Jaclyn Anthony

This week, we're exploring a newly protected 121-acre property bordering Chimney Rock State Park. Rose Lane of Conserving Carolina shares the story of the Greenville couple who purchased the land to protect it from development, while ecologist Owen Carson of Equinox Environmental explains the importance of its headwater streams. Next week, we'll explore the property's diverse habitats, including a rare fern.

The Swannanoa River is showing signs of recovery after Helene. Jaclyn Anthony talks with NC Wildlife’s Luke Etchison about how storm damage to a dam opened passage for returning native fish, why smallmouth bass matter to freshwater mussels, and how local colleges and community partners are helping restore the river’s habitat.

Jaclyn’s guests this week return to discuss protecting North Carolina’s trees and aquatic wildlife. Olivia Hall of the Hemlock Restoration Initiative explains how property owners can treat hemlocks for woolly adelgid and introduces the Lingering Hemlock Project’s work toward developing resistant trees.

Jaclyn Anthony’s guests this week are Coleman Forshee, general manager of Klingspor's Woodworking Shop, and western North Carolina woodturner Kevin Felderhoff. They discuss the 26th Annual Woodworking Extravaganza, coming to Hickory October 23–24. The free event features demonstrations, competitions, hands-on activities, and artisans showcasing everything from woodcarving and woodturning to pyrography. They also discuss efforts to introduce younger generations to woodworking and preserve traditional craftsmanship.

Jaclyn is joined by Olivia Hall, Educational Outreach Manager with Hemlock Restoration Initiative. They discuss the organization’s work and introduce listeners to the hemlock wooly adelgid. Learn more at https://savehemlocksnc.org/The second guest, Rachael Hoch, is the assistant chief of fisheries/aquatic diversity with NC Wildlife Resources Commission. They’re proposing amendments to the state endangered, threatened, and special concern species rules. Hoch highlights the conservation success story of the Roanoke Logperch and the threats facing the River Redhorse.Public comments will be accepted through November 2nd.

Jaclyn’s guests this week include Josh Kelly, MountainTrue’s Resilient Forests director. He takes a look at the potential repercussions of changes made to the federal Endangered Species Act and the potential changes to the 2001 Roadless Rule on forests in WNC.

The Friday Feature of the Week heads to Brasstown for John C. Campbell Folk School’s 50th Fall Festival. Jaclyn welcomes events and volunteer manager Morgan Budzinski and music and dance events coordinator T-Claw Crawford.

Jaclyn's guest this week is Simone Adams, founder and executive director of Color My Outdoors. The Outdoors Report's sponsor, Second Gear, named Color My Outdoors as their nonprofit partner of the month through October.The comment period for the rescission of the Roadless Rule ends on October 6. MountainTrue has a guide for writing comments to submit to the Federal Register.

Jaclyn Anthony’s guest is Herb Klann, Bat Cave resident and author of the forthcoming Ready, Set, Hunt: A Field Guide for the Beginner Hunter, releasing September 29th from Asheville-based Otterpine. The guide gives new and experienced hunters practical guidance, hard-earned lessons and confidence to find their own way outdoors. They talk about Klann’s hunting experience growing up and how hunters make good conservationists.

Two years after Hurricane Helene, this fourth installment of Higher Ground examines how the storm reshaped Western North Carolina’s forests and waterways. Michael Cheek of the N.C. Forest Service and MountainTrue’s Gray Jernigan discuss wildfire risks, changing habitats, river cleanup, and the long work of helping a transformed landscape recover.