A guide to green organizations

Appalachian Voices Bringing people together to solve the environmental problems that have the greatest impact on the central and southern Appalachian Mountains. Info: 262-1500 or www.appvoices.org.

Asheville Green Drinks Community members who are interested in environmental issues and topics meet for drinks at BoBo Gallery, 22 Lexington Ave. A guest speaker usually makes a short presentation. Sign up for the e-newsletter at www.ashevillegreendrinks.com.

Asheville GreenWorks Our area’s Keep America Beautiful affiliate, working to turn the community green and clean through environmental volunteer projects. Info: 254-1776 or www.ashevillegreenworks.org.

Blue Ridge Forever A coalition of 13 local, state and national conservation organizations working to protect the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Info: www.blueridgeforever.info.

Canary Coalition A grassroots, clean-air advocacy group working to involve all elements of the community in effecting legislative and regulatory action on the state and federal level. Organizes events to mobilize and display public support for clean air. Info: 631-3447 or www.canarycoalition.org.

Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy Helping families and landowners preserve the land that is important to them and the community. Volunteers welcome. Info: 697-5777 or www.carolinamountain.org.

Clean Air Community Trust Improving air quality through innovative programs that educate, energize and empower the communities of WNC. Info: 258-1856 or www.airtrust.org.

Clean Water for N.C. Working with communities for clean, safe places to live, work and play. Helps to protect and restore rivers, streams and lakes, and to improve water-quality standards. Info: 251-1291 or www.cwfnc.org.

Common Sense at the Nuclear Crossroads An educational campaign focusing on the transport of nuclear materials and wastes and the local impact of the nuclear complex, both commercial and military. Info: www.nuclearcrossroads.com.

Conservation Trust for N.C. Assisting land trusts across the state, and helping willing landowners conserve their property along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Info: www.ctnc.org.

Cradle of Forestry Experience the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachians at the birthplace of scientific forestry. Located on Route 276 in Pisgah National Forest. Info: 877-3130 or www.cradleofforestry.org.

Dogwood Alliance Working to protect and restore endangered forests across the South, end unsustainable forestry practices and increase the paper industry’s use of post-consumer recycled and other environmentally preferable sources of fiber in the production of paper. Info: 251-2525 or www.dogwoodalliance.org.

Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society The Asheville area’s chapter of the Audubon Society. Open to birders of all experience levels. Info: 254-7618 or http://main.nc.us/emas/.

Environmental & Conservation Organization An effective voice for the environment and for protecting the natural heritage of Henderson County and the mountain region. Located at 121 Third Ave. West, Hendersonville. Info: 692-0385 or www.eco-wnc.org.

Friends of Hickory Nut Gorge Advocating for protecting the ecological health and integrity Hickory Nut Gorge, including its natural beauty, biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Info: 685-8798 or www.friendsofhng.org.

Green Business Alliance This Mountain BizWorks alliance works to increase the social and economic impact of green-oriented, environmentally friendly small businesses in WNC by providing opportunities for growth, support and collaboration among its participants. Info: 253-2834, ext. 11, or jamie@mountainbizworks.org.

Land of Sky Trout Unlimited Conserving, protecting and restoring cold-water fisheries and their watersheds on a local and national level by fostering a passion for fishing, community service, fellowship and education. Info: 274-3471 or www.landoskytu.com.

Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition Coalition goals and actions involve a variety of local alt-fuel/clean-vehicle projects. Info: 251-6622 or bill@landofsky.org.

Laurel Valley Watch Formed by residents of the Laurel Valley in northwest Madison County as an urgent effort to preserve hundreds of acres at risk from a proposed high-density development. Info: 680-9484 or www.laurelvalleywatch.org.

Long Branch Environmental Education Center Trout pond, waterfalls and hiking trails through the protected Southern Appalachian Highlands. Located in the Big Sandy Mush community 18 miles northwest of Asheville. Open by appointment. Info: 683-3662 or http://longbrancheec.org.

Mountain Green The Mountain Green program at the Environmental Leadership Center of Warren Wilson College aims to promote sustainable community practices for our mountain region via an annual conference, a public lunch-and-learn series, and a service component: INSULATE! Info: 771-3781 or www.mountaingreenwnc.org.

Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation & Development Initiating actions that will improve economic conditions, enhance or preserve natural resources and balance land- and water-management activities in a widely divergent geographic area of North Carolina. Info: 649-3313, ext. 5, or www.mountainvalleysrcd.org.

Mountain Voices Alliance Working to preserve and protect the environment, including the natural beauty, abundant resources, quality of life and cultural heritage of WNC communities. Info: info@mvalliance.net or www.mvalliance.net.

Mountain WILD Preserving and increasing wildlife and the wildlife habitat of the WNC mountains through stewardship, education, conservation and restoration of natural resources. Info: info@mountainwild.org or http://mountainwild.org.

RiverLink Working to improve life along the French Broad River by spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River and its tributaries as a place to work, live and play. Sponsors a variety of river-friendly events. Info: 252-8474 or www.riverlink.org.

Sierra Club Members of the WNC Sierra Club Chapter work together to protect the community and the planet. The mission of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth. Info: 251-8289 or www.nc.sierraclub.org/wenoca.

SOS Asheville An interactive “space” established to promote a dynamic and sustainable culture, society and economy that are in harmony with the natural world. Info: http://sosasheville.wordpress.com.

Southern Appalachia Biodiversity Project Seeking permanent protection for Southern Appalachia’s public lands, as well as sustainable management of its private lands, through advocacy, education and organizing. Info: 258-2667 or http://getsustainablenow.org/sabp/.

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Protecting the world’s oldest mountains for the benefit of present and future generations. Info: 253-0095 or www.appalachian.org.

Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition Protecting and restoring the wildlands, waters, native forests and ecosystems of the Southern Appalachian landscape. Info: 252-9223 or www.safc.org.

SouthWings A conservation and public benefit aviation nonprofit that provides skilled pilots and aerial education to enhance conservation efforts across the Southeast. Info: 225-5949 or www.southwings.org.

Sustainable Asheville Promoting sustainability in the Asheville community through education and networking. Offers online information about local sustainability, including a calendar and listings of resources and groups. Info: info@sustainableasheville.org or www.sustainableasheville.org.

Sustainable WNC Sponsored by the nonprofit Mountain Area Information Network as a Web portal for businesses, nonprofits, citizens and local governments working to promote the principles and practices of sustainability in WNC. Info: www.sustainablewnc.org.

The American Chestnut Foundation Working to restore the American chestnut tree to its native range within the woodlands of the eastern United States. Info: 281-0047 or www.acf.org.

Toe River Valley Watch Striving to bring the community together to address the ongoing disappearance of rural land and to preserve the unique rural heritage of Mitchell and Yancey counties. Info: 675-4311 or www.toerivervalleywatch.org.

Wild South Inspiring and empowering people to protect and restore the native ecosystems of the Southeast. Info: 258-2667 or www.wildsouth.org.

WNC Alliance Promoting a sense of stewardship and caring for the natural environment. Members and the public are invited to be agents of change. Info: 258-8737 or www.wnca.org.

WNC Green Building Council Promoting environmentally sustainable and health conscious building practices through community education. Info: 254-1995 or www.wncgbc.org.

WNC Nature Center A living museum of plants and animals native to the southern Appalachian region. Located at 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville. Info: 298-5600 or www.wildwnc.org.

WNC Regional Air Quality Agency Monitoring and regulating Buncombe County’s air quality to safeguard public health and the environment, while preserving the quality of life and economic vitality of the area. Info: 250-6777 or http://wncairquality.org.

Is your environmental group missing from the list? If your organization has an office in WNC, please send an e-mail to mdalton@mountainx.com and we’ll add you to our online WNC Eco Groups list.

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4 thoughts on “A guide to green organizations

  1. Mannie Dalton

    Blue Ridge Biofuels is a fantastic, local employee-owned business. The aim of this article, however, was to list area nonprofit/community eco organizations.

  2. Anthony Sumner

    Hi,

    My name is Anthony Sumner and I could use your help. I have been a landscaper
    for years and own my own business. I have developed a green system for producing
    a dramatically better and more healthy lawn. There are a great many local
    companies that are hurting the environment more than most people realize. They
    use multiple gas powered machines and large trucks to treat lawns. These same
    people are then dumping large amounts of chemicals and pesticides onto the
    ground and seem to have no regard for anything other than their profit.

    I have a green system that uses no power equipment and fully degradable
    ingredients to achieve an outstanding lawn. I have spent years working on this
    and have made it much cheaper than the big guys. I am contacting everyone that I
    feel really has a commitment to a greener environment. I am hoping that you will
    help me to make this a viable venture for me by telling others about this
    service. For every lawn I service there will be a positive impact on the
    environment and many carbon fueled pieces of equipment sitting turned off. I
    just need to get the word out. I am not quite big enough to pay for
    advertisement as I have already spent a large amount on development and
    research. I am a lifetime resident of Buncombe County and a former police
    officer. I and this system are for real. I am asking any that will to please
    spread the word. I have business cards and can supply you with them upon
    request. Now is the time of year that the big guys start firing up their
    equipment. This is seeding and fertilizer season. This is when the tractors are
    pulling aerators. I can do all of the same things without any gas or electric
    equipment Please help me get the word out. I am very excited at the
    possibilities.

    Sincerely,

    Anthony Sumner
    (828) 335-5410

  3. Nicole Clark

    Hello! My name is Nicole and I am the volunteer coordinator for Appalachian Wildlife Refuge.
    Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that coordinates wildlife rehabilitation efforts in Western North Carolina by providing care for injured and orphaned wildlife, supporting the wildlife rehabilitation network, and offering conservation education to the community.
    We would love support from our community! Please check out our website http://www.appalachianwild.org for more information and ways to support this incredible nonprofit.
    Any questions please contact me at volunteer@appalachianwild.org

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