Outdoors
Word from the Smokies: Monarchs proposed for threatened species listing
Before National Geographic published its famous August 1976 cover story detailing the search for the monarch butterfly’s wintering grounds, nobody knew where these strikingly beautiful creatures vanished when the weather grew cold. A 2,000-mile migration was thought to be a “foolish idea,” said Wanda DeWaard, founder of the outdoor education company Earth Kin LLC, who has led a monarch tagging program in Great Smoky Mountains National Park since 1998. Ever since, this natural phenomenon has fostered fascination among scientists and enthusiasts alike.
Word from the Smokies: Park embarks on cutting-edge hellbender study
With wrinkly skin that comes in various shades of brown, eastern hellbenders aren’t easy to spot. These giant salamanders, which average 20 inches in length, spend most of their lives nearly invisible under rocks on the bottom of cool, fast-flowing streams.
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 water indiscriminately destroying lives and homes. The storm killed more than 230 people across five states, including 104 confirmed dead in North Carolina and 18 in Tennessee.
The Joyful Botanist: A smile for the briars
I get asked questions a lot about plants, nature and the woods. People will walk up to me, take out their phones and show me a picture of a leaf or flower they found on their last hike or growing in their back yard and ask, “Hey Adam, what’s this plant?” I love it when this happens, every time. It brings a big smile to my face and joy to my heart.
Up Moses Creek: ‘Blow wind like you’re never gonna blow again’
On Saturday morning, Dec. 14, Becky reminded me that she was going to hear Darren Nicholson and his band play at the Tuckasegee Trading Company’s annual holiday open house, and she hoped I’d go too.
Conservation Fund protects WNC woodlands
The Conservation Fund announced that a critical property in the Great Balsam Mountains is protected as forest and natural land.
Cat Classic returns to Cataloochee Ski Area
The call has gone out for snowboarders to submit their best clips for the Cat Classic, which offers cash prizes for the best videos across different divisions.
Videos should be filmed between Jan. 1 and March 1.
Cradle of Forestry and partners execute critical repairs
The Cradle of Forestry in America and the U.S. Forest Service (Pisgah Ranger District) announced a collaboration with the Conservative Anabaptist Service Program (CASP) to complete deferred maintenance and Hurricane Helene-related repairs at the historic Cradle of Forestry site.
Cooperative extension offers hay for farmers
Haywood County offers resources for farmers needing hay are encouraged to contact the Haywood County Cooperative Extension Office to speak with a livestock agent.
