Damage from Helene: Hellbenders may get endangered species listing

By now, the story of Hurricane Helene is a tragically familiar one: the endless rain, the swollen rivers, the angry…
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Over the hills and far away: Tsali Ultra race returns to WNC

Returning for its 15th installment, the annual outdoor race, the Tsali Ultra, will be once again held at Tsali Recreation…
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Haywood Waterways

Haywood Waterways Association sent word last week that its staff and vounteers are hearing from one of their partners that…
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Wildfire danger high in WNC

The N.C. Forest Service has designated the fire danger for the state’s far western counties as high.
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Bears are denning; what to and what not to do

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) advises the public that black bears in North Carolina are in their “winter homes,” which…
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Fisheries update offered next month

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park fisheries department is offering an informative and educational workshop from 9 a.m. to noon…
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Word from the Smokies: Volunteer roles critical to park operations

After years of vacationing in the Smokies, Scott and Jayne Young had no trouble deciding where they wanted to retire.…
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Planning board opposes flood plain ordinance change

In a turn of events for the volunteers and members of the public that have been showing up in an…
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Dozens of flood reduction projects to launch in 2025

With about 280 projects approved across the state, the new year will bring visible on-the-ground progress in the effort to…
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Lake Junaluska pickleball courts completed

The pickleball courts renovations at Lake Junaluska are complete. This project, which highlights the growing popularity of pickleball in the…
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Hike Panthertown with Jackson County Rec

The Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department announced a Jan. 17 hike on the Panthertown Loop trail. Trail is about…
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WNC no longer abnormally dry

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council continues to classify much of Eastern North Carolina as being in a moderate…
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Haywood hosts Master Gardener advice session

NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers are available to answer questions about lawns, vegetables, flowers, trees and ornamental plants; disease, insect,…
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Word from the Smokies: Ramsey Cascades Trail reopens following multiyear rehabilitation

For the first time in nearly three years, the trail to Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s tallest waterfall is fully open…
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USDA implements new wood processing program

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled a new program to support American wood processing facilities. 
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Wilderness Wildlife Week

More than 90 free educational sessions, five days of outdoor excursions and key note speakers await attendees of Pigeon Forge’s…
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Macon to address floodplain, Lake Emory Dam in new year

After almost a year of work, discussion and often tense disagreement on the issue, Macon County is set to continue…
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Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust conserves 54.45 acres of forested land

The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT) announced the permanent conservation of 54.45 acres of forested land just two miles from downtown…
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Rehab efforts begin on popular Smokies trail

The National Park Service (NPS) will begin a major rehabilitation on Laurel Falls Trail, one of the most popular trails…
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Burning permit requirement reinstated in WNC

The N.C. Forest Service has reinstated the requirement for open burning permits in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell,…
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Drought conditions lessen in WNC

After several weeks of increasingly dry conditions, Western North Carolina has finally seen some much-needed rain, taking the whole region…
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HCC hosts spring hunter safety courses

Haywood Community  College’s Department of Arts, Sciences and Natural Resources and the  North Carolina  Wildlife Resources Commission  will offer two opportunities for…
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Design studies on tap for Foothills Parkway

The National Park Service will conduct additional design work and technical studies for Foothills Parkway Section 8D. This decision was…
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Haywood Waterways creates jobs to clean up Helene litter

After Tropical Storm Fred moved through Western North Carolina in 2021, litter cleanup throughout the East Fork and downstream along…
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Sylva to host Cycle NC Moutain Ride

North Carolina Amateur Sports announced that the Cycle North Carolina Mountain Ride is headed to Jackson County Aug. 1-3, 2025. …
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Public comment sought on proposal to list hellbender as endangered

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to list the eastern hellbender as an endangered species throughout its…
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State sees widespread moderate drought

Most of North Carolina continues to experience moderate drought, according to the latest advisory from the North Carolina Drought Management…
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Troxler encourages watershed protection applications

N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler encourages communities impacted by Hurricane Helene to apply for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program,…
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House passes bill providing millions to dams, flood mitigation in WNC

A bill approved by Congress last week will provide money for improvements to the nation’s ports and harbors; inland waterway navigation;…
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Word from the Smokies: Park and partners work to expand environmental education outreach

Anne Thomas-Abbott had a “profound” experience this October as she observed students taking part in a National Park Service curriculum…
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Christmas Bird Count marks 125 years

Since its origin in 1900, the Christmas Bird Count has become a holiday fixture for ever-expanding numbers of birders across the…
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HCLT to conserve 100 acre tract of pristine land in Cashiers

Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT) is under contract on 100 acres of raw and pristine land in Cashiers. Fully surrounded by…
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NCWRC votes to advance Red Wolf recovery

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission today voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to advance Red Wolf recovery in…
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Sign up for night skiing at Cataloochee

Jackson County Recreation is offering four, five and six-week programs that will allow skiers to enjoy lessons under the night…
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North Carolina announces drinking water awards

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources has honored 79 water treatment plants for surpassing federal and state drinking water…
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Most of WNC now in moderate drought

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council has again classified the whole state as at least abnormally dry with a…
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Jackson County hosts youth spring soccer

Youth soccer is coming to Jackson County next month. Registration for spring soccer begins Jan. 1 and runs through Jan.…
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WNC skier shares love of sport with family, community

On the weekdays, Alex Masciarelli proudly works as principal of Junaluska Elementary School in Waynesville. But, on the weekends during…
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Jackson County recreation offers Cataloochee skiing lessons

Registration is now open for another season of Cataloochee programming through Jackson County’s recreation department. Lessons are tailored to skier…
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Smokies to rehabilitate Cosby Entrance Road

On Dec. 9, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will begin a rehabilitation of the 2.3-mile-long Cosby Entrance Road from Tennessee…
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North Carolina gets dryer

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council has again classified the whole state as at least abnormally dry with a…
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NCDEQ provides funding to reduce flood risks

North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint is providing funding to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer…
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WATR hosts celebration and fundraiser party

Watershed Association of the Tuckaseegee River (WATR) is holding a celebration and fundraising event. The event, which a release noted…
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Haywood County hosts wilderness navigation course

Haywood County Recreation is offering a wilderness navigation course that will equip hikers with the basics of modern navigation required…
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Volunteers needed for Richland Creek cleanup

Haywood Waterways is hosting a cleanup session for Waynesville’s Richland Creek. The cleanup will be held from 10 a.m. to…
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Canton paper mill environmental report released: Findings offer few surprises

Almost a year after its internal publication, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has made public a report detailing…
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Three-year restoration of Ramsey Cascades Trail completed

In collaboration with Friends of the Smokies, the National Park Service (NPS) has a completed a three-year restoration of the Ramsey…
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Cataloochee ski area opens for the season

Following a cold snap and a couple of inches of fresh snow, the Cataloochee Ski Area in Haywood County opened…
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Drought creeps into WNC

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council has classified parts of Western North Carolina as being in a moderate drought.
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Nominations open for Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards

North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) announced that nominations are now open for the 60th Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards. This…
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