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
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?
Before You Go Out on the Watauga: Check the SwimGuide for the Latest Water Quality Reports
Swimmers, paddlers and anglers heading out for a day on the Watauga River have a new resource for checking water safety, the SwimGuide.org – a website that provides free real-time water quality information for over 7,000 beaches, lakes, rivers and swimming holes in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, the Bahamas and Australia.
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.