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Photo by Journey North

Monarch season is upon is. In September and October, these majestic butterflies can be seen flying through our region on the way to their wintering grounds. Some begin their journey here as they emerge from the chrysalis. If you see one, it is truly a gift. Keep reading to find out why and how this is just one of the reasons we do what we do here at Mountain Valleys.

Water Resources Programs

****Septic Funding available in the Ivy River Watershed for repairs and replacing straight pipes!! Please call or email, 828-206-6159, mariah@ivyriverpartners.org****

LET IT GROW---DON'T MOW

Did you know? In July of this year, the migrating population of the monarch butterfly (the only one we see in WNC) was officially listed as endangered. As an individual the number one thing we can do for this and other species is "Let it grow. Don't Mow." Fortunately, everything they need, is already in the ground, as seeds, waiting to be released. Monarch caterpillars will only chow down on milkweed; native milkweed is the best. And the butterflies need a buffet of flowers to fuel their long journey to Mexico.

But I don't like the "wild, overgrown" look...You can still preserve a polished lawn or field area but allow for edges around streams, storm water drainage areas, or forests to grow. You can also create a border as seen in some of the photos below. Observe through the seasons how your previously mowed area is now hustling and bustling with butterflies, birds and life of all types. Maintain a mowed path for access points if you are worried about ticks and snakes. It's not for everybody, but you just might come to appreciate watching the seasonal changes of life over having a little extra polished look.

Benefits...wildlife, erosion control (especially if you don't mow on a slope or creek bank), cleaner streams, potential for flood mitigation, a feast for the eyes and other senses (in our opinion)

Ok, I'm convinced, but how? Multiple ways depending on your site conditions and goals. You can just let an area grow and manage it for invasive plants. Or you can kick start it with native plantings. Milkweed is affordable and will happily spread.

Mountain Valleys and our partners have cost share programs that can help.

Give us a call! 828-206-6159

Speaking of letting it grow...

Our interpretive signs are up at our Brush Creek Clean Streams project where we restored 3 sections of stream on two school campuses and a failing bank at the ballfield. Check out some before and after pictures from the growing season below...

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Nov. 1-17: Bailey Mountain Learn and Burn...Scroll down for the flyer

TBD Jan or Feb: Livestaking Workshop...for landowners and professionals that want to learn this cost effective measure for stabilizing stream banks with native plants

Want to see a Shade Your Stream Project?

If you're curious about our projects, you can view them at the following public sites:

1. Gabriel's Creek Greenway in Mars Hill- It's a section on the upper end of the trail. Park in the gravel lot below Mars Hill Elementary and look for the interpretive sign along the trail. 200 School House Road, Mars Hill, NC 28754

2. Beech Glen Community Center- There is a mowed walking trail that weaves through the floodplain. It's also a great example of a natural stream restoration. We are enhancing the buffer with plants and invasive removal. WNC Stream Initiative did the restoration work. 2936 Beech Glen Rd, Mars Hill, NC 28754

3. Blannahassett Island in Marshall- On the Marshall High Studios side of the island (south), the landowner cut back large alders that were threatening to rip the bank out. These trees grow back from the roots. Livestakes were planted along the bank and a row of trees along the top. The sunlight allows for an abundance of plant life whose roots will help hold up the bank. 115 Blannahassett Island Rd, Marshall, NC 28753

4. Bailey Mountain Preserve- We are restoring an old pasture to a native forest along the entire length of Banjo Branch that runs through the property, out to 100 feet.

   889 Forest St, Mars Hill, NC 28754

Energy Program

The next application deadline for USDA-REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) is October 31st. Grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Grants for up to 25 percent of total eligible project costs. Find out more HERE.

Funds may be used for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements, such as:

• Small and large solar generation.

• High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).

• Insulation.

• Lighting.

• Cooling or refrigeration units.

• Doors and windows.

• Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.

• Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.

• Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.

 This can also be combined with a 50 percent grant from WNC EnergyCAP. Combined grant funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs. For more information please visit www.energycap.org.

EnergyCAP also now has a 50% cost-share for high tunnel plastic replacement!

WINDING STAIR NURSERY

Winding Stair Nursery and Garden Center located in Franklin, NC is a bit of a corollary of a dream several years in the making. Winding Stair’s owners Stacy and Greg were looking for a place to visit the mountains on the weekends and escape the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. The farm was never part of their original plan but instead evolved over several years. Early on, Winding Stair was an abandoned campground which evolved into a small farm complete with vegetable production, sheep, and chickens and then later, a garden center was added to their endeavors.  

In 2017, they found out the local nursery was going out of business, and they jumped at the opportunity. They are dedicated to sustainable business which is one reason the made the investment in the 26.5 kW Solar PV System. The system is large enough to sustain the entire nursery operation.

With thanks to our funding partners:

Forest Program 

Fall "Leaf Off" Season is Here, so is Fall Fire Season

Cooler air. Changing colors. Leaves falling. It’s fall y'all!

As we transition to fall, a drier time of year with more dead vegetation on the ground, fire activity picks up in our region into November.  Remember: “Start reducing your risk at your front door and work your way into the forest.” Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to tackle the big stuff first. Start by protecting your house (the most important thing) and work your way out.

The main thing to consider as your reducing your home’s wildfire risk is vegetation management! That includes all the leaves that fall to the ground. Leaves can pile up in places you don’t always check: your gutters, on roofs, behind skylights, in corners outside of the house, under bushes, and underneath decks, staircases, and pathways. Check these areas at least twice a year - in the spring and fall - and clear that wildfire threat!

You may be asking - now what? Where do I put the leaves after they are removed from immediately around my house? You have options:

• Shred and spread them. Either go over the pile with a mulching lawnmower or toss them into a shredder. The finely cut leaves will decompose much faster and rapidly become part of the soil you spread them on.

• Add them to your compost pile. To maintain a healthy ratio of carbon and nitrogen materials in the compost bin, your pile should have about two-thirds carbon (brown) materials and one-third nitrogen (green) materials.

• Use them as a protective mulch at least 30 feet from the house. Leaves make a wonderful protective cover for overwintering tender perennials or root crops stored in the ground.

• Make an art project. There are loads of ideas for crafting with leaves: make a colorful season wreath, a leaf collage, a leaf stamp, or frame or hang leaves as decoration. (Pinterest can help!)

• Community recycling. If you're not much of a gardener, you should consider offering your bagged leaves to neighbors or a community garden who use mulch and compost. Some counties or townships have a leaf removal program.

More information about burning safely this fall in our blog post:

Madison County Forest Landowner Workshop
Saturday, October 15 - 10am to 1pm

Many landowners value their forest but are unprepared to manage it for future challenges. Others have begun planning but are uncertain what steps should be taken to assure maximum benefits for those that will inherit the land. This workshop is designed for landowners of all stripes and will be tailored to help you learn at an appropriate pace. Come learn about the many resources available to landowners for planning and forest management. Hear from a variety of speakers and have the chance to meet one on one with a forestry professional.

Register today! This event is free. Lunch is provided. Maps will be provided for landowners who RSVP and provide their property details. More information about the workshop here.

WNC Prescribed Fire Season

Not only is fall wildfire season, it’s also prescribed fire season.

Prescribed fires are controlled fires intentionally set to reach a land management goal such as hazard fuel reduction, enhancing wildlife habitat, food sustenance, site preparation for planting trees and/or seeds. Find out more about prescribed fire in our new blog post:

You may see smoke from people burning their land or brush piles this fall season. Call your local NCFS county ranger if you suspect a fire is out of control or if trash is being burned (which is illegal). Always obtain a permit from the NCFS if you are going to burn on your property.

As mentioned in the “Water” section above, come watch a live prescribed burn at the Bailey Mountain Preserve Learn and Burn event in Mars Hill during the first couple weeks in November. Register here to get updates on location, dates, and times.

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Check out our Forest page for more resources on wildfire preparedness and other forest resources or email our Forest Program Manger at wildfire@mountainvalleysrcd.org for more information.