It’s time to vote for WNCA in the 2013 Mountain Xpress Best of WNC reader survey!

Last year, the community’s votes garnered us Top 3 finishes in the categories of “Activist Group” and “Environmental Group.” You can also vote for us as “Best Non-Profit.”

Help make us #1 in 2013!

You only have to vote for 25 categories and the poll is easier to use than ever. You can skip around from section to section, and even save your ballot and come back.

Polls close on Wednesday, June 5.  Don’t wait! VOTE NOW!

This is the first set of public meetings that the Forest Service will conduct under the first phase of plan revision. The meetings will provide an overview of the planning process, as well as an opportunity for sharing information about these two national forests.

The remaining meetings are from 6-9 p.m. in the following locations. Participants are encouraged to arrive at 5:30 p.m. to gather handouts and review materials prior to the meeting.

• May 23 – Franklin; Tartan Hall of the First Presbyterian Church (26 Church St.)
• May 30 – Asheville; N.C. Arboretum (100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way)

The U.S. Forest Service is in the process of revising the management plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. Collaboration with the public is a vital part of the process. When completed, the plan will guide management of the two national forests for approximately 15 years. Help plan the forests’ future.

If there’s a chance to comment, here are points you can make at Forest Service Plan Revision Public Meetings:

• Tell the Forest Service about special areas you have personal knowledge of, or experience with, that you’d like to see better protection for
• Tell the FS about areas where you see ongoing problems that need correcting, better enforcement, etc.

You might also make some of the following points for inclusion into the new plan:

• Increase wilderness areas in Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests.
• Increase recreational opportunities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding trails
• Decommission non-essential forest roads
• Repair essential roads that are causing sedimentation and erosion
• Increase annual funding for Non-Native Invasive Plant and Insect Pest control
• Strengthen steep slope prescriptions
• Focus commercial timbering on areas that need restoration and are in the early to mid-successional stage.
• Remove old growth stands and stands approaching old growth conditions from timber rotations
• Avoid timber projects in North Carolina Significant Natural Heritage Areas
• Establish the Pisgah District as a National Recreation Area
• Establish the Globe National Scenic Area within the Grandfather District
• Facilitate engagement of citizen scientist and volunteer help in NF projects

Click HERE for more information.

WNCA celebrated the grand opening of the French Broad River Paddle Trail last June, which was built by staff and hundreds of volunteers along more than 140 miles of the storied waterway.

Paddlers can now camp at seven new sites that were strategically placed to connect with previously existing campgrounds—from the headwaters in Rosman, N.C., to Douglas Lake, Tenn.—on land leased from private landowners and the state of North Carolina.

The new French Broad River Paddle Trail Map details access points point locations and amenities, outfitters, camping areas, regional attractions and important information that every paddler will want to know, whether they’re enjoying an afternoon or a week on the river.

“We’re really excited to offer this guide to the public to help enhance their enjoyment of the paddle trail and of the French Broad River as a whole,” said Hartwell Carson, WNCA’s French Broad Riverkeeper.

This project is a collaboration with Fish Water Maps and will be available for purchase at local and regional outfitters as well at WNCA’s online store HERE.

The public can also reserve campsites along the French Broad River Paddle Trail by clicking HERE.

Asheville Beyond Coal is a coalition of organizations and individuals working to build a clean energy future for Western North Carolina, transition Asheville off of our reliance on power from the Asheville Coal plant, move our community forward on climate, and eliminate coal pollution from our air and water.

Join Us! More info on ABC here: www.ashevillebeyondcoal.com

Mark Times: Program 6  p.m. (come early or stay late for community connection and networking)

Location: The Bywater — 796 Riverside Drive, Asheville

S612 is a bill with many bad ideas all sewn together into one monster proposal that if passed, could have disastrous effects.

If passed, S612: would allow power plants to contaminate groundwater beneath surface drinking water supplies; exempt huge areas of private property from the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico clean water buffer rules; and prohibits local environmental ordinances that are more stringent than state or federal statutes or regulations.

These are just a few of the backwards proposals this bill would allow if passed.

Click HERE to send a message to you state legislator urging them to oppose Senate Bill 612!

Forest Keepers will:

• Participate in free classes and seminars
• Take part in fieldwork such as water testing, trail maintenance, and forestry
• Keep an eye on the streams and forests you love
• Broaden your knowledge, and deepen your appreciation for the natural world

If you have any questions, please contact WNCA volunteer coordinator Cynthia Camilleri at Cynthia@wnca.org or by calling (828) 258-8737, ext. 207.

Some of its practitioners are donating a portion of every appointment during Earth Day week to WNCA.

Learn more about their fantastic services here, and give them a call at (734) 660 6193  for more information.

The Wagner family posed for this photo in Galapagos last year. They are now thrilled to be back in Western North Carolina after a yearlong sabbatical in South America. From left to right they are Carrie, Bob, Benjamin and Adam. Bob is the new co-director at WNCA as of April 1.

April marks a milestone in Alliance history in that we are moving to a new and unusual leadership structure for nonprofits.

As of April 1, the Alliance is being led not just by me as executive director, but by me and new staff member Bob Wagner as co-directors.

Why the change?

Several reasons, most of which revolve around who Bob is and what he brings to us.

First, Bob brings expertise in our core land use program area through his leadership of and involvement in the Mountain Landscapes Initiative in the far western counties several years ago and the current GroWNC effort in the Asheville area. Second, Bob brings broad connections with community and elected leaders throughout Western North Carolina from his almost 10 years in the region. Third, Bob brings a deep history of working in and with nonprofits, creating innovative collaborations, working with funders, and empowering communities.

Bob gained his experiences through nine years as the vice president for programs at the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, where he managed the grant making programs. Before that, he was with Habitat for Humanity for 10 years, mostly in Africa where he worked with local communities all over the continent to create Habitat programs.

This tremendous experience, and his passion for the natural beauty of our region, presented an irresistible opportunity as the Alliance continues on its path of bold and creative growth and increased impact.

What does this change mean and what will Bob bring that we don’t already have?

Here are just a few examples:

* Expanded capacity for land use work;

* Increased presence and enhanced reputation throughout WNC;

* Expanded programmatic and administrative management abilities in that Bob will manage our public lands, development and communications staff. This will relieve some of my workload and allow me to focus more on transportation issues, water and energy advocacy, and local campaigns.

* Increased capacity to empower citizens and build leaders in communities across the region.

* Expanded programmatic and funding partners. Bob brings strong relationships with a wide range of community leaders and funders that the Alliance might never have otherwise or that would take years to cultivate. Since much of the Alliance’s envisioned future depends on increasing our base of funding support, as well as building strategic alliances with other nonprofits, local governments and community leaders across the region, the instant credibility and connections Bob brings will help us move forward.

* Increased capacity for strategic thinking and program expansion. With another leader and manager, and particularly one with Bob’s success in developing innovative projects, the Alliance will have the ability to strengthen existing programs and create new ones as opportunities and needs arise.

I hope you will join the board and the staff in welcoming Bob and take the opportunity to get to know him at upcoming events. As strong as the Alliance already is, Bob’s presence will increase our political advocacy power even more and advance our development of a membership base whose voice cannot be ignored.

– Julie Mayfield, WNCA co-director

The Western North Carolina Alliance is proud to take part in this national service program, in which members come from across the nation to dedicate themselves to serving Western North Carolina for an 11 month term.

Members are selected based on skill, education, experience, passion and commitment to service. Project Conserve was founded in September of 2004 as an initiative of Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC) to respond to the growing conservation needs in western North Carolina. The program focuses on collaboration with nonprofit organizations, community groups and local governments to provide service throughout the region.

The mission of AmeriCorps Project Conserve is to serve Western North Carolina by building stronger, more educated and involved communities that understand the threats to their local environment, are equipped with the tools and resources to take direct conservation action, and have significant opportunities to engage in conservation activities through volunteering. Through the efforts of these dedicated communities and the direct service of AmeriCorps Project Conserve members, we hope to ultimately increase the amount of land and habitat conserved, protect and enhance water quality, promote local food and agriculture, and support energy conservation throughout the region.

Here’s a look at the 2013-2014 recruitment schedule:

May 22, 2013:  Application deadline
May 23 – June 4, 2013:  Interviews will be scheduled by host sites
June 5 – June 21, 2013:  Interviews will be conducted by host sites
June 24 – June 28, 2013:  Position offers will be made
Sept. 1, 2013:  First day of service

If you have questions about AmeriCorps Project Conserve or want more information, please contact:

Amy Stout
Program Director
AmeriCorps Project Conserve

Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy
Land Trust Accreditation Commission Accredited
847 Case Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792
phone – 828-697-5777, ext. 208
fax – 828-697-2602
www.carolinamountain.org

This community ride will start at Pack Square Park in front of Asheville City Hall and cyclists will traverse Asheville for about 10 miles, ending at the Universal Joint in West Asheville for beers and food. The UJoint has generously designated 100 percent of beer proceeds during the event to benefit the Western North Carolina Alliance and American Rivers.

Asheville Beyond Coal is a coalition of organizations and individuals working to build a clean energy future for Western North Carolina, transition Asheville off of our reliance on power from the Asheville coal plant, and eliminate coal pollution from our air and water. Coalition members include WNCA, the Sierra Club, SouthWings and Interfaith Power and Light.

WNCA needs volunteers to help with the ride, so if you’re interested in lending a hand, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Cynthia Camilleri at Cynthia@wnca.org or (828) 258-8737, ext. 207.