Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser

National AmeriCorps Leaders Visit RiverLink

RiverLink was honored to host Sonali Nijhawan, Director of AmeriCorps State and National, as she began her tour of host sites nationwide during AmeriCorps week (March 10-16). Sonali’s visit to RiverLink included stepping into the shoes of an AmeriCorps member for a day.

Sonali participated in a water chemistry testing lesson, helped with pollinator meadow maintenance at the Southside Stormwater Restoration project, and walked and learned about the history of Karen Cragnolin Park, once an auto salvage yard. More than 1.25 million citizens have served in AmeriCorps since the founding of this program 30 years ago; this tour celebrates the service of Americorps members in host organizations across the nation.

Seeking Volunteer Educators | Join Us in the Outdoor Classroom

Over the years our education programs have engaged thousands of students with their local streams and rivers. The moments when we get to share students' excitement at finding a crayfish, simulating a major flood, or simply splashing in the water are truly inspiring. Facilitating these experiences is a great joy for our small education team, but we can always use some extra help.

We've created a new volunteer education program for adults to share in the joy and help us educate the next generation of river stewards. Whether you’re a retired teacher looking to engage with kids again, a fledgling environmental educator wanting more experience, or just a lover of the river, we’d be thrilled to have you join us at a lesson.

To provide an enriching experience for you and ensure the safety of students, all interested volunteers will complete a training and a background check. We will be hosting our first volunteer educator training on Saturday, April 13 from 10am-12pm at the RiverLink office at 170 Lyman St in the River Arts District. We hope you’ll join us; please register below, and if you have any questions you can reach us at education@riverlink.org.

April Showers Bring May Flowers - and Runoff

You’ve likely heard these words since kindergarten. While that might not be the exact wording, it’s true that rain becomes runoff when hard surfaces prevent it from soaking into the ground — and our developed landscapes are designed to move water off site as quickly as possible, so it often collects in unnaturally large amounts.

In urban areas, runoff is piped untreated directly into our waterways, bringing with it sediment, litter, and other pollutants that it picks up along the way — making stormwater the #1 source of pollution in the French Broad. We humans play a critical role here — with the power of observation and a little thoughtful design, you can help ensure that rain doesn’t become runoff, and April showers nourish May flowers instead.

Check out the Reduce Rain Runoff campaign’s latest blog, the Residents’ Guide to Stormwater — it’s geared to property owners but there are useful tips for all!

Meet the Ladies of Spring | Wildflowers in Bloom

It’s springtime in the Blue Ridge, when our streambanks, moist coves, and hiking trails come alive with stunning displays of blooms. Spring wildflowers are one the top attractions in the Blue Ridge Mountains; visitors from all over the world travel here to see them. These little beauties are adapted to get their shoots and flowers out early, before the leaves open on the trees overhead; individuals may be a decade or more in age. You may see these plants in moist, undisturbed locations in our urban natural areas, too. How many do you recognize? Click here to reveal the names of the beautiful flowers.

Other News

• Celebrating Earth Day & Partner Sweep - Join us for an Earth Day Litter Cleanup! On April 22 from 2-4pm, we will be partnering with Explore Asheville and Asheville GreenWorks to pick up litter in several different neighborhoods in the city. For more information and to sign up, click here.

• Voices of the River - There is still time for K-12 students to submit creative works for our annual art and poetry contest. The deadline for submissions is April 19; you can learn more about how to participate on our website. We look forward to seeing all the beautiful work!

• Upcoming events - Join us for a free lunch & learn session featuring Nicholas Thorne, as he discusses the ecological and cultural significance of river cane to the Eastern Band of Cherokee on Saturday, April 20 from 11:30am - 1:00pm. Space is limited. Please register here.

• Join us at Summer Camp - RiverLink seeks a camp counselor to help guide campers through hands-on environmental education and river recreation this summer. This is a temporary, full-time position that pays $20/hour. You can learn more about the position and how to apply on our employment page.

• GrindFest seeks volunteers - This annual festival celebrates local BIPOC entrepreneurs who collaborate to bridge gaps for the emerging makers, producers, artists, businesses, and innovators of Black Wall Street AVL. Please sign up here to assist at the event May 24-26 at A.B. Tech Conference Center.

Thanks for being part of our French Broad River community!

RiverLink promotes the environmental and economic vitality
of the French Broad River and its watershed. Please join us with a gift today!