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What we’re up to: Fixing bad timber sales, bioblitzing, and competing to be the MountainTruest

June E-Vistas Newsletter

Who is the MountainTruest? Summer 2021 Engagement Competition

We’re kicking off a friendly competition this summer to recognize environmental champions across our region. You can participate by doing things like volunteering, responding to calls to action, and attending events — all ways you can help MountainTrue fulfill our mission! Click here to learn more.

Celebrate Black Emancipation this Juneteenth

This Saturday is Juneteenth, an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery. To help celebrate the end of American slavery, MountainTrue staff offer up some of our favorite movies, books and podcasts that tackle the issues of race, empowerment and equity. Read our picks.

Protect Our Forests. Fix the Crossover Project

The US Forest Service is proposing a new timber sale called the Crossover Project, which would log 1,500 acres in the Snowbird Mountains in Nantahala National Forest. The proposal includes logging of backcountry and old-growth forests and would impact drinking water supply watersheds and rare species.

Act now to tell the Forest Service to protect 100 acres of ancient forests from logging, keep the Ash Cove Backcountry Area wild, and scale back road building in the steep slopes of the Snowbird Mountains. Read more and take action.

Central Regional News

For Buncombe, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey counties

Michael Franti Returns to Play the French Broad Riverkeeper Concert

Michael Franti, the globally recognized musician, humanitarian, activist and award-winning filmmaker, returns to the Salvage Station on August 29 for a high-energy night of inspiring music in support of the work of MountainTrue’s French Broad Riverkeeper. Tickets are on pre-sale Thursday, June 17 at 10 a.m. with the purchase code FRANTILOVE. General ticket sales go live on Friday at 10 a.m..

Help Make Solar Available to More of Your Neighbors through Solarize!

As a core member of the Solarize Asheville-Buncombe coalition, MountainTrue is fundraising to make solar energy accessible to more people in our community. That’s why, in addition to the bulk purchasing discount that all Solarize participants receive, we’re crowdfunding to make solar grant funds go even further and help moderate and lower-income neighbors afford solar through our Neighbor-To-Neighbor program. In the process, we’re building community and moving Buncombe County closer to reaching our 100% renewable energy goal. Learn more about Solarize’s Neighbor-To-Neighbor solar funding program and donate here!

Become an Energy-Efficiency Volunteer and Help Weatherize 1000 Homes for Asheville Housing Authority!

Looking for a fun, hands-on volunteer opportunity to lower the energy cost burden of limited-income families AND fight climate change at the same time? Join Energy Savers Network as a volunteer for their Asheville Housing Authority Project. The goal is to retrofit 1,000 homes over the next year through simple tasks like changing light bulbs, caulking air leaks, and installing low-flow water fixtures. Read more at energysaversnetwork.org/1000-homes or sign up for a three-hour shift. Recurring volunteers and volunteer groups are welcome!

Stop The Bluffs. Come Out to the Hearing on June 24!

Volunteers have worked hard for six months to hold off The Bluffs. Now we need your help! Help fight a planned mega-development that would be built on 80 acres of intact forest directly next to Richmond Hill Park, increase traffic, and pollute the French Broad River.

Here’s How You Can Take Action:

  1. UPDATE: The Woodfin Town Board of Adjustments hearing of the Bluffs Issue that was scheduled for Thursday, June 24 meeting has been POSTPONED for 60 days. Once a new hearing is scheduled, we will send an email to let you know. 
    Attend the Woodfin Town Board of Adjustments meeting on Thursday, June 24 and wear green! It’s crucial that we have a large turnout of people that oppose the Bluffs at this meeting.

    What: Woodfin Town Board of Adjustments In-Person Meeting
    When: Thursday, June 24 at 6:30 pm
    Where: Woodfin Community Center
    20 Community Center
    Woodfin, NC 28804
  2. Donate to the Richmond Hill & River Rescue GoFundMe page. All financial contributions will help with the costs of hiring a stormwater engineer to analyze the full extent of the development’s potential impact to the French Broad River. To donate directly through MountainTrue, list your donation as restricted for Richmond Hill & River Rescue.

Learn more about The Bluffs proposal.

High Country Regional News

For Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Watauga and Wilkes counties

Litter Report From Boone’s First Trash Trout

This month, we installed Boone’s first Trash Trout on Winklers Creek! The trash trout is a device that collects litter while floating on the river, and in just six days after installing it, the device stopped 278 pieces of junk from flowing downstream into the New River. Our staff removed the litter from the trout and tallied the amount, types and brands of the trash collected. In this first sweep, our team found most items were styrofoam packaging from fast food restaurants, cigarette butts, plastic bags and bottles. Unfortunately, styrofoam and plastic can break down and persist in the environment for hundreds of years — well beyond our human lifespan. We appreciate the collaboration with The Town of Boone and Asheville Greenworks to make this project possible. We are excited for the role the trash trout will continue to play in cleaning up our rivers.

Beech Mountain Concert Series

The Wood Brothers playing at Beech Mountain Resort. Photo by Micah Davidson

MountainTrue is proud to partner with Beech Mountain Ski Resort and to be a part of the resort’s Summer Concert Series. Get your tickets to enjoy some great music and support the critical work of MountainTrue. You can also swing by our tent, where we will have cool MountainTrue merchandise and cold water to beat the heat. We would love to meet and talk with our supporters in the High Country. Read more and get tickets. 

Show dates and times:
Umphrey’s McGee August 6th 5:00PM GATES / 7:00PM SHOW
Umphrey’s McGee August 7th 5:00PM GATES / 7:00PM SHOW
Tedeschi/Trucks August 14th 5:00PM GATES / 7:00PM SHOW
Greensky Bluegrass August 21st 5:00PM GATES / 7:00PM SHOW

July 15 – Paddle with the Watauga Riverkeeper on Price Lake

Want to meet fellow environmental enthusiasts? Come paddle on Price Lake with the Watauga Riverkeeper and MountainTrue’s Water Team staff. This event will be BYOB (bring your own boat!), but kayak and canoe rentals are available onsite at Price Lake. This is one of our most pristine Swim Guide sites, with gorgeous mountain views located on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Learn more. 

July 10 – Snorkel the Watauga and See the Teeming Life Just Below the Surface

Just below the surface or our rivers, an entire freshwater community is teeming with life. Get up close to rainbow and brown trout, darters and other aquatic life on this snorkel. We will provide gear, and we’ll walk you through river snorkeling safety on this guided adventure. River swimming is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Join us. 

Southern Regional News

For Cleveland, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford and Transylvania counties

Asphalt Plant Developer Recognizes Defeat, Withdraws Rezoning Application Again

Once again, the community of East Flat Rock came together to defeat an asphalt plant proposal that would harm community health, clean water and local public lands. Just hours before the June 1 Board of Commissioners meeting where the rezoning application was to be decided, the developer withdrew his application because he knew he didn’t have the votes. This marks the second time we’ve defeated this dangerous proposal. A huge thanks to the neighbors who came together to stand up, speak out and tell Henderson County leaders that an industrial plan has no place in East Flat Rock. Read the full blogpost about the victory.

2021 BioBlitz Tri-County Smackdown: Can Transylvania Come Back from Behind?

Our 2021 BioBlitz is in full swing. Every year, MountainTrue hosts a bioblitz to get experts, naturalists, and nature lovers outdoors to document every living organism we can find. This year, we are hosting a regional competition – a tri-county smackdown! – to determine the 2021 champion of biodiversity. Right now, Transylvania County is trailing Jackson and Watauga counties, but I believe in underdogs. The competition doesn’t end until Sunday, June 20, so show your county pride and let’s win this WNC regional bio-battle! Find out more here and register to participate and win.

Join us for the Broad River Headwaters Fun Float on Sunday, July 18

Our Broad Riverkeeper, David Caldwell, is leading a fun paddle on the cool, shady waters of the First Broad River on Sunday, July 18! This beautiful section of river is located in the foothills of the South Mountains just a few miles west of Casar, NC. We will cover approximately five miles of river in four hours. Space is limited, so sign up.

Western Regional News

For Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties in NC, and Towns and Union counties in GA

Let’s Win the BioBlitz for the Western Region

Our Tri-County BioBlitz competition is in full swing, and you can still participate through Sunday, June 20th! Every year, MountainTrue hosts a bioblitz to get folks outdoors with a mission to document every living organism we can find. This year, we’ve made it a regional competition between Jackson, Transylvania and Watauga counties to determine the 2021 champion of biodiversity.

Show off your county pride and natural curiosity in this regional bio-battle! Register to participate and win prizes. You’ll receive instructions after you register, but be sure to “Join” MountainTrue’s Jackson County Project on iNaturalist – the biodiversity website (and app!) we’re using for the bioblitz – and your observations will automatically be included in the fun.

Jackson County is in the lead, and YOU can help ensure that we win!

Help Us Improve the Forest Service’s Crossover Project

The US Forest Service is currently soliciting input on a 1,500-acre timber sale proposal in the Snowbird Mountains of Cherokee and Graham counties. We need you to tell the Forest Service to improve the proposal by protecting 100 acres of ancient forests from logging, preventing impacts to designated Natural Heritage Areas, and keeping the Ash Cove Backcountry Area wild. The Forest Service can have a successful timber project while also protecting Natural Heritage Natural Areas and existing old-growth forests. Act now to help us improve the Crossover Project!

Walking Tour of Bryson City Set for August 20th

Please join me and MountainTrue’s Healthy Communities Director, Chris Joyell, on a walking tour of downtown Bryson City. Along the way, we’ll reflect on past plans for revitalizing Main and Everett Streets, see where progress has been made, and explore how future efforts can contribute to the vitality of this historic town. We’ll also visit some ongoing projects that are making Bryson City more livable and enjoyable for residents and visitors. Register today!

Events & Volunteer Opportunities

June 5-19: 2021 BioBlitz: Tri-County Smackdown
Get out into the woods to document the natural environment in Jackson, Transylvania and Watauga counties and help crown the regional champion of biodiversity. Read more.

June 15, 9-11 a.m.: Restore Native Habitats in Hendersonville
Help combat non-native invasive plants and restore native habitats along the Oklawaha Greenway. Read more.

June 23, 12-1 p.m.: MountainTrue University: Fighting Climate Change Through Community-Powered Solar
Join MountainTrue’s Organizer & Communications Manager, Eliza Stokes, to learn about how solar energy purchasing programs in Buncombe County are helping us meet our renewable energy goals. Read more.

July 10, 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Snorkel the Watauga River
Join MountainTrue’s High Country Water Quality Administrator, Hannah Woodburn, and explore the unique ecosystems of the Watauga River. Read more.

July 11, 4-5:30 pm: Summer Fun Float on Lake Junaluska
Join Western Regional Director Callie Moore for a leisurely, family-friendly float on Lake Junaluska. Organized in partnership with Haywood Waterways Association. Read more.

July 14, 12-1:00 p.m.: MountainTrue University: Climate Change and the Built Environment
Join Chris Joyell, Director of the Asheville Design Center and MountainTrue’s Healthy Communities Program, as we explore how climate change will impact our decisions around affordable housing, transportation and racial equity. Read more.

July 18, 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: First Broad River Headwaters Fun Float
Join MountainTrue as we head up to the South Mountains for a fun paddle on the cool, shady waters of the First Broad River! Read more.

August 20, 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Bryson City Downtown Walking Tour
Join Western Regional Director Callie Moore and Healthy Communities Director Chris Joyell for a walking tour and discussion on past, present and future plans for revitalizing downtown and making Bryson City more livable. Read more.

August 21, 10:00 a.m.- 2 p.m.: Fontana Lake Historic Paddle
Explore the Hazel Creek arm of Fontana Lake and the remnants of Proctor, NC – a town that was evacuated and flooded when the lake was created in 1944. Read more.

August 28 – September 6: Second Annual Broad River Fishing Tournament
No cash, no prizes. What’s on the line is the title of “Broad River’s Best Angler.” Read our tournament rules and sign up.

September 18, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Asheville Urban Bike Tour
Learn about Asheville’s urban core, how redlining has shaped our city and what the future could hold for Asheville with Chris Joyell. Read more.

September 18, 7-11:30 p.m.: Broad River Moonlight Float
Come paddle the Broad River by the light of the moon. Read more.