Outdoors
Weigh in on NC river quality
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources is now accepting public comment on the proposed list of streams, rivers, reservoirs and other water bodies in North Carolina considered to be “impaired,” or that do not meet water quality standards, in 2024.
Native plant sale extended
The annual native perennial plant sale sponsored by the NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers has been extended.
Blue Ridge Parkway license plate sales top $570,000
North Carolina drivers raised $574,461 to enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway by purchasing or renewing the national park specialty license plate in 2023.
N.C. Forest Service celebrates Arbor Day
Arbor Day will be observed March 22 in North Carolina.
N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said tree planting is a natural and simple solution to many challenges landowners face.
Applications open for state ag grants
Applications are now being accepted for the N.C. Agriculture Manufacturing and Processing Initiative, which has been created to fund and promote the establishment of value-added agricultural manufacturing and food processing facilities in North Carolina.
Jackson Chamber welcomes EcoForesters
The Jackson County Chamber and Visitor Center Ambassador Team held a grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremony for its new members at EcoForesters, Inc.
Located at 569 Mill St. in Sylva, EcoForesters is a non-profit professional forestry organization dedicated to conserving and restoring Appalachian forests through education and stewardship.
For more information, visit their website at ecoforesters.org, call 336.972.7444 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
WNC Environmental Summit comes to HCC
Join the WNC Environmental Summit March 23 at Haywood Community College.
Paul Allen from “Feed Me Foam” will showcase his mobile densifier technology. Witness firsthand how clean packing foam can be recycled efficiently and sustainably.
The event will begin with a live demonstration at 2 p.m.
Bring your clean packing foam (no food-grade foam, please) and contribute to a greener future. There will also be free recycling information available.
Join wildflower, bird walks at Lake Junaluska
Lake Junaluska’s Corneille Bryan Native Garden is offering wildflower walks on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. from March 27 through May 8.
Register for Fire Mountain Inferno
Registration is now open for the Fire Mountain Inferno mountain bike event in Cherokee.