A crowd of about 150 people attended a forum designed to educate community members about nonprofits that focus on public resources, land and wildlife, especially given recent federal policies that could pose long-term challenges.
Tag: RiverLink
Showing 1-21 of 103 results
Green roundup: County commissioners support eastern hellbender
“The eastern hellbender is one of only three giant salamanders on the planet,” said District 3 Commissioner Parker Sloan during the Feb. 4 meeting. “They’re down to about 59%, so we’ve lost roughly half of the eastern hellbenders.”
Letter: Columnist’s humor came shining through
“As the piece noted, Jerry’s ‘healthy dose of humor’ came shining through, as well as his decades of wide experience.”
Sternberg’s ‘Gospel’ told a colorful history of Asheville
“It also seems fitting to remember — in his own words — the man who started writing ‘The Gospel According to Jerry’ for this newspaper three decades ago.”
Letter: Bring stakeholders together to design RAD 2.0
“I propose another city/county/Land-of-Sky-led workshop or series of workshops involving many stakeholders, from Rosman to Hot Springs, to design RAD 2.0.”
Waterway protectors reflect on Helene, look to the future
Erica Shanks was in Milwaukee, Wis., for a water and climate conference Sept. 26, but all she could think about was the weather back home. She needed to get home.
Letter: Paradise lost at Hominy Creek
“Realistically, it appears that the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and RiverLink have written the obituary for French Broad Outfitters’ operation at Hominy Creek.”
A-B Tech works to shore up its stormwater infrastructure
When it rains on the campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, stormwater pours off its plethora of parking lots into the neighborhoods, forest and French Broad River below, taking pollutants with it. Now, the community college, which sits at the headwaters of one of three primary tributaries in the Central Asheville Watershed, is working to reduce the volume of rainwater that flows from its campus.
TDA approves about $10 million for community projects but not affordable housing
The big question heading into the April 24 meeting of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority was whether affordable housing projects would qualify for financing from the agency’s new $10 million grant fund. The answer was “not really.”
Around town: Driving tour of a ‘lost’ community
A historic driving tour of the North Fork Valley; Poet and playwright Barbie Angell performs at the LaZoom Room; “Sordid Lives” at Hendersonville Theatre; and more.
Whatever it takes: Protecting the French Broad River
“RiverLink is the only conservation organization focused exclusively on the French Broad River and its tributaries,” says Lisa Raleigh, the nonprofit’s executive director. “We operate three programs that include water resource management, land conservation and youth education.”
French Broad River stakeholders celebrate successes, discuss its future
More than 200 river rats, advocates, conservationists and economic stakeholders from a seven-county region filled Ferguson Auditorium to celebrate their successes and discuss ways to continue cleaning up one of the world’s oldest water ways to maximize its environmental and economic sway.
Green roundup: Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail nearing launch
Snorkel trail to put visitors face-to-face with underwater river dwellers.
Chamber of Commerce addresses water quality, development
On heels of a 2021 study that showed the power of the French Broad River as an economic driver, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce convened a panel to discuss the importance of keeping that engine clean.
How citizen resistance derailed plan to dam the French Broad
“The more than a thousand citizen activists who came together as the Upper French Broad Defense Association, bolstered by staunch support from state Rep. Charles Taylor, forced TVA to abandon its plans in 1972.”
Green in brief: MountainTrue turns 2022 Bioblitz into friendly competition
“By expanding the blitz to four counties and making a game of it, we hope to be able to engage more people and find more species,” said MountainTrue Public Lands Biologist Josh Kelly. “We might even find some that have never been recorded in our region.”
Why I volunteer: Philip Blocklyn on RiverLink
Local resident Philip Blocklyn reflects on his volunteer work with RiverLink.
Wilma’s disciples: Three generations of female environmental leaders
“Wilma Dykeman’s shadow covered all of us and inspired us to speak out and support citizens who were becoming more and more concerned about water quality, air quality, land use, land conservation, forest management, etc., in our mountain area.”
Green in brief: MountainTrue seeks ban on single-use plastics
A study conducted by MountainTrue found an average of 19 microplastic particles — pieces smaller than 5 millimeters, formed by the breakdown of larger plastics — per liter of water in local river systems. Exposure to microplastics has been tied to allergic reactions and other health impacts in humans, as well as negative effects on fish.
Green in brief: Blue Ridge Parkway tops national parks in 2021 visitation
The scenic roadway saw 15.9 million recreation visits in 2021, up from about 14 million in 2020; the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which also includes land in Western North Carolina, was in second place with over 14.1 million visits.
Ode to the River Queen: The Gospel According to Jerry
“She rode into town on her white steed. And immediately found this silver serpent slithering slowly through the valley, passing the city and sorely in need.”
