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asheville.com local, national and world news Test Your Limits with Chimney Rock Park’s Rock Climbing Adventures For more than a million years, the sheer cliffs and rock wall faces of Chimney Rock Park have stood high over this gorge with some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in the world, calling visitors from near and far. Now, they're calling for a more personal, up-close relationship. More details Rare American Chestnut Trees Found in Southeast A grove of very rare American chestnut trees has been discovered in Georgia. The find is exciting to the scientific community and tree lovers alike, as the American chestnut had virtutally disappeared in a blight in the earlier part of the 20th century. More details Red Wolf, An Endangered Spcies, Is Making a Slow Come Back Originally, the red wolf roamed as far north as Pennsylvania and as far west as central Texas. Like its relative the grey wolf, the red wolf was wiped out from its former range by large scale predator control programs. More details Asheville’s Newly Restored Thomas Wolfe Memorial Welcomes Visitors Home Once Again The boardinghouse that inspired the works of one of America’s classic literary figures, Asheville-native Thomas Wolfe, has once again open its doors to visitors, six years after an arson blaze ravaged parts of the home. Born in the mountains of Asheville, Thomas Wolfe grew up in his mother’s rambling boardinghouse, known as “Dixieland” made famous in the novel, “Look Homeward, Angel.” More details Pack it in for the Environment: Why We Should Compost With cold winter weather so far away, it’s hard not to think about the summer season. But with our waste problems, as well as the increasing amount of urban pollution, we can do our part to help the environment this winter while providing our gardens with excellent soil for the spring. More details U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Recovery Team for Ivory-billed Woodpecker Less than a month after the Big Woods Conservation Partnership partners announced the ivory-billed woodpecker had been rediscovered in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service named the first members of a range-wide recovery team that will craft a roadmap for the conservation of this extraordinary bird. The team, which held its first meeting in June, includes representatives from state fish and wildlife agencies, The Nature Conservancy, and other conservation organizations and universities. More details Monarch Butterfly Migration Is Fueled With Milkweed; Plant Milkweed Seeds to Aid Migration 180 Million Monarchs are now on the move! Milkweed plants are the only food source for Monarch caterpillars. There is a severe shortage of Milkweed, and their young may perish in large numbers if a larger milkweed food supply is not made available. More details The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker; Natural History And Facts The ivory-billed woodpecker ( Campephilus principalis) -- is among the world's largest woodpeckers. Only the imperial woodpecker of Mexico, now thought by many to be extinct, was larger than the ivory-bill. More details More Land Protected Along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Balsam Gap The Conservation Trust for North Carolina on September 22 helped preserve a 332-acre tract on one of the largest privately owned properties in Western North Carolina. The property will safeguard water quality and protect scenic views along the Parkway at Balsam Gap from subdivision, development and timber cutting. More details Asheville’s “Creative Economy” a Driving Force in downtown Asheville Asheville’s arts community is nationally known – artists who express their creativity through painting, sculpture, metal works, clay, photography, and many other media have found their way to the city and now call it home. What some people may not know, however, is the economic force these combined talents have made themselves. More details Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Backyard Wildlife Habitat Site Tiny, iridescent hummingbirds are an exciting addition to your habitat. Hummingbirds visit the Carolinas from March through November and you can attract them by planting red, tubular flowers. Over 160 native, North American plants depend exclusively on hummingbirds for pollination. More details Conservancy Uses Aquaculture to Restore NC's Pamlico Sound's Oysters The demise of the eastern oyster and its reef habitat has reduced biodiversity in the Pamlico Sound, but The Nature Conservancy is hoping its newest restoration strategy may change the tide. The Conservancy has recently introduced captivity-spawned oyster larvae to the wild, a pioneer effort in an ongoing fight to repopulate the native species. More details Botanical Gardens of Asheville a Natural Reflection of Southern Appalachian Mountains The Botanical Gardens of Asheville, located on a lovely ten-acre site next to the UNC-Asheville campus on Weaver Boulevard, is a haven of sorts for more than 700 plant species that are native to this diverse ecosystem we call home – the southern Appalachian Mountains. For the many people who visit or volunteer their time in these delightful gardens, it is a haven indeed, offering solitude, serenity, and a chance to reconnect with the natural world that surrounds us all. More details Endangered Species Spotlight: American Bald Eagle Eagles are a member of the Accipitridae family that also includes hawks, kites, and vultures. The Bald eagle is one of the largest birds of prey, with the female bald eagle measuring 35 to 37 inches and a wingspan that measures from 79 to 90 inches. Male bald eagles measure from 30 to 34 inches and a wingspan from 72 to 85 inches. More details Local Sierra Club Chapter Leads the Way to Enjoyment and Protection of Outdoors On the national level, the Sierra Club is a fairly high profile advocate for environmental causes – protection of the country’s woodlands, water sources, and air often have strong backing from the activist group. Founded in 1892 and with a current membership totaling over 700,000 people, the organization has fought through the decades for preservation of the wildlands of many national parks, including Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Sequoia, and the Florida Everglades. They also are strong proponents of reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil and guarding against the abuses that lead to global warming. More details Tips For Avoiding Wildlife Conflicts In Your Backyard Expect some undesirable critters and plants to make your backyard habitat their home, too. Animals such as garden snakes and moles are unpopular neighbors around the home but play their part in the balance of nature. More details Riverside Cemetery Final Resting Place for One of America’s Best Although William Sidney Porter lived his life far from the Western North Carolina mountains, the man who penned short stories under the name O. Henry and became the favorite of a generation at the turn of the Twentieth Century owes the location of his final resting place to his second wife, Sara Coleman Porter, a Weaverville native. More details Audubon North Carolina Announces State’s 92 Important Bird Areas Audubon North Carolina, the state office of the National Audubon Society, has announced the release of Important Bird Areas of North Carolina, a scientific assessment of the most important habitats for birds in the state. The culmination of six years of study, the publication identifies 92 places from the mountains to the coast that are vital for breeding, migrating, and over-wintering birds. More details Botanical Gardens of Asheville a Natural Reflection of Southern Appalachian Mountains The Botanical Gardens of Asheville, located on a lovely ten-acre site next to the UNC-Asheville campus on Weaver Boulevard, is a haven of sorts for more than 700 plant species that are native to this diverse ecosystem we call home – the southern Appalachian Mountains. For the many people who visit or volunteer their time in these delightful gardens, it is a haven indeed, offering solitude, serenity, and a chance to reconnect with the natural world that surrounds us all. More details Saving Natural Habitats Begins At Home; Learn About Sustainable Gardening Practices Disappearing habitat is a problem worldwide. Most endangered species have that status because of habitat loss. Two thirds of the world’s forests are already gone. More details Chimney Rock Park Offers Four Seasons of Outdoor Fun For those looking for a invigorating, outdoors spot to spend the better part of a day away from their own particular brand of hustle and bustle, Chimney Rock Park might just be the place. With fall’s generally crisp and sunny days, the park is an ideal location for an afternoon outside with family or friends. More details Ivory-bill Habitat Protected Through Land Deal Between The Nature Conservancy and U.S. Wildlife Service The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it will acquire 1,440 acres of land from The Nature Conservancy to add to the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas – home to the recently rediscovered Ivory-bill Woodpecker and a host of other wildlife species. The Service and the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved $1,944,000 from this year’s Migratory Bird Conservation Fund (commonly known as the Federal Duck Stamp program) to acquire 1,440 acres of the former Ray Coleman Howell Farm at Cache River NWR presently owned by The Nature Conservancy. More details Wild Turkey Flock Finds Asheville To Its Taste; Pays Recent Visit to Historic Manor Inn Apartments Veritable traffic stoppers, and the topic of much conversation around the office, a rather large flock of wild turkeys has decided, like so many others, that Asheville is the place for them. A somewhat unlikely choice, given that wild turkeys tend to gravitate toward more rural and less populated areas in which to reside, Asheville has embraced its wayward flock. More details U.S. Fish and Wildlife Species Respond to Global Warming Everyone who owns pets knows how sensitive they are to the weather. Dogs and cats fidget and fuss before a big storm. More details NC Arboretum Operates State-of-the-Art Greenhouse Complex For both the regular visitor and the uninitiated, the splendor of the North Carolina Arboretum begins with the entry road into this massive and picturesque facility. Owned and operated by the University of North Carolina system on 426 acres in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, the road winds gently past woodlands, trails, high stone retaining walls, and some glorious landscaping. More details Biltmore Industries Holds Distinguished Position in Asheville's History Biltmore Industries, for many years an exceptional outlet for traditional mountain arts and crafts and the one-time beneficiary of George and Edith Vanderbilt's generosity, is a long-running example of Asheville's propensity toward fostering local mountain industry. The following article, posted with the permission of local author, historian, and antiques authority Bruce E. Johnson, provides an in-depth look at Biltmore Industries and the impact it had on local artisans and crafts people throughout the 20th century. More details Meeting the Challenges of Forest Conservation; Our Forests, Our Way of Life Forests are intrinsic to our way of life. We hunt and hike and bird watch in them, and depend upon them for wildlife habitat, water purification, timber and jobs. More details Folk Art Center a Rare Jewel on the Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville is fortunate to have a unique combination of people, businesses, activities, and interesting side roads that come together to give it a depth of spirit unlike any other city in the South. Couple this cultivated luxury with the rugged, natural beauty of the mountains, and you have something that is both comforting and inspiring to come back to again and again; the Folk Art Center is one such gem found in the Asheville area. More details National Historic Trust Names Asheville a "Distinctive Destination" The National Trust for Historic Preservation has selected Asheville, North Carolina, as one of "America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations." The National Trust anually selects a dozen locations that it regards as the best preserved, unique communities in America. Some of Asheville's landmark historic properties mentioned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation included the Grove Park Inn, the Biltmore Estate, the Thomas Wolfe home and Biltmore Village. More details Mountain Waterfalls a Beautiful Draw for the Mountains One of a number of natural beauties for outdoor adventurers and families alike, is to head to one of many area waterfalls. Hiking to the sites is a terrific way to get a little exercise, breathe some fresh mountain air, and spend some time with family and friends. In fact, this is just the type of outing of which memories are made. More details A Hike to the Top of Mount Pisgah and Dinner at the Pisgah Inn.... a Great Combo Should you wake up some Saturday or Sunday morning, hear the weather forecast for beautiful skies, realize you have nothing on your schedule for the day, and want an invigorating outdoor activity to fill those wonderful "no-work" hours, try spending a day on the Blue Ridge Parkway hiking to the top of Mount Pisgah and follow it up with dinner at the Pisgah Inn. More details current weather information > Mountain Biking Trails Abound in Pisgah Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest Fall in Western North Carolina is unrivalled in its beauty. The leaves on our trees gradually change from bright summer green to shades of red, purple, gold, orange, and rust, and the underbrush is filled with endless wild plants which produce brilliant pink, purple, and golden flowers. There is no better place to revel in all this beauty than a forest in the Western North Carolina mountains, and an exhilarating mountain bike ride is a perfect way to celebrate fall's palate. More details Take a Walk Through Time on Asheville's Urban Trail Asheville's Urban Trail, a walking tour of downtown Asheville and its buildings, architecture, cultural history and lore, has begun its 2001 season with guided and self-guided tours. Twenty newly trained and enthusiastic guides will lead tours from now through November. More details North Carolina Arboretum Another Gem in the WNC Mountains The North Carolina Arboretum, a member of the University of North Carolina System, quietly goes about its business every day of the year. Fortunately for visitors to the Arboretum, its business just happens to be one of the most delightful businesses to be found in the state. More details Mt. Leconte is One of the Area's Loveliest and Most Remote Hiking Destinations If hiking is your passion, you will want to add Mt. Leconte to your lists of hiking destinations. Mt. Leconte is one of the area's loveliest and most remote hiking destinations. Located near the border with Tennessee, Mt. LeConte is a tough ticket to come by - the lodge that is perched atop Mt. LeConte has a very limited capacity, making reservations, particularly during warmer weather, very difficult to obtain. More details Smith-McDowell House Museum, Asheville's First Mansion If you are planning a visit to the Asheville area for the color season, you might want to plan a visit to the Smith-McDowell House Museum. Built circa 1840 by James McConnell Smith, the Smith McDowell House is Asheville's oldest surviving house and the oldest brick house in Buncombe County, North Carolina. More details Cobblestones Spoke to Thomas Wolfe's Soul The use of cobblestones and brick pavers fell out of favor in the U.S. in the early 1900's due to the availability of inexpensive petroleum products. Cobblestones and brick pavers are both expensive materials to purchase and labor intensive to install. More details Large Stands of Old Growth Forests Found in Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest A survey, coordinated by the WNC Alliance, and with the assistance of the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition and the North Carolina chapter of the Sierra Club, has documented 77, 418 acres of delineated old growth forests. This increases the previously recorded acres of old growth forests by over 400%. The two national forests total more that 1.1 million acres of public forests. More details Wild Turkeys Flourishing in Southeast Restoring the native wild turkey throughout the Eastern United States stands as one of the most successful restoration efforts in the history of wildlife management. The wild turkey population had fallen from 7 million, at the time of the arrival of the first European settlers, to 30 thousand in the 1930s. More details If you have news item that you believe is appropriate for asheville.com, please call 828-253-2880 or send email to info@asheville.com.

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