Keep it fun while following social (physical) distancing recommendations! Join us in taking the #BackyardChallenge to celebrate #EarthMonth2020 in your own backyard. How have you been enjoying time outdoors? Check out the gallery below to see ways SAHC staff have been getting fresh air while sticking close to home. Share your own and tag us on social media. #BackyardChallenge #EarthMonth2020 #MyAppalachia #SAHC

Welcome to Art in the Time of COVID– an online artwork exhibition by Pink Dog Creative artists. The work in this exhibition is either related to the COVID-19 pandemic, made during the time of Stay-At-Home orders, or is uplifting or otherwise helpful during this challenging time. Most of the work is for sale. Our artists are hard at work and appreciate your support during this difficult time. Check out our artist pages and please get in touch with artists directly for information on work, online classes, & commissions! Work will continue to be added during the quarantine, so please check back for updates.

Karen Keil Brown, Where Will Our Path Take Us, Oil on canvas, 14 x 11″

COVID-19 Relief Funds Available to Farmers starting April 3rd The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is part of the massive economic rescue package passed by Congress last week to address urgent needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Incorporated businesses, sole proprietors, single-member LLCs, self-employed individuals, and nonprofits are all eligible to apply for this relief. Apply Here

Organic Growers School

COVID-19 Updates for Business With the rapid update of information at the Federal, State, and local levels, we will be issuing these special edition updates each Thursday, in addition to our regular Tuesday, E-News. Visit our COVID-19 Updates Page March 26th Issue of COVID-19 Updates for Businesses

In this four-part class taught by M. Paige Taylor, explore composition and color using digital photography! Through a series of weekly assignments, hone your observation skills, apply framing and cropping with intention, and use color with purpose. APRIL 9, 16, 23, & 30—Thursdays, 6–8pm Registration deadline: April 8 $75 Museum Members, $85 non-members THIS PROGRAM WILL TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM. SPACE IS LIMITED; TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE OR CALL 828.253.3227 X122. Matthew Pillsbury, Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, Paris, 2008, printed 2013, archival ink on paper, 39 ⅜ × 31 ½ inches, Collection of the Asheville Art Museum. Museum purchase with funds provided by the Nat C. Myers Photography Fund, 2012.44.99. © Matthew Pillsbury

EPA RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).

EPA’s Coronavirus website provides key EPA resources and links to additional information about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Read the most up-to-date information about EPA actions, disinfectants, drinking water and waste water, and other resources.
https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus

Disinfectants that meet EPA’s criteria for use against coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). When purchasing a disinfectant product, check if its EPA registration number is included on this list. If it is, you have a match and the product can be used against SARS-CoV-2.

• List of Disinfectants for use Against Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
• Frequently Asked Questions about Disinfectants for use Against Coronavirus
  https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/frequently-asked-questions-about-list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
• TWEET: EPA’s list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is searchable, sortable, and contains more than 350 products.
  https://twitter.com/EPARegion8/status/1243307367229317120

Information on drinking water and wastewater. The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies. Based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) and drinking water and wastewater
  https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-drinking-water-and-wastewater
• Flush Only Toilet Paper!  Flushing only toilet paper helps ensure that the toilets, plumbing, sewer systems, and septic systems will continue working properly.
  https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-encourages-americans-only-flush-toilet-paper

Resources related to COVID-19 in other languages:

• Español: https://espanol.epa.gov/espanol/enfermedad-del-coronavirus-2019-covid-19
• Other languages: https://www.epa.gov/lep

As we enter into an even vaster understanding of just how interdependent we are and how fast something travels between us all, we can appreciate the power of our interconnectedness. This can be seen in the thousands of cases in which a virus has impacted so much of our lives from travel, business, wellness and gatherings.
Fantastic Fungi is all about our interconnectedness and the common issues that we face as a species. We know that our biggest defense from these viruses is our own sense of wellbeing, our own immunity and the ability to live from a place of health and wellness both individually and collectively.

Fantastic Fungi Day:
More Global Than Ever

Watch Fantastic Fungi… At Home!

The messages of this film could not be any timelier, from the need to reconnect and understand the intelligence of nature, to partnering with fungi and our natural world to shift our consciousness. How prepared are we to face the pressing issues we have in our world?

We are facing a serious challenge, yet like the mycelium network we are adaptable. As a response to the worldwide pandemic of the coronavirus, we ask each community to take responsibility for establishing the best practice for them. We also know that we need to respond as mycelium and provide innovative ways of addressing these new challenges.

Join Us From The Safety of Wherever You Are.

In response to the Coronavirus we have decided to expand our reach and open the gates to the ever expanding movement of this film and provide an opportunity to people all around the world, no matter where you are located, to participate in Fantastic Fungi Day! Yes, we are creating an opportunity for everyone, wherever you are to view the film as well as tune into the post-screening Q&A. We have the ability to shift the way we are living in this world. Now is the time to tap into nature’s intelligence and come together as a worldwide audience seeking connection, hope and solutions.

With love and gratitude,
Louie, Paul and the FF Team

Care for Corona is a grassroots support system comprised of psychotherapists and healing practitioners who offer short term free virtual counseling and healing sessions for Buncombe County medical personnel and psychotherapists who are on the front lines of the Corona Virus Pandemic.

Care for Corona

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain will close until further notice, effective Sunday, March 15. The closure means the park will prohibit public access, including from the main entrance gate and hiking trails.

In addition, all special events and programs scheduled through Memorial Day have been canceled or postponed.

Bryson City, NC – Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR) has continued to
follow the rapidly developing concerns and threats due to the impact of COVID19. As it continues to spread, it is important that we follow the current guidance
and recommendations from our state and national officials. Our top priority
remains the safeguard of our visitors, employees, and community.
GSMR will extend the current suspension of passenger train operations until May
1, 2020 or until further notice. This also includes our model train museum and
retail store.
We will continue in providing clear options to offer the best customer service and
booking flexibility. Guests who currently hold reservations will be notified with
the option of rescheduling or cancellation. For all reservations effected by this
suspension we will continue waiving all fees.
Guests may also call our reservations line at 1-800-872-4681 between the hours of
9AM to 5:00PM EST or email us at [email protected]. Calls and emails
will be answered in the order they are received. Please remain patient with us as
our call and email volume will increase.
At this time, we are not announcing any cancellation of service beyond May 1,
2020 as we remain hopeful to see the return of our busy 2020 railroad season very
soon. However, as the situation changes and new information becomes available
our timeline may be altered and we will continue communicating as quickly as
possible.