Grant to spur regional watershed education efforts
A $36,500 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will fuel education efforts on the wonders of the French Broad River Basin over the next several years.
The project, known as the Love Your Watershed Education and Outreach Campaign, is administered by Haywood Waterways Association in collaboration with a variety of partners, including Town of Waynesville, BearWaters Brewing Company, Ivy River Partners, Blue Ridge Resources Conservation & Development Council, Yancey County, Madison County, Land of Sky Regional Council, N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission, New Belgium Brewing, Headwaters Outfitters, RiverLink and Pigeon River Fund. The funds were awarded to the French Broad River Partnership, along with other area environmental nonprofits, state agencies, councils of government and local municipalities.
The partners have extensive experience with stream restoration activities including streambank plantings, trash cleanups, public workshops and installing educational signage at popular locations across the basin. Moving forward, the Love Your Watershed campaign will be managed by the French Broad River Partnership. Sign designs have been completed by Spriggly Beescaping and installed by A to Z Signs, both based in Waynesville. The Love Your Watershed logo was designed by Engine House Design of Marshall.