French Broad Riverkeeper
Founded in 2001, the French Broad Riverkeeper serves as a fundamental protector of the French Broad River Watershed in MountainTrue’s Central Region in Western North Carolina. VolunteerAbout
MountainTrue’s French Broad Riverkeeper, Anna Alsobrook, fights for safe and healthy waterways for all residents of the French Broad River Watershed by bringing together local residents and communities to identify pollution sources, enforce and advocate for stronger environmental laws, engage in aquatic ecosystem restoration, and educate and empower the public. The French Broad Riverkeeper serves communities in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties.
Want to explore the French Broad River? MountainTrue provides multiple river recreation opportunities 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 which 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 premier 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. Click here to visit the Paddle Trail website.
The French Broad Riverkeeper is a program of MountainTrue’s Central Regional Office and a proud member of the Waterkeeper Alliance.
Meet Anna
As MountainTrue’s French Broad Riverkeeper, Anna facilitates water quality monitoring, citizen science, and improvement programs in the French Broad River watershed. Prior to moving to WNC and working for MountainTrue in 2014, she was a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Senegal and attained her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of TN, Knoxville. >>more
Volunteer
We have many regular volunteer opportunities throughout the warmer months. Please note that volunteer event dates and times are subject to change due to weather conditions with short notice. Follow the French Broad Riverkeeper Instagram and Facebook Page or email anna@mountaintrue.org to receive the most up-to-date information on event changes/cancellations.
French Broad Riverkeeper News
What’s Going On With the NC Farm Bill?
Last night Governor Roy Cooper vetoed SB711, a dangerous bill that would greatly limit the constitutional right of North Carolinians living near industrial hog farms to seek justice in the courts for nuisance and pollution of their air and water. This is when we need your calls more than ever. Will you make a quick call to your state representative now to make sure Governor Cooper’s veto of SB711 stands?
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.”
Calling 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.
