Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Entrepreneurship Breakfast ”Celebrating Small Business in Henderson County”
May 4 @ 7:30 am
Cascades Mountain Resort
In celebration of Small Business Week, join the Chamber
for an inspiring program featuring three area entrepreneurs.
Hear about how and why they decided to take the risk
and grow an idea into successful business.
Learn about the challenges, opportunities, set backs and community
involvement that have propelled them to their current successes.
Featuring:
Randy Hunter
First Job: Tobacco Picker
Current: Chairman, Hunter Automotive Group
Judy Stroud
First Job: Janitor at Church
Current: Owner/Agent, State Farm Insurance – Judy Stroud
Mark Trexler
First Job: Camp Staff
Current: GM/Owner, Survival Innovation, LLC
State of Our Workforce: Western North Carolina Survey from Land of Sky Regional Council
May 4 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
online survey
This survey is being sent to organizations in 10 counties in western North Carolina. It is being supported by the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, the Land of Sky P-20 Council, the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County, and over 90 regional partners.
Please respond based on your experience at your current facility – there are no right or wrong answers. The goal is to understand skills and hiring needs faced by your organization to better inform local leaders and create a strong pipeline of workers for the region.
All responses will be confidential and anonymous. You and your organization’s name and identifying information will not be shared.
Participants who complete the survey can choose to be entered to win gifts and experiences from WNC makers and businesses including Kimpton Hotel ArrasBiltmore EstateNavitat Canopy AdventuresHot Springs Resort and SpaEast ForkHighland Brewing, and Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn.
The survey is being conducted by RTI International, a North Carolina-based independent non-profit research institute, and is funded by Land of Sky Regional Council in cooperation with economic development, industry, and workforce partners across the region.
For question about completing the survey, please email Michael Hogan, the research director at [email protected]. If you have questions about your role or rights as a research participant, you can call RTI’s office of research protection at 919.316.3358 or 1.866.214.2043.
Mission Accelerator class
May 4 @ 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Blue Ridge Community College

Take your Business to the Next Level with the Mission Accelerator Program
Companies in 2022 will face a business landscape disrupted by a pandemic: staffing issues, supply chain issues, new business models, shift in consumer purchasing patterns, revenue disruptions, and new applications of tech just to name a few.
The 2022 Mission Accelerator class can help organizations you know develop new tools and strategies to proactively successfully navigate the ever changing business environment that 2022 will be.
Registration is open through January 24th. The program begins January 26th and will meet every-other Wednesday from 8:30 am – 1 pm through June 1st. The cost for the program is $295.
Not sure if your business could benefit from this program? Take the self-assessment below to rate your success.

Blue Ridge Community College and the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce have partnered once again to offer the Mission Acceleration Business Accelerator, a five-month, ten-course program.

 

January 26, 2022
Business Best Practices and KPI (Key Performance Indicators) Checklist by Department Identifying Opportunities for Acceleration

February 9, 2022
Management and Leadership

February 23, 2022
Human Resources, Legal and Insurance

March 9, 2022
Capital and Purchasing

March 23, 2022
Competition and Competitive Advantage

April 6, 2022
Branding, Marketing and Sales

April 20, 2022
Customer Service and Information Technology

May 4, 2022
Business Logistics: Best ways to meet customer needs

May 18, 2022
Accounting and Finance

June 1, 2022
Business Acceleration Plan Presentation and Graduation

Sessions run Wednesdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. except 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on January 26.
Cost for the course is $295.

Thursday, May 5, 2022
  AmeriCorps Sustainability Coordinator Position Open
May 5 all-day
online w/ GreenWorks

Applications are open now for a Sustainability Coordinator, an 11-month AmeriCorps position running September 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023.

 

This AmeriCorps member will take a leadership role in all our waste reduction programs and education efforts.

 

The Sustainability Coordinator will raise public awareness about conserving our natural resources, and lead education programs about waste reduction, recycling, and composting in organizations, and at community gatherings and schools.

 

Know a leader who cares deeply about reducing our waste? Applications due May 9.

Buncombe County Organizations: Apply For Free Hotspots and Service
May 5 all-day
online w/ US Cellular

Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular

ASAP- Call for Apps FINAL

Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.

We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity

To apply, click here.

If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.

Grants Available for Resource Recycling Conference
May 5 all-day
online w/ The Recycling Partnership

Recycling Partnership Provides Registration & Travel Funding

The Recycling Partnership, in association with Resource Recycling, Inc,. is excited to announce applications are live for the 2022 Steve Thompson Memorial Grant Program.

For the first time since 2019, the Resource Recycling Conference will be in-person in Austin, TX from August 15-17, 2022. The grant program provides the opportunity to apply to have conference registration, a two-night hotel stay, and travel reimbursement up to $650 covered for the winners.

Applications are being accepted until the end of the day on Friday, May 6, 2022. We hope to see you in Austin!

Multifamily Recycling Grant Program
May 5 all-day
online w/ North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
 

NC DEACS Accepting Applications Now!

Last month DEACS launched a Multifamily Recycling Grant to support recycling at multifamily properties in North Carolina. Local governments, recycling businesses, and property management companies are all eligible to apply for funding. Grant funding can be used to purchase equipment and site developments to establish or expand recycling access for multifamily units. The maximum award is $250,000.

  • Multifamily Recycling Grant Program – OPEN
    This special grant program offers funding to initiate or expand multifamily recycling programs within the state. Eligible applicants include local governments, recycling businesses or non-profits, multifamily property owners, or multifamily property management companies. Grant funds may be used to purchase typical equipment needs to start or expand the collection of traditional household recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass and plastic bottles and containers) from multifamily residences. Examples of eligible purchases include carts, dumpsters, collection vehicles, concrete pads, recycling corrals and education. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with no due date. Approved grant applications will be funded in the order in which they are received until funding is exhausted.

    Download the Multifamily Recycling Grant request for proposals (RFP) by selecting one of the following links (PDF or Word). Please submit completed applications to Tara Nattress at [email protected].

Nominations accepted for the Blue Ridge Business Growth + Rising Star Awards
May 5 all-day
online

The Blue Ridge Business Growth Awards (companies in business over 3 years) and Rising Star Awards (companies in business less than 3 years) will be presented to Chamber member businesses that experienced growth in 2020 through quality management, inventiveness, old fashioned hard work and courage. Companies can be recognized for employment growth, revenue growth, or a combination.
Download a nomination form today. Deadline is August 19th
White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 6
May 5 all-day
Western North Carolina Mountains

Hiking Challenge 6 is here! In Conserving Carolina’s and WPA’s White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 6, you get to explore the places you’re helping to protect—and they’re amazing! We invite you to take eight hikes on lands that Conserving Carolina has helped to protect, enhance, or open to the public.

This challenge includes two all-new Conserving Carolina trails with gorgeous views! Plus, you can see the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, lakes and waterfalls in DuPont State Recreational Forest, expanded trails in Bracken Mountain Preserve, and a beautiful creek in the Green River Game Lands. There’s also the all-time favorite Bearwallow Mountain with its 360-degree views over the mountains and countryside we’re working to protect.

These hikes will take you to some of our region’s “greatest hits,” as well as hidden gems where you may have the woods to yourself. If you’re into mountain biking, you have the option of biking some of these trails. And if you love to swim, fish, or just be near the water, five of these hikes take you to rivers, lakes, or waterfalls.

And the Hikes Are…

Drumroll please…. Here are the 8 hikes for this new Hiking Challenge! You can find more information and links to the full hike descriptions below. Which one will you do first?

  1. Bearwallow Mountain
  2. Wildcat Rock Trail – Extended
  3. Bracken Preserve
  4. DuPont State Recreational Forest: Fawn Lake and Lake Julia
  5. DuPont State Recreational Forest: Holly Road to Hooker Falls
  6. Green River Game Lands: Green River Cove Trail
  7. Whitewater Falls
  8. Youngs Mountain Trail
  9. LOG YOUR HIKES
    • Log each hike as you complete it. You can check your progress in this roster.
    • You can do the hikes at your own pace. You can take weeks, months, or over a year—whatever works for you.
    • You must complete all your hikes before the start of the next Hiking Challenge. We launch a new challenge about every two years.
    • Only hikes that you’ve done after Oct. 1, 2021 count toward Hiking Challenge 6.
    • You can complete the hikes on your own or as a group.
    • Please share about your hikes with the hashtag #whitesquirrelhikingchallenge (optional)
    • Feel free to share about your hikes and connect with other hikers in our Facebook group, the Conserving Carolina Community.

    The Hiking Challenge is free and open to all, but you must be a Conserving Carolina member to become a Hiking Challenge 6 Champion. If you are a member and you complete all 8 hikes, you will earn your White Squirrel Patch and exclusive perks from local businesses that support conservation, including Appalachian Coffee CompanyLazy Otter OutfittersMurphy’s Naturals, and YAM Yoga and Massage. Most importantly, you get to experience eight great places and deepen your personal connection to land conservation.

State of Our Workforce: Western North Carolina Survey from Land of Sky Regional Council
May 5 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
online survey
This survey is being sent to organizations in 10 counties in western North Carolina. It is being supported by the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, the Land of Sky P-20 Council, the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County, and over 90 regional partners.
Please respond based on your experience at your current facility – there are no right or wrong answers. The goal is to understand skills and hiring needs faced by your organization to better inform local leaders and create a strong pipeline of workers for the region.
All responses will be confidential and anonymous. You and your organization’s name and identifying information will not be shared.
Participants who complete the survey can choose to be entered to win gifts and experiences from WNC makers and businesses including Kimpton Hotel ArrasBiltmore EstateNavitat Canopy AdventuresHot Springs Resort and SpaEast ForkHighland Brewing, and Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn.
The survey is being conducted by RTI International, a North Carolina-based independent non-profit research institute, and is funded by Land of Sky Regional Council in cooperation with economic development, industry, and workforce partners across the region.
For question about completing the survey, please email Michael Hogan, the research director at [email protected]. If you have questions about your role or rights as a research participant, you can call RTI’s office of research protection at 919.316.3358 or 1.866.214.2043.
Western NC Regional Listening Session: Asheville
May 5 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Center for Craft

Western NC Regional Listening Session: Asheville

Bridgeway Capital’s Creative Business Accelerator is working in partnership with the Land of Sky Regional Council and stakeholders across Western North Carolina to develop a Creative Manufacturing Sector Development Plan for the region. To better understand the opportunities and challenges faced by creative entrepreneurs in the region, and to get your thoughts on how to move Western North Carolina’s creative economy forward, we’re hosting a series of listening sessions in early May.

To provide context, we are defining creative manufacturing as “creative manufacturers use traditional handwork processes and industrial production technologies to transform raw and/or reclaimed materials into finished goods with utility, durability, and distinctive design.” Finished goods from creative manufacturers are wide ranging and include, but are not limited to, furniture, hardware, decor, textiles, wall coverings, apparel, hollowware, home goods, lighting, musical instruments, beauty care, etc.

AGENDA

  • Introductions
  • Small and full group discussions:

-What are the primary assets this region has as it relates to the creative sector and/or creative manufacturing?

-What are the primary challenges creatives in this region face as it relates to the creative sector and/or creative manufacturing?

-In 10 years, how would you like Western NC’s creative sector and creative economy to look?

  • Next steps in the creative manufacturing planning process

Questions? Please contact Katie Johnson – [email protected]

Friday, May 6, 2022
  AmeriCorps Sustainability Coordinator Position Open
May 6 all-day
online w/ GreenWorks

Applications are open now for a Sustainability Coordinator, an 11-month AmeriCorps position running September 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023.

 

This AmeriCorps member will take a leadership role in all our waste reduction programs and education efforts.

 

The Sustainability Coordinator will raise public awareness about conserving our natural resources, and lead education programs about waste reduction, recycling, and composting in organizations, and at community gatherings and schools.

 

Know a leader who cares deeply about reducing our waste? Applications due May 9.

Buncombe County Organizations: Apply For Free Hotspots and Service
May 6 all-day
online w/ US Cellular

Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular

ASAP- Call for Apps FINAL

Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.

We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity

To apply, click here.

If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.

Grants Available for Resource Recycling Conference
May 6 all-day
online w/ The Recycling Partnership

Recycling Partnership Provides Registration & Travel Funding

The Recycling Partnership, in association with Resource Recycling, Inc,. is excited to announce applications are live for the 2022 Steve Thompson Memorial Grant Program.

For the first time since 2019, the Resource Recycling Conference will be in-person in Austin, TX from August 15-17, 2022. The grant program provides the opportunity to apply to have conference registration, a two-night hotel stay, and travel reimbursement up to $650 covered for the winners.

Applications are being accepted until the end of the day on Friday, May 6, 2022. We hope to see you in Austin!

Multifamily Recycling Grant Program
May 6 all-day
online w/ North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
 

NC DEACS Accepting Applications Now!

Last month DEACS launched a Multifamily Recycling Grant to support recycling at multifamily properties in North Carolina. Local governments, recycling businesses, and property management companies are all eligible to apply for funding. Grant funding can be used to purchase equipment and site developments to establish or expand recycling access for multifamily units. The maximum award is $250,000.

  • Multifamily Recycling Grant Program – OPEN
    This special grant program offers funding to initiate or expand multifamily recycling programs within the state. Eligible applicants include local governments, recycling businesses or non-profits, multifamily property owners, or multifamily property management companies. Grant funds may be used to purchase typical equipment needs to start or expand the collection of traditional household recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass and plastic bottles and containers) from multifamily residences. Examples of eligible purchases include carts, dumpsters, collection vehicles, concrete pads, recycling corrals and education. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with no due date. Approved grant applications will be funded in the order in which they are received until funding is exhausted.

    Download the Multifamily Recycling Grant request for proposals (RFP) by selecting one of the following links (PDF or Word). Please submit completed applications to Tara Nattress at [email protected].

White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 6
May 6 all-day
Western North Carolina Mountains

Hiking Challenge 6 is here! In Conserving Carolina’s and WPA’s White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 6, you get to explore the places you’re helping to protect—and they’re amazing! We invite you to take eight hikes on lands that Conserving Carolina has helped to protect, enhance, or open to the public.

This challenge includes two all-new Conserving Carolina trails with gorgeous views! Plus, you can see the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, lakes and waterfalls in DuPont State Recreational Forest, expanded trails in Bracken Mountain Preserve, and a beautiful creek in the Green River Game Lands. There’s also the all-time favorite Bearwallow Mountain with its 360-degree views over the mountains and countryside we’re working to protect.

These hikes will take you to some of our region’s “greatest hits,” as well as hidden gems where you may have the woods to yourself. If you’re into mountain biking, you have the option of biking some of these trails. And if you love to swim, fish, or just be near the water, five of these hikes take you to rivers, lakes, or waterfalls.

And the Hikes Are…

Drumroll please…. Here are the 8 hikes for this new Hiking Challenge! You can find more information and links to the full hike descriptions below. Which one will you do first?

  1. Bearwallow Mountain
  2. Wildcat Rock Trail – Extended
  3. Bracken Preserve
  4. DuPont State Recreational Forest: Fawn Lake and Lake Julia
  5. DuPont State Recreational Forest: Holly Road to Hooker Falls
  6. Green River Game Lands: Green River Cove Trail
  7. Whitewater Falls
  8. Youngs Mountain Trail
  9. LOG YOUR HIKES
    • Log each hike as you complete it. You can check your progress in this roster.
    • You can do the hikes at your own pace. You can take weeks, months, or over a year—whatever works for you.
    • You must complete all your hikes before the start of the next Hiking Challenge. We launch a new challenge about every two years.
    • Only hikes that you’ve done after Oct. 1, 2021 count toward Hiking Challenge 6.
    • You can complete the hikes on your own or as a group.
    • Please share about your hikes with the hashtag #whitesquirrelhikingchallenge (optional)
    • Feel free to share about your hikes and connect with other hikers in our Facebook group, the Conserving Carolina Community.

    The Hiking Challenge is free and open to all, but you must be a Conserving Carolina member to become a Hiking Challenge 6 Champion. If you are a member and you complete all 8 hikes, you will earn your White Squirrel Patch and exclusive perks from local businesses that support conservation, including Appalachian Coffee CompanyLazy Otter OutfittersMurphy’s Naturals, and YAM Yoga and Massage. Most importantly, you get to experience eight great places and deepen your personal connection to land conservation.

State of Our Workforce: Western North Carolina Survey from Land of Sky Regional Council
May 6 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
online survey
This survey is being sent to organizations in 10 counties in western North Carolina. It is being supported by the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, the Land of Sky P-20 Council, the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County, and over 90 regional partners.
Please respond based on your experience at your current facility – there are no right or wrong answers. The goal is to understand skills and hiring needs faced by your organization to better inform local leaders and create a strong pipeline of workers for the region.
All responses will be confidential and anonymous. You and your organization’s name and identifying information will not be shared.
Participants who complete the survey can choose to be entered to win gifts and experiences from WNC makers and businesses including Kimpton Hotel ArrasBiltmore EstateNavitat Canopy AdventuresHot Springs Resort and SpaEast ForkHighland Brewing, and Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn.
The survey is being conducted by RTI International, a North Carolina-based independent non-profit research institute, and is funded by Land of Sky Regional Council in cooperation with economic development, industry, and workforce partners across the region.
For question about completing the survey, please email Michael Hogan, the research director at [email protected]. If you have questions about your role or rights as a research participant, you can call RTI’s office of research protection at 919.316.3358 or 1.866.214.2043.
Saturday, May 7, 2022
  AmeriCorps Sustainability Coordinator Position Open
May 7 all-day
online w/ GreenWorks

Applications are open now for a Sustainability Coordinator, an 11-month AmeriCorps position running September 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023.

 

This AmeriCorps member will take a leadership role in all our waste reduction programs and education efforts.

 

The Sustainability Coordinator will raise public awareness about conserving our natural resources, and lead education programs about waste reduction, recycling, and composting in organizations, and at community gatherings and schools.

 

Know a leader who cares deeply about reducing our waste? Applications due May 9.

Buncombe County Organizations: Apply For Free Hotspots and Service
May 7 all-day
online w/ US Cellular

Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular

ASAP- Call for Apps FINAL

Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.

We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity

To apply, click here.

If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.

White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 6
May 7 all-day
Western North Carolina Mountains

Hiking Challenge 6 is here! In Conserving Carolina’s and WPA’s White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 6, you get to explore the places you’re helping to protect—and they’re amazing! We invite you to take eight hikes on lands that Conserving Carolina has helped to protect, enhance, or open to the public.

This challenge includes two all-new Conserving Carolina trails with gorgeous views! Plus, you can see the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, lakes and waterfalls in DuPont State Recreational Forest, expanded trails in Bracken Mountain Preserve, and a beautiful creek in the Green River Game Lands. There’s also the all-time favorite Bearwallow Mountain with its 360-degree views over the mountains and countryside we’re working to protect.

These hikes will take you to some of our region’s “greatest hits,” as well as hidden gems where you may have the woods to yourself. If you’re into mountain biking, you have the option of biking some of these trails. And if you love to swim, fish, or just be near the water, five of these hikes take you to rivers, lakes, or waterfalls.

And the Hikes Are…

Drumroll please…. Here are the 8 hikes for this new Hiking Challenge! You can find more information and links to the full hike descriptions below. Which one will you do first?

  1. Bearwallow Mountain
  2. Wildcat Rock Trail – Extended
  3. Bracken Preserve
  4. DuPont State Recreational Forest: Fawn Lake and Lake Julia
  5. DuPont State Recreational Forest: Holly Road to Hooker Falls
  6. Green River Game Lands: Green River Cove Trail
  7. Whitewater Falls
  8. Youngs Mountain Trail
  9. LOG YOUR HIKES
    • Log each hike as you complete it. You can check your progress in this roster.
    • You can do the hikes at your own pace. You can take weeks, months, or over a year—whatever works for you.
    • You must complete all your hikes before the start of the next Hiking Challenge. We launch a new challenge about every two years.
    • Only hikes that you’ve done after Oct. 1, 2021 count toward Hiking Challenge 6.
    • You can complete the hikes on your own or as a group.
    • Please share about your hikes with the hashtag #whitesquirrelhikingchallenge (optional)
    • Feel free to share about your hikes and connect with other hikers in our Facebook group, the Conserving Carolina Community.

    The Hiking Challenge is free and open to all, but you must be a Conserving Carolina member to become a Hiking Challenge 6 Champion. If you are a member and you complete all 8 hikes, you will earn your White Squirrel Patch and exclusive perks from local businesses that support conservation, including Appalachian Coffee CompanyLazy Otter OutfittersMurphy’s Naturals, and YAM Yoga and Massage. Most importantly, you get to experience eight great places and deepen your personal connection to land conservation.

Upper Catawba Falls
May 7 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Catawba Falls

Join us for this moderate 4.3 mile round trip hike on a section of one of the oldest wagon roads into the Valley from Old Fort.  The hike starts at Arthur Joe and Mary Hemphill’s pavilion at Fortune Fields and follows the Catawba River down to the upper Falls, passing Davis Falls on the way and following the old wagon road.  Arthur Joe’s ancestor, Capt. Thomas Hemphill (1746-1826) was an original Revolutionary War patriot who owned part of this popular stage road up from Old Fort. Arthur Joe and Mary donated this large tract to conservation.  The hike will be led by Rick and Melinda Halford, who are the caretakers of the tract.

Cost: $50 for members/$65 for non-members. Some fees apply.

Difficulty:  Moderate, 4.3 miles round-trip. Moderate 500ft elevation change, but numerous rocky stream crossings. Learn more here. 

Please e-mail [email protected] with any inquiries

Coronavirus Protocol:

  • Please bring a mask to the event to use in the event of carpooling.
  • No one who is sick, running a fever or potentially exposed to COVID should attend
  • If not vaccinated, masks should be worn in all group settings like sign-in and congregation
    times.
  • Social distancing while on the trails is recommended

9:00am-2:00pm: Hike. Tickets: $50 for members/$65 for non-members. Some fees apply. Register Here.

Roundtable Sessions for Women Entrepreneurs
May 7 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Focal Point

Roundtable Sessions are a great way to brainstorm on each others’ challenges. These session bring you fresh perspectives, and provide tools to tackle your business needs, while also providing a way to connect with other women entrepreneurs and professionals – all in one place.

No other event comes close in helping you to grow and meet uplifting peers. The chances for opportunities are limitless. Please don’t miss out! For more information or to get tickets, visit plrconnectevents.com (Tickets are not sold at the door)

WNCHA Hidden History Hikes and Tours: Rumbling Bald Hike
May 7 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Join the Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA) Saturday, May 7 at 10AM as we hike below “Rumbling Bald” Mountain in the Hickory Nut Gorge.

In February, 1874, the mountains at the eastern edge of the Hickory Nut Gorge began to tremble, shake, and emit plumes of dust, the day after a local preacher delivered a fire and brimstone sermon. Many local residents feared a volcano was set to erupt and a geologist was called in to investigate as tremors continued into May. His investigation and newspaper coverage of the events reveal surprising insights into the environmental and cultural history of the area. Join us as we loop along the southern side of “Rumbling Bald” Mountain and sort fact from fiction while enjoying the natural environment along the way.

*During the hike, participants also have the option of exploring a fissure cave with the guidance of a Chimney Rock State Park ranger. The trail is a moderate 0.5-mile hike will lead visitors to the base of Rumbling Bald Mountain.  From there visitors will have a strenuous scramble approximately 200 yards up and across a boulder field consisting of various sizes boulders.  Then visitors will squeeze through a 2-foot opening and into a large room. Once in the room a ranger will be available to talk about the ecology/geology of the cave.  All participants must follow white nose bat syndrome protocol which call for decontamination once exiting the cave.*

 

Details:

Meet:  10am at Chimney Rock State Park – Rumbling Bald Access (827 Boys Camp Rd, Lake Lure, NC 28746) by the restrooms. Please arrive prior to the starting time.

Depart: 12:30PM

Hike Length: 1.6-mile loop. See map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/rumbling-bald-loop-trail?ref=result-card

Elevation Gain: 341 feet

Hike Difficulty: Easiest (using National Park Service metric)

What to Bring:

  • Backpack
  • Water (1 liter)
  • Bagged lunch or snacks (restaurants in nearby Chimney Rock will be open as well)
  • Hiking boots or comfortable trail shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Sunscreen
  • Hiking poles (optional)
  • Any needed medications.

 

Rain Date: In the event of inclement weather, participants will be notified in advance, no later than 8PM the evening prior if the event is to be rescheduled. The alternate rain date will be the following Friday, May 13.

 

Tickets: $10 for WNCHA members/$20 non-members. We also have two no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would not be able to attend otherwise.

Registrants must fill out the emergency contact form in advance: https://forms.gle/VUbqBJAfgvZqjDmJ9

Sunday, May 8, 2022
  AmeriCorps Sustainability Coordinator Position Open
May 8 all-day
online w/ GreenWorks

Applications are open now for a Sustainability Coordinator, an 11-month AmeriCorps position running September 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023.

 

This AmeriCorps member will take a leadership role in all our waste reduction programs and education efforts.

 

The Sustainability Coordinator will raise public awareness about conserving our natural resources, and lead education programs about waste reduction, recycling, and composting in organizations, and at community gatherings and schools.

 

Know a leader who cares deeply about reducing our waste? Applications due May 9.

Monday, May 9, 2022
  AmeriCorps Sustainability Coordinator Position Open
May 9 all-day
online w/ GreenWorks

Applications are open now for a Sustainability Coordinator, an 11-month AmeriCorps position running September 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023.

 

This AmeriCorps member will take a leadership role in all our waste reduction programs and education efforts.

 

The Sustainability Coordinator will raise public awareness about conserving our natural resources, and lead education programs about waste reduction, recycling, and composting in organizations, and at community gatherings and schools.

 

Know a leader who cares deeply about reducing our waste? Applications due May 9.

Buncombe County Organizations: Apply For Free Hotspots and Service
May 9 all-day
online w/ US Cellular

Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular

ASAP- Call for Apps FINAL

Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.

We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity

To apply, click here.

If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.

Multifamily Recycling Grant Program
May 9 all-day
online w/ North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
 

NC DEACS Accepting Applications Now!

Last month DEACS launched a Multifamily Recycling Grant to support recycling at multifamily properties in North Carolina. Local governments, recycling businesses, and property management companies are all eligible to apply for funding. Grant funding can be used to purchase equipment and site developments to establish or expand recycling access for multifamily units. The maximum award is $250,000.

  • Multifamily Recycling Grant Program – OPEN
    This special grant program offers funding to initiate or expand multifamily recycling programs within the state. Eligible applicants include local governments, recycling businesses or non-profits, multifamily property owners, or multifamily property management companies. Grant funds may be used to purchase typical equipment needs to start or expand the collection of traditional household recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass and plastic bottles and containers) from multifamily residences. Examples of eligible purchases include carts, dumpsters, collection vehicles, concrete pads, recycling corrals and education. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with no due date. Approved grant applications will be funded in the order in which they are received until funding is exhausted.

    Download the Multifamily Recycling Grant request for proposals (RFP) by selecting one of the following links (PDF or Word). Please submit completed applications to Tara Nattress at [email protected].

Create Your Marketing Materials Using Canva
May 9 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
online w/ BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Would you like to have sharp and cleverly designed marketing pieces for your business? Good news, you don’t need experience in graphic design or even an investment in expensive software to do so. This session will show you how to use Canva, a free, web-based resource that will allow you to go from being a beginner to a master at graphics overnight! Learn how to create and publish professional and creative marketing designs that include brochures, flyers, social media graphics, logos, labels and more that would normally cost you a fortune. Turn your imagination into finished designs in minutes!

Speaker(s): TenBiz

Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce

Webinar info will be emailed after registration

 

Fee: No Cost

Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Buncombe County Organizations: Apply For Free Hotspots and Service
May 10 all-day
online w/ US Cellular

Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular

ASAP- Call for Apps FINAL

Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.

We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity

To apply, click here.

If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.

Multifamily Recycling Grant Program
May 10 all-day
online w/ North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
 

NC DEACS Accepting Applications Now!

Last month DEACS launched a Multifamily Recycling Grant to support recycling at multifamily properties in North Carolina. Local governments, recycling businesses, and property management companies are all eligible to apply for funding. Grant funding can be used to purchase equipment and site developments to establish or expand recycling access for multifamily units. The maximum award is $250,000.

  • Multifamily Recycling Grant Program – OPEN
    This special grant program offers funding to initiate or expand multifamily recycling programs within the state. Eligible applicants include local governments, recycling businesses or non-profits, multifamily property owners, or multifamily property management companies. Grant funds may be used to purchase typical equipment needs to start or expand the collection of traditional household recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass and plastic bottles and containers) from multifamily residences. Examples of eligible purchases include carts, dumpsters, collection vehicles, concrete pads, recycling corrals and education. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with no due date. Approved grant applications will be funded in the order in which they are received until funding is exhausted.

    Download the Multifamily Recycling Grant request for proposals (RFP) by selecting one of the following links (PDF or Word). Please submit completed applications to Tara Nattress at [email protected].