WCU gets grant for multi-use trail
 

WCU gets grant for multi-use trail

Western Carolina University has won a $5,000 grant from a bicycle parts manufacturer to support construction of a multi-use, community…
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Purple paint on trees to serve as new ‘no trespassing’ sign
 

Purple paint on trees to serve as new ‘no trespassing’ sign

Before you go gallivanting about hunting or fishing on private property, be aware that a new law passed by the…
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Boating safety course offered at HCC
 

Boating safety course offered at HCC

Learn to float your boat safely at a July 18-19 boating safety course at Haywood Community College. The program is…
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Support local farmers, local good-deeds conservation group through popular gala
 

Support local farmers, local good-deeds conservation group through popular gala

It’s a busy day at the farmers market, and William Shelton is red-faced and sweaty as he hands out boxes…
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More owl pellets
 

More owl pellets

I mentioned in last week’s Naturalist’s Corner that I found the decision by U.S. Fish & Wildlife to kill barred…
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Learn to set a sense of place in upcoming workshop for writers
 

Learn to set a sense of place in upcoming workshop for writers

Registration for a space-limited nature writers’ intensive workshop scheduled for this fall is now open. The Wilderness Society, a national…
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Expert fly fisherman to offer rod, casting advice
 

Expert fly fisherman to offer rod, casting advice

The Plateau Fly Fishing Club will host a free casting clinic with the senior guide for Davidson River Outfitters at…
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Job Corps getting in on the green movement
 

Job Corps getting in on the green movement

As part of a new green curriculum, students from Oconaluftee Job Corps will be helping on a variety of projects…
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Guided hikes and nature programs at Mountain Wildlife Days
 

Guided hikes and nature programs at Mountain Wildlife Days

Get up close and personal with wild things and wild places at the annual Mountain Wildlife Days held at Sapphire…
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New hospice center to feature gardens, access to nature
 

New hospice center to feature gardens, access to nature

The Homestead, an inpatient hospice center, is being built on property adjacent to the MedWest-Haywood hospital campus in Clyde. About…
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HCC student to compete in STIHL Timbrsports event
 

HCC student to compete in STIHL Timbrsports event

A sophomore at Haywood Community College, Daniel Jones of Hayesville, will demonstrate his lumberjack skills on national television Friday, July…
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Soccer camp brings international expertise
 

Soccer camp brings international expertise

British Soccer Camp is coming back to Franklin the week of July 11 to 15, at the Macon County Industrial…
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Get your running gait scrutinized
 

Get your running gait scrutinized

You might not run faster, but you’ll probably feel better doing it by taking advantage of running screenings Thursday, July…
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New Audubon group learns about things besides birds
 

New Audubon group learns about things besides birds

A program on “butterflying and dragonflying,” a twist on the outdoor pastime of birding, will be held at 6:30 p.m.…
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Good owl – bad owl
 

Good owl – bad owl

The Migratory Bird Act makes it illegal to kill barred owls, Strix varia. It is a crime that is punishable…
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Smokies programs just for young scientists
 

Smokies programs just for young scientists

High school students, recent graduates and their families can spend time in the field with a park ranger conducting scientific…
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Parkway starts new series of summer ranger programs
 

Parkway starts new series of summer ranger programs

Blue Ridge Parkway Interpretive Rangers at Waterrock Knob are presenting summer programs each Saturday afternoon for families with or without…
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Program marries old skills with new needs
 

Program marries old skills with new needs

Scotty Bowman always knew he wanted to work outdoors, but he couldn’t figure out how to live his dream and…
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Fox sightings increasing in populated areas
 

Fox sightings increasing in populated areas

Witnessing a wild fox is not necessarily a cause for alarm, nor are all foxes rabid or dangerous, according to…
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Talk to explore growth and what it means for the mountains
 

Talk to explore growth and what it means for the mountains

A talk titled “The Southern Blue Ridge at this Moment in History” will discuss growth in the mountains and its…
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No fishing license needed on July Fourth
 

No fishing license needed on July Fourth

This upcoming July 4 is a “free fishing day” in North Carolina. Everyone — residents and nonresidents — can fish…
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Swim, bike, run in Haywood triathlon
 

Swim, bike, run in Haywood triathlon

The MedWest-Haywood Triathlon has returned this year with a new summertime date, attracting seasoned triathletes looking for a challenge as…
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An elk viewing for seniors
 

An elk viewing for seniors

A trip for seniors, age 50 and above, to see the elk in Cataloochee Valley will be offered on July…
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Cherokee Moonlight 5K
 

Cherokee Moonlight 5K

The Cherokee Runners Moonlight 5K and Fun Run will be held on July 4 at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds. The…
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Capture summer’s bounty with canning how-to
 

Capture summer’s bounty with canning how-to

Learn the basics of canning through workshops offered by the Jackson County N.C. Cooperative Extension Service during the month of…
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SCC mechanics students get cooking
 

SCC mechanics students get cooking

When you walk into an automotive shop you don’t expect to see men in crisp white lab coats and surgical…
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Mountain Wildlife Daze
 

Mountain Wildlife Daze

The eighth annual Mountain Wildlife Days is scheduled for July 15 and 16 at the Sapphire Valley Community Center. The…
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Learn about the environment and have fun, too
 

Learn about the environment and have fun, too

A weeklong Environmental Camp for ages 10 to 15 offers a full lineup of hands-on nature exploration and fieldtrips. The…
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Loss of regulators means fewer inspections, say environmentalists
 

Loss of regulators means fewer inspections, say environmentalists

Environmental advocates are troubled by major budget cuts and the loss of staff for the Department of Environment and Natural…
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By air, by land  and by water: General Assembly rolls back environmental protections
 

By air, by land and by water: General Assembly rolls back environmental protections

Back in January, a group of environmental advocates gathered for after-work beers at Craggie Brewery in Asheville where they heard…
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Bryson City heats up with Firecracker 5K
 

Bryson City heats up with Firecracker 5K

The annual Firecracker 5K sponsored by the Bryson City Rotary Club is set for Monday, July 4, in conjunction with…
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Appalachians stories of conservation
 

Appalachians stories of conservation

Stories of Appalachian conservation by a native son and award-winning storyteller Gary Carden will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday,…
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Children’s trout program
 

Children’s trout program

A raising trout class will be held Saturday, June 25, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages 4 to…
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Women’s intro to fly fishing class at the Pisgah Center
 

Women’s intro to fly fishing class at the Pisgah Center

On Friday, July 1, a Women’s Introduction to Fly Fishing class will be presented from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,…
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Canary Coalition to chart its course at annual meeting
 

Canary Coalition to chart its course at annual meeting

The Canary Coalition will hold its annual membership meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 30, in Sylva. All…
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Bear activity increases in national forest
 

Bear activity increases in national forest

The U.S. Forest Service is warning hikers and campers that there has been an increase in black bear encounters in the vicinity…
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Learn to identify hunters of the sky
 

Learn to identify hunters of the sky

“Hunters of the Sky,” a program featuring live birds of prey, will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June…
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Commission seeking small-game award nominations
 

Commission seeking small-game award nominations

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking nominees for its annual Lawrence G. Diedrick Small Game Award, given to an…
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Clyde Elementary students leave legacy of water stewardship
 

Clyde Elementary students leave legacy of water stewardship

Fifth graders at Clyde Elementary school worked with Haywood Waterways Association to stencil storm drains in their school campus parking…
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WATR meeting offers sneak peak of interpretive creek trail in Dillsboro
 

WATR meeting offers sneak peak of interpretive creek trail in Dillsboro

The Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River will hold its annual summer meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 27,…
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Birding low and high
 

Birding low and high

Too many birders hang their binoculars up and put their field guides back on the shelf after May, fearing the…
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Help needed to clear trails in Panthertown
 

Help needed to clear trails in Panthertown

Recent storms have left debris on and other damage to trails in Panthertown Valley, a national forest recreation area located…
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Bad air days common so far this summer
 

Bad air days common so far this summer

Feeling a bit stuffy these days? You’re not alone — stagnating weather patterns and excessive heat, coupled with a heavy…
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Owl Prowl at the Highlands Nature Center
 

Owl Prowl at the Highlands Nature Center

Come learn about and see live owls Thursday evening, June 16, at The Highlands Biological Foundation’s Nature Center amphitheatre. The…
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Learn about Cherokee trails in Macon County
 

Learn about Cherokee trails in Macon County

A guided hike covering ancient Cherokee trails in Highlands will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday,…
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Guided hike set for Cataloochee Ranch
 

Guided hike set for Cataloochee Ranch

A hike along the Devil’s Britches Trail will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, at Cataloochee Ranch…
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Take a hike with naturalist Hendershot
 

Take a hike with naturalist Hendershot

“WNC Nesters,” a field trip from Heintooga Road down to Kituwah, will be held at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, June…
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Help the Smokies, volunteer for Discover Life
 

Help the Smokies, volunteer for Discover Life

Discover Life in America (DLIA) is holding a number of events this summer for the public to experience the Great…
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Dining out to benefit the Little Tennessee
 

Dining out to benefit the Little Tennessee

The Little Tennessee Watershed Association will hold an all-day fundraiser June 23 at local restaurants. The money raised will benefit…
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Tour Jackson County farms, support local farmers
 

Tour Jackson County farms, support local farmers

A locally produced summer brunch will be provided by the Jackson County Farmers Market at 11 a.m. on June 26.…
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