Mainspring Conservation Trust

05/29/2026

Unfortunately tomorrow's Valley River float is CANCELLED due to low water. Registrants should have received an email yesterday evening.

05/29/2026

Experience the beauty of the rare Mountain Camellia! Head to our website for more information and to register.

05/28/2026

Let's meet some manders! In partnership with Balsam Mountain Trust andInnovation Station in Dillsboro, we'll be bringing a night of regenerating tails, slimy mucous, and powerful neurotoxins to Dillsboro. No registration is required for this free event, but head to our website to learn more.

05/27/2026

Explore the nightlife of Hayesville by the light of the strawberry moon! Head to our website for more details and to register.

05/27/2026

Recently, Outreach Associate Alina guided a naturalist walk through the burn scar of last year’s Hao Lead Fire, which burned just over 3,100 acres in Robbinsville from April 12-April 25th, 2025. The entire burn area occurred within the perimeter of fires from 2017, meaning no new burn scars were created! Fire is a natural occurrence here in WNC, and many habitats benefit from regularly occurring, low-intensity fires. Not much fuel accumulated at the site of the Hao Lead fire since the 2017 fires, so the recent fire did not burn out of control. Most of what burned was brush and rhododendron that had grown up since 2017, during the walk we spotted many spring wildflowers popping up out of the newly exposed forest floor!

05/26/2026

This is bittersweet, as it was the home of long-time Mainspring supporters prior to their passing. But their legacies live on, as the land is protected from development forever - it's also the first conservation easement this land trust ever completed, way back in 2001. The property allows for continued farming of the rich bottomlands, building small farm-related buildings, and harvesting the timber according to an approved forest-management plan.

Welcome to 35 acres of paradise in the WNC mountains w/almost half a mile of rushing CREEK frontage! Protected by a reasonable Conservation Easement, this pr...

05/22/2026

The red salamander is widespread in the eastern United States, but here in WNC we have a special subspecies: the Black-chinned Red Salamander! Like many amphibians, you can spot these critters crossing roads that run through forests and past wetlands on warm, rainy nights in the spring and summer. Outreach Associate Alina Martin happened upon this opportunistic Black-chinned Red Salamander making a pit stop to chow down on a road-killed Spring Peeper Treefrog before continuing its trek across the road.

As we head into a weekend of rain, this is a good reminder to slow down and stay focused on the road when driving. Roadkill is a serious threat to amphibians, whose little legs don’t allow them to quickly move out of the way of incoming cars. Since they are so small and soft-bodied, most of us don’t even know we’ve hit one! As you go about your (perhaps slightly damp) Memorial Day Weekend plans, keep an eye out for the little guys on their perilous, cross-pavement journeys. Of course, keep yourself safe first and foremost, but it never hurts to drive just a touch slower and watch for frogs (which may look like leaves popping up off the road) and salamanders, who appear similar to sticks but with one end (their heads!) suspiciously elevated.

If you choose to pull over and help a critter cross the road, always prioritize your own safety. Don’t stop on blind corners or busy roads, or if there is not a safe pull-off. Turn on your hazards, and carry a light with you when you leave your car. Stay off the road if you see or hear cars approaching, and consider keeping a reflective safety vest in your car to make yourself extra visible to drivers. And don’t forget to handle frogs and salamanders with hands that are as clean, wet, and cool as possible!

05/21/2026

Excited to partner with Balsam Mountain Trust and Innovation Brewing on this fun evening! We'll get deep into the world of salamanders during this event, including meeting some real salamanders that live in the woods around us.

05/19/2026

Thanks for being such great hosts this morning!

This morning, our Rotary Club had the privilege of hearing from the team at Mainspring Conservation Trust about the incredible work they are doing through their Youth Environmental Education programs. 🌿💧

What an inspiring mission! Mainspring is not only protecting the land and waters of Western North Carolina and North Georgia — they are also investing in the next generation of conservation leaders.

Their programs give kids the opportunity to experience nature firsthand through hands-on learning in creeks, rivers, forests, and fields. Students learn about water quality, aquatic life, native species, and environmental stewardship by actually getting outside and exploring the world around them. From “Kids in the Creek” to EcoSplash Camps and school partnerships, they are helping young people build a lifelong connection to the outdoors.

It was encouraging to hear how they are inspiring curiosity, teaching environmental responsibility, and helping children understand the importance of protecting the beautiful natural resources we are so fortunate to have here in our region.

Thank you to Mainspring Conservation Trust for sharing your passion and the meaningful impact you are making in our communities! 👏

Follow Mainspring’s FB page for updates!!
https://www.facebook.com/share/1JgyMpbhdx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/15/2026

Coming up soon! Join yoga instructor Courtney Jarrell for this immersive hike at Onion Mountain Preserve. Head to our website for more information and to register.