Central Region News

A note from Gray Jernigan, Deputy Director & General Counsel: 

A few weeks ago, MountainTrue and partner organizations, represented by the outstanding legal team at Southern Environmental Law Center, sent the US Forest Service a 60-day notice of our intent to sue for violating the Endangered Species Act in developing the recent revision to the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Management Plan. If the Forest Service does not take immediate action to protect endangered forest bats that face extinction under the approved plan, we’ll be forced to take them to court to enforce the law. 

Litigation is not an action we take lightly, and it would be the first time in our organization’s more than 40-year history that we have filed a lawsuit against the Forest Service. This comes after more than a decade of collaborative stakeholder input, but in the end, our concerns were ignored, and we have a responsibility to protect resilient forests and hold our government accountable to the law. To be clear, the impact on bats and violations of the Endangered Species Act is not our only concern with the Forest Plan, and just because we aren’t raising additional concerns in this action doesn’t mean that we won’t raise them in the future. 

As an advocacy organization, this is what we do. We work to protect the places we share, and when our voices are ignored as they were here, we keep fighting using all of the tools available to us. We sincerely appreciate the support of our members, staff, and board of directors, who voted unanimously to take action. If you aren’t a MountainTrue member, please join us — we’re stronger standing together for the future of our forests. 

MountainTrue prepares for lawsuit over Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan

On July 25, MountainTrue joined a coalition of conservation groups in sending a letter to the U.S. Forest Service, signaling our intent to sue over glaring flaws in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan and violations of the Endangered Species Act. The Forest Service is needlessly putting several endangered bat species at risk of extinction by putting commercial logging first and ignoring the best science available. 

MountainTrue and our experts remain ready and willing to work in partnership with the Forest Service and other stakeholders to develop a responsible win-win plan for the environment, our economy, and the people of our region. Read our full statement, press release, and the 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue for Violations of the Endangered Species Act Related to Consultation on the Nantahala-Pisgah Land Management Plan.

Let’s pass a plastic bag ban in Buncombe County

We need you to take action to help pass a common-sense law to reduce plastic pollution in Buncombe County. Plastic pollution is a global problem, and we must act locally to do our part. That’s why MountainTrue is advocating for a county-wide ban on single-use plastic bags and styrofoam at grocery and retail store checkout counters paired with a 10-cent fee on paper bags. More than 500 local governments in 28 states across the country have already passed laws to reduce plastic pollution. Let’s make Buncombe County next! 

If you live in Black Mountain or Woodfin: please email your Town Councilpersons and ask them to pass resolutions supporting a county-wide ordinance. 

Other Buncombe County residents: sign the petition that we’ll be taking to County Commissioners calling on them act. 

Photos: (left) MountainTrue, Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), & Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy had fun treating ash trees on Bluff Mountain. Photo by Sydney Swafford. (right) Josh Kelly and Darby Stipe of MountainTrue and Dane White of ATC treat a 40” in diameter white ash. Photo by Matt Drury.

Ash trees thrive thanks to MountainTrue and Appalachian Trail Conservancy

MountainTrue and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) completed another season of treating ash trees on the Appalachian Trail to protect them from the Emerald Ash Borer — an invasive beetle estimated to have killed over 100 million ash trees across 30 states. This year we were back at Bluff Mountain, where we treated 117 trees for the fourth time since 2017. The treated trees are in great condition! One tree was 38” in diameter when treatment began and has grown to 40” in diameter this year. This work is funded by the ATC NC License Plate Grant and the support of MountainTrue members.

MountainTrue-a-thon: we’re halfway to our fundraising goal!

There’s still time to sign up for the 2023 MountainTrue-a-thon, which kicked off in June and runs through August 31. Earn money for MountainTrue while doing your favorite activities: hiking, biking, and paddling — it’s a win-win! Lace up your boots, grab your gear, and let’s hit the trails for some adventure: click here to learn more and sign up.

P.S. Did we mention there are PRIZES for the top $ earner and most pledged miles hiked?!

MountainTrue to expand river access and knowledge with grant from MADE X MTNS

MountainTrue is proud to announce that we are one of twenty grant recipients of the MADE X MTNS Outdoor Equity Fund. We join a group of WNC small businesses, community groups, and nonprofits working to increase outdoor access and economic opportunity. Thanks to the generosity of the MADE X MTNS, MountainTrue will be able to lead more paddling trips on the French Broad Paddle Trail, provide ecological and skill-building knowledge for participants, teach Leave No Trace ethics and provide important conservation information about the trail. Click here to read about the Outdoor Equity Fund and all fellow grantees.

Photo: 2023 Paddle Trip-goers “sending it” over a rapid on the French Broad River.

Cheers to a great 2023 Paddle Trip

The 2023 French Broad Paddle Trip was a huge success, with sixteen guests and seven MountainTrue staff members making the voyage from Barnard, NC, to Bridgeport, TN. Over four wonderful days, we navigated rapids, relaxed through flatwater, marveled at Paint Rock’s petroglyphs and Chimney Rock’s cliffs, observed wildlife, ate tasty food, shared stories, and made memories. The Paddle Trip is always a great way to bring together friends — new and old — to learn about and celebrate the French Broad River, including the successes of MountainTrue’s French Broad Riverkeeper program, and discuss upcoming challenges and opportunities.

Photo: Creation Care Alliance Director Sarah Ogletree (left) and MountainTrue Western Regional Director Callie Moore (right) at the Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC kickoff party on August 10.

Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC off to a great start

We had an awesome turnout for our program kickoff event this month, and it was so exciting to be in a room full of supporters who were enthusiastic about creating more of the kinds of housing our communities need! If you missed the event but want to get involved, you can sign up here to volunteer or contact Susan Bean directly to get plugged in (susan@mountaintrue.org).

Save the date for our Annual Member Gathering

MountainTrue’s Annual Member Gathering will take place on Saturday, October 14. This year’s event will be held at The Mule in Asheville, NC. If you’re not a current member, there’s still time for you to join us — you don’t want to miss out on the fun!

High Country News

A note from Hannah Woodburn, High Country Watershed Outreach Coordinator:

This summer has been one of our busiest yet — filled with so many community events, water quality sampling, and advocacy actions! We truly appreciate your support and engagement, whether you just connected with MountainTrue or have been involved with us for years! As summer comes to a close, know that we are working nonstop to protect the places we share. I hope you can find a way to stay involved; we have something for everyone in our Clean Waters, Resilient Forests, Healthy Communities, Green Energy, and Creation Care programs.

MountainTrue prepares for lawsuit over Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan​

On July 25, MountainTrue joined a coalition of conservation groups in sending a letter to the U.S. Forest Service, signaling our intent to sue over glaring flaws in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan and violations of the Endangered Species Act. The Forest Service is needlessly putting several endangered bat species at risk of extinction by putting commercial logging first and ignoring the best science available. 

MountainTrue and our experts remain ready and willing to work in partnership with the Forest Service and other stakeholders to develop a responsible win-win plan for the environment, our economy, and the people of our region. Read our full statement, press release, and the 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue for Violations of the Endangered Species Act Related to Consultation on the Nantahala-Pisgah Land Management Plan.

Great news for High Country waters!

Thanks to your support and advocacy, 11 streams within the Watauga River Basin will now receive special protections as Outstanding Resource Waters or High-Quality Waters, starting September 1, 2023. This remarkable achievement is a significant step in safeguarding the health of our local rivers, protecting the delicate aquatic ecosystems, and supporting the recreation economy of the High Country. Click here to read more.

Weekend plans: Riverkeeper Float Fest

The rescheduled Riverkeeper Float Fest is happening this Saturday, August 19! Substantial rains the week prior to the original June 24 date led to increased bacteria levels unsafe for river recreation. Any previously purchased ticket(s) will be honored at the rescheduled date. If you can’t attend the new date, please contact sydney@moutaintrue.org to begin the refund process (or consider leaving it as a donation to support the Watauga Riverkeeper’s clean water efforts). Riverkeeper Float Fest details:

• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 19, 2023
• River & Earth Adventures’ New River Outpost (6201 Castle Ford Road Todd, NC 28684)
• Brews, food, and tunes provided by Appalachian Mountain Brewery
• Tubing with River & Earth Adventures down the New River 
• Fly fishing demos with Boone’s Fly Shop
• And so much more! 

Antlers & Acorns Boone Songwriters Festival

Join us from September 5-9 to hear some of the best singers and songwriters from around the country at Antlers & Acorns, The Boone Songwriters Festival. VIP tickets are on sale now, with perks like exclusive performances, best seats in the house, and an opportunity for three daytime gatherings with songwriters in the Blue Ridge Mountains. MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper will be featured on Friday night (September 8) and will have a table in the Appalachian Theater’s Community Room. We’re so excited for this festival and to explore the ways that music, advocacy, and environmentalism collide within the arts.

Photo: Event participants enjoy some river snorkeling on the last Guided Snorkel event of the 2023 season.

Wildlife-packed last guided snorkel of the season​

As summer rapidly comes to an end, we were able to enjoy good weather for the last of our Guided Snorkel series. It’s always such a joy to share our knowledge of the watershed and encourage others to ask more questions about the rivers, streams, and places we all share. We identified Nothern watersnakes, redbreasted sunfish, margined madtoms, blacknose dace, stonerollers, smallmouth bass, and Northern hogsuckers… just to name a few!

Japanese knotweed treatments

Our Watauga Riverkeeper team has been busy removing invasive plants in the High Country this month! Once again, we’re turning our focus to Japanese knotweed, a species of herbaceous perennial plant in the knotweed and buckwheat family. On July 31, MountainTrue’s recently-retired superstar ecologist, Bob Gale, ventured to the High Country to train us in eradication techniques, specialized equipment/treatments, and (as always) gift us with a wealth of native plant knowledge. Our group was able to treat Japanese knotweed at Valle Crucis Community Park, ideally ensuring 100% native growth in the main wetland area. Continuing efforts along the river, we’re grateful to have also partnered with Wildlands Engineering to treat invasives in the Watauga River Watershed. 

Photo: A volunteer holds a bottled Swim Guide sample.​

Swim Guide results summary

It’s absolutely incredible how fast the summer flies by, considering we only have FOUR weeks of Swim Guide left until the end of the season. So far, we’ve had over 11,110 people check water quality at the 21 “beaches” we sample in the High Country region. We’re so grateful for our volunteers, site sponsors, and community members that place a high value on keeping our waters safe and clean. Our cleanest sites this season include Watauga Point Recreational Area, Wilbur Dam Put-In, Guy Ford, Price Lake, and Valle Crucis Park. The most failed sites this season include 321 Upper Gorge Park, Lover’s Lane, Brookshire Park, Blevins Boat Ramp, and the Boone Greenway at the covered bridge. Click here to learn more about our Swim Guide program, and be sure to download the mobile Swim Guide app so you can get the skinny before you dip!

Volunteer Appreciation Cookout

We’re so excited to announce our annual Volunteer Appreciation Cookout from 6-8:30 p.m. on September 21 at Valle Crucis Park in Banner Elk, NC. We can’t wait to celebrate our amazing High Country volunteers who help keep our programs running all year round. Whether you’re a Swim Guide volunteer, VWIN volunteer, or have helped plant plenty of livestakes, we want to celebrate our volunteers’ roles in our clean water successes over the years. Please email hannah@mountaintrue.org to receive our RSVP form.

MountainTrue-a-thon: we’re halfway to our fundraising goal!

There’s still time to sign up for the 2023 MountainTrue-a-thon, which kicked off in June and runs through August 31. Earn money for MountainTrue while doing your favorite activities: hiking, biking, and paddling — it’s a win-win! Lace up your boots, grab your gear, and let’s hit the trails for some adventure: click here to learn more and sign up.

P.S. Did we mention there are PRIZES for the top $ earner and most pledged miles hiked?!

High Country education and outreach: July 2023 edition

Amongst all the other happenings in July, our Clean Water Team joined Valle Crucis Park for their annual River Alive Day and BioBlitz. We had so much fun teaching folks of all ages about river health and the aquatic species that call them home.

We recently led our first Guided Stream Hike with the Town of Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation Department. It was great connecting with visitors and residents on a lovely streamside hike. MountainTrue’s High Country Watershed Outreach Coordinator, Hannah Woodburn, led the hike and discussed watershed literacy, aquatic species, and current happenings within MountainTrue’s advocacy work. We look forward to spending more time in the headwaters of the Watauga River in future collaborative guided outing offerings. 

The High Country Trash Trouts are still hard at work! We had several volunteers join us to help inventory and count the trash found within the Winkler’s Creek Trash Trout last month. A big thank you to our High Country Intern, Emma, for leading this workday opportunity!

Thanks, 828 Realty!

We had so much fun at the first (and hopefully!) annual 828 Realty Community event at the Jones House in July. There were games, music, and fun for the whole family, including a dunk tank! This event benefitted MountainTrue, Safe Harbor, and F.A.R.M. Cafe — important nonprofit cornerstones of our High Country community. Thank you to our friends at 828 Realty for hosting this wonderful summer gathering!

Beech Mountain Ski Resort Concert Series

The Beech Mountain Concert Series + Party on the Mountain were an absolute blast to table at. Sheryl Crow, My Morning Jacket, and The Revivalists were some of the big names hitting the High Country. It was great making new connections, friends, and spreading the word about the work that MountainTrue does in the New and Watauga watersheds. We had an awesome summer jamming on the mountain!

Photo: Creation Care Alliance Director Sarah Ogletree (left) and MountainTrue Western Regional Director Callie Moore (right) at the Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC kickoff party on August 10.​

Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC off to a great start

We had an awesome turnout for our program kickoff event this month, and it was so exciting to be in a room full of supporters who were enthusiastic about creating more of the kinds of housing our communities need! If you missed the event but want to get involved, you can sign up here to volunteer or contact Susan Bean directly to get plugged in (susan@mountaintrue.org).

Save the date for our Annual Member Gathering

MountainTrue’s Annual Member Gathering will take place on Saturday, October 14. This year’s event will be held at The Mule in Asheville, NC. If you’re not a current member, there’s still time for you to join us — you don’t want to miss out on the fun! 

Southern Region News

A note from Gray Jernigan, Deputy Director & General Counsel (+ former Southern Regional Director & Green Riverkeeper):

A few weeks ago, MountainTrue and partner organizations, represented by the outstanding legal team at Southern Environmental Law Center, sent the US Forest Service a 60-day notice of our intent to sue for violating the Endangered Species Act in developing the recent revision to the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Management Plan. If the Forest Service does not take immediate action to protect endangered forest bats that face extinction under the approved plan, we’ll be forced to take them to court to enforce the law. 

Litigation is not an action we take lightly, and it would be the first time in our organization’s more than 40-year history that we have filed a lawsuit against the Forest Service. This comes after more than a decade of collaborative stakeholder input, but in the end, our concerns were ignored, and we have a responsibility to protect resilient forests and hold our government accountable to the law. To be clear, the impact on bats and violations of the Endangered Species Act is not our only concern with the Forest Plan, and just because we aren’t raising additional concerns in this action doesn’t mean that we won’t raise them in the future. 

As an advocacy organization, this is what we do. We work to protect the places we share, and when our voices are ignored as they were here, we keep fighting using all of the tools available to us. We sincerely appreciate the support of our members, staff, and board of directors, who voted unanimously to take action. If you aren’t a MountainTrue member, please join us — we’re stronger standing together for the future of our forests.

MountainTrue prepares for lawsuit over Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan​

On July 25, MountainTrue joined a coalition of conservation groups in sending a letter to the U.S. Forest Service, signaling our intent to sue over glaring flaws in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan and violations of the Endangered Species Act. The Forest Service is needlessly putting several endangered bat species at risk of extinction by putting commercial logging first and ignoring the best science available. 

MountainTrue and our experts remain ready and willing to work in partnership with the Forest Service and other stakeholders to develop a responsible win-win plan for the environment, our economy, and the people of our region. Read our full statement, press release, and the 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue for Violations of the Endangered Species Act Related to Consultation on the Nantahala-Pisgah Land Management Plan.

Green River oil spill update from Green Riverkeeper Erica Shanks: ​

On Thursday, July 13, a tanker carrying fuel up the Saluda Grade wrecked at mile marker 62, spilling 8,000 gallons of oil and gasoline into Cove Creek. Cove Creek runs into the Lower Green, about halfway down. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) immediately jumped on the situation to start remediation at the site. There are currently six oil booms in the creek upstream of Little Bradley Falls and five downstream of Little Bradley Falls. These booms are monitored daily and will be in Cove Creek anywhere from two more weeks to one month. Three to six feet of soil also had to be removed at the wreckage site for future health of the creek bed. The trucking company is responsible for paying for cleanup efforts.

As of right now, Little Bradley is currently closed to the public. DHHS will continue to update the public on when it is safe to visit this area again, but I’ll also keep you informed as we learn more. Follow me on Instagram for weekly updates (@greenriverkeeper)! There are currently no advisories on the Green River.

Photo: (from left to right) MountainTrue Development and Engagement Manager Amy Finkler, Green Riverkeeper Erica Shanks, and Creation Care Alliance Director Sarah Ogletree pose with littered items they picked up while paddling the Green River in June 2023.

Upcoming cleanups on the Green and Broad rivers

Green Clean Series: Help Green Riverkeeper Erica Shanks clean up the Green River from 5:30-8 p.m. on Thursday, August 24! This will be the final cleanup of our 2023 Green Clean Series. You don’t have to kayak to be a part of the cleanup; roadside volunteers are also welcome! Click here to learn more and sign up. Volunteers are invited to join the Green Riverkeeper at the Green River Brew Depot in downtown Saluda after the cleanup — the Brew Depot will be giving one free beer to each volunteer who attends the cleanup and presents a ticket. Additionally, The SPOT will offer volunteers a free drink to enjoy within a week of their participation in the cleanup!

Eighth Annual Sarah Sweep + First Broad River Festival: All are welcome to join the Broad Riverkeeper on Saturday, September 9 for the 8th Annual Sarah Sweep in honor of Sarah Spencer, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2016. We’ll paddle and clean up a lovely section of the river that Sarah Spencer held dear to her heart. After the cleanup, we’ll head back to Double Shoals Mill for an evening of fabulous local music and food at the First Broad River Festival. Click here to learn more and register. 

Big Sweep on the Green River: Join your Green Riverkeeper on Saturday, September 23 for our Big Sweep event! This event will be a part of the Big Sweep movement that happens throughout our region. Kayakers and roadside volunteers are welcome. We’ll meet at Fishtop Access (2302 Green River Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773) at 11:00 a.m. to split into teams before heading out. Please bring water, snacks, and gear appropriate for the water or roadside (gloves, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, medical needs, etc). MountainTrue 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 pfds for use. Volunteers are invited to join Green Riverkeeper Erica Shanks at the Green River Brew Depot after the Big Sweep for a free drink of choice and food from the Purple Onion! Click here to register. If you have any questions about any of the upcoming Green River cleanups, please contact your Green Riverkeeper (erica@mountaintrue.org).  

Photo: Latinos Aventureros volunteers pose with Nancy Díaz (right) during the trail cleanup.​

Cleaning up the Broad River Greenway trails with Latinos Aventureros

On Friday, July 21, MountainTrue Southern Regional Director Nancy Díaz and Broad Riverkeeper David Caldwell teamed up with a crew of volunteers from Latinos Aventureros to pick up litter along the beaches, picnic areas, and trails at our Broad River Greenway. We removed 12 bags of trash, preventing it from inevitably washing into the river. Thanks, volunteers!

Green Clean Series: July update from your Green Riverkeeper

​​Thanks to all the volunteers who participated in last month’s Green Clean Series cleanup on July 27 — we hauled out 10 full bags of trash from the Lower Green and roadside! Laughs were had, jokes were made, and Mama Green can now flow a bit easier with a little less trash. Join us next time, Thursday August 24, to do it all over again! Huge shoutouts to: Green River Tubing (also one of our wonderful Swim Guide sponsors) for shuttling us; the Green River Brew Depot for post-cleanup drinks; Broad Riverkeeper David Caldwell for joining us and lending a hand; and to the Purple Onion for the amazing food!

MountainTrue-a-thon: we’re halfway to our fundraising goal!

There’s still time to sign up for the 2023 MountainTrue-a-thon, which kicked off in June and runs through August 31. Earn money for MountainTrue while doing your favorite activities: hiking, biking, and paddling — it’s a win-win! Lace up your boots, grab your gear, and let’s hit the trails for some adventure: click here to learn more and sign up.

P.S. Did we mention there are PRIZES for the top $ earner and most pledged miles hiked?!

MountainTrue to expand river access and knowledge with grant from MADE X MTNS

MountainTrue is proud to announce that we are one of twenty grant recipients of the MADE X MTNS Outdoor Equity Fund. We join a group of WNC small businesses, community groups, and nonprofits working to increase outdoor access and economic opportunity. Thanks to the generosity of the MADE X MTNS, MountainTrue will be able to lead more paddling trips on the French Broad Paddle Trail, provide ecological and skill-building knowledge for participants, teach Leave No Trace ethics and provide important conservation information about the trail. Click here to read about the Outdoor Equity Fund and all fellow grantees.

Save the date for our Annual Member Gathering

MountainTrue’s Annual Member Gathering will take place on Saturday, October 14. This year’s event will be held at The Mule in Asheville, NC. If you’re not a current member, there’s still time for you to join us — you don’t want to miss out on the fun!

Photo: Creation Care Alliance Director Sarah Ogletree (left) and MountainTrue Western Regional Director Callie Moore (right) at the Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC kickoff party on August 10.​

Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC off to a great start

We had an awesome turnout for our program kickoff event this month, and it was so exciting to be in a room full of supporters who were enthusiastic about creating more of the kinds of housing our communities need! If you missed the event but want to get involved, you can sign up here to volunteer or contact Susan Bean directly to get plugged in (susan@mountaintrue.org).

Generation H: Hendersonville’s Comprehensive Plan

​​The City of Hendersonville is starting to develop its 2045 Comprehensive Plan to establish a long-term vision for sustainable growth and conservation. The Comprehensive Plan is being referred to as Gen H to encourage the community to think generationally about the future of Hendersonville. The Gen H Comprehensive Plan will provide guidance and recommendations for Land Use and Growth; Public Infrastructure; Community Character; Cultural and Historic Resources; Natural Resources, Sustainability, and Resiliency; Parks, Recreation, and Public Spaces; Downtown and other community-identified focus areas; and Community and Economic Development. Click here to subscribe + receive Gen H email updates. Click here to watch a short video to learn more about Gen H!

NCDOT seeks public input for next 10-year Transportation Plan

The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) identifies construction and funding schedules for state transportation projects over a 10-year period. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is seeking project input for the STIP that will cover 2026-2035. The 30-day public comment period will conclude on August 31, 2023. How to submit public comments and suggestions: 

• Take this brief interactive survey
• Visit local NCDOT offices during designated weeklong drop-in periods to ask questions and submit comments in person. 

More information on ways to provide feedback can be found on the 2026-2035 STIP webpage. Please note that this comment period is not for maintenance-related projects, such as patching potholes, resurfacing, or ditches. NCDOT uses a different method to prioritize maintenance projects.

Western Region News

A note from Callie Moore, Western Regional Director:

I recently enjoyed a nice afternoon snorkeling in the Little Tennessee River at Mainspring Conservation Trust’s Queen Branch Preserve — one of the first ten locations on the new Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail. While walking the path to the river access point, I saw an indigo bunting sitting on a branch and bumblebees pollinating flowers. The air was hot, but the river and the shade of the riparian buffer were cool. I’m grateful for conserved and public lands, especially along our waterways, and luckily, we have acres and acres of them in the Southern Blue Ridge. I hope you’ve had a chance to do some swimming, wading, boating, fishing, or wildlife-watching this summer. If not, there’s still time! I want to call your attention to the Great Southeast Pollinator Census happening in August in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. One count only takes 15 minutes of your time, and most of you will be able to do it in your backyard! Thank you for reading and for being MountainTrue.

MountainTrue prepares for lawsuit over Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan​

On July 25, MountainTrue joined a coalition of conservation groups in sending a letter to the U.S. Forest Service, signaling our intent to sue over glaring flaws in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan and violations of the Endangered Species Act. The Forest Service is needlessly putting several endangered bat species at risk of extinction by putting commercial logging first and ignoring the best science available. 

MountainTrue and our experts remain ready and willing to work in partnership with the Forest Service and other stakeholders to develop a responsible win-win plan for the environment, our economy, and the people of our region. Read our full statement, press release, and the 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue for Violations of the Endangered Species Act Related to Consultation on the Nantahala-Pisgah Land Management Plan.

Photo: Towns County resident Larry Bundy conducts water chemistry tests on a water sample from Corn Creek at a Georgia Adopt-A-Stream workshop in May 2018.​

Georgia Adopt-A-Stream new volunteer certification workshops

Residents of the Hiwassee River Watershed: If you value clean water, consider getting involved with MountainTrue’s volunteer water quality monitoring program! Upcoming water chemistry and bacterial monitoring workshops for new volunteers will occur in late August and early September 2023. The training will be conducted as a two-part series. Part One will be offered virtually via Zoom. Part Two is the field training portion of the workshop and will be offered in-person at Cupid Falls Park in Young Harris, Georgia, on Saturday, September 9. 

Volunteers will learn how to test stream samples for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and conductivity in the water chemistry workshop. Those participating in the bacterial sampling will learn how to test for and identify the presence of E. coli in our waterways. Anyone aged 12 and up who is interested in joining our team of 45 volunteers to keep tabs on the health of our waterways and help solve water quality problems should either register for one of the workshop field sessions or email Callie Moore to be placed on an interest list for a future workshop. If you prefer a 100% in-person workshop, let us know.

Volunteer opportunity in Jackson County

MountainTrue is working to expand our microplastics sampling program into Jackson County NC. We’re seeking volunteers to collect quarterly water samples from local rivers and streams. We’ve collaborated with Sylva’s Soil and Water Conservation District office to create an accessible drop-off and pick-up location for jars and samples. For more in-depth information about our microplastic sampling program, please watch this video from MountainTrue University. If you’re interested in volunteering to take microplastic samples, please email Eve Davis, our new Western Region AmeriCorps member. Please let us know if you have a stream location that you would like to sample in mind. If not, we’ll assign you a location from our list of possible sample sites!

Photo: An amazing Cherokee hoop dancer teaches a dance to festival participants during the 2017 Cherokee Heritage Festival.​​

Join MountainTrue at the Cherokee Heritage Festival in Hayesville

On Saturday, September 16, MountainTrue will again participate in the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association’s Cherokee Heritage Festival at the Cherokee Homestead Exhibit in downtown Hayesville, NC. Come out and enjoy traditional Cherokee dancing, cultural arts demonstrations, storytelling, frybread, singing, and flute music during this free festival! MountainTrue’s Western Region Program Coordinator, Tony Ward, will conduct native plant walks during the festival along the Quannassee Path through lovely gardens on the adjacent Historical & Arts Council property. Visit our booth during the festival to sign up for one of the walks and to learn more about our native tree and shrub sale!

Photo: The Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail signs highlight species that you are likely to see while snorkeling at each location.

Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail ready for underwater adventures

Signs providing information about notable aquatic species and water safety are up at seven of the ten pilot locations on the new Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail, which officially launched in June. The Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail is a unique wildlife recreation opportunity connecting people to the fascinating underwater world through publicly accessible river snorkel sites. 

Upcoming kickoff event: August 26 at Island Park in Bryson City, NC. Another kickoff event is being planned at the Valley River in Andrews, NC — click here to learn more and stay tuned for details!

Save the date for our Annual Member Gathering

MountainTrue’s Annual Member Gathering will take place on Saturday, October 14. This year’s event will be held at The Mule in Asheville, NC. If you’re not a current member, there’s still time for you to join us — you don’t want to miss out on the fun!

Photo: Creation Care Alliance Director Sarah Ogletree (left) and MountainTrue Western Regional Director Callie Moore (right) at the Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC kickoff party on August 10.

Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC off to a great start

We had an awesome turnout for our program kickoff event this month, and it was so exciting to be in a room full of supporters who were enthusiastic about creating more of the kinds of housing our communities need! If you missed the event but want to get involved, you can sign up here to volunteer or contact Susan Bean directly to get plugged in (susan@mountaintrue.org).

MountainTrue-a-thon: we’re halfway to our fundraising goal!

There’s still time to sign up for the 2023 MountainTrue-a-thon, which kicked off in June and runs through August 31. Earn money for MountainTrue while doing your favorite activities: hiking, biking, and paddling — it’s a win-win! Lace up your boots, grab your gear, and let’s hit the trails for some adventure: click here to learn more and sign up.

P.S. Did we mention there are PRIZES for the top $ earner and most pledged miles hiked?!

Septic system repair grants available for qualifying property owners

MountainTrue is partnering with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and local health departments to provide septic system repair grants to qualifying property owners in Cherokee County and others across WNC. Residents of rural areas outside of town are highly likely to have onsite septic systems. Problems with septic systems usually arise as systems age or when maintenance is neglected. Cherokee County is being prioritized because a long stretch of the Valley River is not safe for swimming due to bacterial contamination and leaking septic systems in older neighborhoods has been identified as one part of the problem. Macon County is also being prioritized based on new Swim Guide data in the Little Tennessee River in Franklin. Property owners: click here to review eligibility requirements and apply for the repair program.