Database collects George Masa photos

A new database cataloguing the work of renowned Smokies photographer, Japan-born George Masa, is now available online. 
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Show off on snowboard

Over the next two months, snowboarders are invited to film their best moves at Cataloochee Ski Area and submit them…
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Pitch in with Panthertown

Friends of Panthertown will host a trail workday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, meeting at Salt Rock…
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Ready for the Plunge?

The 12th annual Plunge Benefit-t-t-ting Kids in the Creek and Environmental Education will take place 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.…
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Environmentalists make the case for housing

Hear the case for building more housing from an environmental perspective with a webinar offered 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22,…
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Go hiking

Explore winter in the mountains with a trio of upcoming hikes led by Haywood County Recreation and Parks. 
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Explore Rattlesnake Lodge
 

Explore Rattlesnake Lodge

The Carolina Mountain Club has started a new hiking initiative, called Leisure Hikes, with the next event scheduled for 10…
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Cultivating dreams: Garden shop opens in Waynesville

Just about a year ago, Spencer Tetrault was cruising along Depot Street in Waynesville when he noticed a “For Lease”…
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EcoForesters recognizes stewards of the land

The nonprofit EcoForesters has crowned its winners for the people who made a difference in forest stewardship and education during…
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Drought shrinks following Christmas rain

While some may have preferred a white Christmas, the rain that covered the region instead has proven the better Christmas…
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Signups start soon for Arboretum youth programs

Registration opens soon for several upcoming outdoor education opportunities at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. 
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Regional leaders discuss strategies for the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor

More than 130 leaders from North Carolina and Virginia gathered to discuss a strategic action plan for the entire Blue…
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Park Service to focus study on Indian Reorganization Period

The National Park Service has announced its intention to collaborate with Native American tribes across the country on a theme…
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MountainTrue recognizes all-star volunteers

MountainTrue has recognized the members and volunteers who gave the most to the waters, forests and communities of Western North…
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Hike with CMC

Take a winter walk on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail Sunday, Jan. 7, in Asheville with the Carolina Mountain Club. 
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Highlands Greenway celebrates productive 2023

During 2023, volunteers with the Highlands Plateau Greenway contributed 640 hours to create new trails and maintain the existing ones…
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Workday planned at Jackson greenway

Help remove invasive plants on the Jackson County Greenway 1-4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 in Cullowhee. 
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Tie flies like a pro

A three-week fly-tying course will teach participants to tie flies from the Southern Appalachians, 6-8 p.m. Mondays Jan. 15-29 at…
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Learn how to prepare for backcountry emergencies
 

Learn how to prepare for backcountry emergencies

Cullowhee-based Landmark Learning is now enrolling for a variety of wilderness medicine certification courses planned for the winter months. 
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Ringing out the Year of the Trail: A highlight reel of trail news in 2023

Declared to be the Year of the Trail more than a year before it even began, 2023 had a lot to…
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Set your race calendar

With a new year approaching, it’s the perfect time to start setting fitness goals — and to plan for participating…
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Hike into the 2024

The standing tradition of starting the New Year off on the trail will continue at N.C. State Parks Monday, Jan.…
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The Winter Hiking Challenge

Registration is open for the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s fourth annual Winter Hiking Challenge, asking participants to complete 60 miles…
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Forest Service enhances 128 plans with old growth protections

The U.S. Forest Service has issued a proposal that would amend all 128 forest land management plans in its jurisdiction…
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Celebrate biodiversity

Delve into the amazing biodiversity of the Southern Appalachians with a program offered at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, at…
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N.C. sees uptick in hunting accidents

Across the state, there has been an increase in firearm-related hunting incidents involving serious injury and fatalities. 
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Year-in-review tool breaks down weather trends

The N.C. State Climate Office has launched a year-in-review tool that gives a review of trends and records at weather…
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Dine with Haywood Waterways
 

Dine with Haywood Waterways

Celebrate the Pigeon River Watershed during Haywood Waterways Association’s annual membership meeting and holiday dinner 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6,…
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Billion-dollar catch: Report reveals economic impact of N.C. trout fishing industry

The economic impact of trout fishing in North Carolina has more than tripled since 2014, clocking in at $1.38 billion…
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Expanded bear season proposed for WNC

A significantly expanded bear hunting season and loosened rules about bait usage are among the rule changes the N.C. Wildlife…
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Last WNC wildfires contained

For the first time since Oct. 23, Western North Carolina is free of active wildfires. 
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Extreme drought leaves North Carolina

Drought conditions are the best they’ve been in a month, according to the latest map from the Drought Management Advisory…
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Explore the world of snowmaking

Go behind the scenes with snowmaking at Cataloochee Ski area with field trips offered Tuesday, Jan. 23, and Tuesday, Feb.…
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Wildlife photo contest open

The Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition is now open, accepting entries until 5 p.m. Jan. 31, 2024. 
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Namesake chosen for red spruce greenhouse
 

Namesake chosen for red spruce greenhouse

A namesake has been chosen for the $2 million greenhouse the Southern Highlands Reserve in Lake Toxaway is building to…
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Nose for adventure: New program gets Sarge's shelter dogs hiking

Monday mornings have a bad reputation, but for dogs at Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation in Waynesville, they’ve become the best part…
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Race Cataloochee

The racing season is back at Cataloochee Ski Area, starting in January for ages 8 through adult. 
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Misfit Mountain seeks to help animals and owners alike

The holiday season is among the toughest times in the animal rescue world. Adopting pets isn’t always front of mind…
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Study reveals the red wolf’s ecological impact
 

Study reveals the red wolf’s ecological impact

According to a study published last month in the scientific journal Animal Conservation, wild red wolves in eastern North Carolina…
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Franklin County deer tests positive for CWD

A 2.5-year-old female white-tailed deer harvested during firearm season in Franklin County has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease, an…
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Money available for farmers who experienced lending discrimination

Through Jan. 13, farmers, forest landowners and ranchers who have experienced discrimination in farm lending from the U.S. Department of…
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Friends group launches for Cherokee National Forest
 

Friends group launches for Cherokee National Forest

Friends of the Cherokee National Forest, a new nonprofit based in Knoxville, aims to become a driving force in preserving…
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Casting for Canton: Papertown gets its first fly shop

Doug Mcelvy was only 3 or 4 the first time he picked up a fishing rod, but it sparked a…
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Smokies burn ban lifted

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park  has lifted a burn ban that’s been in effect for weeks amid drought conditions…
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Endangered snail reintroduced to the wild

After 20 years of living only in captivity, the federally endangered magnificent ramshorn has been returned to the wild. 
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Farmland preservation grants available

County governments and conservation nonprofits have until Dec. 18 to apply for farmland preservation grants from the N.C. Agricultural Development…
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Arboretum leader to lead landscape architecture association

Drake Fowler, deputy executive director at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, has been named president of the N.C. Chapter…
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Drought disaster funding available for farmers
 

Drought disaster funding available for farmers

Family farms across the region are eligible for emergency loan assistance from the Farm Service Agency due to damage or…
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Grants awarded to protect N.C. farmland

Western North Carolina is well represented in the more than $15 million recently awarded to protect working farms and forests,…
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Outdoor businesses selected for mentorship program

Mountain BizWorks has named eight outdoor businesses that have been selected for the fifth cohort of its annual Waypoint Accelerator…
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