RiverLink is partnering with the City of Asheville and local volunteers to protect water quality through an Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program. Pollution from stormwater runoff is the biggest threat to clean water in our urban streams. Stormwater is rain that flows across the landscape—rather than soaking into the ground—where it picks up pollutants before flowing into a storm drain and emptying into the nearest stream.

With funding from the Pigeon River Fund, a grant administered by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, this pilot program will pair volunteers with a storm drain in the Central Asheville Watershed.

The goal is to get 100 storm drains adopted in 2021. Volunteers will be awarded with fun prizes for their commitment and enthusiasm, and  if successful, the Adopt A Storm Drain program will expand to include other areas in the City of Asheville.

How does it work?

Select a storm drain in a convenient location of the Central Asheville Watershed. It could be in front of your home, business, or where you exercise regularly. By adopting a storm drain, you commit to checking the drain in between rain events and keeping it clear of litter and debris. All it takes are gloves and a trash bag. Then with a smartphone or computer, you can report debris cleaned/cleared, and conditions such as illegal dumping or flooding. In a matter of minutes, you help protect water quality and prevent street flooding from clogged drains!

Buncombe county residents can bring their old wireless devices to any UScellular location to recycle responsibly and some of those devices could be worth up to $500. Area residents do not have to be a UScellular customer to take advantage of this opportunity. In addition, regardless of the phones age or value, we can ensure the phones and their parts will be recycled in a way that does not impact our local environment here in Western North Carolina.

While recycling or trading in old devices is one way to be green, there are other ways to reduce,
reuse, and recycle with the help of your smartphone. For Earth Day, and any day, UScellular
offers tips to help take care of the environment.
 Have fun (and get rewarded) by going greener.
o Recyclebank.com provides actionable tips and advice. Plus, users get rewarded with
points to get discounts at local businesses and exclusive deals on sustainable goods.
o The fun JouleBug app also provides valuable information about how to make changes to
your everyday habits at home, work, and play to be more environmentally friendly. You
can compete with friends in eco-challenges and even join local community and national
challenges virtually in 2021.
 Recycle more easily. RecycleNation is a location-based app that provides users directions
to local recycling centers, hours of operation, as well as a list of materials accepted for
recycling. The app also allows users to track their recycling progress and quantify their effect
on the environment.
 Share your treasures. The Freecycle app allows people to give away their unwanted but
reusable stuff to people in their local community. Users post items to give away or make
requests for items on this convenient app. Keep in mind COVID-19 guidelines for no contact
porch pick-up or other contactless transfers.
 Shop local: Want to be able to find locally grown and fresh foods year-round? Look for
apps such as Farmer’s Market U.S. that locates farmer’s markets closest to you and
provides listings for products sold and hours of operation. Or try the SimplyLocal-Farmers
Market app that helps locate produce, local beef and poultry farms that sell directly to
consumers in the Asheville area.

• We will add a second hike Sunday, April 18 at 1pm should there be enough demand.

Where: We will meet at the Ridgecrest Trailhead (Mill Creek Road, Old Fort, NC 28762) near the Ridgecrest Conference Center. Our hike takes place on the Point Lookout Greenway, a paved trail following the route of former U.S Hwy 70.

Length: 2.5 Hours

Distance: 2 Miles

Details: We will hike just over one mile downhill to Point Lookout, and to the High Ridge and Lick Lock tunnels below. We will stop briefly at various points, and discuss along the way the history of the railroad and road construction and the incarcerated laborers who completed the project. We will walk back uphill to the trailhead afterward.

Bring: Sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes or boots, weather appropriate clothing for changing conditions, plenty of water (24+ ounces), a cell phone, sunscreen, snacks as desired

RiverLink is partnering with the City of Asheville and local volunteers to protect water quality through an Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program. Pollution from stormwater runoff is the biggest threat to clean water in our urban streams. Stormwater is rain that flows across the landscape—rather than soaking into the ground—where it picks up pollutants before flowing into a storm drain and emptying into the nearest stream.

With funding from the Pigeon River Fund, a grant administered by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, this pilot program will pair volunteers with a storm drain in the Central Asheville Watershed.

The goal is to get 100 storm drains adopted in 2021. Volunteers will be awarded with fun prizes for their commitment and enthusiasm, and  if successful, the Adopt A Storm Drain program will expand to include other areas in the City of Asheville.

How does it work?

Select a storm drain in a convenient location of the Central Asheville Watershed. It could be in front of your home, business, or where you exercise regularly. By adopting a storm drain, you commit to checking the drain in between rain events and keeping it clear of litter and debris. All it takes are gloves and a trash bag. Then with a smartphone or computer, you can report debris cleaned/cleared, and conditions such as illegal dumping or flooding. In a matter of minutes, you help protect water quality and prevent street flooding from clogged drains!

Buncombe county residents can bring their old wireless devices to any UScellular location to recycle responsibly and some of those devices could be worth up to $500. Area residents do not have to be a UScellular customer to take advantage of this opportunity. In addition, regardless of the phones age or value, we can ensure the phones and their parts will be recycled in a way that does not impact our local environment here in Western North Carolina.

While recycling or trading in old devices is one way to be green, there are other ways to reduce,
reuse, and recycle with the help of your smartphone. For Earth Day, and any day, UScellular
offers tips to help take care of the environment.
 Have fun (and get rewarded) by going greener.
o Recyclebank.com provides actionable tips and advice. Plus, users get rewarded with
points to get discounts at local businesses and exclusive deals on sustainable goods.
o The fun JouleBug app also provides valuable information about how to make changes to
your everyday habits at home, work, and play to be more environmentally friendly. You
can compete with friends in eco-challenges and even join local community and national
challenges virtually in 2021.
 Recycle more easily. RecycleNation is a location-based app that provides users directions
to local recycling centers, hours of operation, as well as a list of materials accepted for
recycling. The app also allows users to track their recycling progress and quantify their effect
on the environment.
 Share your treasures. The Freecycle app allows people to give away their unwanted but
reusable stuff to people in their local community. Users post items to give away or make
requests for items on this convenient app. Keep in mind COVID-19 guidelines for no contact
porch pick-up or other contactless transfers.
 Shop local: Want to be able to find locally grown and fresh foods year-round? Look for
apps such as Farmer’s Market U.S. that locates farmer’s markets closest to you and
provides listings for products sold and hours of operation. Or try the SimplyLocal-Farmers
Market app that helps locate produce, local beef and poultry farms that sell directly to
consumers in the Asheville area.

RiverLink is partnering with the City of Asheville and local volunteers to protect water quality through an Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program. Pollution from stormwater runoff is the biggest threat to clean water in our urban streams. Stormwater is rain that flows across the landscape—rather than soaking into the ground—where it picks up pollutants before flowing into a storm drain and emptying into the nearest stream.

With funding from the Pigeon River Fund, a grant administered by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, this pilot program will pair volunteers with a storm drain in the Central Asheville Watershed.

The goal is to get 100 storm drains adopted in 2021. Volunteers will be awarded with fun prizes for their commitment and enthusiasm, and  if successful, the Adopt A Storm Drain program will expand to include other areas in the City of Asheville.

How does it work?

Select a storm drain in a convenient location of the Central Asheville Watershed. It could be in front of your home, business, or where you exercise regularly. By adopting a storm drain, you commit to checking the drain in between rain events and keeping it clear of litter and debris. All it takes are gloves and a trash bag. Then with a smartphone or computer, you can report debris cleaned/cleared, and conditions such as illegal dumping or flooding. In a matter of minutes, you help protect water quality and prevent street flooding from clogged drains!

Heidi Nisbett, an accomplished backpacker and talented artist, will not only guide you on a 3-day backpacking trip near Sam’s Knob, she’ll teach you the basics of watercolor painting and painting outdoors along the way. We’ve kept the mileage pretty low – around 14 miles total – to leave a couple hours each day for painting. Highlights of this trip include the Sam’s Knob, Black Balsam Knob, Tennant Mountain, and Laurel Creek. You’ll leave the trip with at least 2-3 finished paintings (and the materials you’ll need to keep painting on your future hikes!), drawing inspiration from subjects including rolling mountain views, rivers and creeks, and early spring flora. This is a beginner-friendly trip, or a chance for more experienced backpackers to try something new! No prior painting experience is necessary.

Buncombe county residents can bring their old wireless devices to any UScellular location to recycle responsibly and some of those devices could be worth up to $500. Area residents do not have to be a UScellular customer to take advantage of this opportunity. In addition, regardless of the phones age or value, we can ensure the phones and their parts will be recycled in a way that does not impact our local environment here in Western North Carolina.

While recycling or trading in old devices is one way to be green, there are other ways to reduce,
reuse, and recycle with the help of your smartphone. For Earth Day, and any day, UScellular
offers tips to help take care of the environment.
 Have fun (and get rewarded) by going greener.
o Recyclebank.com provides actionable tips and advice. Plus, users get rewarded with
points to get discounts at local businesses and exclusive deals on sustainable goods.
o The fun JouleBug app also provides valuable information about how to make changes to
your everyday habits at home, work, and play to be more environmentally friendly. You
can compete with friends in eco-challenges and even join local community and national
challenges virtually in 2021.
 Recycle more easily. RecycleNation is a location-based app that provides users directions
to local recycling centers, hours of operation, as well as a list of materials accepted for
recycling. The app also allows users to track their recycling progress and quantify their effect
on the environment.
 Share your treasures. The Freecycle app allows people to give away their unwanted but
reusable stuff to people in their local community. Users post items to give away or make
requests for items on this convenient app. Keep in mind COVID-19 guidelines for no contact
porch pick-up or other contactless transfers.
 Shop local: Want to be able to find locally grown and fresh foods year-round? Look for
apps such as Farmer’s Market U.S. that locates farmer’s markets closest to you and
provides listings for products sold and hours of operation. Or try the SimplyLocal-Farmers
Market app that helps locate produce, local beef and poultry farms that sell directly to
consumers in the Asheville area.

RiverLink is partnering with the City of Asheville and local volunteers to protect water quality through an Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program. Pollution from stormwater runoff is the biggest threat to clean water in our urban streams. Stormwater is rain that flows across the landscape—rather than soaking into the ground—where it picks up pollutants before flowing into a storm drain and emptying into the nearest stream.

With funding from the Pigeon River Fund, a grant administered by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, this pilot program will pair volunteers with a storm drain in the Central Asheville Watershed.

The goal is to get 100 storm drains adopted in 2021. Volunteers will be awarded with fun prizes for their commitment and enthusiasm, and  if successful, the Adopt A Storm Drain program will expand to include other areas in the City of Asheville.

How does it work?

Select a storm drain in a convenient location of the Central Asheville Watershed. It could be in front of your home, business, or where you exercise regularly. By adopting a storm drain, you commit to checking the drain in between rain events and keeping it clear of litter and debris. All it takes are gloves and a trash bag. Then with a smartphone or computer, you can report debris cleaned/cleared, and conditions such as illegal dumping or flooding. In a matter of minutes, you help protect water quality and prevent street flooding from clogged drains!

Buncombe county residents can bring their old wireless devices to any UScellular location to recycle responsibly and some of those devices could be worth up to $500. Area residents do not have to be a UScellular customer to take advantage of this opportunity. In addition, regardless of the phones age or value, we can ensure the phones and their parts will be recycled in a way that does not impact our local environment here in Western North Carolina.

While recycling or trading in old devices is one way to be green, there are other ways to reduce,
reuse, and recycle with the help of your smartphone. For Earth Day, and any day, UScellular
offers tips to help take care of the environment.
 Have fun (and get rewarded) by going greener.
o Recyclebank.com provides actionable tips and advice. Plus, users get rewarded with
points to get discounts at local businesses and exclusive deals on sustainable goods.
o The fun JouleBug app also provides valuable information about how to make changes to
your everyday habits at home, work, and play to be more environmentally friendly. You
can compete with friends in eco-challenges and even join local community and national
challenges virtually in 2021.
 Recycle more easily. RecycleNation is a location-based app that provides users directions
to local recycling centers, hours of operation, as well as a list of materials accepted for
recycling. The app also allows users to track their recycling progress and quantify their effect
on the environment.
 Share your treasures. The Freecycle app allows people to give away their unwanted but
reusable stuff to people in their local community. Users post items to give away or make
requests for items on this convenient app. Keep in mind COVID-19 guidelines for no contact
porch pick-up or other contactless transfers.
 Shop local: Want to be able to find locally grown and fresh foods year-round? Look for
apps such as Farmer’s Market U.S. that locates farmer’s markets closest to you and
provides listings for products sold and hours of operation. Or try the SimplyLocal-Farmers
Market app that helps locate produce, local beef and poultry farms that sell directly to
consumers in the Asheville area.

RiverLink is partnering with the City of Asheville and local volunteers to protect water quality through an Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program. Pollution from stormwater runoff is the biggest threat to clean water in our urban streams. Stormwater is rain that flows across the landscape—rather than soaking into the ground—where it picks up pollutants before flowing into a storm drain and emptying into the nearest stream.

With funding from the Pigeon River Fund, a grant administered by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, this pilot program will pair volunteers with a storm drain in the Central Asheville Watershed.

The goal is to get 100 storm drains adopted in 2021. Volunteers will be awarded with fun prizes for their commitment and enthusiasm, and  if successful, the Adopt A Storm Drain program will expand to include other areas in the City of Asheville.

How does it work?

Select a storm drain in a convenient location of the Central Asheville Watershed. It could be in front of your home, business, or where you exercise regularly. By adopting a storm drain, you commit to checking the drain in between rain events and keeping it clear of litter and debris. All it takes are gloves and a trash bag. Then with a smartphone or computer, you can report debris cleaned/cleared, and conditions such as illegal dumping or flooding. In a matter of minutes, you help protect water quality and prevent street flooding from clogged drains!

Buncombe county residents can bring their old wireless devices to any UScellular location to recycle responsibly and some of those devices could be worth up to $500. Area residents do not have to be a UScellular customer to take advantage of this opportunity. In addition, regardless of the phones age or value, we can ensure the phones and their parts will be recycled in a way that does not impact our local environment here in Western North Carolina.

While recycling or trading in old devices is one way to be green, there are other ways to reduce,
reuse, and recycle with the help of your smartphone. For Earth Day, and any day, UScellular
offers tips to help take care of the environment.
 Have fun (and get rewarded) by going greener.
o Recyclebank.com provides actionable tips and advice. Plus, users get rewarded with
points to get discounts at local businesses and exclusive deals on sustainable goods.
o The fun JouleBug app also provides valuable information about how to make changes to
your everyday habits at home, work, and play to be more environmentally friendly. You
can compete with friends in eco-challenges and even join local community and national
challenges virtually in 2021.
 Recycle more easily. RecycleNation is a location-based app that provides users directions
to local recycling centers, hours of operation, as well as a list of materials accepted for
recycling. The app also allows users to track their recycling progress and quantify their effect
on the environment.
 Share your treasures. The Freecycle app allows people to give away their unwanted but
reusable stuff to people in their local community. Users post items to give away or make
requests for items on this convenient app. Keep in mind COVID-19 guidelines for no contact
porch pick-up or other contactless transfers.
 Shop local: Want to be able to find locally grown and fresh foods year-round? Look for
apps such as Farmer’s Market U.S. that locates farmer’s markets closest to you and
provides listings for products sold and hours of operation. Or try the SimplyLocal-Farmers
Market app that helps locate produce, local beef and poultry farms that sell directly to
consumers in the Asheville area.