Outdoors
Word from the Smokies: Ranger-made goods add personal touch to park stores
Mike Meldrum could claim his current occupation as a third career — if he weren’t so careful to avoid calling it a job.
“I want to have fun and feel like I’m doing something worthwhile with my time,” said Meldrum, a former park ranger whose handiwork has raised $37,000 in support of Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the last two years alone.
Up Moses Creek: ‘The sun is not so central as a man.’ — Henry Thoreau
Just as the morning sun shoots out beams that light up the mountains, so our eyes shoot out beams, too, rays of comprehension that light up what they fall on with human significance and warmth.
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation earns Public Lands Alliance Award
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation received the 2025 Outstanding Public Engagement Award from the Public Lands Alliance (PLA) during the organization’s annual convention and trade show in Las Vegas.
Turn off lights to help spring migrants
Birds face a number of threats during their long migration journeys, but you can help by simply turning off unnecessary lights at night and advocating for your neighbors, employer, or local government to do the same.
Cherokee hosts heritage seed workshop
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Extension office is hosting a workshop to teach people about the preservation of heirloom seeds.
Heirloom seeds help to ensure future generations maintain a reliable food supply, support financial self-reliance, preserve agricultural heritage and reflect cultural traditions.
Sierra Club presents ‘International Birding and Climate Change’
Simon Thompson, an international birding expert, will discuss surprising effects of climactic changes on North Carolina’s and the world’s wild bird populations. He will speak to the WNC Sierra Club at 7 p.m. on April 2, in the UNCA OLLI/Reuter Center, at 300 Campus Drive.
Nurturing nature: Behind the scenes at Highlands Biological Station
Located atop “The Plateau” on the outskirts of downtown Highlands, the Highlands Biological Station is a world-renowned facility for academics, locals and visitors alike.
The Joyful Botanist: Viola Blues
When seeking beautiful native wildflowers, I often travel and hike long distances to a special spot to see a rare beauty. Other times, it’s as easy as walking into the front yard.
Asheville’s wildlife park reopens March 17
The WNC Nature Center will reopen to the public March 17, five and a half months after closing due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which caused significant flooding that destroyed roads and the main bridge to the Nature Center.
