Outdoors
Browse a seed library
Dreaming of spring? Beat the winter blues by planting native seeds.
Late fall and early winter are the perfect times to sow many native species, which benefit pollinators, wildlife, soil and water quality — all while being low-maintenance in your garden.
Turkey operation tests positive for bird flu
A turkey breeding operation in Wayne County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza. The positive sample was first identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh.
This is the first case of high path avian influenza in commercial poultry in North Carolina since January 2025.
Large animal health enhancement grants awarded to Macon County veterinarians
Ten North Carolina Veterinary practices were recently awarded grants to help support their large animal practices. This $130,000 recurring fund was created by the N.C. General Assembly in 2023 and is annually administered by the N.C. Ag Finance Authority.
Lost apples of the Smokies: Rediscovering the park’s apple harvest heritage
Growing up in Swain County, Nathan Dee Greene ate a lot of apples. The family had several trees of their own, but every fall, they bought bushels from the nearby orchard on Laurel Branch, across the Tuckasegee River from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Preparing property for bear denning season
Slumber time for black bears is quickly approaching, and in some cases, already happening. Now is the time to start bear-proofing residential and commercial properties to discourage winter denning.
Black bears have been known to den in surprising places: under decks and storage sheds, crawl spaces, vacant homes and the brush or debris pile in the yard.
Officials warn of horse herpes outbreaks
State veterinary officials are asking horse owners in North Carolina to watch for symptoms of a highly contagious equine disease following diagnoses of multiple horses with Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy, the neurologic disease associated with Equine Herpes Virus. Cases were confirmed Nov. 9 by the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of EHV-1/EHM in North Carolina.
Free pesticide disposal in Haywood
Farmers, homeowners and small businesses in the region are invited to safely and responsibly dispose of unwanted pesticides at a Free Pesticide Disposal Collection Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Mountain Research Station, located at 265 Test Farm Road in Waynesville.
Waynesville hosts holiday markets
Waynesville’s farmers market is getting into the holiday spirit by hosting holiday markets. The markets will run from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 29, and Dec. 6.
Time with nature: Retired professor brings forest therapy to Jackson County
While our habits and hobbies outdoors may vary, it’s a point of pride for most in Western North Carolina that nature is never far out of reach.
Cullowhee and Sylva host a wealth of recreation opportunities suited for enthusiasts and beginners alike and occupy some of the most biologically diverse wilderness in the United States.
