Municipal officials, wildlife experts and WNC residents talk bear-resistant trash cans, bird feeders and educational initiatives designed to protect citizens and wildlife living in close proximity to each other.
Local wild life
Asheville, N.C.
Grandfather Mountain Hawk Watch observes mass raptor migrations
Grandfather Mountain lies along a major corridor for migrating raptors, which means that visitors to Linville Peak during September are likely to see tens, hundreds or even thousands of the birds of prey on their way to warmer climes.
In photos: 23rd Annual Mountain State Fair
The next best thing to going to the Mountain State Fair, which runs through Sunday, Sept. 17, is checking out our gallery of photos from the fair’s opening weekend.
N.C. Farm School summit offers two days of education
A two-day conference Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14 and 15, in Mills River offers farmers an opportunity to take part in training on a wide range of topics. Sponsored by the N.C. Farm School, the conference takes place at a different location each year.
Local agencies work to improve water quality in Buncombe & Madison counties
This week, Xpress looks at the network of agencies and organizations working in Buncombe and Madison counties to improve water quality and position the French Broad as the region’s next great tourist attraction.
Communities along Upper French Broad work to restore water quality
In this two-part series, Xpress invites you on a guided a trip down the river as we examine the work of various communities to write the next chapter in the French Broad’s history, beginning with Transylvania and Henderson counties.
Open borers
Asheville N.C.
Bradley Johnston brings boutique dairy farming to Mills River
Mills River native Bradley Johnston has worked with cows all his life, but his newest venture — Mills River Creamery — is a departure from the high-volume wholesale dairy trade he used to practice. Johnston’s small herd of Jersey cows eat non-GMO feed and produce a type of milk that many find easier to digest than the usual supermarket fare.
Impacts from Brother Wolf’s moratorium on animal intakes expected to reach beyond Buncombe
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue‘s unexpected moratorium on animal intakes has raised a number of questions among people in the Asheville animal rescue community. Brother Wolf president and founder Denise Bitz recently announced plans to close the Joyce B. Cambron Adoption Center in Asheville and open a pet and farm animal sanctuary in Leicester in its place. […]
White nose syndrome is devastating WNC bat populations
The bad news for bat populations throughout the United States continues, and Western North Carolina is no exception. In one large Haywood County mine that was home to 4,000 bats in 2011, researchers found only 30 this winter.
Brighter pastures in Leicester? Brother Wolf’s move triggers controversy
The president of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Denise Bitz, yesterday accused a former member of the nonprofit’s board and one-time foster parent of the year of fomenting “a local cesspool on a social media.” The comment was one of many contentious exchanges taking place this week on Facebook following Brother Wolf’s announcement it will be closing […]
Watchers in the woods
Asheville, NC
Get down on the farm with ASAP’s annual tour
Pack up your car with friends and family this Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25, and head out on Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s annual Farm Tour, an opportunity to get up close and personal with more than 20 WNC farms and the farmers growing your food and fiber.
Conscious Party: The Mane Event
WHAT: A celebration and fundraiser for Heart of Horse Sense WHEN: Saturday, June 24, 1-6 p.m. WHERE: Horse Sense of the Carolinas Farm, Marshall WHY: Saddle up for a day of “good, clean, farm-friendly family fun” at the inaugural Mane Event, a celebratory fundraiser for Heart of Horse Sense. The nonprofit organization provides equine therapy services […]
Conscious Party: Wild Art
WHAT: An art show fundraiser for Appalachian Wildlife Refuge WHEN: Sunday, June 11, 1-5 p.m. WHERE: The Boathouse at the Smoky Park Supper Club WHY: Art lovers and animal enthusiasts alike will have the chance to make a difference in the care of injured animals by attending the Wild Art art show and fundraiser. Appalachian […]
Scrutiny on the bounty
Asheville, NC