The Appalachian Voice
Orchids: The Grace, Strength and Beauty of the Mountains
By Julie Johnson The beauty and mystique of Appalachia’s wild orchids have seduced many a woodland explorer. Like the flowers’ curious pollinating insects, these brilliant and prolific plants keep us coming back for more. Orchids are a fascinating study in plant intelligence and ecological symbiosis. To ensure the continued existence of their species, orchids, through…
Read MoreThe Crash Pad
Bunkbeds Never Looked So Good By Julie Johnson Hosteleers, your green dream is about to arrive. This June, The Crash Pad, the country’s first LEED certified hostel, will open in Chattanooga, Tenn. Forget the usual rickety bunk beds with questionable linens, crammed five or six to a room. The Crash Pad is a green-minded traveler’s…
Read MoreInside Appalachian Voices
“The Last Mountain” Makes its First Appearance Nationwide By Rachael Goss Film director Bill Haney recognized the highly visual and personal nature of mountaintop removal on communities and the environment. This summer Appalachian Voices will hit the road with his documentary, “The Last Mountain,” exposing the issue to new audiences across America. A Sundance Official…
Read MoreHidden Treasures – Virginia
400 hundred years of U.S. history and an eternity of natural wonders run from the Appalachian Mountain Ridges to the Shenandoah Valley and on to a coast that is one of the south’s finest. Music Tourism Gives Floyd Economy a Boost By Bill Kovarik and Jason Coleman If there is a poster child for music,…
Read MoreEnvironmental News from Around the Region
Shady Valley Residents Speaking out on Pesticide Use By Meg Holden Shady Valley, Tennessee is small, rural and quiet—quiet until now, that is. The recently formed organization Shady Valley Neighbors for Clean Air and Water is speaking out against environmental injustice in their community, and it isn’t so quiet in the valley now. B&W Quality…
Read MoreHidden Treasures- Georgia
The Southern jewel of the Appalachian range offers as stunning a landscape as any of its northern neighbors. The Simple Sweetness of Amicalola Falls Story by Jamie Goodman Cradled at the base of the Appalachian mountains in northern Georgia, Amicalola Falls State Park is backcountry hiking, car camping, bio-exploring, luxury dining and day tripping all…
Read MoreHidden Treasures- Pennsylvania and Ohio
The mountains of Ohio and Pennsylvania straddle the line between central / southern Appalachia and the cooler climes of the north country peaks. A Migration Corridor in Need of Federal Designation By Jared Schultz “The Broadwing is dive bombing the Red Tail!” cried an enthusiastic young volunteer as she looked through a pair of binoculars…
Read MoreHidden Treasures- North Carolina
As the Old North State embraces ecological protection and heritage tourism, visitors flock to the mountains and foothills. Hot Springs: Peace and Quiet With A Splash of Adventure By Jillian Randel THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF APPALACHIA Intro | Virginia | West Virginia Kentucky | Tennessee | North Carolina Georgia | Pennsylvania & Ohio Resting between…
Read MoreHidden Treasures- Kentucky
From the high mountains to the hills of bluegrass country, Kentucky invites visitors to experience the rich history of its culture and environment. Two Towns Face Trouble Preserving The Past By Jillian Randel Nestled at the bottom of Black Mountain, home of the tallest point in Kentucky, are two unique historic towns, famed for once…
Read MoreHidden Treasures- Tennessee
The beautiful rivers, remote mountains and rich foothills of Tennessee stand their ground against encroaching industrial pollution. Royal Blue Wildlife Management Area By JW Randolph Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in the entire United States. People flock from all over the world to see the rolling hills and…
Read More