RiverLink Newsletter ~ March 2007 ©2007 RiverLink.org

RiverLink is a regional non-profit spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River and its tributaries as a place to work, live and play. Since 1987 we have engaged in simultaneous efforts to address water quality concerns throughout the French Broad River basin, expand public opportunities for access and recreation, and spearheaded the economic revitalization of Asheville's dilapidated riverfront district. We hope you find this newsletter informative and enjoyable. To unsubscribe please click here

In this issue... RiverWise Awards: Update Wilma Dykeman receives Local Legend Award Earth Day Art & Poetry Contest Carrier Park Tree Planting River Cleanups March cleanups National River Cleanup Week (June) Volunteer Opportunities Summer Internships Adopt-a-Stream Natural Resources Committe  Having trouble reading this newsletter in your email? You can access it and other newsletters from our archive. Go to www.riverlink.org, click on newsletters, select 'RiverLink Newsletter' and 'archives' then press 'Go.'

RiverWise Awards: Update Government RiverWise Award Winner This year RiverLink is proud to recognize the Buncombe County Commissioners for their successful and on-going efforts to protect in perpetuity “sacred places” within our county.  Three years ago, the commissioners established the Buncombe County Conservation Board and tasked it with identifying “sacred places” that should be preserved in perpetuity. In FY 2006, The Commissioners appropriated over $ 2million dollars to cover transaction costs associated with conservations easement.  These places are now preserved forever for future generations to use and enjoy.   Click to see the other winners>>> Wilma Dykeman receives Local Legend Award  Wilma Dykeman passed away in December of 2006, but her legacy lives on. She was posthumously awarded a Local Legend Award of Distinction at the grand opening of the Center of Unlimited Possibilities on Saturday, February 17. Dykeman, born in Asheville in 1920, devoted her life to portraying the Appalachian region and people in the many books she authored. Her first book, The French Broad, was a groundbreaking call for the revitalization and conservation of the French Broad River.           French Broad RiverKeeper Hartwell Carson accepted the award for RiverLink on behalf of Dykeman. RiverLink, the regional non-profit spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River and its tributaries as a place to work, live and play, looked to Dykeman as a source of inspiration.           RiverLink executive director Karen Cragnolin said of Dykeman’s influence, “Wilma was the renaissance woman of our century.  She knew and understood economics, population, racial relations, the economy, and how they are intertwined- interdependent and essential to a healthy community and river.  She understood and converted us to sustainability in our treatment of natural resources as the best means to preserve and protect our community and heritage. RiverLink hopes this is one of many honors Wilma receives - we can all honor her life’s work in our actions.” Be a part of the RiverWay development... Purchase your Deed of Support for the Wilma Dykeman Missing Link EDACO fund! For $50 per linear foot you can help acquire the EDACO property as well as other “Missing Links” in the RiverWay, and to promote implementation of the RiverWay. These certificates of support are suitable for framing and the RiverLink board hopes will be bought by individuals as well as given as gifts for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. These are gifts for the future of our rivers.   Carrier Park Tree Planting RiverLink recently received a donation of over 40 trees, which were planted by volunteers at Carrier Park along the French Broad River on February 16. The trees were mostly maples, oaks, and birches native to Western NC. Thanks to Bill Boyum for the donation! *Trees play an important role in water quality. Trees reduce stormwater flow by intercepting rainwater on leaves, branches, and trunks. Some of the intercepted water evaporates back into the atmosphere, and some soaks into the ground reducing the total amount of runoff that must be managed in urban areas. Studies show that impervious surfaces have increased by 20% over the past 2 decades in urban areas at a cost in excess of $100 billion nationally. Local governments are increasingly looking toward non-built stormwater management strategies, including trees to reduce the cost of constructing stormwater control infrastructure.  *From www.americanforests.org Earth Day Art & Poetry Contest RiverLink invites students in the French Broad River watershed to participate in an art and poetry contest in honor of Earth Day! The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970 to celebrate our Earth and the wonders it provides and to recognize and address the problems facing it.  Students are invited to continue this tradition by exploring the French Broad Watershed, then showing what they discovered through a poem or artwork. Entries will be grouped in categories by either poem or artwork and grade: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. All entries should be submitted to RiverLink no later than April 15, 2007. Winners will be announced on April 20. Entries will be judged by RiverLink staff and volunteers. The winning pieces will be highlighted in RiverLink’s May e-newsletter and on display at the All Souls Church Earth Day event on April 22nd!! The grand prize winner may even qualify to be on the cover of RiverLink's May Citizen-Times insert! This program can be combined with a Watershed Education lesson presented by RiverLink staff and volunteers- contact volunteer@riverlink.org for more information and educational resources.  Click for guidelines and prize info>>>  Environmental Education RiverLink welcomes new Environmental Education intern, Megan Williams! Megan is an environmental studies major at UNC Asheville where she volunteers with Active Students for a Healthy Environment (A.S.H.E). She has also worked with the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project and with Big Brothers and Sisters as a mentor. Megan has been a great help putting together lesson plans, creating projects for National Environmental Education Week, and compiling French Broad River facts for a brochure. She will be assisting RiverLink staff with lessons in K-12 classrooms this spring as well as Earth Day events. Welcome, Megan! Please see below for Summer Internship opportunities at RiverLink   River Cleanups         RiverLink coordinated a river cleanup on February 10th at Ross Creek with the Kenilworth Forest Community Club Adopt-a-Stream team. The cleanup, which was open to the public, drew 17 volunteers on a blustery but sunny Saturday morning. The group tackled the trash from both ends of Ross Creek. One team started cleaning in the neighborhood near Kenilworth Lake and worked their way towards the second group, which worked from the Waffle House parking lot on Tunnel Road. All together the volunteers collected 30 bags of trash, two shopping carts, two road barriers, and a bowling ball. Great job, KFCC!!!   March River Cleanups Spring is in the air, and at RiverLink that means... River Cleanup season is here! RiverLink is coordinating many river cleanups this spring. Come out and get your feet wet while you help get trash out of our waterways! Experienced boaters and individuals with tools to retrieve trash from the tree limbs and on the banks are encouraged to participate. Please wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes that can get dirty. RiverLink will provide supplies (bags, gloves, waders, pick up sticks, etc). To sign up please email volunteer@riverlink.org   March 3 (this Saturday!): French Broad River tributary off Clingman Ave. UNC-Asheville ASHE ecology club March 10: FBR on Riverside Dr. (AAS) New Life Community Church March 17: Reed Creek (AAS) Altamont Environmental March 18: FBR, Ledges Park (AAS) Diamond Brand Outdoors March 28: FBR, Lyman St. (AAS) Fullerton Genetics March 31: location TBA Starbucks Biltmore Village National River Cleanup Week June 2-10, 2007 RiverLink is taking part in this great national event, and we need your help! We're aiming to hold a cleanup every day during the National River Cleanup Week- if you would like to volunteer to organize a cleanup with your business, church, school, or organization, your group will be eligible to enter contest and win great prizes! This will be a highly publicized event and a great way to showcase your team’s commitment to a clean and healthy environment. RiverLink will supply teams with trash bags, safety vests, gloves, litter pick up sticks, and signage. Due to limited supplies we will only be able to schedule one or two cleanups a day, so sign up now! Email volunteer@riverlink.org Volunteer Opportunities Monthly volunteer info/ training sessions Second Wednesday of each month at 4:00pm* *March session will be Monday, March 5 RiverLink offices, 170 Lyman St. Open to the public- please RSVP to volunteer@riverlink.org Come to RiverLink to find out all about how YOU can get involved in our efforts to revitalize the French Broad watershed! A 30 minute presentation will give an overview of ongoing and special events volunteer opportunities. You will have a chance to ask questions, fill out a volunteer application, and speak with the Volunteer Coordinator about your interests and availability. New: Summer Internships Interviews will start in March- apply today! If you are interested in other volunteer opportunities, please visit www.riverlink.org and click on ‘Volunteer.’ Time commitment: varies; scheduling flexible. Rolling application. Academic credit and/or stipend possible. Environmental Education Intern (2-3): help organize and participate in outreach and education programs. Create, coordinate and/or conduct educational programs about watersheds for schools and youth programs. Research and explore the flora and fauna, history, wildlife, and environmental issues of the river in order to develop and interpretive tour of the river. RiverKeeper Intern (1): Same as Environmental Education intern description, also work directly with French Broad Riverkeeper on developing environmental education projects, grant implementation, river restorations, and water quality data. Work to develop paddle access and camping locations throughout the length of the French Broad, but specifically from Rosman to Asheville. Volunteer Programs Intern (1): help recruit and manage volunteers who are an essential part of RiverLink's mission. Coordinate volunteer programs such as river cleanups, Adopt a Stream, park and greenway construction, and events like Rockin' on the River Raft Race. Media Intern (1): graphic design, journalism, photography, website maintenance, newsletters, press releases. Help document, edit, and broadcast a RiverLink TV show. This is in partnership with UR TV and is an exciting opportunity to learn or further develop your filming skills. Assistance with copying, news clippings, archiving, filing, mailings, data entry, and phone calling assistance. For more information and an application, email volunteer@riverlink.org. Natural Resources Advisory Committee: Time commitment: several hours/ month, biannual committee meetings The Advisory Board will be called upon to assist with watershed issues pertaining to different natural resources. RiverLink is recruiting volunteers who have academic/ professional training in the following areas of expertise: Forestry/ botany • Biology/ Wildlife • Soil/ land use (filled) • Air quality (filled) For more information and an application, email volunteer@riverlink.org. Adopt-a-Stream Teams The Adopt-a-Stream program is a hands-on way for local residents and businesses to get actively involved in improving the water quality of the French Broad River Watershed. This a very flexible program that gives you the tools and knowledge to make a difference in your watershed by cleaning up your local stream. Want to start an AAS team with your church, business, school, or organization? We have over 30 teams participating in this program who commit to do two river cleanups a year. It is a great volunteer opportunity for any age group! Click here to find out more and download an Adopt-a-Stream manual and contract!     RiverLink, Inc. P.O. Box 15488 Asheville, NC  28813-0488 Office: (828) 252-8474 x118 Fax: (828) 253-6848 Get RiverLinked- read the blog! www.getriverlinked.blogspot.com Check us out on MySpace! www.myspace.com/riverlink

News   Spring RiverFront Bus Tours Next tour: Sat. March 3rd First Saturdays 1:30-3:30pm Third Thursdays 12:00-2:00pm Free for members $15 for non-members Take a tour of Asheville's urban riverfront and learn about Asheville's river district, history, and the involvement of RiverLink in the development of the urban riverfront. To register call 252-8474 x.118 or email volunteer@riverlink.org. Save the Date April 15 Deadline for submissions to French Broad River art & poetry contest April 15-22 National Environmental Education Week/ April 21 9:30am River Walk at Carrier Park April 22 Earth Day event at All Souls Church May 17 RiverLink benefit concert Now recruiting local bands! Email volunteer@riverlink.org. June 2-10 National River Cleanup Week June 13 Wilma Dykeman memorial service at Diana Wortham theater June 14 Asheville Affiliates RiverLink benefit at Windows on the Park June 16 11-3pm Missing Link Open House at former EDACO site (Carrier Park) Aug 11 Rockin the River at French Broad River Park GET RIVERLINKED! The newest feature of our newsletter that aims to educate you about the French Broad River watershed and get you RIVERLINKED! River Fact of the month Trash Facts: How does trash affect our rivers? What types of litter are found in rivers? Fast food waste (33%) Paper (29%) Aluminum (28%) Glass (6%) Plastic (2%) Other (2%) How long does litter last? Orange peel (2-5 weeks) Paper bag (1 month) Cigarette butt (5 years) Leather shoe (45 years) Plastic bottle (430 years) Aluminum can (200-500 years) Disposable diaper (550 years) Glass bottle (1 million years) Styrofoam container (1 million years) River Photo of the month Click to view this photo and others in our web gallery The French Broad River Photo taken by Mark Vanderhoff during Tour de French Broad 2006 River Quote of the month       “To the Cherokee who roamed this country of the French Broad and had the legendary villages of Kanuga on the Big Pigeon and Kanasta on the French Broad, who hunted these forests and fished these waters, a river was part of their religion and livelihood, their commerce, their myth, and their recreation.       From the solemn rites of purification when a boy entered manhood to the utilitarian pleasure of fishing for food, the river was a part of Cherokee life, and they gave it a name and a personification: Long Man, the River, fed by the tributaries of his Chattering Children, all the brooks and rivulets winding through the mountains. To the French Broad specifically they gave the name Aguiqa, and for at least part of its length, the rapids below Asheville, they called it Tahkeyostee, meaning “Where they race.” The Cherokees were right. This river needed several names to fit its several moods and natures.” The French Broad by Wilma Dykeman (1955) Readers are welcome to submit river facts, photos, quotes, and anything else related to the rivers! Email volunteer@riverlink.org

 

©2007 RiverLink