I am a member
of all of the associations below but I'm always fishing for things to do and places to
go. The latest addition at the top is a favorite botanical-type
organization that I have fancied for years. Their goal is to
re-establish the American Chestnut tree to its former range. If you have any suggestions as to which activities or associations you would
like me to keep track of, call or e-mail me. My e-mail address is
or you can mention it to me
when you see me. I often wear the baseball cap with a little compass pinned to it.
TRTC is a state chartered, non-profit organization that accomplishes much of it's work through volunteer efforts. While we do have a number of small grants to support trail building and maintenance, these funds generally are spent for equipment, supplies and for specialized services such as preparing site development plans. The on-the-ground efforts to build and improve trails is done almost exclusively by our volunteers. Since 1998, TRTC volunteers have put in over 7,000 hours in cleaning up, resurfacing and maintaining the American Tobacco Trail (ATT) in Durham, Chatham and Wake Counties. Most of this work has been done during our twice-a-month Saturday workdays although members of our Board and a few volunteers are also active during the week as their schedules allow.
Visit the Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy website
Carolinas Provisional Chapter (TACF-CC)
After the May start up meeting, members of the newly formed Carolinas Provisional Chapter began the search for "Mother Trees" with the guidance of Ron Meyer, a TACF member and forester in North Carolina. Others are investigating potential breeding sites to start a regional adaptability program. The Carolinas Chapter has had an impressive media campaign with articles appearing in several environmental magazines and local newspapers. Their media efforts included a brief spot on "Little Joe" Brown's WFGW 1010 radio program. Later, "Little Joe" helped discover some healthy "Mother Trees."
Asheville Satellite Office is at 46 Haywood Street, Suite 213, Asheville, NC 28801 828-281-0047; 828-253-5373 (fax)
Chestnut Colorings
Have you opened a box of crayolas and looked in awe? Have you wondered what inspired such a diversity of tones and hues? Well, now you can say that the American chestnut inspired one of the many crayolas in the box - well, maybe.
Crayola renamed one of its colors in July. Teachers complained that many children assumed the worst about the color named color of American Indians' skin. Not so; the name "Indian red" was derived from a reddish-brown pigment found near India. To thwart this negative image, Crayola held a contest to rename the crayon. About 100,000 individuals submitted their ideas, and 155 suggested "chestnut." These chestnut inspired individuals received a Certificate of Crayon Authorship and a 64-color crayon box starring the newly renamed color. Crayon boxes, featuring "chestnut" became available in September 1999. As your children or your relatives' children begin bearing down on a reddish-brown Crayola, it might be "chestnut." What an opportunity to hand down stories of this magnificent tree we are all committed to restoring!
From the fall 1999 issue of The Bark, the newsletter of The American Chestnut Foundation. Check out the TACF website and learn about their efforts to restore the tree under which the village smithy stood.
You may want to explore the many organizations at the Triangle Greenways Council web site:
http://www.trianglegreenways.comClick here to visit the Capital Group Web Page?
Click here to get more detailed info on Sierra Club outings and regional meetings.
Latest Schedule of Activities of NCBG
Register by calling 919-962-0522. Registration is secure when payment is received. Make checks payable to North Carolina Botanical Garden. Send check(s) to: North Carolina Botanical Garden Classes, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB3375, Totten Center, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375.
Read what's happening soon at Triangle GO. (Joe Miller of the News and Observer)
The 20th Festival for the Eno, July 3, 4 & 5, 1999 - Join us with your family and friends for a first-class celebration of the Independence Day Weekend. The drinks you buy at the Festival, the Eno T-shirts and Eno Posters, in addition to the admission proceeds, will all help to buy parklands. Come for a good time and help us to preserve the Eno River. For more info - Festival Coordinator: Judy Allen, Festival Phone: 919-477-4549, Fax: 919-477-0448, e-mail: enofest@gte.net, On the Web: www.enoriver.org
The Association has just announced a new outdoor guide map for the Eno River. The map includes detailed trails, river rapids, and other landmarks based on an original GPS survey of the river corridor - plus info on hiking, canoeing, wildflowers, birds, history, terrain, animal tracks and fishing. The map is produced by Polaris Cartography and will be available at local outdoor retail outlets, as well as at the Festival for the Eno. You can call Polaris Cartography (704-675-5357) or email: eringler@yancey.main.nc.us or leave a message at the Association (919-620-9099). The Association receives 15 percent of all sales distributed through the Assoc. Local Distributor: Susan Murche (919-419-8261).
Read about their schedule of upcoming hikes by clicking here.
Join the Conservancy at Cobb Station on Virginia's Eastern Shore - Discover why they call it one of the "Last Great Places." A historic former Coast Guard Station has been moved onshore and is currently being converted into a conservation lodge. Be the first to enjoy a two- to four-day program with first-class accommodations and meals. Spend your days bird-watching during the fall migration, kayaking along pristine inlets or hiking through protected refuges and parks. Visit remote, undeveloped barrier islands and learn about the area's history and ecology from the Conservancy's expert guides. All-inclusive packages will be available beginning September 1999. For details, call toll-free, 1-888-VASHORE.
Keep up with the latest Nature Conservancy activities. Click here.
