Deadly bat threat spreading in WNC
Biologists recently confirmed white-nose syndrome at a third site in North Carolina, meaning two counties are now positive for the…
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North Carolinian to head Friends of the Smokies
The Rev. Daniel P. Matthews of Waynesville has been selected as the new board chair of Friends of Great Smoky…
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Learn about white-nose syndrome in bats
Western North Carolina Alliance has put together a panel of experts to talk about white-nose syndrome, a disease that threatens…
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Go green on this St. Patrick’s Day
A St. Patrick’s Day “green” fundraiser is set for Saturday, March 12, from 6-9:30 p.m. at Nantahala Brewery in Bryson…
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Agriculture program set for March 25
A free workshop will be held March 25 on the voluntary agricultural district programs and farmland protection planning for counties…
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Rent greenhouse space at Waynesville’s Armory
Don’t have a greenhouse, or worried your cat will destroy any new plants? Then get an early start on this…
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Five best hikes of the Smokies
Still haven’t checked out the national treasure of hiking trails in our backyard in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?…
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Only Catamounts left in WNC are at WCU
Last week the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tried to put the last nail in the coffin of the eastern…
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Local mountain bikers join forces
In Western North Carolina’s thriving outdoors community, mountain bikers have long been at the center of the action. But now,…
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Take a group trip to see Cataloochee’s elk
The WNC Nature Center’s “NC Elk Experience” trip to Cataloochee Valley will take place on Tuesday, March 15. Tickets are…
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Wildlife advocates gather for March meeting
Western North Carolina Wildlife Advocates — including Wild South, Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, the Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance, and representatives…
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Public workshop to design Webster trail
Anyone interested in helping design, build or use a trail at Jackson County’s new Department on Aging campus in Webster…
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Blue Ridge Breakaway registration is open
Registration begins this week for the second-annual Blue Ridge Breakaway bike ride, which is scheduled for Aug. 20. The cycling…
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Need a summer job?
The Waynesville Recreation Center is looking for lifeguards, with a training course on tap for this month for those who…
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Life of Riley in Louisiana
Different people have different ideas of camping. Some people like to carry their camp on their back as they hike…
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Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest turns 100
By Brent Martin • Guest Writer The Nantahala-Pisgah national forests celebrated their 100th birthday March 1. Of course, the…
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Area grants support mountain initiatives
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership has awarded a new round of grants to preserve and promote Western North…
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From truffles to crawfish, grants encourage the avant garde farmer
The WNC Agricultural Options program recently awarded $326,000 in grants to help farmers diversify and for joint marketing and distribution…
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Franklin Bird Club to host warbler talk
The Franklin Bird Club will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at the Macon County Public Library. Artist, illustrator…
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Native pond group to form in WNC
Interested in being part of a native pond society? Carol and Bob Grytten of Haywood County are gauging interest in…
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Haywood on the road to being a bike-friendly
Haywood County wants to create the county’s first-ever comprehensive bicycle plan. The county is now accepting proposals from consultants interested…
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Pisgah Fly Masters readies for annual competition
The fourth annual Pisgah Fly Masters fly-fishing tournament, sponsored by the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and Davidson River Outfitters,…
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Bridges in lieu of old culverts helps aquatic species move freely
A restoration project to improve fish passage on streams feeding into the Little Tennessee watershed finished last month on Bradley…
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Stalked by a not so wild elk
An old friend from Mer Rouge, La., George Bowe, was passing through a couple of weeks ago so we decided…
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Trail running takes off
Once upon a time and not particularly very long ago, trail running in Western North Carolina was a fringe sport…
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A mountain Assault: Black Rock Trail Race to aid Community Table
If you are looking for a trail race — with the emphasis on “race” — the Assault on Black Rock…
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Highlands Biological Station honored for science contributions
Highlands Biological Station in April has received a partnership award in science, mathematics and technology education from the N.C. Science,…
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Wildlife Club to host community potluck
The Wildlife Club at Haywood Community College will hold a fundraiser at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25. The dinner/potluck will…
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Erosion-control training for earth movers
Two soil erosion-control trainings are available to contractors in Western North Carolina in early March. One is classroom-based and free,…
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Master Gardeners offers jump start on spring landscaping
Order forms for edible bushes and other plants are now available from the Haywood County Master Gardener Association. Plants available…
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New fishing opportunities for handicapped children
There’s a new handicapped-accessible fishing pier in Western North Carolina, located at the Charles D. Owen Park in Buncombe County.…
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Help restore the Cherokees’ rivercane
Volunteers are needed to help transplant rivercane from near Western Carolina University to a site near Cherokee as part of…
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NOC donates gear to wounded veterans
Nantahala Outdoor Center is donating nearly $5,000 worth of paddling equipment for the recovery of injured military veterans. The donation…
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Get friendly with stream life with WATR
“Saving our Streams” movie night and classroom bug exploration is set for Feb. 24 from 6:30-7:45 p.m. at the Grove…
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The Naturalist's Corner: Time to shift gears
Environmentalism across the U.S. and around the world was spawned from the sludge of greed, industrialization and indifference. Some of…
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Cherokee hits the big time: Top U.S. anglers to sample reservation waters
This little slice of Western North Carolina just landed the big one when it comes to competitive fly-fishing. The 2011…
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Malady deadly to bats found in North Carolina
White-nose syndrome, the disease that has killed hundreds of thousands of bats in the Eastern United States, has been discovered…
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New staffer in Jackson conservation group
The Wilderness Society recently appointed Jill Gottesman as outreach coordinator in an effort to increase conservation efforts in North Carolina.…
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Smokies road status now available via texts or twitter
Travelers can sign-up to receive status updates about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s most frequently used roads via text…
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Watch for crossing fish
You’ve heard of deer crossings? Well, fish need crossings too, the Little Tennessee Watershed Association announced recently after the Franklin-based…
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Focused efforts to save hemlocks showing promise
Good news on the hemlock front — the U.S. Forest Service reports it has had some success in ongoing efforts…
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State grants commission new power
Starting March 1, the executive director of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will have the power of implementing an emergency…
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Ease pain of income tax by helping wildlife
Whether you love to hunt, fish, bird watch, or just want to do your part to ensure that wildlife in…
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The Naturalist's Corner: A bog of dreams
The Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC) and partners are literally moving the earth over in Flat Rock to help restore…
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Snow sports equals big bucks for North Carolina mountains
The rest of the economy might have suffered, but a couple of snowy winters are adding up to big bucks…
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Informal camping club needs members
In the hunt for an informal camping club with no annual dues and no actual meetings except for actually going…
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Free guide available to managing invasive plants
The U.S. Forest Service is distributing free copies of a new guide, titled “A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in…
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Conservation group seeking feedback
Wild South, a regional nonprofit that works to restore the South’s natural landscapes, wants help on accessing wildlife resources. An…
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Registration open for Maggie Moonlight Race
Runners can register now for one of Western North Carolina’s most storied summer road races. Registration for the Maggie Valley…
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Trees, berries order to benefit 4-H
The Swain County Cooperative Extension is now taking orders for 3- to 4-foot apple, pear and peach trees, along with…
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