|  |  |  | To RiverLink's Supporters Charles Kuralt once said, "America is a great story, and there is a river on every page of it." It hasn't always been a happy story -- there's drama and disruption along with the peace and joy -- but it's our story, to the last drop. Impaired waterways? We won't turn away -- we can't give up. As dwellers in the French Broad watershed, we all have a role to play. The raindrops that fall on our driveways, roofs, lawns, fields, woods and pastures ultimately flow into a local creek or stream. And the actions we take -- how we manage, conserve and value our soil and water -- impact others downstream, including fish, wildlife, and human communities. Let us leave a splendid legacy for our children, and show those downstream who we are through our stewardship of the land and its waterways. In the New Year, you will see RiverLink leading a public relations campaign to raise awareness and promote best practices for a healthier French Broad, addressing its #1 source of pollution: stormwater. We hope you will join in. For all those who have made a contribution this year, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If you have yet to support this work, we invite you to join us with a gift before the end of the year. Join your neighbors in this river of gratitude, here in your ecological address – the French Broad watershed. We look forward to having you with us. |
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|  |  | Pine vs. Plastic | The Ultimate Holiday Tree Showdown The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes a tradition enjoyed by nearly 75% of Americans, or 94 million households: displaying a Christmas tree. The most common variety is a Fraser fir, but others including Eastern white pine, Virginia pine, and blue spruce are also used, along with the increasingly popular artificial Christmas tree. Of those 94 million households, 84 percent will decorate an artificial tree for the holidays. This raises the question: which is more sustainable, a fresh or artificial tree? |
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|  |  | Ripple Effect | Reducing Rain Runoff We are excited to tackle stormwater issues with a new $73,000 grant from North Carolina Land and Water Fund. This coming year, we will collaborate with the Crowfields Community in S. Asheville and Robinson Design Engineers to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses erosion and flooding caused by stormwater runoff. The resulting plan will help Crowfields become a climate resilient community while also protecting Dingle Creek and the French Broad River. This project will serve as a model for local communities seeking to respect their neighborhood stream, even as they address the negative impacts of too much rain runoff. |
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|  |  | Nature for All | Breaking Barriers in Outdoor Education Over the last 6 years, RiverLink has worked hard to eliminate barriers through our environmental education programs. In schools, after school, or during summer school, our goal is to create opportunities for all students – regardless of background – by enhancing access, awareness, and understanding of natural resources. To achieve this, we prioritize partnerships with groups that serve marginalized communities, provide any necessary equipment for water exploration, offer transportation for small groups, and most importantly, ensure programs are offered free of charge. ' Our efforts to create a watershed for all require collaboration and wouldn't be possible without the teachers, program organizers, and funders that work with us. Thank you to all of these actors for the part you play in allowing us to educate the next generation of river stewards. |
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| | | Other News -
Azalea Park Live Staking Workshop | Do you have a stream on your property that has issues with erosion? Are you losing more and more of your yard every time it storms? Live staking may be an appropriate and cost- effective solution to repair your stream bank. Join us, in partnership with Mountain Valleys RC&D, for an educational and hands-on live staking workshop on Friday, January 26 at 1pm. Click here to sign up. -
Olivette Invests in Restoration | We want to express our gratitude to the Olivette Community for their passion and dedication to the French Broad River. This past weekend, community members installed 70 river cane plants and on Saturday, two RiverLink staff members joined the 30+ community members at Olivette to install 1,500 live stakes. Their hard work will help ensure the banks of the French Broad and Lees Creek are held in place with native plants, helping prevent sediment from entering the river while creating wildlife habitat. |
| | 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! |
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| | Contact Us information@riverlink.org | 828-252-8474 |
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