Notes from a Plant Nerd: Nothing New Under the Winter Sun
Every year on the last night of December, in the dead of winter, the cries go out of “Happy New…
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Smokies hires three new management team members
Barbara Hatcher, previously a supervisory project manager and engineer for the park, is its new chief of facility management, replacing…
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NHC works on Rock Gap Shelter replacement
The Rock Gap Shelter on the Appalachian Trail in Macon County is no more, as the Nantahala Hiking Club works…
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A year in outdoors
From new parks to big birthdays to policy overhauls, 2022 has been a year of change and major milestones for…
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Up Moses Creek: Moses Creek goes global
To my eyes it was as magnificent a tree as could be found in Western North Carolina — an eastern…
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Notes from a plant nerd: Happy Holly Days
There are many different plants that Appalachian mountainfolk have used for centuries in their decorations and celebrations on or around…
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Renowned artists conserve their life’s inspiration
The last private property that Lands Creek crosses before entering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Tuckasegee River is now conserved, thanks to Swain…
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Building a better Christmas tree: Research station aims to provide world’s best firs
Like any other farmers, Christmas trees growers in Western North Carolina are always looking for ways to grow more and…
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Waynesville dog park improvements delayed
Efforts to renovate the Waynesville dog park are taking longer than expected due to complications from the weather and issues…
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Long turnaround times for nematode testing
North Carolina growers should expect routine nematode samples to take 15 weeks or longer to turn around this year, a…
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Ring in the Year of the Trail
When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, the Year of the Trail will begin in North Carolina.
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Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation honors past leaders
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation marked its 25th anniversary with a celebration on Thursday, Nov. 17, at Highland Brewing Company…
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Duke grants fund EMS projects
A recent round of grants from Duke Energy will include $75,000 in funding to support emergency management services in Haywood,…
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Through National Geographic Photo Ark, people can look endangered wildlife in the eye
Joel Sartore lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, but he — and his camera — are constantly on the move.
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New plan limits annual air tours over the Smokies
A new air tour management plan is now in place for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and though it…
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Haywood Waterways honors water champions
Haywood Waterways Association recently recognized three water champions for their work to protect and improve Haywood County’s rivers, streams and…
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Drought flees the mountains
For the first time in two months, drought is gone from the mountains after an exceptionally rainy week soaked soils…
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Pipeline on Parkway would have no significant impact, Park Service says
The National Park Service has found that allowing an underground natural gas pipeline within the Blue Ridge Parkway will have…
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Equine disease suspected
A horse in Henderson County has been tested for suspected equine infectious anemia shortly after a horse in Surry County…
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Smokies headquarters rehab project open for bids
A project to rehabilitate the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Headquarters near Gatlinburg will open for bid submission on Thursday,…
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George Masa book wins Thomas Wolfe award
Brent Martin has been named the winner of the 2022 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award for his book “George Masa’s…
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Smokies acts against roadside parking
Through March, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will work to install boulders, split-rail fences and wooden posts to prevent…
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Earthquake rattles Hendersonville
An earthquake just south of Hendersonville gave residents a shake at 10:23 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7.
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Tremont sets Giving Tuesday record
The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont received more than $72,000 in donations during Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, surpassing the…
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More deer test positive for CWD
Two more deer have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease, an always-fatal illness affecting cervids like deer and elk.
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Notes from a plant nerd: Leftover Cranberries
Many of us may be tired of cranberries by now, having eaten our fill, and then some, at our recent…
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Hurricane Ridge Fire response concludes
Progress continues on the Hurricane Ridge Fire, which in a final update from the U.S. Forest Service Friday, Dec. 2,…
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PARTF funds grow Pisgah View State Park
The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority, which oversees the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, recently approved $17.4 million to…
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Joyce Kilmer trail reopens
The Joyce Kilmer National Recreation Trail in Graham County is reopen after more than two years of closure.
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Cherokee women honored for name restoration efforts
Tribal members Lavita Hill and Mary Crowe have received an Attorney General’s Dogwood Award from N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein…
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Forest conservation advocates honored
Winners of EcoForesters’ Annual Awards were announced this month, celebrating achievement in ecological forestry and highlighting important issues that the…
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Forest Service gives Trout Unlimited $40 million for projects
In a five-year agreement to improve watersheds on national forests and grasslands, the U.S. Forest Service will give Trout Unlimited…
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Trail turkey: Thanksgiving feast brings Appalachian Trail family together
Twenty-two years ago, Janet Hensley, now 59, was working in guest services at a new hotel in her hometown of…
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Smokies to repair 19 bridge locations
Work has started on a $1.3 million effort to repair bridges at 19 locations in the Great Smoky Mountains National…
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East Street Park stream project complete
A project to improve a tributary to Shelton Branch that runs through East Street Park in Waynesville is now complete.…
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Cashing in on adventure: Outdoor recreation economy launches strong pandemic rebound
New data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis show that 2021 was a year of growth…
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Water quality groups land grants
Environmental groups in Haywood, Buncombe and Madison Counties were recently awarded grants totaling $197,500 from the Pigeon River Fund of…
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Drought improves, but holds on in far west
Drought conditions have improved across much of the state following rains from Tropical Depression Nicole, but the westernmost counties remain…
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Cataloochee opens
Cataloochee Ski Area opened for the season Monday, Nov. 14, after starting snowmaking with the onset of cold weather the…
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Tremont announces 2023 programs
Outdoor education programs scheduled throughout 2023 in the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont are now open for registration.
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Smokies trails closed while black bears eat
Due to a large concentration of bears eating acorns, two trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are closed…
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Word from the Smokies: Smokies Life celebrates trees and their stories
Have you ever tried to count the number of branches on a tree? One limb leads to many appendages from…
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Notes from a plant nerd: Witch-hazel
Just as most of the other plants, shrubs and trees in the woods are shutting down and preparing to go…
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Tremont plans second campus
A $250,000 grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Connected Communities Pilot Program will support development of a second campus for…
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Water system upgrades to move forward at Balsam Mountain and Heintooga
An environmental assessment investigating potential impacts of water and wastewater system repairs at Balsam Mountain Campground and Heintooga Picnic Area…
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Drought strengthens, but recent rains could reverse trend
The latest drought map released Nov. 10 shows strengthening drought in the mountain region, but significant rain from Tropical Depression…
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Tribe, Forest Service sign co-stewardship agreement
A new agreement between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the U.S. Forest Service will allow the two entities…
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Celebrating ‘Long Man’: Eastern Band Cherokees work together to care for their rivers
On a crisp autumn morning, the Yellowhill Community Center in Western North Carolina buzzed with excitement as more than 120…
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Notes from a plant nerd: Pushing Leaves
Every year, the fallen leaves blanket the forest floor in the fall. And every spring the wildflowers have no trouble…
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Fish and Wildlife considers endangered status for bog turtle
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says that the southern population of the bog turtle, which lives in Southern Appalachian…
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