RiverLink Inc.

We are grateful to the wonderful folks who helped clean up debris around Black Wall Street AVL last week. It warmed our hearts to see so many volunteers eager to help the community recover. Thank you to Rise Church for their assistance and coordination. There is still so much work to be done in the River Arts District and within our watershed. We will continue to host volunteer days for the foreseeable future to continue to rebuild, recover, and restore our French Broad Watershed. If you would like to join our Helene Cleanup Volunteer list please email volunteer@riverlink.org and we will notify you when we host our next cleanup. Photo credit: @derekdiluzio on Instagram

As we begin the process of healing and recovery and look toward the next 35-year chapter of RiverLink, we know our work will be critical. Our mission and purpose—to promote the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its watershed for all—is more important than ever. Our three major programs are up and running and remain highly relevant, as we adapt to meet the emerging needs of our communities post-Helene. RiverLink is grateful to have our entire team operating out of the Wildlands Engineering, Inc. offices as they graciously offered to share their space with us! Learn more about our recovery efforts in our October newsletter at https://lnkd.in/dJb3Qft3

Forgive us for this late post. RiverLink is heartbroken for our beloved French Broad community and everyone impacted by Hurricane Helene. We are forever grateful that our staff and team are safe. Unfortunately, all our office contents and vehicles were totaled in the flood so we are regrouping. Right now, our top priority remains the safety and well-being of all people in the French Broad watershed. In the wake of Helene, we are reminded that we are all connected by a network of waterways and human kindness. The incredible community support and resilience we’ve seen in these early days inspire us and give us hope as we look to the long road of recovery ahead. With tremendous gratitude — The RiverLink Team

Did you know that some streams don’t have a name? ‘Name That Creek’ is a RiverLink program that connects communities with local unnamed streams through naming campaigns. Check out our revamped Name that Creek StoryMap, which shares the history behind each stream’s name. The StoryMap is located on our website at... https://lnkd.in/d9GFT2Zs

Climate Change and Stormwater — Why Should We Care? Climate change brings more extreme weather, including intense storms and prolonged droughts, impacting Western NC and the French Broad River. Increased rainfall overwhelms stormwater systems, leading to erosion, pollution, and flooding. Urban areas face even greater challenges with hard surfaces preventing water absorption, directing untreated runoff into our rivers. From rain gardens to rain barrels, green infrastructure helps reduce pollution and flooding while enhancing community resilience. Let's work together to protect our waterways and communities. Read more about the impacts of climate change on stormwater runoff in our blog at... https://lnkd.in/eGkh2N6H #ReduceRainRunoff #stormwaterwednesday

From fishing for native brook trout in tiny headwater streams to paddling adrenaline-inducing whitewater, streams of the French Broad River watershed provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. There’s something out there for everyone! Here are some fun new ideas if you're looking to expand the ways in which you can experience the French Broad River. Have you ever snorkeled in a river? Long considered the domain of salt water, snorkeling a clean stretch of freshwater stream provides insight into the beauty and diversity of life in our streams. Learn about opportunities in the French Broad River basin at... https://lnkd.in/dShQPksG Have you ever been camping on an island in the middle of the French Broad? Mountain True maintains a series of paddle-in campsites along the river. For more information, visit... https://lnkd.in/eKr3CkRe

Where is all this rain going? In July, we had the pleasure of bringing together community leaders, RiverLink scientists, educators, and local media for a meaningful discussion on how we can encourage property owners to become stewards of the beautiful French Broad River. Our Reduce Rain Runoff campaign aims to promote simple and effective strategies for residents in the French Broad River watershed counties (Transylvania, Henderson, Buncombe, Madison, Haywood, Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery) to tackle rainwater runoff and stormwater pollution at home. A big thank you to everyone who attended, New Belgium for graciously hosting the group, and our media partners for helping to share the campaign! Together, we’re making strides toward a cleaner, healthier river. Learn more at... https://lnkd.in/dsfni-aF

RiverRATS after-school programming is underway! This fall program features 8 weeks of lessons with four main groups of students, who visit local creeks and river sites around Asheville. They learn about stream ecology through hands-on STEM activities and practice social and emotional learning (SEL) through art, music, and therapeutic activities. We are looking forward to another great season with our partners, who are doing the excellent work to support students in school, after school, and in their communities. Check out some of our favorite moments from the spring program!

Team members from our Asheville, North Carolina, office volunteered with RiverLink, a local nonprofit. We helped remove invasive bamboo from the edges of the French Broad River, and we took the seeds off other invasive grasses to make way for native wildflower plantings. Big thanks to Emily (Murawski) Hreha, Kali Martin, E.I., Elizabeth Lassiter, Amy Huffman, Stephen Beveridge, Tim Young, and Sydney Kilgus-Vesely, our summer intern, who also planned the event.

SNEAK PEEK 📽️ - "The French Broad Paddle Trail" A brand new film about one of NC's state trails in Western North Carolina - The French Broad Paddle Trail - made in collaboration with MountainTrue, RiverLink Inc., Conserving Carolina, FindOutdoors and Headwaters Outfitters. Filmed by Robb Leahy. Stay tuned for the online premiere! #madexmtns #wnc #outdoors #river #trail