$6,500 to go!

Your support in any amount will be matched dollar for dollar. Tuesday, June 30 is our challenge for your gift or your pledge.

You can make your donation on our secure website. www.riverlink.org

You can call it in. (828) 252-8474 ext. 110 for Karen Cragnolin, Executive Director or ext. 115 for Carrie Allen, Operations Manager

Call us & we will come pick it up. (828) 252-8474 ext. 110 for Karen Cragnolin, Executive Director or ext. 115 for Carrie Allen, Operations Manager

You can walk it in. 170 Lyman Street, Asheville, NC 28806. http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&sll=35.591156,-82.560539&sspn=0.059118,0.078449&q=170+lyman&ie=UTF8&ll=35.584351,-82.565904&spn=0.014781,0.019612&om=1

Here’s the official logo for Rockin’ River Fest this year! Dedicated RIVER listener, Peyton Shumate designed this and was tickled pink when he was told he was the winner. Way to go Peyton!

Contributed by Hartwell Carson, RiverLink’s French Broad RiverKeeper

Three fishing poles and just over three fish were taken and given by the Nolichucky. Another great day of paddling ended at Davy Crockett Park. Hanging with Davy Crockett, a.k.a. Steve Ricker was great fun! I just wish I was dressed as cool as he was.

Riverfest at Davy Crockett Park was a success. About 650 people showed up, including U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, R-1st, of Johnson City. I am now looking forward to the Rankin Bottoms bird tour Saturday, June 6. It is one of the best birding areas in the state. Hope to see you there!

Blog contributed by Hartwell Carson, RiverLink's RiverKeeper

Paddling down the Nolichucky with Davy Crocket is pretty cool. Davy and I paddled around the bend and the shot of his musket signaled the start of the RiverFest 2009. Davy was a pretty good paddler, but that is not surprising, since he is the king of the wild frontier. The RiverFest was at Davy Crocket Birthplace State Park, so Davy was on hand for the day.

Soon the guys from the TN Wildlife Resources Commission were pulling huge fish out the river. They caught more fish in 2 minutes than we had caught all week. They did have the help of an electro shocker. There boat has a devise that runs electricity into the water and stuns the fish. They are momentarily paralyzed and scooped into the boat. This allow them to take fish surveys along the river, but today it was used to educate everyone about the 40-50 species of fish in the Nolichucky River. The kids had a ball touching the fish and throwing them back in the water and watching them swim away. We also built rain barrels, learned about rain gardens, and ate some delicious BBQ.
Tuesday, June 2 we will be in Greenville, TN leading a rain barrel construction workshop, where you can build you own rain barrel. For $60 you will get instruction and take your own barrel home. The workshop is at Ace Hardware in Greenville and if you want to come contact Carrie Allen at carrie@riverlink.org or call 828-252-8474.

Blog contributed by Hartwell Carson, RiverLink's RiverKeeper

I awoke this morning to the sound of the rain, but before I could even get up the morning sun began to beat down on all my wet gear. Wet gear has been a theme throughout the trip, but all the rain has afforded some really good water in the river. After departing from the group this morning I set off downstream by myself. There was one big rapid between me and my campsite and I was slightly concerned to paddle this alone. The thought of all my gear floating downstream while I swam to shore, had me a bit worried. I did not see a soul all day, until about 100 yards before the top of the rapid. Another boater came out of now where and I followed him safely down the class III rapid. A few fish were finally dumb enough to bite my hook and I made sure to capture this on film, since I had been making up stories all weekend about all the big fish I caught "while no one was looking."

A varied group of folks were meeting at the Nantahala Outdoor Center on the Nolichucky River for a great day of rafting. The sun was up and the rain had provided ideal water levels. NOC was generous enough to donate several trip so a group from the Nolichucky Watershed Partnership group, could see the Nolichucky Gorge firsthand. This partnership has formed, with the help of Altamont Environmental, to help cleanup the Nolichucky River.

We got a very close first hand look at the water quality as splashed through continuous class III-IV rapids. After acting like hard core paddler, in a raft, we setup to view some films about real hardcore paddlers. The films were part of a series of films from Rapid Transit Video, that showcased some extreme local kayaking. The feature length movie showcased a beautiful, but very challenging run down the Linville Gorge.

Saturday the RiverFest is taking place at Davey Crockett State Park, near Greenville, TN. Come join the fun. Monday we will be back on the water for more fun.

RiverLink at Mountain Sports Festival

When: Friday May 29, Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31

Where: Carrier Park on Amboy Rd.

What: RiverLink will have an information booth and be conducting environmental education activities during the Mountain Sports festival dedicated to promoting the outdoor and adventure recreational activities in Asheville and Western North Carolina. For more details, full schedule of events including recreation, entertainment, clinics, demonstrations and more, please click here.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to help staff RiverLink info booth and assist with our fun, environmental education activities during the following times. We appreciate the time you can dedicate to us from 2 hours to 5 hours.
Friday May 29th 5-8pm
Saturday May 30th 10am-7pm
Sunday May 31st noon-6pm

Please contact Rachel Doebber, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator, at volunteer@riverlink.org or 828-252-8474 ext. 118 to sign up to volunteer and include which date(s) and time(s) are best for you.

Paddlin' the river

Blog contributed by Carrie Allen, Operations Manager for RiverLink.

I was fortunate enough to be able to tag along with Hartwell Carson, RiverLink’s RiverKeeper and Palmyra Romeo, RiverLink’s Assistant RiverKeeper, along with quite a few capable & wonderful people on the first part of RiverLink’s annual two week paddling trip. It all started in Spruce Pine, NC on the North Toe River. RiverLink held the kickoff event, including The Wisemans, an awesome bluegrass band, hot dogs, raffles and good people.

We set off on the river in a group of about 30 people – unofficially called a "floatilla". It was not my first time on a river, but definitely my first time on an overnight camping trip. I had never canoed whitewater either, so I was a bit nervous! We did fabulous. I was blessed to be on the river with some strong boaters. Everyone helped each other & worked as a team, especially when one of us tipped over. After much rain, a few tipped boats & some soggy bread, we made a success of the first few days. We saw many different kinds of fish, a snake, and the rare and endangered Hellbender salamander.

I definitely plan on joining up with them again next year.

Dinner on the cheap Fri night @ an awesome restaurant. And the proceeds go to RiverLink. How can you pass it up?

Dine at 131 Main Restaurant with all proceeds benefiting RiverLink!

When: Friday May 29 lunch 11am-1:30pm and dinner 5pm-8:30pm

Where: 308 Thetford Street Asheville 28803 next to Regal Cinemas in Biltmore Town Square. From Long Shoals Rd, turn onto Schenk Pkway and turn left onto Thetford St. Follow Thetford past Regal Cinema with garage parking located next to 131 Main.

What: Asheville's newest restaurant, 131 Main, is graciously offering to donate all proceeds from their family and friends practice dining sessions to RiverLink. For just $5/person for lunch and $10/person for dinner, you can enjoy delicious appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts to help 131 Main prepare for their opening. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For reservations, please call 828-707-2508 between 2 and 4pm. Please note; parties are limited to 4 guests or less and excludes alcohol- cash bar will be available.

Thank you for supporting RiverLink!

Don't miss the opportunity to float the Nolichucky

with RiverLink's French Broad RiverKeeper

Join us in the fun!