Conservation
Conservation
Dec 2018
Locals, especially, can confirm Western North Carolina holds a wealth of riches. From natural wonders and cultural treasures to splurge-worthy experiences, the indulgences afforded in our mountains are, in many ways, priceless.
Oct 2018
Booksellers share choice regional titles of 2018 and why they jumped off the page
Dec 2017
The Carolina Climbers Coalition secures a choice bouldering opportunity in Watauga
Dec 2017
Hiking to a summit, scanning the night sky for stars, or hunting for wild delicacies are activities best experienced in fall’s crisp temperatures, when crystal clear skies and showy foliage provide a breathtaking backdrop for a day’s chosen adventure
Jun 2016
The new Farm Heritage Trail highlights North Buncombe’s scenic working landscape
Apr 2016
After a century of state parks, Western North Carolina’s are more popular than ever
Oct 2015
It’s gone to the birds at Duck Dance Farm, a waterfowl conservation venture in Burnsville
Aug 2015
Throughout Western North Carolina sit dozens of public schools abandoned by time, consolidation, and changing demographics. In their heyday, they were community epicenters and veritable second homes for thousands of students. Today, some are boarded up, while others await imminent demolition and replacement by new state-of-the-art facilities. But there are also a handful of old schoolhouses tucked away in various corners of the mountains that have found new purpose as community centers, concert venues, historical beacons, and artists’ studios. Here’s a look at the past and present of eight of them.
Aug 2015
Throughout Western North Carolina sit dozens of public schools abandoned by time, consolidation, and changing demographics. In their heyday, they were community epicenters and veritable second homes for thousands of students. Today, some are boarded up, while others await imminent demolition and replacement by new state-of-the-art facilities. But there are also a handful of old schoolhouses tucked away in various corners of the mountains that have found new purpose as community centers, concert venues, historical beacons, and artists’ studios. Here’s a look at the past and present of eight of them.
Feb 2015
Curtis Smalling of the High Country Audubon Society leads area bird conservation efforts
Aug 2014
The Cherokee Preservation Foundation invests in the tribe’s past and future
Apr 2013
Save the French Broad Float combines environmental activism and waterborne adventure
Apr 2013
Harboring troves of curiosities, such as dwarfed turtles and carnivorous plants, bogs are among the most imperiled habitats in the mountains. Today, conservationists are bringing these fascinating and rare ecosystems back from the brink in hopes of creating the first national wildlife refuge in Western North Carolina.
Oct 2011
DuPont State Forest
Distance: 1/2 Mile Round-trip
Difficulty: Easy (Guided)
Sep 2011
Autumn is upon us, and you can park yourself in the backyard and watch the leaves put on a show.
Jul 2011
An historic schoolhouse for African Americans in Madison County finds a new community role
May 2011
Interior designer Kathryn Long takes a two-room, mountainside house through a series of rehabs and fills it with heirloom antiques and clever finds of all kinds
May 2011
You are now leaving WNC. Don’t call us traitors for straying from our beloved natural wonderland. Sometimes you just have to play outside the lines. After all, much of what we love here—lofty peaks, wild rivers, picturesque lakes, and awe-inspiring trails—spills over into Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Summer is the season to grab your gear, whether it be a life jacket, fishing rod, hiking boots, or mountain bike, and head for great escapes just across the border.
May 2011
Friends of the Ecusta Trail hope to add a new route to the region’s selection of recreational pathways
Apr 2011
For generations, wildcrafters have relied on the healing properties of our region’s diverse plant life. Today, Bent Creek Institute is using the tools of biotechnology to prove the value of these folk remedies and create a local hub for a new medicinal products industry.
Sep 2010
Get those futuristic images of hovercars and robot butlers out of your head. We asked experts to give more accurate predictions for WNC’s future when it comes to environmental health, public land, Population growth, education, jobs, and agriculture
Jul 2010
We all love our mountain environment, but how well do we take care of it? Here’s a look at where we stand: What WNC is doing right, and how we can improve
Jun 2010
Seven community leaders who found their inspiration to do good at summer camp