Nonprofits form WNC for the Planet; Set Earth Day events

Staff Reports

Local nonprofit organizations, universities and businesses are joining together as WNC for the Planet to celebrate Earth Month in April.

WNC Planet will host a variety of events and volunteer days inspired by Earth Day 2018.

A news release issued by the group describes WNC for the Planet as a collective of local environmental organizations that provides access to service, educational and recreational opportunities in recognition of Earth Month. The collective strives to unify the community to encourage and celebrate environmental stewardship for the region and the planet.

“Earth Day might fall on April 22nd, but our fellow environmental nonprofits operate as if every day is Earth Day. Because of this, we’ve decided to focus on a month-long endeavor to encourage businesses and individuals alike to give back to our planet,” Anna Zanetti, North Carolina director of Friends of the Smokies, said in the release.

Throughout April, the partnership plans to host a month of environmental service, education opportunities and community events in Asheville and across Western North Carolina. It has launched an online community, WNCforthePlanet.org, where people can learn about various events and volunteer days inspired by Earth Day 2018.

Service opportunities and educational programs will be available for people of all ages and from all walks of life. They will be offered across the region, including trail work days in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, French Broad River cleanups, trail building in the Highlands of Roan, native habitat restoration and corporate service challenges.

“We recognized how each group's values were aligned, so we encouraged everyone to get into a room together. We all had so many activities scheduled around Earth Day, we didn’t want to compete when we had the opportunity to collaborate,” said Mike Craft, VIPer Ambassador/Community Relations of New Belgium Brewing. “This partnership, enthusiasm for our environment and collaborative spirit is just another reminder of how lucky we are to call Western North Carolina our home.”

The month will culminate in a weekend of celebrations, including Kids Fest with RiverLink on Saturday, April 21, and MountainTrue's annual Earth Day Vigil with faith groups and tree planting led by GreenWorks on Sunday, April 22. New Belgium Brewing Co. will also celebrate the hard-working volunteers, environmental advocates and Earth Day supporters at its Liquid Center.

Anyone interested in learning more about Earth Month volunteer opportunities and special events can visit www.WNCforthePlanet.org.

Groups involved in the partnership include:

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Asheville GreenW8orks Bee City USA Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Carolina Mountain Club Conserving Carolina Energy Savers Network Everybody’s Environment Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway Green Opportunities Hemlock Restoration Initiative MountainTrue National Parks Conservation Association Organic Growers School Riverlink Sierra Club (WENOCA Group) Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Warren Wilson College University of NC Asheville

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