Stormwater control measures are great at capturing runoff and filtering out pollutants, but only if they are maintained over time! Volunteers will assist with maintenance of stormwater features along Craven St. near New Belgium Brewery. We will remove trash and cattails from a stormwater wetland (waders provided), prune, weed, and remove sediment from the bioretention cells. It’s a little like spring cleaning in your garden at home. Come prepared to get dirty and have fun! Parking is located at the corner of Craven Street and Hazel Mill Road. Spaces are limited to 20. Sign up below!

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. 

Join us as we explore the history of the French Broad River and its seminal place in the development of Asheville–from the time when Native Americans lived along its banks to the Buncombe Turnpike, the railroad, and industries of yesteryear.

We’ll also tell you how the river has changed since the days of George Vanderbilt, Thomas Wolfe, and when NASCAR greats Richard Petty and Junior Johnson raced cars in the area.

We’ll progress to the 1950s when Wilma Dykeman asked, “Who poisoned the river?” in her groundbreaking book, “The French Broad.”

Then, we’ll showcase the current-day thriving River Arts District, the beautiful chain of parks along the riverfront greenway, and the recreational opportunities that abound.

Our tour showcases not only the river, but also the great work of the RiverLink organization and its many partners (government, corporations, civic, non-profit conservation groups, and individuals) that have worked together to protect, preserve, and enhance the riverfront area so that locals and visitors alike can enjoy its beauty and grandeur.

If you like history and you appreciate environmental sustainability, this tour is for you.

During the tour, we’ll stop at the RiverLink office for a quick boxed lunch. Please be sure to note any dietary restrictions when booking the tour.

Since the tour meets at the New Belgium Brewery, once the tour concludes, we encourage you to hang out at the brewery’s tasting room to enjoy one of their acclaimed beers or relax on their patio overlooking the French Broad River. (Note: Any food and/or beverage purchases at the brewery are not included in your ticket price.)

Join us on a scenic float along the French Broad River with views of the Biltmore Estate! This lazily flowing stretch of the river is ideal for wildlife viewing and catching unique views of the Appalachian Mountains. We will begin at Bent Creek River Park and end at Hominy Creek. We’ll all meet at the Hominy Creek take out, and Zen Tubing will shuttle us to the put-in at Bent Creek. All boats, paddles, and PFD’s will be provided. Please bring water and lunch. The risk of flipping your canoe is minimal! But plan to get wet anyway. Cost is 25 dollars per person, spaces are limited to 18.

Join RiverLink for a hands-on rain barrel workshop! Each registrant will receive a 55-gallon rain barrel and installation kit that we will install together for you to take home. There will be a WaterRICH presentation as a part of this event, highlighting best practices for stormwater management that homeowners can put into use.

Come out for our one of a kind free festival! RiverLink’s 5th annual Earth Day Kid’s Festival is a premier Earth Day event in Asheville. Earth Day is a time to celebrate our local and global environment. This festival was created to bring together Western North Carolina and allow community members to experience interactive learning activities, promote environmental awareness, and foster a sense of stewardship for our land, water, and greater ecosystems.

We invite families and people of all ages to come out and enjoy environmental education, arts and crafts, performances and more! We will also be announcing the winners of our Voices of the River: Art and Poetry Contest at the festival, so come check out the submissions from some incredible young artists and writers.

This event is in partnership with WNC for the Planet. To find out more visit WNCforthePlanet.org.

An evening social celebrating the rivers of Southern Appalachia will be held at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, April 24, 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.