Outdoors
Take a beginner beekeeping class
Have you ever thought about keeping bees? Ever wanted to have more pollinators on your property? Do you just want to know more about it? March 7 will be your chance.
The Haywood County Beekeepers Association is offering a one-day introductory class on beekeeping. Topics will include the life cycle of the bee, what you need to do through the calendar year to maintain a hive, what equipment you will need and the cost involved.
DEQ awards $7.3M for Helene-damaged dam repairs
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources is awarding more than $7.3 million to support repairs for several high-hazard dams that were damaged during Hurricane Helene.
A high-hazard dam is defined as one where failure would likely result in loss of life or significant damage to homes, buildings, public utilities, primary highways or major railroads.
Haywood County plant sale
The annual Haywood County Extension Master Gardener plant sale is taking place now. There are bare root strawberries, raspberries, black raspberries, elderberries, blackberries, asparagus and horseradish, along with potted blueberries at excellent prices.
This sale is pre-order only. People may order online with a credit card or download the order forms (to print and mail in with a check) at go.ncsu.edu/haywoodplantsales.
‘Pumped Up:’ Haywood County ready for appearance on world stage
On a quiet stretch of county-owned land once defined by grass and gravel and garbage, a ribbon of asphalt now loops, banks and swells in tight rhythmic curves — engineered not for pedaling, but for flow. Riders generate speed by pumping their bodies through rollers and berms, transforming momentum into motion without ever turning a crank. In September, that motion will carry Haywood County into the international spotlight.
The Joyful Botanist: Almost time for bluets
I don’t know about y’all, but I’m getting excited for the return of wildflowers.
In Southern Appalachia, we’ve had a real winter this season with long, extended cold snaps and a couple of good, region-wide snow and ice storms. Now we’re looking at a few weeks of warmer weather ahead, and in mid-February that means the emergence and bloom of the first of the spring wildflowers.
Hurricane Helene water infrastructure funds available
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allocated a combined $686 million to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene-related drinking water, wastewater and septic system projects, with a focus on resiliency and a goal of reducing risk and vulnerability in systems as they face future storms.
Meetings set on updated flood risk data
Residents, business owners and community leaders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Swain County are invited to attend a pair of public open house meetings.
The Swain County open house will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, in the Community Room of the Swain County Administration Building in Bryson City. The EBCI open house will be held from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Yellowhill Community Building in Cherokee.
Forest Service finalizes project to restore hardwood forests
The Forest Service released its final decision on the Crossover Project, which seeks to restore and strengthen native hardwood forests on more than 1,900 acres of the Nantahala National Forest throughout the Snowbird Mountains near Topton.
Work on the Crossover Project started in 2017 with the goal of making the area healthier and more enjoyable for visitors.
‘Got to Be NC Festival’ accepting applications
Deadlines are coming up quickly for vendors, concessionaires, suppliers, Got to Be NC members and farm equipment hobbyists interested in participating in the Got to Be Festival May 15-17 at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
Got to Be NC members have until Feb. 27 to apply to be part of the Got to Be NC Pavilion in the Agri Supply Exposition Center. The pavilion showcases Got to Be NC products, beverages and food samples and is only open to members of the program.
