|  |  | |  | Foraging Fun! Spring has sprung in the southern Appalachian mountains, and that means it's time to start foraging for the season's wild edibles! From violets to greenbrier to kudzu, there's an abundance of delicious and nutritious foods to be found in the forests and fields of this beautiful region. Foraging is a great way to connect with nature and learn about the plants and fungi that make their home in the Appalachians. However, it's important to approach foraging with caution and respect for the environment. Always make sure you're picking from sustainable populations and never take more than you need. If you're new to foraging we've put together some tips for a safe and sustainable harvest, and a few of our favorite forageables. So get outside and explore the bounty of springtime in the Blue Ridge! |
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| |  | |  | Hot asphalt! What to Know Before you Seal With warmer temperatures approaching, you may be planning to refresh the sealcoat on your driveway or parking lot. As you consider what sealcoat product to use, it is important to be aware of coal tar-based products and their impact on our watershed. For instance, coal tar-based products contain about 1,000 times more PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) than asphalt-based ones. Check out our blog post to learn more about sealcoating, PAHs, and the environmental effects of coal-tar based sealcoat. |
| | Reed Creek Watershed: Adopt-A-Storm Drain Expands Again! If you live, work, or play in the Reed Creek Watershed of North Asheville, consider adopting a storm drain to help protect our streams. By adopting a storm drain, you commit to clearing the drain of litter and debris. These simple actions help protect water quality and prevent street flooding! This impactful program is a partnership between RiverLink and the City of Asheville. Find your adoptable storm drain here. |
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|  | |  | Get Inspired by the French Broad River We’re excited to announce the 16th Annual Voices of the River Art and Poetry Contest! We invite young people from across the watershed to take inspiration from the river and submit their creative works. The contest is open to Pre-K through 12th grade students with winners selected from multiple age brackets. Entries are judged by local artists, writers, and RiverLink staff. Top submissions will receive a bundle of fun prizes from local businesses. - Theme: Which French Broad River species (plant or animal) do you feel most connected with?
- Categories: 2D Art, 3D Art, Poetry, and Video Composition
- Deadline: Friday, March 24 by 5pm
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| | | Welcoming Our New Science & Equity Educator! |
| We're excited to add this new educator position that will help us bring our programs to afterschool partners working with under-served communities. Our new team member, Molly Cantrell, is a Southern Oklahoma native who grew up with many animals and venturing outdoors. She has worked as a wild horse and burro technician, teacher, coach, and trail coordinator. Molly's educational background includes fisheries, wildlife, conservation, and Native studies. She recently obtained a Master's degree in Native American Leadership, emphasizing grant writing for Native Nations. She serves on the Wildlife Restoration Committee for The Wildlife Society, is a Climate and Inclusivity Advocate for We Swim Wild, and is an American Wild Horse Campaign Ambassador. Molly is a respected conservation advocate with skills in community outreach and is adamant about diversifying the outdoors and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities. She is an outdoorist who enjoys backpacking, kayaking, climbing, biking, and occasional snow sports. Molly is honored to serve the community with RiverLink and leverage a passion for social justice, accessible environmental education, and opportunities that encourage a sustainable future for all. |
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| We're excited to add this new educator position that will help us bring our programs to afterschool partners that work with under-served communities. Our new team member, Molly Cantrell, is a Southern Oklahoma native who grew up with many animals and venturing outdoors. She has worked as a wild horse and burro technician, teacher, coach, and trail coordinator. Molly's educational background includes fisheries, wildlife, conservation, and Native studies. She recently obtained a Master's degree in Native American Leadership, emphasizing Grant Writing for Native Nations. She serves on the Wildlife Restoration Committee for The Wildlife Society, is a Climate and Inclusivity Advocate for We Swim Wild, and is an American Wild Horse Campaign Ambassador. Molly is a respected conservation advocate known for proven skills in community outreach initiatives and is adamant about diversifying the outdoors and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities. She is an outdoorist who enjoys backpacking, kayaking, climbing, biking, and occasional snow sports. Molly is honored to serve the community with RiverLink and leverage a passion for social justice, accessible environmental education, and opportunities that encourage a sustainable future for all. |
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| | A Gift For Impact Significant early support for RiverLink’s new Science and Equity Educator position was provided through a generous gift from the Eblen family in honor of Margie Eblen's life and service. RiverLink founder Karen Cragnolin once said about Margie: "An organization is blessed to have a board member who brings two of the following possible gifts: work, wisdom or wealth. When Margie Eblen joined the RiverLink board, she brought all three gifts. Margie rolled up her sleeves and attracted others—family and friends—to tackle any task, be it pulling weeds or staffing a membership booth. She never seemed to have a dark day or air a complaint. To dance in Margie's world is to embrace life with all its ups and downs and enjoy every minute." RiverLink has tremendous gratitude for the Eblen family and all the supporters who make our work possible. |
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|  | |  | A Watershed of Opportunity RiverLink’s commitment to the French Broad River — and the people that live alongside her — is energized through the support of individual donors and grant makers. Thank you to all who so thoughtfully invest in our work. RiverLink’s Annual Fund empowers everything we do to advance watershed health, restore green spaces, expand public access to the river, and deliver discovery education for the next generation of river advocates. This year is significant as we seek to create additional impact we can sustain for the future. Gifts of all sizes — whether major gifts or more modest ones made monthly — all work together to deliver more goodness in the French Broad Watershed. Thank you! |
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| | 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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