D. Tyrell McGirt, director of Asheville Parks & Recreation, discusses opportunities for staying healthy in 2024.
Green Roundup: Local biologist receives national prize to combat turtle trafficking
Conservation biologist JJ Apodaca and his locally based organization, Tangled Bank Conservation, recently received a $100,000 prize to further develop genetic sequencing techniques that will help save three of the most poached turtle species in the United States.
Green Roundup: Community leader releases book about developing sustainable cultures
Hood Huggers International founder and CEO DeWayne Barton, released his new book, “The CAP Playbook: Phase One,” on Aug. 14. The book’s Community Accountability Plan lays out a vision of creating a sustainable, inclusive and economically empowered culture in historically marginalized communities. Barton notes that the book is set up similarly to a football playbook, but instead of scoring touchdowns, the “plays” help achieve community goals.
Green Roundup: Conservation groups prepare for lawsuit over Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan
The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of MountainTrue, the Sierra Club, the Wilderness Society, Defenders of Wildlife and the Center for Biological Diversity, sent a 60-day Notice of Intent to Sue to the U.S. Forest Service in relation to their Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan.
A father and son’s soaked journey through the 2023 Firefly Gathering
Firefly Gathering is the largest earth-skills gathering in the country. Held at Deerfields, the 940-acre retreat center in the Pisgah National Forest near Mills River, the annual event transforms a quiet mountain hollow into a self-sufficient village.
Wellness roundup: Sweeten Creek mental health facility hires director
The Sweeten Creek facility, which is anticipated to open in August, brings 38 additional acute behavioral care beds to Western North Carolina.
WNC goatscaping services offer sustainable land management
Grazing goats are an increasingly popular means of eliminating invasive plants.
The elusive morels: Their season was exciting, challenging — and way too short
The thrill of the hunt keeps the morel pursuit engaging, frustrating and thrilling, all at once.
Thinking green: All hands on deck
Joe Franco is a senior at UNC Asheville, majoring in international studies with minors in political science and environmental studies.
Thinking green: Take heed
Anne Craig is an environmental activist.
Thinking green: adaptiveness and resiliency
Roger Helm is an instructor on global climate change at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville.
Q&A: Woman creates Mon-stors to ‘eat’ toys
“I knew that if I wanted my child to use whatever toy storage solution we had, it needed to be fun and like a game. “
Plan charts future of Pisgah, Nantahala forests
The latest Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Land Management Plan was implemented last month and outlines land use for the next 20 years.
Thinking green: Sunrise on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Simone Adams is the founder of Color My Outdoors, which works to change the outdoor narrative to celebrate people of color.
Thinking green: Keep food out of the landfills
Marisha MacMorran first joined Food Connection in 2015 as a food donor partner. Today, she serves as the organization’s executive director.
Thinking green: Ways to promote sustainability in WNC
McKee Thorsen, a senior prefect at Asheville School, shares ways people in WNC can promote sustainability.
Bailey Mountain Trail ‘Geezers’ build a legacy
The passionate group of retired volunteers spent three years building the trail.
Thinking green: Kudos to the city
Jane L. Laping is a member of Asheville GreenWorks’ Oakley TreeKeepers.
Thinking green: Educate students on solutions for environmental issues
Adam Edge, a senior at Martin L. Nesbitt Discovery Academy, shares his thoughts and concerns about the environment.
Thinking green: Get curious!
Allie Daum is a junior at UNC Asheville, where she serves as co-director of the Student Environmental Center.
Gyms eye sustainability along with workouts
“Most people are really good at bringing their own water bottle,” says Kathleen Hahn from DANCECLUB Asheville.