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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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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Asheville native joins Parkway Foundation Team
George Ivey has joined the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation as the nonprofit’s new development officer.
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River cane to improve Clyde water quality
A coalition of individuals and organizations came together to get river cane planted at Rivers Edge Park in Clyde this…
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River park efforts revived in Cullowhee
Work could begin on a long-awaited river park in Cullowhee sooner rather than later following completion of an N.C. Department…
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Waynesville boarder wins X Games gold
Waynesville native and X Games rookie Zeb Powell took gold Jan. 26 at an international competition held in Aspen, Colorado,…
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Smokies visitation tops 12 million
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park saw a record 12.55 million visits in 2019, an increase of 1.13 million over…
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Help hellbenders
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission wants to hear about hellbender sightings, part of agency biologists’ ongoing effort to learn more…
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Stay safe during hunting season
It’s hunting season in Western North Carolina, and non-hunters are encouraged to be proactive about ensuring their safety while in…
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Kudzu co-op opens online store
The Asheville-based cooperative Kudzu Culture has launched an online store offering locally harvested kudzu products.
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Settlement reached in coal ash case
Duke Energy will move forward with excavating nearly 80 million tons of coal ash at sites in North Carolina following…
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Swain tourism authority requests aquarium expansion
The Swain County Tourism Development Authority has approached the county about expanding the Appalachian Rivers Aquarium that just opened its…
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Hunting, fishing and trapping license changes take effect
Several changes to hunting, inland fishing and trapping licenses structures and fees went into effect with the start of the…
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Red wolf event a success
Tea time at Nettie’s Bakery in Waynesville raised $1,350 in support of the critically endangered red wolf during the inaugural…
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Land trusts surpass land conservation goal
Eight area land trusts protected a collective 8,598 acres in 2019, equivalent to 13.43 square miles, bringing the total protected…
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