Year of the cicada: After 17 years, large cicada brood will emerge aboveground

This spring, the eastern United States will play host to one of nature’s great marvels — periodical cicadas, mysterious insects…
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Road closures extended in Greenbrier

A delay in supplies for the Ramsey Prong Bridge replacement project is causing an extended closure for Ramsey Prong Road…
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Invasive mussels found in aquarium products

Invasive zebra mussels have been found in commercially available aquatic moss balls in North Carolina, and consumers who have purchased…
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Read through the woods: Storybook Trail promotes literacy and nature

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park hopes to help visitors experience the Smokies story in a new way thanks to…
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Revamped Bryson City market to start in May
 

Revamped Bryson City market to start in May

The farmers market in Bryson City is growing, with Swain County Cooperative Extension and the Swain County Tourism Development Authority…
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‘Twice the work’: Farmers report higher-than-expected 2020 sales, but also higher costs

When spring sprung in 2020, so did the Coronavirus Pandemic, forcing farmers to make life-altering decisions in the face of…
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New flower found in South Carolina

A new flower species has been found in a South Carolina county bordering the Western North Carolina mountains, according to…
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N.C. birds suffering from bacterial infection
 

N.C. birds suffering from bacterial infection

A concerning number of goldfinch and pine siskin birds have been reported dead across the state over the past few…
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Newfound Gap Road named All-American Road

Newfound Gap Road has been designated an All-American Road, joining the Blue Ridge Parkway in claiming a designation that recognizes…
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Wildlife Commission approves rule changes

During its business meeting Feb. 25, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission reviewed proposed rule changes and accepted 40 of them. 
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Invasive mussels found in aquarium products

Invasive zebra mussels have been found in commercially available aquatic moss balls in North Carolina, and consumers who have purchased…
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Searching for safe passage: Group works for safer wildlife crossings on I-40

Growing up in eastern Kentucky, Frances Figart loved any chance to glimpse the diverse wildlife species roaming those Appalachian foothills…
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Ozone season begins

The 2021 ozone season began March 1, signaling the resumption of daily air quality forecasts across North Carolina. 
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New operator chosen for livestock market

After 10 years running the WNC Regional Livestock Market, John Queen is retiring from the job, and the WNC Communities…
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Prescribed burns planned

A 175-acre prescribed burn is planned for this week along the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Wears Valley to…
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Partnership will promote Black participation in outdoor rec

A partnership between the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and Brevard-based Black Folks Camp Too is expected to…
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Connect to the spirit of the Smokies

The “Spirit of the Smokies” certificate program is starting up again, offered by the University of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountain Field…
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Bring knowledge to your home garden

A series of horticulture classes aimed at home gardeners will be offered in the New Year through Haywood County Cooperative…
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‘A trail for everybody’: YouTuber raises funds for Canton bike park

The first trails at Canton’s Chestnut Mountain Park will be ready to ride before the leaves drop this fall thanks…
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HCC grad wins military honors

A 1995 Haywood Community College graduate has received seven awards for his distinguished assistance to the U.S. military in Afghanistan. 
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Paving begins on park road

A paving project expected to last through the end of November is now underway on the Great Smoky Mountains National…
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Riding high in Jackson: Proposed 35-mile trail system would be East Coast’s highest for bikes

A group of Western North Carolina mountain biking enthusiasts has unveiled plans to bring the highest-elevation mountain bike trail on…
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WNC claims two of 2020’s three most visited National Park units

Despite the pandemic — or perhaps because of it — Western North Carolina was home to two of the nation’s…
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New trail coming to Old Fort

The U.S. Forest Service wants public input on a proposal to build 42 miles of new trails near Old Fort…
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Pandemic changes trail season plans

With the pandemic still very much in effect as thru-hiker season comes around once more, trail season in Franklin will…
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Full closure planned for Cades Cove Loop Road

Cades Cove Loop Road will be fully closed for three weeks in September to allow crews to resurface the popular…
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Video shows impact of Smokies Hikes for Healing

A new video highlighting the Smokies Hikes for Healing program, a hiking series that Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent…
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Get ready for motorcycle season

Hit the open road virtually at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 2, for author Hawk Hagebak’s humorous take on motorcycling up…
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Groups praise reversal of Trump administration conservation funding policy

Conservation groups are applauding a Feb. 11 order from Acting Secretary of the Interior Scott de la Vega that rescinds…
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More land conserved in Hickory Nut Gap

A recently completed conservation project in Hickory Nut Gap connects to an existing 1,500 acres of conserved land in southwestern…
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Bonsai Expo, Orchid Festival canceled

Two popular springtime events at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville won’t take place this year due to ongoing virus-related safety…
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Vehicle-free Wednesdays will continue at Cades Cove

A pilot project that last year kept Cades Cove Loop Road vehicle-free on Wednesdays will continue this year. 
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Cub Scouts seeking new members

Despite the pandemic, Sylva’s Cub Scout Pack 999 has been staying active and is currently seeking new members to join…
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Masks required at Park Service facilities

Face masks are now required at all National Park Service buildings and facilities as a result of President Joe Biden’s…
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Race the slopes

A recreational racing program will offer skiers and snowboarders of all abilities the chance to push their speed with weekly…
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Plans ready for 150-mile Hellbender Trail

Local governments and residents of Western North Carolina have been working for years to improve and construct greenways. Now, there…
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Paper and the Pigeon: Canton mill’s wastewater permit up for renewal

As a college student in the 1990s, Callie Moore would frequently find herself driving along the Pigeon River on Interstate…
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WCU offers outdoor industry certificate program

A new professional outdoor industry certificate will be available through the Western Carolina University Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment…
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Bridge work prompts Greenbrier road closures

Two road sections in the Greenbrier area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are closed for bridge replacement through…
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Spend the summer at Tremont

Registration is now open for 2021 summer and adult programs at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. 
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Projects prompt parking closures at DuPont

Several parking areas in DuPont State Recreational Forest will be closed the next few months due to N.C. Forest Service…
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N.C. Parks reach a quarter million acres

The N.C. State Parks system has crossed the 250,000-acre mark thanks to recent acquisitions at Deep River and Salmon Creek. 
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Adventure with REI

REI in Asheville is offering a full schedule of outdoor classes and activities for the adventurous this winter. 
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Join the Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count will return this year, with experienced and novice birders alike encouraged to spend at least…
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Expecting the unexpected: Shuping retires after 20 years as Haywood’s emergency manager

Greg Shuping was 19 years old when he launched his emergency services career in his native Burke County. The son…
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Friends of Dupont gets help with Share the Trails

Friends of DuPont Forest will receive 100 free hours of public relations and marketing services thanks to the Stand Up…
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Parkway section closed for Linville bridge work

A section of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Linville Falls will be closed through summer for a bridge rehabilitation project…
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Rock faces closed for peregrine falcon protection

Twelve rock faces in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are closed to climbing, rappelling, hang-gliding and other activities through…
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Below the Pinnacle: Project seeks to protect 250 acres below Pinnacle Rock

The 3.5-mile hike to the top of Pinnacle Rock is a heart-pumping one, the old logging roads that now serve…
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Rathbone hired for state ag role

Waynesville resident Kaleb Rathbone is now serving as an assistant commissioner to N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, overseeing Western N.C.…
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