Outdoors
N.C. now under burn ban
Open burning is banned in North Carolina until further notice as a wildfire rages at Pilot Mountain State Park near Winston-Salem.
Archeology students dig into Cherokee history
By Molly Phillips • Contributing writer | Over the summer, 16 students from Western Carolina University — led by Dr. Brett Riggs, Dr. Jane Eastman and field assistant Karen Biggert — drove each weekday from Cullowhee to Franklin to spend more than four hot, sticky weeks outdoors. Their mission? To apply scientific techniques to discover archaeological evidence on Mainspring’s Watauga Mound property, and learn more about what northern Macon County looked like hundreds of years ago.
Pitch in with Panthertown
Friends of Panthertown is hosting a series of trail workdays this fall, and all are invited to come pitch in.
A.T. gets 1.2 miles longer
When Appalachian Trail season starts next year, the trek will be 1.2 miles longer thanks to three significant trail relocations in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and along the Connecticut/New York border.
Leadership change coming to local food organization
After more than two decades serving farmers and the local food community, Charlie Jackson will retire as executive director of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.
Senate confirms first-ever Native American NPS head
The U.S. Senate confirmed Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III as director of the National Park Service on Thursday, Nov. 18, making him the first Native American to lead the agency.
Haywood students spread pollution awareness
Storm drains at Haywood Community College now sport stencils reminding people to help keep the waterways clean, thanks to a class project that Haywood Early College students recently completed.
State budget funds more trails, parks and conservation
Western North Carolina will see a new state park, rail trail and miles of backcountry paths following Gov. Roy Cooper’s Nov. 18 signature on the first state’s first comprehensive budget law since 2018.
Santa to visit Chimney Rock
Old Saint Nick will visit Chimney Rock State Park in Rutherford County Saturdays, Dec. 4 and 11, practicing his chimney-climbing game on the iconic rock as Christmas festivities abound.
