Written by Contributing Writers
Contributing Writers
Overdrive: Fossil Fuels in Appalachia
Electricity demand is on the rise. Here, we share snapshots of energy trends in the region and how methane gas, coal and data centers are affecting our communities — and how people are pushing back.
Many ‘Permitting Reform’ Proposals Would Further Strip Environmental Protections, Weaken Public Input
Legislators and the Trump administration are pushing changes to environmental laws under the banner of “permitting reform.”
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.
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.
Clogging Extraordinaire: Arthur Grimes Keeps on Dancing
Clogger Arthur Grimes has danced his own singular path all the way from his family home in the town’s traditionally African-American Junaluska neighborhood to the most hallowed stages alongside roots music royalty.
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.
Rebuilding Roads and Rethinking Rivers
After Helene, communities must grapple with how to balance repairing infrastructure, preserving and repairing the structure of the Pigeon and Rocky Broad rivers, and protecting aquatic life.
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.
Saving the Ruffed Grouse, Appalachia’s Woodland Drummer
The ruffed grouse is a woodland bird that lives in young, regenerative forests in Appalachia and is considered one of the most commonly hunted birds for sport. The ruffed grouse has black or dark brown feathers on their neck, which they can raise into a distinctive collar — the ruff that gives them their name.
Noquisiyi Mound Returns to Cherokee Ownership
The Noquisiyi Mound is a sacred and historically significant Cherokee site in what is now Franklin, North Carolina, that was recently returned to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. In January, the Franklin City Council voted unanimously to return the mound to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. One month later, the deed was officially signed.









