Written by Contributing Writers
Contributing Writers
Safe Passage: The I-40 Pigeon River Gorge Wildlife Crossing Project
A collaborative effort to make the Pigeon River Gorge section of I-40 safer for wildlife and humans is yielding results.
Chubs: A key species and a mystery
Snorkelers helped to uncover a population of river chubs in an unusual location.
Cultivating Communities Through Seed Saving
Seed saving allows gardeners and farmers to explore new varieties of the plants they grow while forming communities around the practice.
Researchers Discuss How Climate Change Impacts Health in Rural Mountain Communities
Researchers discussed how climate change will impact health in rural mountain communities during a recent workshop. Spoiler alert: hotter nights, more mosquito- and tick-borne disease, and effects on mental and maternal health.
The Beast of Bristol: The Landfill Haunting Residents of the Twin Cities
Terrible, persistent smells from the Bristol landfill have put a damper on quality of life for residents of the Twin Cities. Officials acknowledge the problem, but there’s no clear path forward.
Surviving Winter as a Salamander in Appalachia
What do salamanders do when the air turns frigid? UVA-Wise professor Walter Smith has been observing a particular green salamander for 8 years, and shares some of the species’ survival strategies.
Dreamers: Ice climbing in the Southeast
Good ice climbing conditions are rare in the Southeast — but when the conditions are ripe, adventurers like Dylan Walton are ready.
Building community awareness to solve acid mine drainage: A conversation with DJ Coker
DJ Coker of Duff, Tennessee found acid mine drainage at a nearby pond that used to be part of a coal mining operation. Now, he’s made it his mission to get the site cleaned up and demand accountability from those responsible. Watch DJ’s story.
Black Appalachian Coalition Aims to Shift Narrative on Energy, Other Issues
The Black Appalachian Coalition is seeking to amplify the voices of Appalachia’s people of color, whose stories are often left out of policy discussions about energy and other issues in the region.
Bishop Marcia Dinkins, the group’s founder and executive director, recently talked with the Energy News Network about the coalition’s work.
In a Nutshell: A Native Forage With Potential
Members of the Nutty Buddy Collective are tending orchards and processing locally foraged acorns and black walnuts into food to make the case that native nuts can once again help keep our communities healthy — and foster healthier forests at the same time.
