RiverLinking Our Schools
RiverLink’s
efforts to make our rivers places to live, work, and play by creating
greenways and riverfront parks are well-known, but RiverLink isn’t just
working on the rivers; they’re working to bring the rivers to the
public through outreach and education efforts.  Fairview Elementary School Kids in the Creek On October 24 and 25 RiverLink’s French Broad RiverKeeper, Hartwell Carson, and Volunteer Coordinator, Kathryn Blau,
taught a Kids in the Creek program for Fairview Elementary students.
Every grade level had a chance to come out and experience Cane Creek,
which runs near their school. They participated in three learning
stations: an EnviroScape watershed lesson, a River of Words art lesson, and of course, they spent some time by the stream learning about water quality monitoring. This experiential learning activity was a great way to introduce students to the French Broad watershed.
| | Asheville Middle School RiverCorps Nine students from all three grade levels at Asheville Middle School spent three hours last week helping clean up the French Broad River. The
students were led by AMS Spanish teacher Will Yeiser, math teacher
Jessica Carson, Kevin Whisman, special ed, Andrew Bell from Camp
Mondamin in Tuxedo, NC andHartwell Carson from RiverLink. The
group took on the section of the river between Gene Weber Park and Woodfin Park.  The AMS River Corps is one of the extracurricular clubs at the school with a mission to protect and restore the French Broad River
to its pristine state. “One of our goals for the 06-07 year is to
participate in a River Clean up and adopt a section of the French Broad
as part of the “Adopt a Stream” program, Yeiser told us. “There
will be a sign along that stretch of river with the AMS River Corps
name.”
The
participating students had to pass a swim test at the YWCA during the
morning of the event and then had lunch at the park catered by
Bojangle’s. Bell instructed students on river safety and paddling technique and Carson
explained the importance of a watershed and the impact humans can have
on the local watershed. Students and teachers then discussed the
importance of clean water. Students were then given collection bags and
began their work, collecting trash items-tires, barrels, an old
basketball, car parts, tennis balls, etc. The students will continue to educate themselves on their the river by building a rain garden, planting riparian trees, and conducting water quality sampling throughout the year.
| West Buncome Elementary School Career Day 
RiverLink’s Volunteer Coordinator, Kathryn Blau,
spent Halloween visiting West Buncome Elementary School for their
Career Day. She spoke with six kindergarten classes about her job at
RiverLink coordinatingriver cleanups and education efforts . Students
learned how trash can end up in a river, how that can affect water
quality, and how water pollution can be prevented. Several classes are
interested in getting involved with RiverLink’s Adopt-a-Stream
program. Since it was Halloween, many students wore costumes that
showed what they want to be when they grow up- popular careers were
ballerina, doctor, firefighter, and baseball player. |
| October River Cleanups RiverLink
volunteers completed a total of five cleanups in October. 87
volunteers, ranging in age from 8 to 55, collected over 130 bags of
trash and contributed 256 hours of community service to improving our
rivers.  The two most recent cleanups were done by the YMCA Leaders Club
on October 21 and Diamond Brand Outdoors on October 22. The YMCA
Leaders Club, comprised of local teenagers involved in leadership and
community service, collected trash from the French Broad River along Riverside Drive and Emma Road. After the cleanup they were treated to lunch by Bojangles, who sponsored the event.
Diamond Brand Outdoors
is joining more than 20 other organizations and businesses as part of
RiverLink’s Adopt-a-Stream program. They are adopting Section 6 of the French Broad River at Ledges Park, and will perform additional cleanups and river monitoring sessions throughout the year.
| | Thanks to all the October River Cleanup Teams!!!
 Carolina Day School
AB Tech Community College
The Learning Community School
YMCA Leaders Club
Diamond Brand Outdoors |
November Volunteer Opportunities
Monthly volunteer info/ training sessions
Second Wednesday of each month at 4:00pm
2006 dates: November 8, December 13
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.
| Internships: Time commitment: varies; 10-15 hours/week, flexible.
Fall and Spring semesters, rolling application. Academic credit possible, call for details.
This is a great resumé builder and a chance to get involved with exciting projects!
Environmental Education • Media • RiverKeeper • Office Assistant • Volunteer Assistant
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 • Soil/ land use • Biology/ Wildlife • Air quality
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. |
RiverLink, Inc.
P.O. Box 15488
Asheville, NC 28813-0488
Office: (828) 252-8474 x
Cell: (919) 593-0067
Fax: (828) 253-6848 | | | | |
Richmond Hill Inn Tea and Auction to Benefit RiverLink Come and enjoy the grandeur of yesteryear at Richmond Hill Inn on Sunday, November 19th from 2 to 4:30
with a traditional English Tea and silent auction to benefit RiverLink.
This is an event you won’t want to miss. The silent auction will
feature locally made arts, crafts and jewelry as well as holiday floral
arrangements and table decorations. The cost is $9.95 per person. See
our website for more details.
Critical Link Awards 2006: The Media
Each year RiverLink recognizes volunteers, businesses and people who make a difference in the rebirth of the French Broad River.
RiverLink could never have reached so many people with its message and
its mission without the help of a broad cross section of the
media. We salute you!
See this year's recipients
Fall River Front Bus Tours!
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. For more information call 252-8474
x.118
Register online
RiverLink Citizen Times Tabloid
Look for the bi-annual RiverLink tabloid insert in the Asheville Citizen Times this month! Email volunteer@riverlink.org if you would like a free copy sent to you.
RiverLinked on MySpace and FaceBook
In
an effort to reach out to the younger generation, we are now
RiverLinked on these two networking sites. Check out our pages, add us
to your friends, and GET RIVERLINKED!
www.myspace.com/riverlink
www.thefacebook.com
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