Skip to main content
The MerleFest giveaway winner has been chosen by random drawing and notified. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Hurricane Helene Relief
#WNC Strong
Toggle navigation
MOUNTAIN LIVING IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
ABOUT WNC
ABOUT WNC MAGAZINE
JOIN THE CLUB!
DIGITAL EDITION
WEDDINGS
ADVERTISE
CONTACT US
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS
CUSTOMER SERVICE
NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP
WNC ISSUE ARCHIVES
WHERE TO BUY
SUBSCRIBE
CAREERS
EAT & DRINK
ARTS & EVENTS
TRAVEL & OUTDOORS
PEOPLE & PLACES
STYLE & DESIGN
SUBSCRIBE/LOGIN
Search form
Home
/
Conservation
Conservation
Conservation
Sep 2025
Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
Get to know Western North Carolina's favorite wild animal
Jun 2025
Peak Protection
Mainspring Conservation Trust is safeguarding WNC
Feb 2025
Mountain Oasis
As Western North Carolina begins to bloom, explore the wonders within six of our region’s nature reserves and gardens
Dec 2024
The 125th Christmas Bird Count
The Audubon Society’s annual conservation-focused event returns to WNC
Sep 2024
Return of the Elk
Portraits of the Great Smoky Mountains’ elk, a species restored to our region by a park conservation project
May 2024
The French Broad Old River, New Current
Western North Carolina’s iconic watershed continues its journey of preservation and growth into the future
May 2024
Newsflash - June/July 2024
The latest from throughout Western North Carolina
May 2024
Rabbit Research
Rare Appalachian cottontail’s survival at risk
May 2024
A Mountain Milestone
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy hits 50-year mark
Feb 2024
Preserved on Paper
From a GSMNP archivist comes a collection of missives from the mountains
Nov 2023
Starry Nights
Western North Carolina’s clear skies offer plenty of sites to catch an amazing, unpolluted view of the cosmos
Nov 2023
NewsFlash - Winter 2024
The latest from throughout Western North Carolina
Sep 2023
Newsflash - Fall 2023
The latest from throughout Western North Carolina
Jun 2023
Damming History
For nearly 100 years, the Ela Dam has interrupted the flow of the Oconaluftee River. But now, a team of locals are restoring the waterway.
Jun 2023
Forest Forward
Looking ahead at the future of ecological protection in WNC
Jun 2023
Higher Elevations
Boone artist Ryan Kirby talks living in the High Country, his success as a painter, and his love of family and the outdoors
Mar 2023
News Flash - Spring 2023
The latest from throughout Western North Carolina
Dec 2022
Pisgah to People’s Tree
A red spruce joins a national tradition as it journeys across the country
Aug 2022
Conserving the Carolinas
A combination of indigenous land management techniques and innovative approaches to restoration offers partial answers to the challenges of a changing climate in Western North Carolina forests
Jun 2022
Developing from Within
Old Fort’s Black community is creating outdoor recreational areas to rejuvenate their home
Jun 2022
Baiting a Brookie
The wildflowers of Western North Carolina’s mountain streams
May 2022
Creating a Conservation Campus
Grandfather Mountain touts newest enhancement to environmental education
May 2022
Off the Beaten Path
As visitation to the Blue Ridge Parkway reaches a record high, check out some lesser-known, but worthy, stops
Mar 2022
Centuries Ahead
As the nation celebrates Frederick Law Olmsted’s 200th birthday, witness the creation—and evolution—of his visionary Biltmore landscapes
Mar 2022
Chatt Town
From a scary-steep ride to historical encounters and a swig of Tennessee whiskey, our travel writer dives into Chattanooga
Aug 2021
View from the Top
The new Youngs Mountain Trail in Rutherford County reaches spectacular vantages
Aug 2021
Damming the TVA
50 years ago, a grassroots groundswell fought the federal agency’s plan to reshape the French Broad River Basin
Jun 2021
Moving in Harmony
The new Safe Passage campaign envisions wildlife crossings along human-heavy routes
Mar 2021
Cascade Connection
The new Waterfall Keepers of North Carolina plans to make a splash
Dec 2020
For the Birds
The NC Audubon Society’s volunteer-powered Christmas count gets good data
Jun 2020
Out & About
New books to take you on and off the usual trails this summer
Jun 2020
Future of the Forests
As the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests face a historic turning point, the planners are impassioned and the stakes are high
Feb 2020
Plant It and They Will Come
The dirt on attracting pollinators to your garden
Feb 2020
Bear Necessities
Learning to live with WNC’s most beloved and misunderstood mammal
Feb 2020
A Place Apart
Near Lake Toxaway, a one-of-a-kind native plant sanctuary preserves and restores
Oct 2019
Sacred Landmark
The Nikwasi Initiative takes the lead on Franklin’s key Cherokee heritage site
Aug 2019
Peak Expression
25 fall foliage adventures that are big on color and light on crowds
Aug 2019
News Flash - September/October 2019
The latest from throughout Western North Carolina
Aug 2019
Call of the Wild
Get into a good rut with the inaugural Smoky Mountain Elk Fest
Jun 2019
Into the Woods
Through thick and thin, the Biltmore Forest School planted the seeds of modern forestry
Load more