‘Next time, we’ll be ready:’ Community resilience hubs take root in Western North Carolina
After Hurricane Helene, some organizations are hoping to establish long-term community resilience hubs in North Carolina. In an ideal scenario, these hubs would be equipped with renewable infrastructure, such as solar microgrids, to maintain reliable access to electricity in the event of grid outages.
Rural Virginia community defeats massive gas plant and data center proposal
Residents of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, came together to help defeat a proposal from Balico, LLC to develop 2,200 acres of rural land for a massive gas power plant and huge data center complex of 84 buildings.
Research on Larry Gibson dedicated to the West Virginia & Regional History Center
Marybeth Lorbiecki compiled 1,283 pages of research to produce a biography on Larry Gibson that was officially transferred in March to the West Virginia & Regional History Center at West Virginia University. Her research chronicles Gibson’s rise from an unknown working-class man into the international star he’d become for environmental activists.
On the road to recovery: Rebuilding the Virginia Creeper Trail
Hurricane Helene devastated part of the popular Virginia Creeper Trail. Despite promising recent updates, the timeline for major restoration and eventual completion for portions of the picturesque rail-to-trail path remains uncertain, requiring small businesses that rely on visitors to pivot or risk closure.
Economic first responders: CDFIs, the unsung heroes of Appalachian financial services
CDFIs serve as ‘economic first responders’ in Appalachia. A drastic reduction in one of their funding sources could significantly alter or slow down their work providing capital to small business owners, mentorship to entrepreneurs, protections from predatory lending and flexible, fast capital in times of natural disaster.
Virginia Tech’s solar projects power campus toward carbon neutrality goal
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Virginia Tech has taken a significant step toward reducing its carbon footprint by completing four 1.2-megawatt solar arrays on building rooftops across its Blacksburg campus in fall 2024.
Swipe to Support: How two college students are tackling hunger in Appalachia
In October 2024, alongside a few friends, Osmani founded a grassroots organization, Swipe to Support, designed to redistribute their unused swipes to fight food insecurity in Appalachia.
Roanoke City Public Schools invests in students and saves big with solar
On a beautiful, sunny, clear Earth Day, leaders adorned with green ribbons from the Roanoke City Public Schools were taking in the view — not the view of McAfee Knob and Tinker Mountain looming in the distance, but of roughly 300 shiny new solar panels mounted atop the William B. Robertson Administration Building in downtown Roanoke.
How a skate park became a long-term disaster relief hub
What started as a simple act of checking in with each other after Hurricane Helene quickly turned into State Line Resource Station, a grassroots relief effort that has since provided thousands of people with food, supplies and long-term recovery assistance, operating out of Zionville Ramp Co., an indoor skate park in Trade, Tennessee.
Grazing in the sun: Enterprising farmers pair agriculture with solar power
Agrivoltaics is the practice of using land for both agricultural and solar energy production. It involves traditional ground-mounted solar arrays where panels are elevated or spaced out to allow for crop production, pollinator habitats or grazing. Advocates believe that when done well, the practice can numerous environmental and economic benefits for Appalachian communities.
Green jobs, healthy communities: A conversation with SEEED’s Stan Johnson and JD Jackson
SEEED, a nonprofit operating in Knoxville, Tenn., provides “pathways out of poverty for young adults through career readiness training, environmental education and community engagement.” The following is a Q&A with two members of the organization’s leadership team.
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Naturalist’s Notebook
Endangered species listing could help save Eastern hellbenders in Appalachian streams
On Dec. 12, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a proposal to classify the Eastern hellbender, the largest aquatic salamander in North America, as endangered.
Why Appalachia’s Spotted Skunk is so Rare
The eastern spotted skunk was not always as rare as it is today. Find out what researcher Emily Thorne has learned about this master of malodor.
Endangered Tiny Tarantula Faces Habitat Loss
An endangered, tiny tarantula living in moss in the Appalachian Mountains is losing more of its habitat.
Hiking the Highlands
UPDATE: Pedestrian bridge opens for McAfee Knob trail crossing
Soon, Appalachian Trail hikers will be able to use a 90-foot-long, steel and concrete pedestrian bridge to move safely over Virginia 311 at McAfee Knob trail crossing.
Views and Brews
There’s nothing better than some time on the trail followed by a smooth cup of java or something with a little kick. Enjoy this carefully crafted list of the perfect pairings.
How Max Patch Bald is Finally Healing
After overuse forced the closure of Max Patch Bald, efforts by the U.S. Forestry Service and trail groups to restore the area show dramatic progress.
This Green House
East Tennessee nonprofit welcomes first-time homebuyers into affordable, energy-efficient home
Shawn O’Brien and Nicole Yacura recently moved into Candora House, a net-positive solar home built by East Tennessee nonprofit, SEEED.
Lowering Costs for Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades
Tax credits and rebates can help homeowners make energy-efficient upgrades.
How Home Repairs Enable Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Funding for a Virginia program that helps low-income residents repair their homes and receive energy-efficiency upgrades is at risk.
Across Appalachia
Economic first responders: CDFIs, the unsung heroes of Appalachian financial services
CDFIs serve as ‘economic first responders’ in Appalachia. A drastic reduction in one of their funding sources could significantly alter or slow down their work providing capital to small business owners, mentorship to entrepreneurs, protections from predatory lending and flexible, fast capital in times of natural disaster.
Community-based Indigenous organization acquires property on proposed federal prison site as part of grassroots effort to create a different future for Eastern Kentucky
The Appalachian Rekindling Project held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate its recent purchase of a 63-acre plot of land within the currently designated boundaries of a federal prison proposed for construction in Letcher County, Kentucky.
New Effort to Reduce ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water
The Environmental Protection Agency set stricter limits on the levels of certain PFAS chemicals in drinking water and is providing funding to test and treat public water systems and private wells.
Energy Report
Biden Admin Finalizes Silica Rule Update
A new federal rule would cut miners’ exposure to silica dust, but miners and their advocates have concerns about whether industry will follow the new rule under the current enforcement mechanisms.
Reducing Methane Emissions from Wells Could Create Tens of Thousands of Jobs
Decommissioning unplugged oil and gas wells and reducing emissions at operating wells in accordance with new federal guidelines would create tens of thousands of jobs across four states, according to a recent report.
TVA Moves Forward with Kingston Gas Plant
Ignoring EPA concerns and calls from lawmakers for more transparency, Tennessee Valley Authority moved forward with plans to convert the Kingston Fossil Plant from coal to methane.
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