Hundreds of locals perused the booths at Mother Earth News Fair this weekend, purchasing local seeds, soaps, gardening supplies and other wares on the grounds of the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center.
Tag: environment
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Mother Earth News Fair to draw crowds and big names
Mother Earth News will make a return to Western North Carolina with the Mother Earth News Fair, an event that will feature 200 hands-on workshops focused on self-sufficiency and sustainability. The fair began in 2010 at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania as a means to provide hands-on demonstrations of the concepts discussed in […]
Spring brings increased risk of ozone danger
As spring weather returns to Asheville, so does the risk of dangerous levels of ozone pollution. To raise awareness and help notify the public when ozone levels become hazardous, environmental agencies will start issuing daily air quality forecasts Tuesday, April 1, for Asheville and other metropolitan areas across the state.
Environmental Quality Institute seeks volunteers to sample local waterways
The Environmental Quality Institute’s Stream Monitoring Information Exchange program is currently seeking volunteers to attend a volunteer training on Saturday, March 29th, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at UNC Asheville. Once trained, volunteers work in small groups to sample a couple sites, two times per year (about 10 hours of annual service). Volunteer opportunities are open to anyone (11th grade and up) with any level of experience or identification skills.
Mandates and precedents: Around 100 gather for update on water system fight
About 100 people gathered tonight for a forum updating locals on the dispute over the fate of the city’s water system from local government and activists. Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer said the public has given city leaders a clear mandate to continue its lawsuit and fight to preserve local control of the water system against state legislation seeking to seize it and turn it over to a regional authority.
Buncombe Commissioners pass green cleaning guidelines; Moogfest funding delayed
It wasn’t quite a toxic argument, but Buncombe County Commissioners fiercely debated a resolution extolling the virtues of green cleaning Feb. 18.
Let the good times roll: Asheville on Bikes throws Bike Love fundraiser party
Asheville on Bikes is on a roll. Since its birth in 2006, the organization has been a key advocate for a more bicycle-friendly city. And it seems poised for growth as it prepares to celebrate Bike Love — a fundraiser and membership drive featuring a range of speakers and musical acts.
Locals release videos investigating Hominy Creek spill
Yesterday, Feb. 14, thousands of gallons of oil spilled into Hominy Creek. Since then, local individuals and organizations have posted videos investigating the impact of the spill, including questioning if the measures erected to stop the spill from spreading are effective and showing oil entering the French Broad River.
WNC congressmen earn low environmental scores
The League of Conservation Voters released its National Environmental Scorecard Feb. 11, giving local congressmen Patrick McHenry and Mark Meadows some of the lowest scores in the country.
VIDEO: Take a bike tour of Asheville
This new video by Lloyd Hammarlund takes viewers on a bicycle tour of Asheville, from West Asheville neighborhoods to downtown and the surrounding hills along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
WNC Regional Air Quality Agency approves facility permit modification for Flint Group
At the Jan. 13 WNC Regional Air Quality meeting, the agency approved a permit modification for Day International, Inc. dba Flint Group, a fabricated rubber and urethane manufacturer that makes products for the printing industry.
Ups and downs: A look at Buncombe County’s hot-button issues of 2013
It was a historic year for Buncombe County government, as the first Board of Commissioners to be elected by districts took the reins.
Rap from the Green Streets: ‘Turn Off the Lights’
As part of an ongoing effort to encourage energy-saving behaviors, the local Green Opportunities nonprofit has released a catchy hip hop music video,“Turn Off the Lights.”
Petition seeks labeling of GMOs in Ingles Markets
A group of citizens will deliver a petition to regional supermarket chain Ingles asking the store to label genetically modified food products.
Shrinking the footprint: Challenges emerge in county plan to curb carbon
The international debate over climate change came home Dec. 3, as the Buncombe County commissioners butted heads over a proposal to reduce the county’s carbon footprint by 80 percent over time. Now, county staff is trying to figure out how to begin implementing the directive and determine how to measure the progress.
Buncombe Commissioners set high bar for carbon reductions
At their Dec. 3 meeting, the majority of Buncombe County Commissioners endorsed a goal of reducing the county’s carbon footprint by 80 percent. The plan calls for cutting its emissions by 2 percent each year until the final target is met.
Commissioners to consider big carbon reductions, elect new vice chair
At their Dec. 3 meeting, Buncombe County commissioners will consider a proposed Energy Independence Initiative that would commit the county to achieving an 80 percent reduction in its carbon footprint. Commissioners will also elect a new vice chair to succeed Commissioner Holly Jones, who is finishing up a one-year term in the role.
Green Opportunities’ annual report provides glimpse at scale of initiatives
Local nonprofit Green Opportunities coordinates everything from community gardens to the renovation of the Reid Center. The organization’s recently released annual report provides a glimpse at the scale of its efforts and funding.
Commissioners approve Long Mountain conservation easement
On Nov. 19, Buncombe Commissioners voted to spend $69,000 on a conservation easement to protect 121 acres of land from development on Long Mountain in the Upper Hominy area.
VIDEO: Linville Gorge fire burns on
As a massive fire continues to engulf parts of Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, photographer William Mauney posted a stunning video to YouTube documenting the flames.
Out in the open: Locals react to CTS contamination report, press for action
About 50 people gathered at the Skyland Fire Department this afternoon to see an in-depth WLOS report on the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site. Many, residents of the Mills Gap Road area, have lived with the specter of the nearby pollution for more than a decade. They expressed their hope for a clean-up, an investigation into the Environmental Protection Agency’s handling of the matter and renewed pressure on legislators.