News

Volunteers serve for Earth Stewardship Day

By News release, Published: May 5, 2013

More 160 volunteers came together to complete seven environmental service projects across Henderson County for the Environmental and Conservation Organization's second annual Earth Stewardship Day on April 27.

Community groups, families, businesses, government departments and environmental organizations worked side by side to teach each other about the importance of our natural resources and build community assets to be enjoyed for years to come.

Projects for the event included constructing a community arboretum garden labyrinth, designing a walking trail and buffer planting to mitigate erosion at Blue Ridge Community College, garden expansion and weatherization activities at the Girl Scout Hut, trail maintenance and invasive species removal in Holmes Educational State Forest, building and planting raised beds at Seventh Avenue Community Gardens, planting native trees and removing invasive species for stream bank restoration in Etowah, and a spring clean-up in educational edible and butterfly gardens.

Partners included Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, the Blue Ridge Community College Environmental Conservation Club, Henderson County Soil and Water Conservation District, Celadon Hills Homeowners Association Parks Committee, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of Henderson County, Upward Elementary School, Holmes State Forest and the Seventh Avenue Garden Association.
After projects were completed, volunteers gathered at Blue Ridge Community College to enjoy a large picnic and celebration that featured music by Triple Threat and food from local restaurants and vendors.
Earth Stewardship Day 2013 was sponsored by Big Berkey Water Filters, Blue Ridge Community College, Bold Life Magazine, Dancing Bear Toys, Fatz Café, Flat Rock Playhouse, The Fresh Market, Harris Teeter, Harvest Time Café & Co-op, Holly Spring Nursery, Home Trust Bank, Jim Beaver's School of Music, Joey's Bagels, Papa's Johns Pizza, REI, Right-N-Tight Productions, Tito's Specialty Foods, Underground Baking Company, and United Community Bank.