MountainTrue

Broad River Summer Sweep near Boiling Springs, NC 7/10/22
2022-07-10 13:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Lake Houser, Township 2, Boiling Springs, NC, 28017, United States

Riverkeeper Float Fest in Todd, NC 8/20/22
2022-08-20 10:00 - 17:00 | NC
Come out on Saturday, August 20, for the long-awaited return of the Riverkeeper Float Fest, sponsored by Appalachian Mountain Brewery and hosted by River & Earth Adventures. This family-friendly event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m at River & Earth Adventures’ New River Outpost in Todd, NC. Appalachian Mountain Brewery will offer local craft beer, food, and live music. Click here to learn more about the event.
Float Fest proceeds benefit MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper and help protect clean water in the High Country. For event-related questions, please contact Hannah Woodburn at hannah@mountaintrue.org.
Please note under MountainTrue policy, we will never share your contact information with external groups or individuals.
Pre-registration ticket sales end Thursday, August 18 at 12 pm. If you do not purchase a ticket online, you will be able to purchase a ticket at the door. Both cash and card are acceptable payment methods. Thank you!

7th Annual Sarah Sweep on the First Broad River near Lawndale, NC 9/24/22
2022-09-24 11:00 - 21:00 | Double Shoals Mill, 199 Old Mill Rd., Shelby, NC, 28150, United States
7th Annual Sarah Sweep and After-Party on the Broad River

Click here to register

We’re so grateful to these terrific companies for their generous sponsorship of this event:

Jodi and Joe Morgan of J. Morgan Company
Biz Hub – Coworking space in Shelby, NC
Pharr Technologies
Joy Pharr – Realtor – Ivester Jackson Blackstream
Community First Media

We’re excited to announce that our 7th Annual Sarah Sweep will include an expanded after-party this year and we hope you’ll be able to join us for any part of this wonderful day! Fill out the form to register for either the cleanup or the after-party. If you’re volunteering for the clean-up, you don’t need to buy a ticket for the after-party!

Broad River Cleanup Volunteer Opportunity: We’re kicking things off at 11 a.m. with a river cleanup open to any volunteers willing to come out and honor Sarah Spencer by helping improve the health of the Broad River. All are welcome to join us on this lovely section of the 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. Register below as a volunteer to join the clean-up and then you’re welcome to enjoy food and music for free at the after-party!

After Party Details: For those who can’t make the clean-up, we hope you can come out between 5:30 – 6:30 to enjoy a delicious BBQ Chicken & Ribs dinner with all the trimmings prepared by local favorite Doug Fortenberry. Also starting at 5:30 p.m. will be live guitar music performed by Sarah Spencer’s father, Steve Spencer. Steve will perform until 6:45 p.m. and then at 7 p.m., The Shrimp Pistols will take the stage to close out the event with a bang! Tickets for the after-party are $15 for adults while kids under 8 and all clean-up volunteers eat free.

The rain date for this event will be October 1.
Contact: David Caldwell, Broad Riverkeeper, david@mountaintrue.org704-284-9002

French Broad River Cleanup with Astral & New Belgium Brewing
2022-09-30 12:00 - 17:00 | NC

Green River Big Sweep 2022 - Cancelled due to Hurricane Ian
2022-10-01 12:00 - 17:00 | 2302 Green River Cove Road, Saluda NC 28773, 2302 Green River Cove Rd., Saluda, NC, 28773, United States
Help the Green RiverKeeper and MountainTrue keep the Green River Clean! This river clean up will be a 4 to 6 mile river paddle on the Green River.

A Night Of Poetry: Marybeth Holleman’s "tender gravity"
2022-10-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Pleb Urban Winery, 289 Lyman St, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Join MountainTrue on October 6th for an evening of poetry, conversation, wine, and live music to celebrate Marybeth Holleman’s tender gravity. In her debut book of poetry, Asheville local Marybeth draws on her childhood in North Carolina and her adulthood in Alaska to consider the wisdoms expressed through sundew and sphagnum, a paddling trip and a charging bear, constellations and the tiniest bog plant, always with yearning and a draw of breath.
Enjoy a special musical guest, then participate in a discussion with Marybeth, Laura Hope-Gill, and MountainTrue staff as we talk about our relationship with poems and nature, fears and sorrows for the planet, and what taking action looks like.
Books will be available for purchase and signing, with Marybeth’s royalties going to support MountainTrue’s work for resilient forests, clean waters, and healthy communities in the Southern Blue Ridge. The book signing will begin around 7:30pm.
Come support MountainTrue while celebrating poetry, music, and our beautiful mountain home at Plēb Urban Winery, River Arts District, 289 Lyman St, Asheville, NC 28801 on October 6th, 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC
2023-01-19 14:00 - 16:00 | NC

Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC 2/23
2023-02-23 14:00 - 16:00 | NC

6th Annual Bill Beazell & Allen Robbins Memorial Tailwater Roundup
2023-03-11 08:00 - 16:00 | NC
Come join our friends from the Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited for a clean up in Tennessee. They have teamed up with local fishing guides, paddling enthusiasts, and community members to host this event for the 6th year in a row on the South Holston and Watauga Rivers. Breakfast will be provided for participants, and there will be a celebration at the end with food and prizes. Bags and gloves will also be provided. Our water team will be there to support their cleanup efforts to protect our valuable river resources.
There are two meeting locations depending on where you live:
Watauga River – Ingles parking lot in Elizabethton, TN (closest for Watauga County residents): 768 W Elk Ave, Elizabethton, TN 37643
South Holston River – Bluff City Boat Ramp: 36°28’35.0″N 82°15’46.6″W Bluff City, TN 37618

Please click here to check their event website for more information!

World Water Day Celebration 2023
2023-03-22 17:00 - 20:00 | Appalachian Mountain Brewery, 163 Boone Creek Dr, Boone, NC, 28607, United States

Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC 3/30
2023-03-30 14:00 - 16:00 | NC

Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC 5/4
2023-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | NC
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.

13th Annual Green River Spring Cleaning in Saluda, NC
2023-05-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Fishtop Access, 2302 Green River Cove, Saluda, North Carolina, 28773
Join MountainTrue’s Green Riverkeeper and Liquidlogic Co-founder Shane Benedict for the 13th Annual Green River Spring Cleaning! We’ll meet at the Fishtop Access (2302 Green River Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773) at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 6th where we will divide into teams then get on the river to pull out as much litter as possible before the summer paddling season. We need paddlers of all skill levels to tackle each section of the Green all the way from the Upper Green below the Tuxedo hydroelectric station, through the Narrows, down the Lower Green, and all the way to Lake Adger. Bring your boat, paddling gear, snacks/lunch, and water, and be prepared to get dirty and wet.
After party in downtown Saluda at the Spring Green Bash with Green River Adventures! Information about the after party and purchasing raffle tickets for the event giveaway can be found here: https://mountaintrue.org/event/2023-spring-green-bash/

Moss Lake Paddle Race and Fundraiser for Broad Riverkeeper
2023-05-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Camp Creek Boat Ramp, 863 New Camp Creek Church Rd., Kings Mountain, NC, 28086, United States
All are invited to join us in this first ever paddle race at Moss Lake!
We will meet up at 10:00 sharp at the public access/boat ramp at 863 New Camp Creek Church Rd, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. Your Broad Riverkeeper, David Caldwell, will give a brief introduction and explain the race course and rules, and the race will start at about 10:45. We will paddle up the lake approximately 2 miles, circle around an island, and race back down to the finish line in the boat landing area. Volunteer Safety/Observer boats will be anchored along the race course to help guide the way and assist anyone who might have trouble.
Rules for the race are simple:

You must wear a pfd (life jacket) the entire time on the water
No motors allowed
No sails or pedal power
Boats may include: canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, other small craft
Paddle solo, tandem, or as many people who will safely/legally fit in the boat
No interfering with other boats. Keep it clean.

Prizes: $200 for first, $100 for second, $50 for third.
Event sponsors are:
City of Kings Mountain
Joy Pharr Realty – Ivester Jackson Blackstream, Christie’s International Real Estate
Michael Cheng
We are looking for “safety boat” volunteers who can anchor their vessels along the course. Email david@mountaintrue.org for more information.

Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC 6/8
2023-06-08 14:00 - 16:00 | NC

River Cleanup with Wicked Weed in Asheville, NC 6-17-23
2023-06-17 13:00 - 16:30 | NC
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 | NC

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.

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

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!

Cancelled - Trash Trout River Clean Out near Boone, NC 8/4
2023-08-04 14:00 - 16:00 | NC
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

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!

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.

Keeping the Chattahoochee: Sally Bethea in conversation with Hartwell Carson in Asheville, NC
2023-09-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Malaprop’s Bookstore, 55 Haywood St., Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
MountainTrue is proud to co-sponsor Sally Bethea in conversation with Hartwell Carson at Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville, North Carolina.
This is a hybrid event with limited in-store seating and the option to attend online.
The event is free but registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance.
Please click here to register for the VIRTUAL event. The link required to attend will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.
Please click here to register for the IN-PERSON event. Note the important event details on the RSVP form.
This event includes a book signing. If you would like a signed book but can’t attend in person, you may order a signed copy online. If you would like to have your book personalized, please order online or call the store at least two hours before the start of the event. When ordering online, use the comments field to provide a name for personalization, e.g. “To Paul.” NOTE: We do our best to get books personalized when requested but personalization is not guaranteed.
Sally Sierer Bethea was one of the first women in America to become a “riverkeeper”—a vocal defender of a specific waterway who holds polluters accountable. In Keeping the Chattahoochee, she tells stories that range from joyous and funny to frustrating—even alarming—to illustrate what it takes to save an endangered river. Her tales are triggered by the regular walks she takes through a forest to the Chattahoochee over the course of a year, finding solace and kinship in nature.
Hartwell Carson has worked to protect the French Broad River for the past 11 years. He was the first responder to Asheville’s coal ash pollution, working to protect the French Broad River and the nearby community by forcing Duke Energy to clean up and close down Asheville’s coal-burning power plant. Hartwell also implemented his idea for the French Broad River Paddle Trail by building new campsites and access points, which now link over 140 miles of the French Broad River.

Green River Big Sweep in Saluda, NC
2023-09-23 | Fishtop Access, 2302 Green River Cove, Saluda, North Carolina, 28773
Join the Green Riverkeeper Saturday, September 23rd for our Big Sweep event! This month’s event will be a part of the Big Sweep movement that happens throughout our region! You do not have to kayak to be a part of the clean. We absolutely welcome road-side helpers too! We’ll meet at the Fishtop Access (2302 Green River Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773) at 11:00am 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. If you need gear to get out on the water please contact us as we have a limited amount of duckies, helmets and pfd’s for use.
Join us afterwards at the Green River Brew Depot for a free drink of choice for volunteers and food from The Purple Onion!
If you have any questions about the clean-up please contact our Green Riverkeeper at erica@mountaintrue.org. Let’s protect our special places, friends! Note: Dates and times are subject to change due to weather conditions. Please sign up for events via website or send an email to erica@mountaintrue.org to receive the most up to date information on event and workday changes or cancellations.

MountainTrue 2023 Annual Gathering in Asheville, NC
2023-10-14 15:00 - 17:00 | Devil’s Foot, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Ste 10, Asheville, NC, 28803, United States
You’re invited! We look forward to seeing your smiling faces at our Annual Member Gathering on Saturday, October 14th. This year’s event will be held at Devil’s Foot Beverage in Asheville, NC.
Get ready for a night of fun and camaraderie with like-minded folks as we celebrate our achievements and honor the relationships each of us have to each other and to the natural world. We are all interconnected. Healthy forests and sustainable development make for clean water. The built environment has profound effects on the natural environment. Understanding the interconnectedness of our world guides our work and is key to building a better future for the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
General programming will begin at 3 pm and will include voting on new Board Members, reflecting on our achievements this year and honoring outstanding Volunteers.
This year our doors open early for a Plastics Rally beginning at 2 pm. Learn about the progress that MountainTrue, our members and partners have made in the fight against plastic pollution. French Broad Riverkeeper, Hartwell Carson, will discuss our work to pass a plastic bag ban in Buncombe County and how North Carolina towns and counties are empowered to reduce plastic pollution by NC’s Solid Waste Management Act. Attendees will get fired up and learn from local organizers how they can do their part to stop plastic pollution.
But there’s more! Stick around for our exciting Jeopardy game show featuring one contestant from each of our four regions. The winner will get to designate what MountainTrue work donations collected at the event will fund. Interested in playing? Check out the event page for more information.
Come snack on some hors d’oeuvres and grab a drink on us!
“I want more information or want to RSVP”
This event is open to current members of MountainTrue. Click here to check your membership status or email members@mountaintrue.org. If you’re not a current member, we would love to have you join us — You don’t want to miss out on the fun!
Come raise a glass with us to another year of being stronger together!

2023 Lake Chatuge Shoreline Cleanup-13th Annual near Hiawassee, GA
2023-11-04 09:00 - 11:00 | Towns County Swim Beach Pavillion, US-76, Hiawassee, GA, 30546
Join with other lake loving volunteers on Saturday, November 4th for the 13th Annual Lake Chatuge Shoreline Cleanup. The event will kick off at 9am at the Towns County Swim Beach Pavilion across from the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds where volunteers will get their assigned cleanup locations and be given bags, gloves, and safety information. Coffee and grab-n-go breakfast snacks will be available, along with free Rivers Alive t-shirts for the first 30 volunteers. After two hours of shoreline cleaning at the assigned site, volunteers will meet back at the pavilion at 11:30 for prizes. Three prizes will be given on the day of the cleanup: Most Trash Collected by a Group, Most Creative Trash Photo, and Most Unique Trash Item Found. Enter to win by taking photos and sending them to callie@mountaintrue.org. Thanks to TVA for sponsoring this event again this year!
What to bring:
Closed toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty
Water
Sun protection
Trash grabber, if you have one

Other Reminders:
While we love our furry friends, please, no pets. In the case of a rainy forecast, we will communicate with registered participants about plans in advance of the event.
