French Broad Riverkeeper
Founded in 2001, the French Broad Riverkeeper serves as a fundamental protector of the French Broad River watershed in Western North Carolina. The French Broad Riverkeeper is key to MountainTrue’s endeavors to monitor and protect the quality of our region’s waterways. The Riverkeeper fights for safe and healthy waterways for all citizens in the French Broad River watershed by bringing together local residents and communities to identify pollution sources, enforce environmental laws, advocate for stronger environmental laws, engage in restoration, and educate and empower the public. The French Broad Riverkeeper serves Transylvania, Henderson, Buncombe, Haywood and Madison county.
Keep the French Broad Clean
You can help keep the French Broad healthy and clean by volunteering with one of our river cleanups or other events. If you are interested in volunteering, click the button below or email Anna Alsobrook at anna@mountaintrue.org.
Hartwell Carson
French Broad Riverkeeper
Hartwell has been the French Broad Riverkeeper for over 6 years, dedicated to defending the French Broad, educating locals about the river and getting the community involved in river health. He was instrumental in discovering seepage of toxic coal ash from the Duke power plant into the French Broad River. He is the eyes, ears and advocator for the river, ensuring that Clean Water Act regulations are being met so that we can have fishable and swimmable water in the French Broad.
828.258.8737 x 211
hartwell@mountaintrue.org
French Broad River Adventures
MountainTrue and the French Broad Riverkeeper wants everyone to experience and explore the French Broad. MountainTrue provides multiple recreational opportunities to get on the river such as day trips, tube floats, section paddles, our annual French Broad River Paddle Trip (a multi-day paddle-camping adventure), and more. The French Broad Riverkeeper was key in the creation of the French Broad River Paddle Trail that is a recreational watercraft trail created and operated by MountainTrue and RiverLink. The trail is ranked by Outside Magazine as one of the world’s premiere travel destinations. Paddle and camp on over 140 miles of French Broad River, from the headwaters in Rosman, North Carolina to Douglas Lake in Tennessee.
Riverkeeper Beer Series
To support the French Broad Riverkeeper, five local breweries are creating a unique beer based on the French Broad River that will be premiered for a whole month from May until September. This is a great way for all of our locals to get involved in the water protection efforts of MountainTrue and the French Broad Riverkeeper. Release parties are held at the hosting brewery every month and a section paddle trip accompanies the beer release.
French Broad Riverkeeper News
Michael Franti Returns to Asheville July 27 to Headline the Riverkeeper Beer Series
“Michael Franti & Spearhead brought such amazing energy to Asheville last year that it was a no-brainer to bring him back for this year’s French Broad Riverkeeper Concert,” says French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson. “Asheville loves Michael and he seems to love us back. Last year he took a surprise tubing float down the French Broad before jumping on stage.”
read moreNo Man’s Land Film Festival Comes to WNC
MountainTrue and New Belgium Brewing Company are proud to host the No Man’s Land Film Festival (NMLFF), the only adventure film festival that exclusively features woman-identified athletes, on May 16. This is the third year of the festival world-wide and the first No Man’s Land screening in Western North Carolina. No Man’s Land Film Festival is at the forefront of a movement to connect strong, like-minded, action-oriented individuals who are united by their passion for gender-equality and commitment to strengthening the presence of women in the outdoors and in the adventure arena.
read moreCalling All Businesses: Our Planet Needs You
As part of #WNCforthePlanet – a celebration of Earth Day throughout the month of April – local conservation and environmental nonprofits are recruiting businesses, civic groups and community organizations to take part in the Business & Community Challenge. Through this competition, groups compete with each other to earn Planet Points and work for the improvement of our local environment.
read moreGeorge Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic Play for Clean Water
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist and legendary funk act, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, will light up the Salvage Station on Friday, May 11 to raise money for drinking water wells in Togo, West Africa. MountainTrue’s French Broad Riverkeeper works with the Yoto River Waterkeeper in Togo to provide safe, potable water. This partnership has already created three wells that now provide clean drinking water to hundreds of Togolese.
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