Trout waters to reopen

About 900 miles of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters will open to anglers at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 4. 
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Be safe outside

The past week has seen multiple public parks and forests announce closures of outdoor areas in response to overcrowding deemed…
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Canton Middle student designs winning T-shirt
 

Canton Middle student designs winning T-shirt

Canton Middle School student Alyssa Smith won first place in the annual Kids in the Creek art contest, winning a…
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Facilities closing in national forests
 

Facilities closing in national forests

The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in North Carolina, and the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee are temporarily shutting down…
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Fighting an uphill battle: Motion Makers Bicycle Shop

Emerging from the back of his bicycle shop in downtown Sylva, Motion Makers owner Kent Cranford squeezes around a service…
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Explore with Alarka
 

Explore with Alarka

Alarka Institute has suspended all of its planned April outings but is offering multiple opportunities to engage with nature through…
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Research indicates high levels of microplastics in WNC waters

Jason Love got interested in microplastics by way of mussels.  A wildlife biologist by education and training, he’d long been…
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Camp Daniel Boone fire burning in Shining Rock Wilderness

High fire danger and windy conditions across Western North Carolina and the NC piedmont led to multiple wildfires on Friday.…
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Fire contained in national forests

Firefighters continued to make progress containing the Camp Daniel Boone Fire in Haywood County and the Cals Creek Fire in…
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Burn ban lifted in WNC

A burn ban enacted April 3 on 32 Western North Carolina counties has been lifted following heavy rainfall this weekend.
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Pisgah announces closures

Camping is no longer allowed on the Pisgah National Forest following an order enacted April 13 as part of ongoing…
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The Naturalist's Corner: Social distancing

One hears a lot, in these trying times about “social distancing,” “… a term that epidemiologists are using to refer…
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Dupont closes in response to COVID-19

Dupont State Recreation Forest and neighboring Holmes Educational State Forest are closed in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
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A.T. dreams meet COVID-19 crisis: Some hikers leave the trail as others press on toward Maine

In the last two weeks, the world has changed. From darkened downtown windows to packed-full parking lots at Ingles and…
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Firefighters make progress containing wildfires

Firefighters made significant progress containing the two wildfires burning on U.S. Forest Service lands in Western North Carolina. Firefighters are…
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Outdoor certification courses now enrolling

Landmark Learning, a nationally accredited school in Cullowhee offering certification training for outdoor recreation workers, is enrolling for a variety…
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National forests announce seasonal road closures
 

National forests announce seasonal road closures

Seasonal closures in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests will begin on Jan. 2. Planned opening dates may change depending…
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Riley Howell race postponed

A race scheduled for April 4 honoring hometown hero Riley Howell has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns. 
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Grant advances conservation efforts for Canton Motorsports tract

Efforts to conserve the 488-acre property currently owned by Canton Motorsports got a boost when the N.C. Department of Justice…
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Keeping the doorstep green: Canton likely to receive 448 acres for outdoor rec

If all goes as planned, Canton will soon have a 448-acre park for hiking, mountain biking and other outdoor recreation…
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National parks, forests respond to COVID-19

Operations have shifted on public lands in Western North Carolina due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Linville River project wraps up
 

Linville River project wraps up

A major restoration project has been completed along the Linville River. 
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COVID-19 impacts outdoors offerings

Coronavirus concerns have prompted a slew of operational and scheduling changes for outdoors-oriented agencies and organizations across the region. 
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COVID-conscious farmers market to open in Asheville
 

COVID-conscious farmers market to open in Asheville

An interim farmers market will operate in Asheville amid the coronavirus crises, from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. 
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National forest burns planned
 

National forest burns planned

Prescribed burns are planned for the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest over the coming months, aiming to create healthier, more diverse and…
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NOC opens new outpost

Nantahala Outdoor Center will mark the 2020 season by opening a new Ocoee location complete with a brand new outpost…
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Lake Junaluska cleanup a success

The local community rallied to clean up Lake Junaluska during the annual Lake Cleanup Day Saturday, March 7, collecting 184…
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National forest burns planned
 

National forest burns planned

Prescribed burns are planned for the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest over the coming months, aiming to create healthier, more diverse and…
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Mainspring’s story begins new chapter

Sharon Taylor was in her mid-30s when she left her office gig to return to school, hoping to pursue a…
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Wildlife Commission adopts rule changes
 

Wildlife Commission adopts rule changes

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission voted last month to adopt all 44 rule changes for wildlife management, fisheries, game lands…
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Give Craggy extra protection

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”  — John Muir And if a coalition of local,…
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The locked gate: Road closure decisions complex in the Smokies

Lisa Hendy is an early riser, and when it comes to dealing with snow days in the Great Smoky Mountains…
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Cades Cove reopens

Cades Cove has reopened following a two-month closure for repairs at Bote Mountain Tunnel.
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Stakeholders offer initial feedback on long-awaited forest management plan

The atmosphere inside the Lake Logan Conference Center was more akin to a reunion of friends than to a gathering…
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The Naturalist's Corner: Remember when hope was the thing with feathers?

Emily Dickinson wrote of that feathered hope in 1861: “Hope is the thing with feathers — That perches in the…
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Generous donation feeds the hungry

The generosity of Waynesville farmer Gene Christopher has allowed the Haywood Gleaners to gather, box and deliver more than 4,000…
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A time for change: Outdoor Mission Camp expands its focus under new name

Neither Jamie and nor Ruffin Shackleford ever attended summer camp as children, but they believe they were built to lead…
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Davidson River Campground partially open
 

Davidson River Campground partially open

After a month-long closure for tree removal operations, a portion of the Davidson River Campground in the Pisgah National Forest…
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Final decision issued on Twelve Mile Project

A years-long environmental assessment process is complete with the issuance of a final decision on the Twelve Mile Project on…
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Water champions honored
 

Water champions honored

Haywood Waterways Association had a hard time choosing from the many people and organizations deserving of its annual awards recognizing…
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Canton teen recognized for ag leadership
 

Canton teen recognized for ag leadership

A Canton student was one of six youth statewide to win the 2020 AgYouth Leadership Award from Carolina Farm Credit. 
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The rollback administration

The present administration is no friend to the environment.  In a New York Times analysis, which was based on data…
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Smokies shatters visitation records: Congestion issues prompt park to seek community input

The Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains logged a collective 3.7 million visits to park entrances in North Carolina…
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Tremont contends for international award
 

Tremont contends for international award

Tremont Institute is a finalist for an international education award in recognition of its Community Leaders Fellowship program. 
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Land conserved for new Morganton park

The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina has acquired 330 acres of what is expected to be a 651-acre project in…
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Betting on Cherokee: Fire Mountain Outpost opens on Qualla Boundary

Motion Makers Bicycles in Cherokee is starting 2020 with a new location and a new roommate, but the same optimism…
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Mainspring names new director

Jordan Smith will lead Mainspring Conservation Trust into the new decade following a decision from the nonprofit’s board of directors.
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Catawba conservation purchase to become part of new trail system

A 68-acre conservation purchase in Catawba County is expected to become part of the planned Wilderness Gateway State Trail, which…
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Parkway Foundation receives donation
 

Parkway Foundation receives donation

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation will receive 100 free hours of public relations and marketing services as part of the…
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The Naturalist's Corner: Snowbirds part deaux

In a past column regarding snowbirds (“Snowbirds are here”), I wrote, “No, I’m not talking about your Uncle Bernie and…
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