Press release from RiverLink:
Asheville, NC. RiverLink is launching two new services to assist property owners whose streams have been damaged by Helene. First, in collaboration with the NC State Cooperative Extension Service, RiverLink is providing a series of free workshops demonstrating how to restore scoured, eroded streambanks and replant with native woody plants to prevent future erosion and soil losses. The first round of workshops will be held February 12-15, 2025. Residents can sign up for their nearest workshop at: https://bae.ncsu.edu/workshops-conferences/sbr/
Second, RiverLink has launched an Adopt-A-Stream Program, with trained volunteers working alongside our experts to restore privately-owned streams in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Yancey Counties. This effort will improve damaged secondary streams in private ownership by installing biodegradable, erosion prevention matting and planting with native plants, shrubs, and trees to retain soil and prevent future erosion. Residents with damaged streambanks can fill out a short survey to see if you qualify for this program: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a713383f0b524d9bb7b388a83ee0a198
“Restoration is a marathon, not a sprint,” said Renee Fortner, Director of Programs at RiverLink. “About thirty percent of WNC landowners have a stream on their property; Hurricane Helene turned even small streams into raging torrents. These fast-flowing waters damaged streambanks, washing away large amounts of soil and vegetation.” Major public agencies generally do not have plans to restore these streams. With sediment representing the #1 pollutant in the French Broad River system (by weight and volume), and so many scarred streambanks, these two efforts represent critical action communities can engage to restore the health of the ancient French Broad.
Our streams connect us. Learn more at riverlink.org
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