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Green Infrastructure 101 | Keep it Clean by Building Green

As the Watershed Resources Manager at RiverLink, I am acutely aware of the negative impacts that development can have on our waterways. More rooftops, driveways and parking lots produce more polluted stormwater runoff which is bad news for water quality.

As our region continues to grow, how do we ensure that natural resources (and huge economic drivers) like the French Broad River are protected? The answer is green infrastructure: nature-based solutions to manage stormwater by keeping runoff onsite where it can soak into the ground to be filtered by plants and soil microbes.

This is why we are excited to partner with the Green Built Alliance to develop a new course on green infrastructure practices geared towards regional building professionals. This course will cover topics such as rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, and innovative stormwater conveyances.

Check out our WaterRICH Guide for more information on what you can do with stormwater at your home or business. Interested in a presentation on green infrastructure for your neighborhood or homeowners association? Contact: renee@riverlink.org.

Volunteer Opportunities | Big Sweep + Burial

Join RiverLink for our WNC Big Sweep Cleanup! Local environmental non-profits are teaming up to lead river cleanups throughout the French Broad River Watershed on Saturday, September 23 as part of the 36th Annual WNC Big Sweep.

This year, RiverLink will be cleaning up Nasty Branch, a small urban stream that enters the French Broad River in the River Arts District. We will meet at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center at 12pm.

Afterward, join us for a party from 3-5pm at Zen Tubing’s River Arts District location. This is a great opportunity to meet the other volunteers and organizations involved in keeping our river cleaner and celebrate your hard work.

Special thanks to Asheville Greenworks for organizing Big Sweep!

Burial Volunteer Day + Lunch & Learn

Join RiverLink in partnership with Burial Brewing for a volunteer opportunity from 10am-12pm next Wednesday, September 13. Volunteers will receive a $20 gift card to Burial and are invited to join us at Burial’s South Slope location from 12pm-1pm for a “Lunch & Learn” to learn more about RiverLink and the work we do. 

To sign up, please email info@burialbeer.com with your contact info and the subject line “RiverLink Volunteer.”

Out of the Classroom and into Nature | Enrichment Afterschool

After-school programs are a valuable resource for many children and families, providing a safe and structured environment for children to learn and play once the school day is over. As RiverLink's education programs have grown, we've launched new partnerships with some of the many excellent afterschool providers in the area to bring our environmental education resources to their programs.

Incorporating outdoor and environmental education into afterschool spaces offers a holistic approach to education, addressing not only academic knowledge but also physical, social, and emotional development. Research on high-quality informal education shows that these experiences can have a lasting positive impact on the lives of young people.

Read more about the importance of environmental education, and click here if you'd like to learn about what we're doing with our afterschool partners.

K.C. Park Dedication Photo Shoot | We love our parks and greenways!

RiverLink board and staff were thrilled by the turnout for the dedication of Karen Cragnolin Park last month! On the hottest day of the year, attendees rallied at the new park along the river, with brief remarks by elected officials, grant makers and Karen's family members, marking the fulfillment of a promise to this community—to turn a once-contaminated junkyard into a public park for all to enjoy.

We know Karen was there in spirit. Check out our short photo essay about the property over the years including an aerial time-lapse of the property!

Other News

• River Cane Days Return: Join us to remove kudzu from river cane stands every Thursday from 10-12 along the Wilma Dykeman Greenway in the River Arts District. On Thursday, September 21 we’ll be joined by Adam Griffith, Director of Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources, who will discuss the cultural importance of river cane to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Details and registration here. 

• Free Programming for Your Classroom: With students back in the classroom we are now scheduling environmental education activities with teachers as part of our RiverRATS program. If you’re looking for some additional enrichment for your students, learn more about the program here. 

• Now Hiring: RiverLink is participating in an exciting new AmeriCorps program focused on climate resilience. We are accepting applications for an 11-month AmeriCorps position starting in mid-October. The stipend is $30,000, and the position also provides reimbursement for insurance premiums, an education award, and extensive mentoring. Learn more here.

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!