On Friday June 5, Haywood Waterways Association will lead a moderate 6-mile hike in the Sunburst area of Haywood County. Shannon Rabby, Instructor of Fish and Wildlife Management Technology, Sciences and Natural Resources, will share his knowledge of local trees and woody plants on our way to a waterfall. 

The event is free for Haywood Waterways’ members and a $5 donation for nonmembers; memberships start at $25. 

The Pigeon River Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) awarded seven grants totaling $188,430 to environmental groups working to improve surface water quality, enhance fish and wildlife habitats, expand public use and access to waterways, and increase water quality awareness in Buncombe, Haywood and Madison counties. 

In 1996, the Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN) program was established as a water quality monitoring program for many Western North Carolina counties. In Haywood County, Haywood Waterways Association manages 25 sites on 19 streams. The program’s purpose is to provide long term water quality monitoring information to help leverage grant funding for water quality improvement projects.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has awarded a total of $3 million to two local partners in Haywood County to support ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene and to strengthen the region’s resilience to future storms. 

The nonprofit Haywood Waterways Association will host its second annual fishing tournament on the West Fork of the Pigeon River.

There are categories for both adults and youth 12 and under. Adults can participate in teams of one to four individuals. Registration fee is $200  per team. Fly and conventional rods are both OK. 

Haywood Waterways Association, Haywood County Environmental Health Department and Jennings Environmental are hosting workshops about septic systems and streambank erosion control techniques on Wednesday, May 28. 

Haywood Waterways Association is creating a strategic plan for which it is seeking input, advice and opinions from the public.

The survey can be completed in one session and should take 10-15 minutes.

The Plunge is back for its 13th consecutive year. On Saturday, Feb. 8, Haywood Waterways Association (HWA) and Lake Junaluska Assembly are hosting the annual “Plunge Benefit-t-t-ting Kids in the Creek & Environmental Education.” 

Haywood Waterways Association sent word last week that its staff and vounteers are hearing from one of their partners that they are working with the state to assess damage to private roads from compromised culverts or bridges. 

The “Cold Mountain Community Cookout & Concert” featuring blues-rockers Fancy & The Gentlemen will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Lake Logan Retreat Center.