Shifting seasons: Hunters weigh in on proposed bear, deer rule changes
More than 100 people came to a public hearing Thursday, Jan. 11, at Haywood Community College in Clyde, that took…
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Ski after school or after work
Cataloochee Ski Area offers discounted rates for youth and adults to explore the slopes and hone their skills with several…
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Smokies visitation increases in 2023, but N.C. side lags
In 2023, visitation to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park grew 2.2% to reach its second-highest number ever — but…
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Get outdoors with Ice Fest
Winter hikes, winter lights, frosty runs and outdoor ice skating will offer ample opportunity for chilly fun in celebration of…
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GSMA opens new Townsend visitor center
A new visitor center and retail space is now open just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend,…
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Drought washes away in winter rain
Heavy rains last week banished all but a spot of severe drought from the mountain region, with more relief likely…
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Help maintain the Benton MacKaye Trail
The Benton MacKaye Trail Association will remove blown-down trees along the Tennessee/North Carolina line during a maintenance trip starting at…
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Climate plan open for comment
Draft priority measures to reduce greenhouse gases in North Carolina are open for public comment through Sunday, Jan. 28.
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Retreat to explore intersection of faith and eco-justice
A retreat for faith leaders and people interested in inspiring their congregations and communities to care for the planet will…
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Register for the Business of Farming Conference
The 21st annual Business of Farming Conference is coming up Saturday, Feb. 24, at the A-B Tech Conference Center in…
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Waynesville park closed after storm
Allens Creek Park in Waynesville is closed until further notice while county crews clean it up following last week’s heavy…
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Panthertown and DuPont seek board members
Two organizations dedicated to stewarding beloved outdoor spaces are looking for new board members to help them fulfill their respective…
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Backcountry guardians: Documentary highlights Haywood SAR’s lifesaving impact, shows hikers how to stay safe
As 23-year-old David Crockett opened his eyes to day two of sub-freezing temperatures in the snow-covered Shining Rock Wilderness, he had…
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Appalachian Farm School returns to Sylva
An eight-week training course for anyone interested in operating an agriculture-based business will kick off Monday, Jan. 15, at Southwestern…
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Forest Service releases 800-acre Nantahala restoration plan
The U.S. Forest Service has released its final analysis and draft decision for the Nantahala Mountains Project, which will touch…
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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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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
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
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
A namesake has been chosen for the $2 million greenhouse the Southern Highlands Reserve in Lake Toxaway is building to…
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