MountainTrue has joined forces with the Tuckasegee River Alliance to help eradicate nonnative invasive plants at Island Park in Bryson City. Island Park - which is currently closed to the public pending storm damage repairs - is an island in the Tuckasegee River that hosts a beautiful riparian forest with some very large trees. However, infestations of non-native invasive plant species threaten native diversity, especially in terms of wildflowers and forest understory, creating the need for restoration work to bring the island back to its full splendor.

Volunteer work sessions are being scheduled to start the work of eradicating these non-native invasive pest plants. Advance registration is required. The workday is planned for Wednesday, March 3rd, from 11 am to 2 pm. The work session is limited to 15 participants. Although you will be asked to "purchase a ticket," there is no charge for this opportunity!

Love our rivers? Come join the Watauga Riverkeeper and MountainTrue as we combat sediment erosion in our local waterways. Sediment is a major polluter in our river basin, clogging fish and aquatic habitats, increasing water temperatures, and transporting toxic substances. We are helping to reduce the amount of sediment that flows into our rivers by planting live-stakes along eroding riverbanks. As these stakes grow into trees, they stabilize the sides of the rivers and creeks where we plant them and reduce the overall amount of sediment getting into the river. Come plant with us!

Join MountainTrue's very own Public Lands Field Biologist, Josh Kelly for our Winter Tree ID Workshop Hike at Big Laurel Creek Trail. During this hike, we will discuss the different ways that you can identify trees in your area. This hike is open to all skill levels of aspiring tree identifiers so we hope to see you there!