The Grove at Trailside Brewing

We need to protect the night sky if we are to conserve biodiversity in our natural world. This presentation, by Joey Bishop, will focus on the negative effects of light pollution on amphibians, birds, mammals and insects. It will also outline simple steps we can all take to reduce light pollution.

Joey Bishop serves as the AmeriCorps Project Conserve Community Engagement and Education Associate at Conserving Carolina. She grew up in Wisconsin and received undergraduate and graduate psychology degrees in New York before moving to North Carolina. Joey loves learning about and exploring nature, and she has enjoyed many tranquil hours hiking throughout the U.S. and beyond. Joey supported families of infants and toddlers with special needs for 20 years as an early intervention director, and she was an elementary school teacher for 4 years. She is excited to engage with communities as they find more ways to explore, appreciate, understand, and protect our natural world.

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.

Restoring natural floodplains offers transformative benefits for both communities and ecosystems. Conserving Carolina’s Natural Resources Director, David Lee, will highlight Conserving Carolina’s innovative floodplain restoration projects along the French Broad River, focusing on their important role in mitigating flood risks, improving biodiversity, and enhancing water quality. Using real-world examples, such as the Pleasant Grove and Kings Bridge restorations, we’ll explore strategies to restore natural functions to floodplains and build resilience against extreme weather events like Tropical Storm Helene. Attendees will gain insights into effective restoration techniques, the power of community partnerships, and the importance of integrating traditional ecological knowledge. Join us to learn how these projects serve as a model for creating thriving, sustainable landscapes that support both people and nature.

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.

Restoring natural floodplains offers transformative benefits for both communities and ecosystems. Conserving Carolina’s Natural Resources Director, David Lee, will highlight Conserving Carolina’s innovative floodplain restoration projects along the French Broad River, focusing on their important role in mitigating flood risks, improving biodiversity, and enhancing water quality. Using real-world examples, such as the Pleasant Grove and Kings Bridge restorations, we’ll explore strategies to restore natural functions to floodplains and build resilience against extreme weather events like Tropical Storm Helene. Attendees will gain insights into effective restoration techniques, the power of community partnerships, and the importance of integrating traditional ecological knowledge. Join us to learn how these projects serve as a model for creating thriving, sustainable landscapes that support both people and nature.

Due to the catastrophic events of Hurricane Helene, this event has been canceled. Stay tuned for information about events in 2025.

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 of, and scenic views from, protected land. He will review 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 projects and opportunities to get involved with trail expansion and maintenance.

The post-World War II of the 40’ 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 an update on Conserving Carolina’s restoration projects along the French Broad River from Conserving Carolina’s Natural Resources Manager, David Lee! David lived most of his life in Florida, but he spent many vacations camping, hiking, and enjoying nature in the southern Appalachians. These experiences instilled in him a sense of appreciation for the environment that led to a strong commitment to conserve it.

As extreme weather events continue to pose challenges for farming operations, we must take steps to rally behind our farmers. This is why MountainTrue is conducting a Farm Weather Impact Survey with the help of their newest AmeriCorps Member, Olivia Gray. The survey aims to better understand how extreme weather events affect agricultural production in the Southern Blue Ridge. The information we receive will help guide MountainTrue in tailoring support initiatives, advocating for vital resources, and implementing strategies to support farm resiliency in Western North Carolina. Join Olivia Gray and her project supervisor Erica Shanks for this presentation on the importance of local agriculture and our survey findings so far.