Written by AV's Intern Team

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AV's Intern Team

Every year, Appalachian Voices is fortunate to assemble a phenomenal team of rockstar interns from numerous Appalachian and East Coast universities. Enjoy these posts from our interns.

bat head and wings

Northern Long-Eared Bats Added to Endangered Species List

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently classified northern long-eared bats as endangered, which could help save the species most impacted by the deadly fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome.

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aerial view of the Sampson wood pellet plant

Clearing the Air on How Wood Pellet Factories Affect Their Neighbors and the Climate

The wood pellet industry is growing in the American South, but communities near wood pellet plants are seeing damages to air and water quality. As new facility proposals from wood pellet companies like Enviva continue, local residents and regional climate activists are speaking out.

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Woman points to location on a map.

Turning Coal Ash into Art

In Walnut Cove — a community whose history has been tainted by coal ash for decades — The Lilies Project has turned coal ash into art, and is expanding to encompass the town’s story beyond coal ash.

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Presence of Needle Ants in the Smoky Mountains Threatens Native Species

Invasive ants in the Smoky Mountains pose a threat to native species in the area.

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Cultivating an Inclusive Future in the Outdoors

A variety of programs, clubs and organizations aim to support inclusive outdoor recreation that centers people of color.

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Final Stage of Blue Grass Chemical Weapons Cleanup Underway

The Blue Grass Chemical-Agent Destruction Pilot Plant began destroying the last type of chemical weapons stored at an Army depot in Kentucky in July with a completion date scheduled for September 2023.

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Groups Unsatisfied with Duke Energy’s NC Carbon Plan

Many North Carolina residents, businesses and environmental groups are calling on the state utilities commission to push for more renewable power, energy efficiency and measures to address affordability in the state’s final carbon reduction plan.

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Full trash trout sits in stream

Trash Trouts are Collecting Litter and Data on Waterway Pollution

These floating devices use a catch-and-release system to trap trash in small tributaries before it reaches main rivers and help gather information on microplastics in waterways.

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Wild dandelions with bright yellow disk-like petals. Photo courtesy of Ila Hatter.

Lions and Trails and Foragers, Oh My!

Dandelions are complex, nutrient-rich plants with a distinct appearance that makes them ideal for novice foragers.

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woman with light blonde hair and glasses holds a quilt square with cutout images of miners, a canary, mining boots, coal and a Bible

Black Lung Advocate Judith Riffe is Making Change (and Quilts) in West Virginia

Judith Riffe of the Wyoming County Black Lung Association uses her quilt-making talents to fundraise for the chapter and is spearheading the installation of a statue to bring attention to the role of women miners.

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