MountainTrue

NC folks: voter registration deadline is this Friday, 10/11! Make sure your voter registration is current & up-to-date: https://lnkd.in/gMEzZSk.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, MountainTrue is dedicated to addressing the urgent needs of our community. Our team is already on the ground, actively clearing roads, delivering clean water, providing meals for hundreds, and reaching out to hard-hit rural communities to assess their needs. But we can’t do it alone. Your support through the MountainStrong Recovery Fund allows us to expand these crucial efforts and adapt to the ever-evolving challenges that arise daily. If you're able, please consider making a donation today to help us support the health and recovery of our region. Together, we can make a difference. bit.ly/47XPtNv

WNC farmers: check out our new farmer resource guide for critical info on funding, grants, disaster relief + more. https://lnkd.in/etMP5AzR

We have an important update regarding the concerns about sediment and sludge toxicity in Marshall, following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Our French Broad Riverkeeper, Hartwell Carson, has been actively investigating the situation. Today, Hartwell collected soil samples from the affected areas in Marshall. While the testing lab is closed over the weekend, he will deliver the samples on Monday. We will update you once we receive information about when the lab expects to provide results. In addition, Hartwell spoke with several individuals directly involved in the cleanup efforts. They did not report any incidents of skin irritation or respiratory issues, as some rumors suggested. Nevertheless, we remain cautious. Given the likely astronomic levels of bacteria in the sludge, we strongly advise avoiding contact with it. If you must work in these areas, please use Personal Protective Equipment (N95 mask or better, gloves, safety glasses, and rubber boots) and wash thoroughly afterward. Thank you for staying informed and supporting our efforts to ensure the safety and health of our community.

We want to address the recent reports and rumors regarding river sediment and sludge toxicity from the Silver-Line Plastics factory following Hurricane Helene. Our French Broad Riverkeeper is actively investigating these concerns. He has reached out to the EPA and DEQ and we will let you know as soon as we hear back from them… Rest assured, he will dig deeper into the situation, including examining potential impacts from the Silver-Line Plastics factory and broader toxicity in our watershed. Your health and the integrity of our river are our top priorities. In the meantime, we urge people to avoid contact with river sediment and sludge. If you need to clean your home or business, please use Personal Protective Equipment (N95 mask or better, gloves, safety glasses, and rubber boots) and make sure to wash thoroughly afterward. Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for your continued support in keeping our community informed!

We've put together a post-Helene resource guide for WNC residents. It's not perfect, but we currently have some info for Buncombe, Madison, Haywood & Henderson counties thanks to the social media posts by many other amazing organizations + local governments (all mentioned in our resource guide). We'll update this as more info comes in, but please share with your networks! bit.ly/3Y7Smb3 Stay safe out there and take care of each other??

Buncombe County folks: MountainTrue & NC Conservation Network are hosting a non-partisan GOTV letter-writing event at The RAD Brewing Company in Asheville from 5-8 p.m. TONIGHT! Pizza will be provided for attendees?? Get more voting info & RSVP to the letter-writing event: https://lnkd.in/eA7GCiGX

Join MountainTrue Biologist & Resilient Forests Director Josh Kelly on Saturday, October 5, for a hike in the Whitewater Special Interest Area, which is renowned for its unique flora and wildlife. The Forest Service attempted to log 15 acres of the Special Interest Area as part of the Southside Project, but MountainTrue and our partners took legal action and won. We'll meet at 9:45 a.m. in Cashiers, NC, to carpool to the trailhead. Register for the hike: bit.ly/4cURDhz After the hike, come chat with Resilient Forests Director Josh Kelly and our new Public Lands Engagement Manager, Katherine Stahl, at Whiteside Brewing in Cashiers, NC. We’ll be there from 4-6 p.m. MountainTrue will buy your first beverage. Don’t miss your chance to meet these dedicated staff members! Sign up: bit.ly/4dQ7j78

If anyone is curious about levels on the French Broad, here's a helpful tool we put together: https://lnkd.in/g-EDyNSR

We're having some heavy rainfall here in the Southern Blue Ridge, make sure y'all stay safe out there! Check out some weather safety tips on our blog: https://lnkd.in/e3jnQzXa