Outdoors
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 noon Saturday, Dec. 7.
Meet at the Vance Street pavilion located along Richland Creek down the hill from the Waynesville Recreation Center at 550 Vance Street in Waynesville.
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 the results of comprehensive ground and surface water sampling required at and around the site on which the now shut-down Pactiv Evergreen papermill sits.
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 Cascades Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located in the Greenbrier area, this popular trail ascends through beautiful hardwood forests to the 105-foot Ramsey Cascades, the tallest waterfall in the park.
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 up for its 64th season on Nov. 23.
Drought creeps into WNC
The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council has classified parts of Western North Carolina as being in a moderate drought.
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 prestigious event, set to take place on May 3, 2025, honors the outstanding individuals, organizations and agencies whose work is making a lasting impact on the conservation of North Carolina’s wildlife and natural resources.
Master Gardeners host wreath-making workshop
The North Carolina State Extension Master Gardeners are hosting a wreath-making workshop Dec. 7. The extension will provide a selection of fresh greenery, natural embellishments and knowledgeable volunteers to show people the ropes.
Permit-free firewood collection begins on reopened areas of the Pisgah National Forest
The U.S. Forest Service invites the public to gather firewood for personal use without a permit on reopened sections of the Pisgah National Forest from now until December 2025.
Winners announced in George Masa Youth Conservation Photography Prize
The George Masa Foundation proudly announces the winners of the inaugural George Masa Youth Conservation Photography Prize, a competition designed to empower young photographers to celebrate and advocate for conservation.
