Our Mission
RiverLink promotes the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its watershed as a place to live, learn, work and play.
RiverLink accomplishes its mission by providing permanent public access to the river through conservation and recreation easements, reclaiming contaminated lands for public use and enjoyment, greenway development, creating public overnight camping sites along the river, adaptive reuse of historic structures, educating 3,300 students K-12 annually as well as the public-at-large about the French Broad River watersheds’ importance and empowering over 1,000 volunteers each year.
RiverLink was established in 1987 and is the only French Broad River watershed non-profit exclusively focused on the French Broad River.
Earth Month and WNC for the Planet
WNC for the Planet is a collective made up of local environmental organizations that provides access to service, educational, and recreational opportunities in recognition of Earth Month. We strive to unify our community to encourage and celebrate environmental stewardship for our planet and the region.
We’re Partnering with Friends of Woodfin Greenway & Blueway
We're happy to be a part of this ambitious $18.1 million effort to construct five miles of greenway along the French Broad River and Beaverdam Creek!
Explore our Name That Creek Story Map
Over the years we've given names to quite a few local streams. These names reflect cultural histories, local ecosystems and more. Check out the watershed is histories of these names!
RiverCamp Registration is Open
For 11 years RiverCamp has been instilling love for the river in a new generation of watershed stewards. We're so excited for another year of learning and discovery on the French Broad, and we hope that you'll join us.
Join the RiverLink team as a camp counselor!
Our French Broad RiverCamp seeks to educate and empower the next generation of watershed stewards. FBRC provides a week of river and watershed exploration for rising 3rd-8th grade students. We’re looking for counselors to help guide campers through hands-on environmental education, river recreation, and service-learning projects.
Submit art & poetry for Voices of the River
Our 12th annual art & poetry contest is now accepting submissions! Artists and writers K-12 grade are encouraged to show us how creativity flows through out watershed. Winners will be announced at our Earth Day Kid's Festival on April 20th.
Upcoming Events
april
25apr10:00 am2:00 pmRain Garden Work Day10:00 am - 2:00 pm Vance Elementary School
Event Details
Come out on April 25th to help Vance Elementary School install a rain garden. Volunteers will work alongside students and faculty to dig out the basin and plant native plants
Event Details
Come out on April 25th to help Vance Elementary School install a rain garden. Volunteers will work alongside students and faculty to dig out the basin and plant native plants that will help rainwater travel more efficiently through the soil. You can plan to learn a lot about stormwater management and native plants on this work day. Please sign up using the form below! You will receive a confirmation email with important next steps! Spaces are limited to 10.
Time
(Thursday) 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location
Vance Elementary School
98 Sulpher Springs Road
28apr5:45 pm8:15 pmHidden Rivers Film Premiere5:45 pm - 8:15 pm New Belgium Brewing
Event Details
An evening social celebrating the rivers of Southern Appalachia will be held at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, April 28th, at the New Belgium Brewhouse. The event will feature the Asheville premier of
Event Details
An evening social celebrating the rivers of Southern Appalachia will be held at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, April 28th, at the New Belgium Brewhouse.
The event will feature the Asheville premier of the 1-hour documentary Hidden Rivers of Southern Appalachia. The film, produced by the non-profit Freshwaters Illustrated, explores the rivers and streams of the Southern Appalachian region, North America’s most biologically rich waters. It follows the work of conservation biologists and explorers throughout the region, and reveals both the beauty and vulnerability of this aquatic life, and how people are finding ways to protect it.
Also included in the social will be a question-and-answer panel featuring one of the film makers along with a local aquatic biologist, fishing outfitter, and a conservationist from a non-profit – all addressing different facets of river stewardship. Additionally, several local organizations reflecting a range of activities supporting the French Broad will be on hand to take questions, and accept volunteer applications. These include: Trout Unlimited, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, American Rivers, Mountain True, Asheville Greenworks, the Environmental Quality Institute, Ivy River Partners, RiverLink, Mills River Partnership, and Freshwaters Illustrated. The social is sponsored by New Belgium Brewing, N.C. Wildlife Resources, RiverLink, the Commission, Trout Unlimited, the University of Georgia, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Limited seating will be available. Proceeds will support Freshwaters Illustrated,
This event is in partnership with WNC for the Planet. To find out more visit WNCforthePlanet.org.
Time
(Sunday) 5:45 pm - 8:15 pm
Location
New Belgium Brewing
21 Craven St. Asheville, NC 28801
may
25may10:00 am3:00 pmVolunteer Educator Training10:00 am - 3:00 pm RiverLink Office
Event Details
Are you looking to get some experience as a environmental educator? We're looking for some dedicated volunteer educators to help us lead lessons as part of our RiverRATS Education
Event Details
Are you looking to get some experience as a environmental educator? We’re looking for some dedicated volunteer educators to help us lead lessons as part of our RiverRATS Education Program! This program works with schools throughout the watershed to teach students about aquatic ecosystems. In this training you’ll learn all about these spaces, including stream anatomy, habitat and biodiversity, and water chemistry. You’ll also learn a bit about our strategies for sharing this information with the public.
Once you’ve completed this training and been cleared by a background check, you’ll be ready to come with us to schools! This training does have limited space, but we will be hosting one every month moving forward.
Make sure to wear clothes and shoes that can get wet, and bring a lunch. Light refreshments will be provided in the morning.
Time
(Saturday) 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location
RiverLink Office
170 Lyman St. Asheville NC 28801