Smokies Life to man Smokies visitor centers amid shutdown
When the federal government shut down at midnight Oct. 1, there were a lot of questions, especially for Western North…
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It’s beginning to feel like fall in the Smokies: Plan ahead to ensure you have a great visit this season
Autumn is a beautiful — but busy — time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors should plan ahead…
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Gatlinburg Bypass closed as landslide cleanup continues
The Gatlinburg Bypass in Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains closed as crews continue cleanup efforts following a significant landslide…
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American Chestnut Day at the Arboretum
The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), in partnership with The North Carolina Arboretum, will host American Chestnut Day from 10 a.m.…
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Wildlife agency updates on hatchery devastated by Helene
Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024, nearly destroying the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery in McDowell County.…
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Learn about waterfall photography
Larry Korhnak’s photography will be on display in the Macon County Library Meeting Room throughout the month of October. He…
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Join Franklin Bird club for Macon County walks
The Franklin Bird Club leads walks along the Greenway on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. through September. Walks start at…
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Haywood County Farm Bureau annual meeting, awards scheduled Oct. 20
The Haywood County Farm Bureau will hold its annual meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20 at the Haywood…
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Record crowd at Outdoor Economy Conference contemplates investment in recovery
Born from the high, cold springs of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and destined for the Gulf of Mexico, the…
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Elk rutting season underway in Smokies
The annual elk breeding season, known as the rut, is underway in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The rut can…
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Stein, DEQ announce resilient water infrastructure grants for Haywood County
Two Haywood County water systems will benefit from a combined $15 million in funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure…
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Smokies Life accepting applications for writer’s residency
Smokies Life, a nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is now accepting applications for its sixth Steve Kemp…
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Delayed harvest trout season begins Oct. 1
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will implement Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations on 33 trout waters beginning Oct. 1. Under Delayed Harvest Trout…
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DEQ awards $3 million for Helene debris removal, biochar for farms in WNC
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has awarded a total of $3 million to two local partners in…
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Grant funds free well water testing following Helene
Since Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, residents have learned countless lessons and encountered unforeseen circumstances, even long after the…
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Bear appetites at seasonal high
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission advises that black bears’ eating behavior changes in the late summer through fall. They significantly increase…
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Mountain Life Festival comes to Cherokee
Experience the rich traditions of Appalachian Mountain life at the annual Mountain Life Festival, happening Sept. 20 at the Mountain Farm…
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USDA to provide $1 billion to flood and wildfire-impacted livestock producers
Eligible livestock producers will receive disaster recovery assistance through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and…
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DEQ announces $10 million home repair readiness program in WNC
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality State Energy Office announced a $10 million Home Repair Weatherization Readiness Program to…
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Hyatt named executive director of regional land trust
Mainspring Conservation Trust has named Sylva resident Jeremy Hyatt as its new Executive Director. Hyatt, a Tribal citizen of the…
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Grant brings Cashiers Greenway Ramble closer to completion
The extended Cashiers Greenway Ramble is one step closer to completion thanks to a $212,000 grant from Jackson County. The grant…
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WCU business faculty guide post-Helene recovery study for NC Arboretum
As the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s arrival in Western North Carolina approaches, two faculty members in Western Carolina University’s…
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Word from the Smokies: For some Smokies volunteers, campground hosting is the ideal lifestyle
Before they retired, Bob and Nancy Furlow owned and managed apartment buildings for a living. Now, they don’t even own…
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$221 million USDA disaster relief grant announced
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden signed a $221 million federal block grant agreement that targets…
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Wildlife agency to hold free National Hunting and Fishing Day events
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host two family-friendly events to recognize National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual celebration promoting outdoor recreation…
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Falling for a Cleaner North Carolina
The N.C. Department of Transportation is calling on volunteers to help clean up roadsides during the 2025 Fall Litter Sweep,…
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Planned rule changes threaten hellbender’s protection as endangered species
The ideal habitat of the Eastern hellbender that Tracy Davids described was pretty much what she saw on Tuesday morning as…
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Remembering summers of adventure at Camp Margaret Townsend
I was at least an hour and a half into my conversation with June Goforth when I joked that she hadn’t…
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‘Into the Mist’ now available in e-book format
“Into the Mist: Tales of Death and Disaster, Mishaps and Misdeeds, Misfortune and Mayhem in Great Smoky Mountains National Park…
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Jackson County Parks and Rec youth basketball league registration open Sept. 1
This program is available for boys and girls in second to eighth grade. Register participants with the recreation center where…
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State begins to send checks for Helene crop losses
The first group of checks have been sent to farmers who applied for disaster assistance through the 2024 Ag Disaster…
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Upcoming half-day closures of Kuwohi Road on Sept. 9 and 16 for educational programs
Kuwohi Road will be temporarily closed for half-days on Sept. 9 and 16 to facilitate special educational programs for students…
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Join HBS for a ‘celebration of place’
Highlands Biological Station is hosting a free “celebration of place” event. The one-day event will feature: • Rare & unusual…
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HCC hosts third-annual Dahlia Ridge Trail Run
Haywood Community College will hold the third annual Dahlia Ridge Trail Run at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, in…
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Word from the Smokies: Plant biology research was lifelong passion for Dr. Dan Pittillo
Avid botanist, dedicated environmentalist, and lifelong educator Dr. J. Dan Pittillo passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 10, surrounded by…
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Colquitt Foundation gives $750,000 for Helene recovery in Smokies
The Colquitt Foundation has given $750,000 to the nonprofit Friends of the Smokies to save historic structures and help the national park’s…
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Outdoor Youth Science Program ecoEXPLORE Celebrates 100,000 Observations
This month, The North Carolina Arboretum and ecoEXPLORE celebrates 100,000 observations of wild plants and animals taken by North Carolina youth and submitted to…
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Inductees into the WNC Agricultural Hall of Fame celebrated
WNC Communities announced the induction of the 2025 honorees into the prestigious Western North Carolina Agricultural Hall of Fame. This…
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Learn overland navigation
Friends of Panthertown invites the public to a one-of-a-kind outdoor skills event: “Orienteering With Map and Compass,” led by renowned…
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DEQ reminds residents not to burn trash
The open burning of trash, metal, plastic and all other man-made materials not only harms the environment and poses a…
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Jackson TDA releases new birding guide
The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) announced the launch of its Birding in Jackson County guide — a free, full-color publication…
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Haywood Community College hosts fall hunter safety courses
Haywood Community College’s Department of Arts, Sciences and Natural Resources and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will offer 4 opportunities for hunter safety courses…
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Officials provide update on mulch fire
Anyone who’s been through the eastern part of Haywood County, even just driving toward Buncombe County on I-40 has likely…
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New book explores roots of Rockefeller generosity to the national parks
In 1927, a $5 million donation from the richest man in America — the equivalent of $92 million today —…
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Smokies staff reminds visitors that feeding bears is illegal, dangerous
The National Park Service urges visitors to not feed or approach black bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The…
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$400 million allocated to prepare NC drinking water for natural disasters
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has allocated $409.4 million to North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for public water systems to improve…
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Highlands protects 32 acres
Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust announced the conservation of 31.69 acres of ecologically valuable land within the town limits of Highlands. Located…
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Boyd sworn in as wildlife commissioner
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission welcomed Justin Boyd to its governing board. Boyd was appointed as an at-large member by…
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Word from the Smokies: Armadillos make a home in the Smokies
With their tough, leathery shells, unique digging habits and pattern of giving birth to identical quadruplets, nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) are…
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Crews work toward expedited repair of Newfound Gap Road
The National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration continue to work toward emergency repairs for U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road following…
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