A look inside the museum
Step inside Cherokee’s newest museum, and the scent of freshly cut wood and tranquil lighting will immediately greet you with…
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From pies to model planes, Haywood Fair calls entries
It’s that time again — get together your best garden produce and crafty handiwork to enter in the Haywood County…
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Smokies offers hands-on science for high school interns
Several local teenagers were among those who recently completed a six-week internship in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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Bird flu fears trigger precautionary measures
Fears that the bird flu could spread to North Carolina have prompted the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services…
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Ash killer arrives in WNC, firewood must stay put in Graham
Emerald ash borers recently found in a Graham County trap mark the invasive insect’s first appearance in Western North Carolina…
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Panthertown gets improved parking area
Improvements to the crowded trailhead parking on the east side of Panthertown Valley, a recreation area in the Nantahala National…
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Public comment open for state wildlife plan
A plan to guide wildlife management in North Carolina for the next 10 years is being developed and public input…
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Company for coffee
Due to the generosity of great friends Bill and Elaine Cave of Asheville, my family has enjoyed a summer respite…
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With a little help from hunters, wildlife officials hope to curb the exploding bear population in the mountains
North Carolina has a bear problem, and wildlife officials hope hunters can help. The population of black bears has been…
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Take a road trip on the Jackson farm tour
From shitakes to goats to greenhouses, farms and gardens in Jackson County will let the public in for a behind-the-scenes…
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Race Waynesville’s Main Street Mile
A 1-mile race through downtown Waynesville on Friday, Aug. 21, will benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Greenville, S.C.
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Franklin gardens a home for wildlife
Several Franklin property owners have made it a priority to garden with wildlife in mind, earning recognition from the National…
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Feds decide to put hold on wolf program
Reintroductions of endangered red wolves in eastern North Carolina will cease for the rest of 2015 following a decision by…
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A natural fit: Balsam nature center a hub for research and education in the mountains
“Hey buddy, you about ready to come out?” Michael Skinner asks the juvenile broadwing hawk standing in the back of…
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Hendersonville woman becomes 50th person to hike the MST
The tally of people who have hiked the entire 1,150-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail reached 50 when Lorie Hansen, of Hendersonville, took…
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New guide highlights the best of Haywood’s homemade
The new agritourism guide for Haywood County is out, highlighting farmers markets, plant nurseries, pick-your-own farms, roadside produce stands, Christmas…
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Sunday hunting now OK in North Carolina
Sunday hunting with firearms will now be legal on private property following passage of the Outdoor Heritage Act by the…
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Senior walking group forming in Haywood
Seniors interested in getting out for an early morning walk this summer are wanted for a now-forming group through the…
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Food pantry training program aimed at strengthening food supply for needy
A pilot education program for food pantries and other emergency food providers will hold a series of training classes from…
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Wildlife to sweep Sapphire
Mountain Wildlife Days will return to Sapphire Valley Resort outside Cashiers July 17-18 this year, bringing plenty of opportunity to…
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Bee photographer to share images and stories; Bee conference at Lake J
A program titled “4,000 Reasons to Love (and Protect) Native Bees” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16,…
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Hazel Creek area reopen following bear attack
Backcountry trails and campsites are open again in the Hazel Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for…
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What is white-nose syndrome?
If you’ve heard rumor of an ecological catastrophe called white-nose syndrome, a lecture at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at…
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Tribe earns award for greenhouse project
A newly completed greenhouse project in Cherokee earned the tribe recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency this summer.
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Trail work causes closures in the Smokies
Trails in the Forney Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park outside Bryson City will be closed this…
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Summer skies
My family and I made a quick run up to Waterrock Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway around dusk last…
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A hidden gem: Waynesville vet can’t get away from biking mountain roads
For veterinarian Brian Birthright, what would become a lifelong passion for biking began in the most fitting of ways —…
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The low-down on lightning
Lightning is one of nature’s most ephemeral forces, but scientists are still able to detect and measure these electrical displays.…
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Ginseng lottery open
Ginseng collectors have until July 15 to put their names in the hat for the U.S. Forest Service’s annual lottery…
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Cherokee welcomes four-legged athletes
DockDogs to be held in Cherokee July 10-12, will showcase three days of leaping dogs doing tricks in mid-air while…
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Man dies in kayaking accident
A man paddling in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park last Wednesday (July 1) died after his kayak capsized. Kenneth…
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Lake Junaluska shoreline to become more stable
A $3,360 grant from The Fund for Haywood County will allow Haywood Waterways Association to do some work on the…
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To each his own: Nature week allows age-stratified exploration for families
It’s day four of the Family Nature Summit, and the troops are working hard on a wooded piece of land…
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Remembering the old ways
By Wil Shelton • SMN Intern For Whittier resident Anne Hill, sharing the history of Appalachia goes far beyond the realm…
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Take a Hike: Author encourages parents to get their kids outside
By Wil Shelton • SMN Intern For Jeff Alt and his family, hiking is more a lifestyle than a hobby. “After…
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Chopping his way to victory: HCC student takes national timbersports title
Ben Kniceley’s pretty sure his dad had a good laugh after the Haywood Community College graduate came away with a…
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Color on high
I occasionally see The Smoky Mountain News’ Garret K. Woodward’s Facebook posts about hitting the trails around WNC for a…
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A voice from the past leads to new adventure
Well, it wasn’t really a voice — it was an email. I received an email from Bruce Lampright back in…
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Here for the long haul: New Smokies superintendent settles into park leadership
Asked what a typical day for the head guy at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park looks like, new Smokies…
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Get the scoop on native plants
Registration is now open for the 2015 Cullowhee Native Plant Conference at Western Carolina University, a four-day event featuring more…
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Canton riverbank gets a makeover
A much-used riverbank in the Canton Recreation Park is now a lot more stable, thanks to a protection project recently…
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Become a Junior Ranger
A lineup of summer programs in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will give young park-lovers the chance to earn…
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Queen honored for environmental advocacy
The N.C. League of Conservation Voters named Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, as its 2015 Representative of the Year in…
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Cause of hiker’s death still unknown
The National Park Service is still waiting on the results of an autopsy looking into the cause of hiker Jenny…
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Family Nature Summit comes to Lake J
Each year, the Family Nature Summit is held in some part of the country known for its special beauty and…
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Farmers market season launches
Growing season is upon us, and that means farmers of all stripes are harvesting produce to sell. Farmers markets around…
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Volunteers sought to maintain trails
Volunteers willing to work hard in the backcountry are sought to form this year’s Smokies Wilderness Elite Appalachian Trail Crew,…
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Albinism in plants
The other day, while chasing birdies for the Forest Service, I encountered a pretty wildflower along an abandoned logging road.…
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Parkway programs start up for summer
A ranger-guided hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway this Friday will mark the beginning of summer for the high-elevation road…
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Summer camp time at Highlands Nature Center
Summer is here at the Highlands Nature Center, with a variety of summer day camps and half-day camps. Look through…
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