Outdoors
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 this time of year, he’s also a member of the Ski Patrol at Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley.
The Joyful Botanist: Bogged down in winter
I’ve been getting bogged down a lot this year. I don’t mean that I’ve been in a quagmire or morass necessarily, but I’ve been slogging through some incredibly beautiful wetland ecosystems in the mountains and throughout the southeastern US.
I’ve been bog stomping.
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 based on skill level.
Dates for lessons are Jan. 5, Jan. 12, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, Feb. 9 and Feb 23.
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 State Route 32 to the gate of Cosby Campground.
North Carolina gets dryer
The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council has again classified the whole state as at least abnormally dry with a moderate drought affecting three far-west counties and most of the eastern part of the state.
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 Services (NCDA&CS), Division of Soil and Water Conservation Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP) to implement stream debris and sediment removal projects.
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 will celebrate WATR’s “past, present and future,” will be held from 4-8 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Innovation Station in Dillsboro.
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 to not become lost in the wilderness.
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.
