Did you know that the Appalachian mountain chain is one of the oldest mountain formations on the planet? It is part of the same geological structure that also makes up some of the mountains in Ireland and the UK, including the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland and the southern Highlands in Scotland. It’s no wonder that the Scottish and Irish people felt like they’d found home when they arrived in Western North Carolina. Though these mountains are ancient, they still need protection, especially with advanced technology like fracking making its way into the energy industry. As a member of the Asheville and greater WNC community, how can you help protect our mountains? Here are six things you can start doing today.
Conservation Options
If you are lucky enough to own your very own patch of land in our gorgeous mountains, there are some things you can do to protect it. Conservation is a very particular process in terms of the law which is why the Southern Appalachian Highland Conservancy works with land owners to determine the best possible options. Conservation easements and the donation of land are just two ways to be a steward of the earth in the WNC area.
Sustainable Living
Whether you live on several acres in the mountains or in a small home in the city of Asheville, you may have considered looking into sustainable living. This doesn’t mean you have to go completely off-grid in a tiny cabin in the woods. There are plenty of ways you can incorporate sustainable living into your regular life.
Some very simple changes include:
Keeping a reusable water bottle with you
Bringing reusable shopping bags when you run errands
Using natural cleaning products in your home
Planting an edible garden in your yard
Becoming a one car family or carpooling with others
Changes on the Individual Level
The list of items above are, of course, things you can do as an individual, but they are only a fraction of the ideas you can incorporate into your life. For example, if you’re not already a vegan or vegetarian, you can reduce the amount of meat you consume. Meat production is expensive, so reducing your consumption will help you live more sustainably.
Additionally, especially here in the Asheville area, sustainability is closely tied to political action. Regardless of your affiliations or personal political beliefs, it’s important that you vote in every election so you can be represented in our community.
Volunteer in the Community
You probably know by now that at GoPrime of West Asheville, one of our core values is to promote community involvement through volunteering. There are ample opportunities in WNC for you to volunteer to help clean up our environment and protect our mountain landscape. Check out programs held by SAHC to see what works for you.
Support the Southern Appalachian Highland Conservancy
If you’re unable to volunteer for any reason, consider supporting the SAHC through donations or participation. For example, they’ll frequently hold events at local venues like breweries and your participation in those activities directly benefit the work that SAHC is doing in our community.
2 votes Thanks 1
shiennakayeamoto
Our Mountains are very important to us so let's not destroy our beautiful mountains. This is also where we get our daily food and necessities and we can help plant plants and trees
Please be the braliest, thank you very much
shiennakayeamoto
Our Mountains are very important to us so let's not destroy our beautiful mountains. This is also where we get our daily food and necessities and we can help plant plants and trees
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Ways We Can Protect Our Mountains
Did you know that the Appalachian mountain chain is one of the oldest mountain formations on the planet? It is part of the same geological structure that also makes up some of the mountains in Ireland and the UK, including the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland and the southern Highlands in Scotland. It’s no wonder that the Scottish and Irish people felt like they’d found home when they arrived in Western North Carolina. Though these mountains are ancient, they still need protection, especially with advanced technology like fracking making its way into the energy industry. As a member of the Asheville and greater WNC community, how can you help protect our mountains? Here are six things you can start doing today.
Conservation Options
If you are lucky enough to own your very own patch of land in our gorgeous mountains, there are some things you can do to protect it. Conservation is a very particular process in terms of the law which is why the Southern Appalachian Highland Conservancy works with land owners to determine the best possible options. Conservation easements and the donation of land are just two ways to be a steward of the earth in the WNC area.
Sustainable Living
Whether you live on several acres in the mountains or in a small home in the city of Asheville, you may have considered looking into sustainable living. This doesn’t mean you have to go completely off-grid in a tiny cabin in the woods. There are plenty of ways you can incorporate sustainable living into your regular life.
Some very simple changes include:
Keeping a reusable water bottle with you
Bringing reusable shopping bags when you run errands
Using natural cleaning products in your home
Planting an edible garden in your yard
Becoming a one car family or carpooling with others
Changes on the Individual Level
The list of items above are, of course, things you can do as an individual, but they are only a fraction of the ideas you can incorporate into your life. For example, if you’re not already a vegan or vegetarian, you can reduce the amount of meat you consume. Meat production is expensive, so reducing your consumption will help you live more sustainably.
Additionally, especially here in the Asheville area, sustainability is closely tied to political action. Regardless of your affiliations or personal political beliefs, it’s important that you vote in every election so you can be represented in our community.
Volunteer in the Community
You probably know by now that at GoPrime of West Asheville, one of our core values is to promote community involvement through volunteering. There are ample opportunities in WNC for you to volunteer to help clean up our environment and protect our mountain landscape. Check out programs held by SAHC to see what works for you.
Support the Southern Appalachian Highland Conservancy
If you’re unable to volunteer for any reason, consider supporting the SAHC through donations or participation. For example, they’ll frequently hold events at local venues like breweries and your participation in those activities directly benefit the work that SAHC is doing in our community.
Please be the braliest, thank you very much