Green Riverkeeper
The Green Riverkeeper is the key protector and watchdog of the Green River Watershed in MountainTrue’s Southern Region in Western North Carolina. VolunteerAbout
MountainTrue’s Green Riverkeeper fights for safe and healthy waterways for all communities in the Green River Watershed by bringing together and empowering local residents and communities to identify pollution sources, advocate for and enforce environmental laws, and participate in restoration projects. The Green Riverkeeper serves the Green River Watershed beginning at the river’s headwaters on the eastern slope of DuPont State Recreational Forest, which drain to the south and east into Henderson County before flowing across Polk County and eventually joining the Broad River on the border with Rutherford County.
The Green Riverkeeper is a program of MountainTrue’s Southern Regional Office and a proud member of the Waterkeeper Alliance.
Meet Erica

A longtime MountainTrue Swim Guide volunteer, Green River enthusiast, and an all-around wonderful human, Erica now serves as the Green Riverkeeper and Watershed Outreach Coordinator in MountainTrue’s Southern Region. >>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 Green Riverkeeper Instagram and Facebook Page or email erica@mountaintrue.org to receive the most up-to-date information on event changes/cancellations.
Green Riverkeeper News
Protect the Clean Water Act from Industry Polluters!
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a proposal that would gut the Clean Water Act, a bedrock environmental law that has protected America’s waters for generations. Time is running out before the comment period closes on April 15. Take the action below to show that Western North Carolina will not stand for our waterways and communities being put at risk.
Press Release: Whitewater Kayakers Receive Grant to Save Hemlock Trees in Green River Gorge
The grant from the Community Foundation of Henderson County will fund this work for the next year and purchase equipment for PHHAT volunteers teams. “The health of the Green is so closely tied with the health of the hemlocks,” said Gray Jernigan, Green Riverkeeper and Southern Regional Director of MountainTrue. “We are so grateful for this funding to allow us to continue this project for another year and save more trees that are vitally important to the forest and river ecosystem.”
Green Riverkeeper Documents Massive Sediment Pollution from World Equestrian Games
As the World Equestrian Games kicked off, our Green Riverkeeper, Gray Jernigan, travelled to White Oak Creek to sample water for turbidity and sediment levels and found evidence of massive water quality violations at the Tryon International Equestrian Center.