Hope for the hemlocks: Hike explores past, present and future of WNC hemlocks
Under the gray, misty November sky covering Panthertown Valley near Cashiers, we swish through shin-deep leaves in search of hemlock…
Read More
Accessible trail opens in Old Fort
A new hiking trail is now open in Old Fort, offering an opportunity for people with disabilities to get outside.
Read More
Race raises $110K to support the Smokies
Held Sunday, Nov. 12, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cades Cove Loop Lope raised more than $110,000…
Read More
Highlands Biological Foundation appoints interim director
Winter Gary has been appointed interim executive director of the Highlands Biological Foundation as the organization works through a leadership…
Read More
See ‘Winter Lights’
Check out Winter Lights at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville with a group leaving from the Waynesville Recreation Department at…
Read More
Data bodes well for N.C. outdoor rec economy
Newly released economic data measuring the outdoor recreation industry’s impact on the U.S. economy shows that, despite ongoing economic challenges,…
Read More
Spend Friday nights on the slopes
Registration opens Dec. 1 for a program offering discounted rates to ski and snowboard Cataloochee Ski Area on Friday nights…
Read More
Reimagine Bartram’s travels
A visual exploration of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail will be on display through Jan. 6, 2024, at The Bascom…
Read More
New trail under construction at Old Fort
Work has started on a new 3-mile trail near Old Fort.
Read More
Bike Chestnut Mountain
Ride the trails with an experienced mountain bike instructor at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Chestnut Mountain Nature Park…
Read More
Word from the Smokies: What we can learn from wild turkeys
If you plan to travel around Western North Carolina or East Tennessee to visit friends or family and eat turkey…
Read More
Lakeview Drive reopens
Lakeview Drive in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Bryson City is now open, but rehabilitation work on the…
Read More
Santa to visit Chimney Rock
Old Saint Nick will visit Chimney Rock State Park in Rutherford County Saturdays, Dec. 2 and 9, for the 26th…
Read More
No Man’s Land Film Festival returns to WNC
The No Man’s Land Film Festival, the premier all-woman adventure film festival, will screen at New Belgium Brewing’s Liquid Center…
Read More
Tons of trout coming to WNC
More than 67,000 pounds of trout will be stocked in the mountain and piedmont regions of North Carolina between Nov.…
Read More
Air quality report reveals good news for N.C.
North Carolinians continue to breathe the cleanest air in decades as emissions of harmful air pollutants like nitrogen oxides and…
Read More
Forest Service advisory group seeks new members
The committee responsible for advising on U.S. Forest Service recreation fees is looking for new members.
Read More
Workforce grants available for ag employers
Through Nov. 28 agricultural employers can apply for grants through a pilot program designed to improve the resilience of the…
Read More
NOC welcomes Santa
Meet Santa at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Swain County at one of three events coming up next month.
Read More
Tree discounts available for military members, veterans
During the month of November, military members and veterans can receive a discount on tree seedling orders from the N.C.…
Read More
Nantahala Hiking Club to celebrate year of stewardship
The Nantahala Hiking Club will recognize outstanding volunteers during its annual awards banquet 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at First…
Read More
Practice your shot
A turkey shoot will be held 9 a.m. Saturdays at the American Legion in Waynesville, continuing weekly through mid-April 2024.
Read More
WNC's watershed moment: Regional leaders discuss French Broad’s past, present and future
More than 100 people came together to discuss the future of one of the region’s most important resources during the…
Read More
Water quality grants distributed to area organizations
Environmental groups working to improve water quality in Haywood, Buncombe and Madison counties recently received 10 grants totaling $285,190 from…
Read More
Sandy Mush Game Lands expand
The Sandy Mush Game Lands in Buncombe and Madison counties are now 67 acres larger after the Southern Appalachian Highlands…
Read More
Overmountain Shelter to be removed from the A.T.
After closing it four years ago, the U.S. Forest Service has decided to decommission and remove the Overmountain Shelter, located…
Read More
Elk volunteers wanted
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is looking for volunteers to expand its Elk Volunteer-in-Park Program in 2024.
Read More
Microplastics study confirms atmospheric deposition
A recently completed study on microplastics in Western North Carolina has revealed that even remote headwater streams are impacted, as…
Read More
Book offers unique look at Smokies history
A newly released book from the Great Smoky Mountains Association compiles written accounts from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s…
Read More
Maggie Valley water earns prestigious award
The Maggie Valley Sanitary District again earned top marks for water quality from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, one…
Read More
Book your Winter Lights tickets
Dubbed ‘Asheville’s brightest holiday tradition,’ Winter Lights opens Friday, Nov. 17, with the brilliant display open daily 6-10 p.m. through…
Read More
The plant doctor is in
The growing season is winding down, but Haywood County Master Gardeners are still available to answer questions about all manner…
Read More
Enter the cornhole tournament
Earn your place as a cornhole champion during a tournament at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Cullowhee Recreation…
Read More
Senior Games contestants take the podium
Haywood County is home to a slew of state medalists in this year’s North Carolina Senior Games.
Read More
Dove season opens Saturday
The hunting season for mourning and white-winged doves opens Saturday, Sept. 2, and will be separated into three segments.
Read More
Lake Logan triathlons say goodbye
After 17 years, one of the most beloved triathlons in the southeast has crossed the finish line.
Read More
Gorges campground closed after bear encounter
The campground at Gorges State Park in Transylvania County is closed through Nov. 16 after a bear attacked an RV…
Read More
Wildfires burn across region
The Collett Ridge Fire south of Andrews swelled over the weekend, growing from 110 acres Nov. 3 to 2,919 acres…
Read More
Burns planned in Cades Cove
Prescribed burns on about 1,200 acres of fields in Cades Cove are taking place this fall.
Read More
Burn ban issued amid ongoing drought
A burn ban has been issued for 14 Western North Carolina counties in the face of expanding drought following the…
Read More
Burn ban issued amid ongoing drought
A burn ban has been issued for 14 Western North Carolina counties in the face of expanding drought following the…
Read More
To the top: Trail network matures at Canton's Chestnut Mountain
In a sunny clearing 350 feet above U.S. 23, the choose-your-own-adventure portion of Canton’s Chestnut Mountain Nature Park begins.
Read More
Laurel Falls closure planned for construction of trail, improvements
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is moving ahead with significant changes to the Laurel Falls Trail intended to improve…
Read More
Franklin brownfield cleanup gets grant funding
Mainspring Conservation Trust has received $175,000 to clean up and restore a brownfield site near Nikwasi Mound in Franklin. The…
Read More
Prescribed burns planned in Cherokee National Forest
Residents in the furthest west counties may see smoke over the coming months as the Cherokee National Forest carries out…
Read More
Parkway section closed after visitors feed young bear
Eight miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Craggy Gardens is closed after multiple visitors were reported feeding and attempting…
Read More
Wildfire burns near Andrews
A fire ignited by lightning Oct. 23 near Andrews has grown to 90 acres with 0% containment due to rugged…
Read More
Severe drought arrives in the mountains
Much of the western region is now in drought, with severe drought entering the state for the first time since…
Read More
Smokies proposes new Foothills Parkway section
Through Nov. 18, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is accepting comments on a proposal to add 9 new miles…
Read More
Mount Pisgah platform under construction
Crews are now working to reconstruct the viewing platform atop Mount Pisgah in the Pisgah National Forest, a project that…
Read More
