“The law of this nation says that the water of this country belongs to the people,” said Donna Lisenby, former Catawba Riverkeeper, Waterkeeper Alliance board member and new Upper Watauga Riverkeeper, responsible for the protection of the Watauga and Elk rivers. “Riverkeepers protect the people.”
Here’s the article from the High Country Press
Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust plans for banner year
“Coman and other land conservationists believe the housing slump is creating a window of opportunity for land trusts as development slows down and people either desire tax breaks from donation easements or are willing to sell their land at a reduced rate in order to conserve it.”
Click here for the article in the Watauga Democrat
Click here to visit the Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust website
Interested in Living Off the Grid?
Alternative energy is the big buzz term these days, but how practical is it to create energy from the sun, wind and water? If you want to get up to speed on the current practices, products, prices and feasibility of creating your own energy, the Western North Carolina Renewable Energy Initiative at Appalachian has a course—or two or three or four—just for you coming up this spring and summer.
Click here for the article in the High Country Press
Wilson Creek property sold to conservancy
A large swath of property along Wilson Creek that had been considered for development last year has been sold to a non-profit, regional land trust with the purpose of turning it over for state management.
Click here to read the article in the News-Topic
$1.5 Million for Water Projects
More than $1.5 million could be on the way to help North Carolina communities upgrade their water systems.Gov. Mike Easley has signed off on federal-state grants for projects in Marshall, Mars Hill, Tryon, Valdese, Lenoir and Blowing Rock, his office announced today.
Click here to read more from the Asheville Citizen
New Green Business Plan for Watauga County
In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Watauga County, N.C. is a place of amazing beauty with pristine natural resources and a rich cultural heritage. Preserving and protecting these assets is good for the environment and the local economy. The Watauga Green Business Plan is a voluntary, market‐driven program that educates, certifies and recognizes small businesses that have made a commitment to reduce their environmental impact and help build a sustainable community.
Here’s a link to their website