High Country Office
MountainTrue's High Country Office is located in Boone, serving communities in the Watauga, New, and Elk river watersheds. VolunteerAbout the High Country Office
164 Depot Street
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 278-9821
The High Country Office partners with and protects communities in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Burke, Watauga, and Wilkes counties through the following programs, events, and initiatives:
- Watauga Riverkeeper
- Water monitoring programs
- Riverkeeper Float Fest
- Muddy Water Watch and reducing sediment pollution in the Watauga River Watershed
- Sustainable land use
- Sustainable transportation alternatives — improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and better public transportation
High Country Team
Volunteer with us!
We have many regular volunteer opportunities throughout the warmer months. Below are some of the ways you can get involved. Click the images to add your name to our volunteer roster. Please note that volunteer event dates and times are subject to change due to weather conditions with short notice. Follow the 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.
High Country News
October 2021 E-Vistas Newsletter
Check out what the team at MountainTrue has been up to. In this edition, we have a deep-dive analysis on the NC Energy Bill that was signed by Governor Cooper last week, updates on pollution coming from The Cottages of Boone and our work to save ash trees from the emerald ash borer, and volunteer opportunities to help eradicate invasive plants in both the Western Region and in the High Country. To our volunteers, members and supporters, thank you for everything that you do to protect the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
Join Us for an Annual Member Gathering in Your Area!
We are excited to be gathering in person this year to connect with you, our members, to celebrate our award winners and see each others’ smiling faces!
In light of the current rate of COVID infections and the situation in hospitals across our region, we have chosen to host multiple, smaller, outdoor events in place of one large gathering. We are also requiring that all attendees be fully vaccinated in order to participate. If you are not vaccinated, you will have an opportunity to vote for new and returning board members online.
July 2021 E-Vistas Newsletter
In our July E-News we celebrate our Bio-Blitz winners, welcome Sarah Ogletree as the new director of the Creation Care Alliance, expose the impacts of clear-cutting at Bottomley Farms, and more.
Jackson County Wins the 2021 Bioblitz
After two weeks of hard-nosed competition, Jackson County has won the 2021 Bioblitz over Watauga and Transylvania Counties. Overall, 46 people contributed 2,947 observations and 317 people helped with the identification of 1,228 species. While Jackson County had 1,403 observations to Watauga County’s 1,068, the competition for the most species was much tighter – Jackson county prevailed 738 to 681. Transylvania County came in a distant third with 472 observations and 279 species.
Ward Mill Dam Removal Connects Aquatic Habitat, Makes River Healthier
In a huge win for local aquatic wildlife, the Ward Mill Dam just a few miles from Boone, North Carolina has finally been removed. The first dam was constructed at the location in 1890 and improved upon over the years. The mill complex served the community for generations providing electricity, jobs, firewood and building materials. The dam had been an obstacle for local aquatic wildlife for the past 130 years. Now, native fish such as the tangerine darter and threatened salamanders like the hellbender will be reunited and benefit from a reconnected and improved cold-water aquatic habitat.
MountainTrue Launches BioBlitz to Crown Champion of Biodiversity in WNC
Join MountainTrue for our annual 2021 BioBlitz. This year’s bioblitz is a regional competition to crown the 2021 champion of biodiversity. The competition will take place virtually across three counties from June 5 through June 19.