on a guided tailwater float on the Watauga River. The Watauga Riverkeeper and French Broad Riverkeeper teams have decided to team up to spend the Friday afternoon on the water. We welcome all ages and skill levels for paddlers. Reserve your boat and spot on this awesome trip, as supply is limited. You are also welcome to BYOB (bring your own boat).
We will meet at Blevins Boat Ramp and provide a shuttle and boats. The rain date for this event will be September 30th. Please reserve both dates on your calendar to ensure attendance.
