Watauga Riverkeeper
The Watauga Riverkeeper is the key protector and watchdog of the Watauga River Watershed in Western North Carolina’s High Country Region. VolunteerAbout
MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper, Andy Hill, endeavors to monitor and protect the quality of our region’s waterways through dedicated volunteers and engagement with communities in Watauga and Avery counties, as well as local and state government. The Watauga Riverkeeper wants all High Country residents and visitors to enjoy clean waterways that are free of sediment pollution and support a thriving mountain ecosystem.
The Watauga Riverkeeper is a program of MountainTrue’s High Country Office and a proud member of the Waterkeeper Alliance.
Meet Andy
Andy Hill is proud to serve MountainTrue as the High Country Regional Director and Watauga Riverkeeper. Andy has a passion for clean, cold, fishable, drinkable, and swimmable water. As a long-time fly fisherman, educator, and guide, he is intimately familiar with our watershed from the headwaters to the tailwater and is passionate about protecting the places we love. >>more
Volunteer
We have many regular volunteer opportunities throughout the warmer months. Below are some of the ways you can get involved with the Watauga Riverkeeper. Click the images to add your name to our volunteer roster. Please note that volunteer event dates and times are subject to change due to weather conditions with short notice. Follow the Watauga Riverkeeper Instagram and Facebook Page or email emma@mountaintrue.org to receive the most up-to-date information on event changes/cancellations.
Watauga Riverkeeper News
The Not-So-Micro Issue of Microplastics
In our most recent blog post, our High Country Water Quality Administrator Hannah Woodburn explains that while personal change is important, our consumer choices alone are not enough to fix the plastics pollution crisis. Check out Hannah’s post to learn more about the history of plastic pollution, ongoing legislation to combat the issue and our sampling program to identify microplastics in WNC’s waters.
DEQ: It’s Time to Modernize NC’s Pollution Spill Notification System
Millions of people across North Carolina take to our beaches, rivers and lakes to cool off, swim, paddle, and fish, but most are unaware that nearly 16 million gallons of untreated sewage spilled into our waterways during a two and a half month period this summer. North Carolina desperately needs to update its public spill notification system. Act now.
Take Action To Protect The Clean Water Act From Polluters
MountainTrue’s Clean Water Team works hard to monitor and improve the quality of water in the region, but the so-called “Navigable Waters Protection Rule” would create a huge challenge for our daily work. Will you call on your Representatives to say no to this rule?