Swannanoa Valley WILD

06/05/2026

Bird Safety Tips: Birds are Nesting, Babies are Fledging
Do all you can to keep them safe during this vulnerable time.
KEEP YOUR CATS INDOORS-cats are killing an estimated 2.4 billion birds each year in the U.S. alone, making cats the top source of direct, human-caused bird mortality in the U.S.
Build a catio for your cat(s) so they can enjoy the birds safely (Pictured is a great example submitted by a participant.)
Leave all nests and nestlings alone—yes, that goes for those who fall out of the nest. It’s okay to check nests if you are actively monitoring nests for NestWatch, then follow their protocols.
Protect your windows. Birds may find untreated windows tricky to navigate around.
Keep unnecessary lights off at night. Migration is still happening.
If you are feeding birds, especially hummingbirds, clean your feeders regularly in warmer months.
Seeds can mold and sugar water often goes bad faster in warmer weather.

06/04/2026

BearWise: Live Responsibly with Bears! Join North Carolina Wildlife Federation's Rewild AVL and Artemis Sportswomen Thursday, June 11th from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM at the Reuter Center at UNC Asheville. Springtime means our native black bears become more active and remain so through summer and fall! BearWise® is a national program that shares ways to prevent conflicts with black bears, provides resources to resolve problems with black bears, and encourages community initiatives to keep black bears wild. Learn smart solutions on how homeowners, businesses and communities can coexist with bears.
Our speaker, Ashley Hobbs, is a Special Projects Biologist and BearWise Coordinator for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
This event is free and open to the public, but please register here: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E12185&id=1258

06/03/2026

Swannanoa Valley Wild! alongside Amphibian and Reptile Conservancyhad a blast at Robert Lake Park in Montreat introducing kids to the wild aquatic world along Flat Creek! We geared up with goggles, snorkels, nets, identification guides, magnifying glasses, and nets as we explored the creek searching for crawfish, stoneflies, snails, and other interesting macroinvertebrates as we we discussed biodiversity and the importance of healthy waterways. We also gave some love to our vertebrate friends like salamanders and fish. For more information about Flat Creek and the ongoing Flat Creek 2040 project, check out Swannanoa Valley Wild's website!
https://svwild.org

05/27/2026

SAVE the DATE! for a new Grow Trail Book Installation and Celebration!
Sunday, June 14 from 2-4 PM at Lake Tomahawk Park.
Join Swannanoa Valley WILD!, Friends of the Black Mountain Library, Swannanoa Valley Tree Alliance, Black Mountain Greenways and Trails, and The Hop Ice Cream as we install the book "Thank You Old Oak", by Britt Crow-Miller.
2pm - Gather under the Wise Owl Whirligig in the Memorial Garden at Lake Tomahawk to celebrate creators Tom Haney and Paula Joerling and kick off the festivities.
2:30pm - Plant an oak tree donated by the SV Tree Alliance in front of the picnic pavilion.
From 2:45 - 4:00pm Join us for free ice cream from The Hop, a scavenger hunt with prizes, nature inspired crafts, and goodies from all sponsors/collaborators!

05/26/2026

A Hiker's Journey on the Pacific Crest Trail
Tuesday, June 16th 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Join NCWF Swannanoa Valley WILD! and Highland Farms as they welcome NCWF Conservation Coordinator, Luke Bennett. In 2024, Luke decided to run away from responsibilities and thru-hike the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail heading Southbound from Canada to Mexico. Along the way he experienced stunning landscapes, close encounters with wildlife (including a near death experience with a grouse), and approximately 10 million blisters. Beyond a walk in the woods, the PCT brought to light the importance of prioritizing time outside with friends and family, the necessity to protect public lands, the overwhelming kindness of strangers, the subtle art of hitchhiking, the struggle of being away from home, and the beauty of a properly topped bowl of oatmeal. Join us with your favorite trail snack as we pack an adventure of a lifetime into one hour!
Registration Form - http://weblink.donorperfect.com/hikersjourney061626

05/20/2026

Lake Tomahawk Garden Workday!
Tuesday, June 9th 8:30AM - 10:30AM
Join Swannanoa Valley WILD! Chapter of NCWF for a wildlife garden workday at Lake Tomahawk. We've already done a lot of work at the garden removing invasive plants and prepping the area for native plants in the future. And there is still a lot of work to do! We hope you'll join us as we work toward transforming this garden into suitable habitat for wildlife.
Registration Form -

05/18/2026

Kids in the Creek!
Saturday, May 30th 1:00PM - 3:00PM
Do you want to find out what’s swimming, lurking, floating, and crawling in Flat Creek? Now is your chance! Join NCWF Swannanoa Valley WILD! and Amphibian & Reptile Conservancy as we explore all things wild in Flat Creek. We will catch and release crawfish, snails, salamanders, and all sorts of interesting critters as we discuss biodiversity and the importance of healthy waterways. This is a great opportunity for families with kids ages K - 8th grade.
Registration Form -

North Carolina Wildlife Federation

05/15/2026

Today is Endangered Species Day.The bison serves as a reminder of what was lost here in North Carolina and what we are working to protect. Once, early explorers described “plenty of buffalos” across our state, with herds roaming the western mountains and Piedmont. But as development spread and market hunting intensified, their habitat disappeared and their numbers declined. By 1799, the last known bison in North Carolina had been killed.
Long before they nearly vanished across the American West, they were already gone from North Carolina’s landscape.
And yet, the bison’s story did not end there. Through conservation efforts, the species was returned from the brink of extinction, most notably in the West. While wild reintroductions have yet to be successful in North Carolina, bison can still be seen in zoos and bison farms across the state. Today, bison stand as a powerful example of what is possible when people choose to act.
That is why the bison plays such an important role for North Carolina Wildlife Federation. It represents both a warning and a promise. A warning of how quickly wildlife can disappear, and a promise that with commitment and action, we can protect what remains and restore what has been lost.
Join us in helping to preserve wildlife habitat!

05/14/2026

Swannanoa Valley Wild! and WNC Nature Center gathered at Swannanoa Library Branch this weekend. By introducing young minds to live reptile friends and nurturing the library's new pollinator garden, they showed us all how magical the world is when seen through the eyes of a child.
Our next kid friendly event is coming up on May 30th "Kids in the Creek" at Flat Creek in Black Mountain. Check the link in our bio for more details.