Sustain Brevard

06/06/2026

06/03/2026

🌸 Did you know that your backyard is a lifeline. 🌸

Western NC is home to some of the most incredible pollinators on the planet! From the Eastern tiger swallowtail drifting through stands of wild bergamot, to the ruby-throated hummingbird hovering over trumpet vine, to humble native bumblebees working patch after patch of purple coneflower and mountain mint. ☘️

But these relationships only thrive when we give them somewhere to land.

A sustainable yard isn't just pretty it's also a functional habitat. Swap out turf grass for native plantings. Let the leaf litter stay. Skip the pesticides. Choose plants like Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), and Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricatal which are a few of the native species our local pollinators rely upon! 🐦

When your yard supports pollinators, it supports healthy soil, clean water, local birds, and an entire food web that keeps our mountain ecosystem resilient.

You don't need acres. You need intention. 🌿

🐝 Tag a neighbor who's turned their yard into a pollinator paradise.

05/27/2026

The greatest threat to wildlife habitats in North Carolina is rapid population growth which has caused urban sprawl, agricultural conversion and overall land development for human infrastructure.

· The fragmentation of forest and riparian ecosystems and farms are degrading the habitats of crucial bird, salamander and freshwater mussel species.


· Deep-woodland songbirds such as the Cerulean Warbler, Wood Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, and Black-and-White Warbler that require vast unbroken forest areas for survival are experiencing steep population drops.

· These bird species are displaced from mature woodlands and are more exposed to predators and parasites.

· High Elevation species which live in high-altitude mountain peaks such as the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel and the spruce-fir moss spider—rely on the cool, humid microclimates of Fraser fir and red spruce stands are becoming more vulnerable to logging, historic wildfires, and invasive pests (like the balsam woolly adelgid)


· Riparian species such as the Eastern Hellbender Salamander and Freshwater mussels are experiencing habitat loss because runoff from hillside development, agricultural operations, and road construction has caused sedimentation and pollutants to destroy critical nesting sites and localized living areas.

What can we do to help stop habitat loss?



· Plant Natives: Transform your yard into a wildlife haven by planting native, WNC-friendly flora that provide natural food and cover.


· Support Local Land Trusts: Contribute to or volunteer with local organizations actively purchasing conservation easements to protect critical landscapes (such as Conserving Carolina).


· Manage Invasives: Help restore local ecosystems by participating in community pulls or treating invasive species like kudzu and multiflora rose



· Advocate for Wildlife Crossings: Support local initiatives and policies that implement over-the-road or under-the-road wildlife corridors.

05/20/2026

🦪 Meet one of Transylvania County's most vulnerable residents! The Appalachian Elktoe mussel is a federally protected freshwater mussel calls the Little River home, quietly filtering water and keeping our ecosystem in balance. But it's disappearing, and it needs our help.

The good news? You can make a difference right from your own yard. 🌿

Planting native species reduces the pesticides and runoff that poison our streams. Picking up pet waste keeps harmful bacteria out of the water. Covering exposed soil stops erosion before it starts. And voting for leaders who prioritize the environment ensures protections stay in place for species like the Elktoe. 💙

Small actions. Big impact. The Elktoe is counting on us. 🌊

05/13/2026

Western NC is home to an array of endangered and threatened pollinator species including the Rusty-Patched bumble bee, Monarch butterfly, and American bumble bee.

 

·        The critically endangered rusty-patched bumble bee in particular has experienced a 90% loss in population in the US because of habitat loss, pesticides, and pathogens.

 

·        Once found in 28 states, the species now exists in 13 states in fragmented populations and was last officially observed in WNC in the early 2000s. It was recently seen in 2025 in Wisconsin and Michigan.

 

·        The American bumble bee, variable Cuckoo Bumblebee, and Southern Plains Bumblebee have also experienced significant population declines because of  a loss of flowering plants, habitat conversion for agriculture or development, and pesticide use.

 

·        Monarch butterflies have been proposed for "threatened" status due to population declines exceeding 80–90% since the 1980’s and 1990’s.

What can we do:

 

·        Plant native habitats containing a variety of plants that have constant blooms from March to November.

 

·        Use native plant pollinator seed mix which includes milkweed, black-eyed Susan, and coneflower.

 

·        Provide nesting sites by leaving dead leaves and allow specific areas of your garden to remain unmulched to provide habitat for ground-nesting bees.

 

·        Do not use pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides like Roundup which can kill essential nectar plants.

 

·        Join the Butterfly Highway by registering your garden online which provides a much-needed habitat network.

05/12/2026

Composting is a great way to reduce your environment footprint and is easy to do! 🪱

Thanks to Jean Woods, master composter, and Anderson Cheek, owner of , for coming out and sharing your knowledge with us at our Composting event last month! 🗓️

Do you want to learn more about composting? Not sure where to start? We have a plethora of resources listed on our website under the "waste" project page! Check the 🔗 in our bio!

05/11/2026

🌍⚠️Join us tomorrow!⚠️🌏

Jim Tolbert's final lecture will be on household CO2 emissions. It's going to be a very enlightening talk starting at 6:30pm at Mary C. Jenkins Community Center.

Registration is not required.

05/06/2026

This month we're highlighting some special species in celebration of endangered species month! 🤍

To start we like to celebrate the smallest member of the emydid family, the bog turtle! 🐢

Growing up to 4 and 1/2 in long, the bog turtle can be identified by yellow spots and streaks along its neck and limbs. 🟡

These turtles been much of their time underwater where they bury in mud or hide in thick vegetation. It is estimated that fewer than 100 bar turtle populations have been identified in North Carolina. ↘️

They're preferred habitat includes wetland areas such as what meadows and bogs which have been systematically drained to make way for farms and other human dominated land uses.🏘️

You can help protect the bog turtle by helping to conserve its preferred habitat, limiting your climate footprint, and supporting organizations that work to protect our vulnerable species. 🙌🏼

05/04/2026

⚠️⚠️Tomorrow!!!!⚠️⚠️

Join us on May 5th & 12th from 6:30-8:30pm for a two-part lecture on carbon footprints!

Lectures will be held at Mary C. Jenkins Community Center.

Sign up at the 🔗 in our bio!

04/29/2026

Earth Day isn't just one day. It's a lifestyle and a reminder that every choice matters, every single day. That's why we celebrate all month!

Here are some of our favorite tips to live a little lighter on the planet as we move from April in to May and beyond:

🛍️ Refuse & Reduce: Say no to single-use plastics before they hit your hands. Bring your own bag, bottle, and cup.

🌱 Eat more plants: Even one plant-based meal a day can significantly lower your carbon footprint.

💡 Audit your energy: Unplug devices when not in use, switch to LED bulbs, and lower your thermostat by just a few degrees.

🚶 Rethink how you move: Walk, bike, carpool, or take transit when you can. Small swaps add up fast.

🛁 Conserve water: Shorter showers, full loads of laundry, and fixing leaks can save thousands of gallons a year.

♻️ Close the loop: Buy secondhand, compost your scraps, and recycle right (when in doubt, look it up!).

📣 Use your voice: Talk about sustainability with friends, support eco-conscious businesses, and show up for your community.

Ready to go deeper? Join us for our two-part Climate Footprint Program at Mary C. Jenkins Community Center:

📅 Part 1 — May 5th | 6:30–8:30 PM
📅 Part 2 — May 12th | 6:30–8:30 PM

We'll break down what's actually driving your personal carbon footprint and what you can do about it. Link 🔗 in bio to register!