The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery
Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.
The Washout and Rebuild
For nearly two years, residents of Unicoi County, Tennessee, have had to make do without a hospital after Hurricane Helene destroyed the rural hospital. Ballad Health, which owns the hospital, broke ground on a new location — in another floodplain — in August 2026.
‘First Line of Defense’
During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.
After 20 Years, Letcher County Prison Proposal Is Still Alive, Though Obstacles Remain
A $605 million proposal for a federal prison on a former strip mine site in Letcher County, Kentucky, championed by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, refuses to die, despite local opposition, a lack of support from the executive branch and numerous other obstacles.
‘Foraging Is a Way of Connecting’
Foraging has experienced a modern resurgence, partly because of social media, online groups, the pandemic and people wanting to connect with nature. It also builds community, whether in person or online.
The Future of Film is in West Virginia
Many well-known TV and film productions have developed out of the Mountain State in years past, but the West Virginia Film Office is looking to the future to continue to grow the film industry.
Colorblind Viewfinders Make Appalachian State Parks More Accessible
Virginia State Parks is the first park system in the nation to have a colorblind viewfinder at each one of its 43 locations — thanks to the dedication of one park ranger. Other states are following suit.
Preserving Firefly Magic
Deep within an undisturbed forest in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, visitors may spot a continuous blue glow unlike anything they have ever seen before. That glow is the blue ghost firefly.
The Feral Ponies of Grayson Highlands
Grayson Highlands State Park is always enchanting, but the real magic of the park is the ponies. Learn more about their life in the park and the people who help them thrive.
River Cleanup of Helene Debris Continues
As the region continues to recover after Hurricane Helene, a look at cleanup efforts in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina reveals lessons about how to improve the cleanup of public waterways after future floods.
Pike County Rejects Mega Landfill
Many residents of Pike County, Kentucky, are breathing a sigh of relief since county commissioners finalized their decision to rescind a contract with an out-of-state waste management company.
Join The Movement
Stories from AppVoices' Front Porch Blog
Naturalist’s Notebook
Naturalist’s Notebook 
Signs of Life
In the Nantahala National Forest, a team of biologists spotted Indiana bats, an endangered species that hasn’t been seen in North Carolina for the last 11 years.
The Shenandoah Salamander
The Shenandoah salamander is a woodland salamander, which has adapted to life at higher elevations away from water. This sparkling rarity lives among the dry leaves, cracked logs, and stony hillocks on the highest peaks of Shenandoah National Park.
Preserving Firefly Magic
Deep within an undisturbed forest in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, visitors may spot a continuous blue glow unlike anything they have ever seen before. That glow is the blue ghost firefly.
Hiking the Highlands
Hiking the Highlands 
On the Trail of Songbirds in Appalachia
From dense forests to fields to high elevations, Appalachia offers many opportunities to see many beautiful birds on hikes throughout the region.
Protected Paths: Trails Through Public Lands
This series features lesser-known trails in Appalachia’s public lands. They show the beauty and significance of hiking on public lands.
UPDATE: Pedestrian bridge opens for McAfee Knob trail crossing
Soon, Appalachian Trail hikers will be able to use a 90-foot-long, steel and concrete pedestrian bridge to move safely over Virginia 311 at McAfee Knob trail crossing.
This Green House
This Green House 
Ready for the Next Big Storm? A Practical Guide to Household Preparedness
Follow these simple tips to make your home safer and more resilient in the face of natural disasters or emergencies.
East Tennessee Nonprofit Welcomes First-Time Homebuyers Into Affordable, Energy-Efficient Home
Shawn O’Brien and Nicole Yacura recently moved into Candora House, a net-positive solar home built by East Tennessee nonprofit, SEEED.
Lowering Costs for Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades
Tax credits and rebates can help homeowners make energy-efficient upgrades.
Across Appalachia
Across Appalachia 
Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions; Virginia Creeper Trail; Seed Swaps
Compilation of Across Appalachia articles about reducing wildlife vehicle collisions in West Virginia, restoring the Virginia Creeper Trail and the history of seed swaps.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest Plan
A federal judge struck down the U.S. Forest Service’s plan to expand logging in the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests, finding it violated the Endangered Species Act.
Proposed US Forest Service Reorganization Brings Uncertainty
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a major restructuring that would consolidate offices and close 57 of its 77 research stations, including several in Appalachia.
Energy Report
Energy Report
Less Support for Communities with Mine Problems
The Trump administration issued a regulation to weaken the Ten Day Notice process that helps community members call in federal enforcement when state regulators don’t do a good job policing environmental problems at coal mines
Chaos at the Tennessee Valley Authority, Cuts to Public Input
The past year has brought turmoil and uncertainty to the Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation’s largest public power provider, and its more than 10 million customers across the Tennessee Valley.
Landmark Coal Ash Protections Under Attack
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is planning to eviscerate important, hard-won regulations on coal ash, a toxic waste left after burning coal for energy.
Member Spotlight 
