Conservation
Conservation
Feb 2024
From a GSMNP archivist comes a collection of missives from the mountains
Nov 2023
Western North Carolina’s clear skies offer plenty of sites to catch an amazing, unpolluted view of the cosmos. Check out these epic locations to view the night sky, along with tips and resources for stargazing hobbyists.
Jun 2023
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
Boone artist Ryan Kirby talks living in the High Country, his success as a painter, and his love of family and the outdoors
Dec 2022
A red spruce joins a national tradition as it journeys across the country
Aug 2022
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
Old Fort’s Black community is creating outdoor recreational areas to rejuvenate their home
May 2022
Grandfather Mountain touts newest enhancement to environmental education
May 2022
As visitation to the Blue Ridge Parkway reaches a record high, check out some lesser-known, but worthy, stops
Mar 2022
As the nation celebrates Frederick Law Olmsted’s 200th birthday, witness the creation—and evolution—of his visionary Biltmore landscapes
Mar 2022
From a scary-steep ride to historical encounters and a swig of Tennessee whiskey, our travel writer dives into Chattanooga
Aug 2021
The new Youngs Mountain Trail in Rutherford County reaches spectacular vantages
Aug 2021
50 years ago, a grassroots groundswell fought the federal agency’s plan to reshape the French Broad River Basin
Jun 2021
The new Safe Passage campaign envisions wildlife crossings along human-heavy routes
Jun 2020
As the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests face a historic turning point, the planners are impassioned and the stakes are high
Feb 2020
Near Lake Toxaway, a one-of-a-kind native plant sanctuary preserves and restores
Oct 2019
The Nikwasi Initiative takes the lead on Franklin’s key Cherokee heritage site
Jun 2019
Through thick and thin, the Biltmore Forest School planted the seeds of modern forestry
Apr 2019
A visionary effort to create a statewide trail has been 40 years in the making. With the path now finished in Western North Carolina and a groundswell of support rising in the East, the completion of North Carolina’s most monumental natural treasure is on the horizon.
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