Join George Ivy, Director of Blue Ridge Rising, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s initiative to unite and serve the gateway communities of the Parkway’s 29 counties in Virginia and North Carolina. While the Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan includes dozens of community-led strategies to enhance tourism and economic development, natural resource protection emerged as a key component of this work. Join us to learn more about Blue Ridge Rising, with a particular emphasis on viewshed protection, dark skies, and related strategies, and how they can benefit our local environment, economy, and communities.
George Ivey serves as the Director of Blue Ridge Rising, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s initiative to unite and serve the gateway communities of the Parkway’s 29 counties in Virginia and North Carolina. George’s career includes positions with Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Nature Conservancy, and the North Carolina Arboretum, as well as eight years as a consultant. George earned a political science degree at Duke University and a master’s degree in parks, recreation, and tourism from N.C. State University. George lives in Flat Rock, North Carolina, with his wife and two children.
5:30 p.m.: Grab and drink and network with like-minded locals.
6:00 p.m.: Enjoy the presentation and learn something new!
Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by Conserving Carolina, MountainTrue and Trailside Brewing Co. Come to Green Drinks to learn about current environmental issues, discuss relevant, and meet with like-minded people. This is a monthly event and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to drink at Green Drinks; just come and listen. Trailside Brewing Co. offers beer, wine, cider, prosecco and non-alcoholic beverages. A limited food menu will be available.
Photo courtesy of Conserving Carolina.
The history of air and the science of air pollution is part of the history of Western North Carolina. We will take a brief look into the past, present, and future through the lens of combustion and air pollution. We will discuss how science was used to help clean North Carolina’s air, and to continue to study the air and keep it clean for both individual and environmental health.
Keith Bamberger works for the Division of Air Quality out of the Asheville Regional Office of the Department of Environment Quality. His primary responsibility is coordinating the Western North Carolina Air Awareness Program. This program includes direct education and outreach to students and the general public, supporting local governments, non-governmental agencies, and community resources groups in understanding air quality, environmental health, and the intersection between their programs and the health of the air. His responsibilities also include working on many statewide initiatives and committees, and partnerships include NASA Earth to Sky Partnership, the Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition, the Asheville Buncombe Air Quality Agency, NC Soil and Water Conservation District, the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, the Environmental Educators of North Carolina and others. Past work includes nature centers, museums, the National Park Service, and North Carolina 4-H.
5:30 p.m.: Grab and drink and network with like-minded locals.
6:00 p.m.: Enjoy the presentation and learn something new!
Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by Conserving Carolina, MountainTrue and Trailside Brewing Co. Come to Green Drinks to learn about current environmental issues, discuss relevant, and meet with like-minded people. This is a monthly event and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to drink at Green Drinks; just come and listen. Trailside Brewing Co. offers beer, wine, cider, prosecco and non-alcoholic beverages. A limited food menu will be available.
Photo courtesy of Conserving Carolina.
Join Conserving Carolina’s Trails and Land Management Coordinator, Max Howes, for an update on Conserving Carolina’s trail systems! Conserving Carolina has built and maintains ~39 miles of trail in the region, showcasing many acres on, and scenic views from, protected land. He will be going over what makes trails sustainable, why they are important to the region, what it takes to build and maintain trails, trail history, Conserving Carolina’s involvement with the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail, and more! There will be an update on current trail conditions post-Helene, new trail projects, and opportunities to get involved with trail expansion and maintenance.
Max was born and raised in North Carolina, visiting areas across the state while calling Chapel Hill his home until he left for college. He attended Denison University in Ohio where he earned a B.A. in environmental studies with a minor in geoscience. Knowing he wanted to return to North Carolina after graduation, he served two terms with AmeriCorps Project Conserve as Conserving Carolina’s Habitat Restoration and Volunteer Coordinator. He gained a great appreciation for the diverse flora and fauna as well as the mountain trails in the area. He is now Conserving Carolina’s Trail and Land Management Coordinator. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, disc golf, biking, and watching college basketball.
5:30 p.m.: Grab and drink and network with like-minded locals.
6:00 p.m.: Enjoy the presentation and learn something new!
Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by Conserving Carolina, MountainTrue and Trailside Brewing Co. Come to Green Drinks to learn about current environmental issues, discuss relevant, and meet with like-minded people. This is a monthly event and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to drink at Green Drinks; just come and listen. Trailside Brewing Co. offers beer, wine, cider, prosecco and non-alcoholic beverages. A limited food menu will be available.
Photo courtesy of Conserving Carolina.
The post-World War II of the 40’s and 50’s shifted the food paradigm from local to high-yield crops and grocery stores. Steeped in an economy of convenience, this system provides on-demand food, but has shown devastating impacts on the environment, health, and community. Could a shift back to local be the answer to these 3 top issues faced today?
Join us for a discussion entitled, “Localization; the answer to more than just the environmental crisis?” with Tia Wackerhagen, RN, BSN, Food and Agriculture Committee Co-chair, and member of the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.
Tia is a registered nurse for Roof Above in Charlotte North Carolina, serving individuals who have recently come out of chronic homelessness. She is passionate about equality not only in health care, but in food systems. To further strengthen this passion, Tia is pursuing her doctorate in nursing practice in family nurse practitioner specialty at East Carolina University. She serves as co-chair for the Alliance for Healthy Nurses food and agriculture committee.
5:30 p.m.: Grab and drink and network with like-minded locals.
6:00 p.m.: Enjoy the presentation and learn something new!
Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by Conserving Carolina, MountainTrue and Trailside Brewing Co. Come to Green Drinks to learn about current environmental issues, discuss relevant, and meet with like-minded people. This is a monthly event and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to drink at Green Drinks; just come and listen. Trailside Brewing Co. offers beer, wine, cider, prosecco and non-alcoholic beverages. A limited food menu will be available.
Making intentional purchases from local small-scale farmers, farmers’ markets, and grocers does more than just make us feel good; it directly influences significant regional environmental concerns and amplifies the local economy.
Alicia and Kevin Stump are the owners of Stump Farms, a small-scale family farm located in Hendersonville, NC. Established in 2017 as first-generation farmers, they prioritize sustainable and regenerative practices in their cultivation of vegetables, gourmet mushrooms, and more. Additionally, they draw inspiration from heirloom produce and herbs to create a range of canned goods and all-natural skincare products.
5:30 p.m.: Grab and drink and network with like-minded locals.
6:00 p.m.: Enjoy the presentation and learn something new!
Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by Conserving Carolina, MountainTrue and Trailside Brewing Co. Come to Green Drinks to learn about current environmental issues, discuss relevant, and meet with like-minded people. This is a monthly event and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to drink at Green Drinks; just come and listen. Trailside Brewing Co. offers beer, wine, cider, prosecco and non-alcoholic beverages. A limited food menu will be available.
