The Appalachian Voice
Preliminary Draft Plans For Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Published
The National Forest Service publishes the draft foundations of the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests long-term management plans.
Read MoreThe Butterfly Highway: Creating a Pollinator Pathway
The new “Butterfly Highway” in North Carolina will create a series of stopover points with milkweed and other native, flowering plants for migrating monarch butterflies.
Read MoreNew Park, Scenic Loop Passed by Virginia Legislature
The Virginia legislature passed funding for a Clinch River State Park and designated a new scenic drive loop for the area in an effort to celebrate the natural beauty of the state’s southwest region.
Read MoreMeet The Elusive American Woodcock
Characterized by a long bill, short and stout stature, extravagant mating display and a nickname like timberdoodle, the American Woodcock would seem to be a bird that stands out. But that is not the case.
Read MoreFarming and Fracking
How uncertain property rights affect agriculture in West Virginia By Dave Walker This year will be Steve Vortigern and his wife Sunshine’s tenth year of farming in Preston County, W.Va. On 41 acres, they grow more than 40 different varieties of organic vegetables and raise grass-fed beef for local customers at Round Right Farm. In…
Read MoreOwning the Mountains: Appalachia’s history of corporate control
By Elizabeth E. Payne Throughout the history of the United States, Appalachia has attracted the attention of outside investors hoping to profit from the region’s valuable commodities. First timber, then coal and now natural gas are all highly valued. To ensure access to these resources, early investors bought large parcels of land in Appalachia. “By…
Read MoreFracked-gas Pipelines Would Threaten Homes and Dreams
A Tale of Two Families By Cat McCue At the top of Sinking Creek Mountain in western Virginia, where Craig, Giles and Montgomery counties meet, sits a 50-acre parcel of land with views in all directions. To Judy and Steve Hodges, who built their dream home here in 2003, it’s heaven. “We’re from the ‘70s.…
Read MoreThe Hidden Gem of Rocky Fork
This moderately strenuous hike through the mountains of eastern Tennessee follows an old logging trail to the 100-foot Big Falls on Lower Higgens Creek. Several creek crossings and caves mark the remainder of the path to Birchfield Camp Lake.
Read MoreCelebrating Two Decades and Counting…
This year marks the 20th anniversary of The Appalachian Voice. Learn how the newspaper got its start and how the organization, Appalachian Voices, came into being a year later.
Read MoreBlasted: Homeowners near mine seek recourse for property damage
Karen and Jerry Kirk live in a home that they believe was damaged during blasting for a nearby surface mine. Despite years of frustration, they have been unable to get compensation for the damage to their property.
Read More