Ongoing habitat loss and warming temperatures present an existential threat to Western North Carolina’s only native trout species, the brook trout.
Climate change sparks mental health concerns
For activists like Victoria Estes, environmental scientists and others, the existential threat of climate change is taking an increasing toll on their mental health and well-being.
Local artists work to inspire a picturesque America
For over a decade, local artists Scott “Doc” Varn has been searching out sites depicted in the 1870s publication Picturesque America. In more recent years, he’s put together a coalition of artists to reinterpret these sites as a way to draw greater attention the conversation movement.
Carolina Beer Guy: Breweries join recycling co-op
To help reduce industry waste, Sierra Nevada has partnered with American Recycling of Western North Carolina to create the WNC Brewery Recycling Cooperative, a drop-off site in Candler.
Taking action: Stephanie Hickling Beckman
The Different Strokes managing artistic director discusses her theater company’s plans to sustain momentum built during summer 2020’s BLM protests and enact lasting change.
Asheville’s new hotel system awards points for sustainable lodging
Asheville, home to more than 8,465 hotel rooms and counting, is providing a pathway for hotel operators to rack up some major brownie points by incorporating sustainable features and practices in plans for new hotel construction.
From CPP: Vaccines critical for farmworkers in WNC
As one of the most vulnerable populations for COVID-19, farmworkers are key candidates for vaccination. Organizations in Western NC counties work to get shots to transient groups.
From CPP: Forest supervisor balances population, budget and environmental concerns
Forest supervisor James Melonas sets priorities for tenure as leader of state’s four national forests.
Local dowsers harness intuition to find water and personal empowerment
Appalachian Dowsers members discuss the numerous benefits they find in looking beyond the visible world.
New trails are opening up Hickory Nut Gorge
A cooperative effort by Conserving Carolina, state and local governments, other nonprofits and the general public is gradually developing the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail in and around the rugged terrain that lies just beyond Buncombe County’s southeastern border. In late April, a new 2.5-mile trail section is scheduled to open.
Independent monitor wants to hear community feedback, concerns
The team at Gibbins Advisors wants to hear every complaint raised about Mission Health — but they can only call noncompliance on concerns directly tied to the 15 core commitments HCA Healthcare agreed to uphold when the hospital conglomerate purchased the Mission system in 2019.
Need for seed: Pandemic supply problems see second season
Last spring’s supply problems have persisted this growing season — and have extended to commercial farming operations — as seed companies grapple with coronavirus-induced labor issues and consistently high demand.
Homeless resource groups think big with COVID relief funds
“[The funding is] intended to be a pandemic response; it’s not actually intended to end homelessness. It just is, happily, an opportunity for us to end homelessness, because that is also a response to the coronavirus,” says Emily Ball, homeless services lead for the city of Asheville.
With safety measures in place, area gyms say yes to in-person fitness
Now that North Carolina gyms are allowed to open at 75% indoor capacity, studio owners and fitness enthusiasts share their thoughts about returning to the gym.
From CPP: Black leadership advances new trails project in Pisgah National Forest
Creation of more than 40 miles of “purpose-built” trail system will serve a diverse range of users from equestrians to walkers.
Health roundup: Henderson County rolls out new accessible buses
Buncombe County’s new Community Paramedic and Post Overdose response team has connected 195 people who had experienced heroin and fentanyl overdoses with peer support resources. Plus, other WNC health happenings, awards and updates.
Community efforts seek to stop the rise in musician ODs during the COVID-19 pandemic
Asheville-area musicians and harm reductionists work together to reverse a troubling trend.
New children’s book highlights wildlife crossing project
Eastern Tennessee-based author Frances Figart is helping children understand the realities of wildlife-vehicle collisions through her new book, A Search for Safe Passage.
Child care and summer camps strike delicate balance
Though it looked a bit different from the YMCA of Western North Carolina’s typical summer camp offerings, the Y’s Amy Deter says Camp 2020 was still a success. “The kids got outside and away from screens, it gave parents a break, and we had no positive cases,” she reports. Other area camps also weigh in about the steps they have taken to adapt and reimagine their programming during the pandemic.
Emergency care for pint-size patients
Mission Hospital recently opened an emergency department specifically for pediatric patients in Asheville. Doctors and parents alike say the dedicated 12-unit facility can make an emergency visit less stressful and quicker for young patients.
Green in brief: WNC gets $100K toward charging stations, RiverLink seeks storm drain adoptions
The charging station program, funded by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality from part of the state’s allocation in the Volkswagen emissions-cheating scandal, partially defrays the cost of installing Level 2 infrastructure, which can recharge electric vehicles up to seven times as quickly as a standard 120-volt outlet.