Community News

City celebrates Earth Week with bees, seeds and Litter Sweep

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 18, 2021

The city of Hendersonville and its Environmental Sustainability Board are celebrating Earth Week with information on pollinators, free "Bee the Change" seed packs, rain barrels and other earth-friendly events this week and beyond.

Mayor Barbara Volk has proclaimed April 2021 as Environmental Awareness Month in the city. The proclamation emphasizes the priority the city places on environmental sustainability programs and encourages the public to participate and make Hendersonville a better place to live.


The city celebrates Earth Day every day by being certified as a Bee City USA affiliate. In its joint effort to continue to fulfill the city’s commitments to create healthy habitats for pollinators, the Tree Board takes the lead on planting projects and maintaining a recommended species list while the Environmental Sustainability Board heads up educational events to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators. Both boards work in partnership with scores of local organizations and businesses to achieve Bee City USA program objectives.

Recommended Species List

Ongoing. You can help pollinators too! When looking for trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, flowers, and landscaping, choose ones that support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Find recommended species at www.hendersonvillenc.gov/tree-species-list. You can also see examples of pollinator gardens along the Pollinator Trail at www.hendersonvillenc.gov/pollinator-trail.

Pollinator Gardening Lunch & Learn Event

April 22 (Earth Day), 12:30-1:30 p.m. ­­Online via Zoom. Pollinators can be picky eaters! This online event will focus on how to create a garden buffet to attract bees, beetles, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This live lunch & learn event is presented by Bee Campus USA - Blue Ridge Community College. Details available at www.hendersonvillenc.gov/pollinator-events.

Seed Packet Giveaway

Saturdays - April 17 & 24 (weather permitting). Bee mural site (Azalea Public Parking Lot) between Main Street and King Street facing Third Avenue East in downtown Hendersonville. Bee City USA will be giving away "Bee the Change" seed packets containing 19 wildflower species to support pollinators...12 annuals for first-year color plus 7 perennials for second and successive years' bloom. For details visit www.hendersonvillenc.gov/pollinator-events.

Water Quality

Storm Drain Stenciling Event. Tuesday, April 20, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Help protect local waterbodies by educating the community about their connection to streams and creeks! Volunteers with the Storm Drain Marking Program place markers onto storm drains that say, “No Dumping – Drains to Creek”. Help us reach our goal of marking every storm drain in the City of Hendersonville! If you are interested in participating in this event, please contact Stormwater Administrator Michael Huffman at mhuffman@hvlnc.gov with subject line: Storm Drain Stenciling Event.

City of Hendersonville Rain Barrel Program

Ongoing. The City of Hendersonville continues to offer "Ivy" rain barrels through their rain barrel program. The rain barrels are offered at a discounted price to encourage residents to conserve precious water resources as well as to protect water quality. For information visit https://www.rainwatersolutions.com/products/hendersonville.

Litter Sweep

Roadside Trash Pick-up, April 22, 10 a.m.-noon. The City Environmental Sustainability Board will be participating in the NCDOT Annual Litter Sweep initiative by organizing a roadside trash pick-up centered at the intersection of Dana Road and Four Seasons Boulevard. Supplies for the pick-up will be provided (gloves, trash bags and safety vests). For more information,  contact Stormwater Administrator Michael Huffman at mhuffman@hvlnc.gov with subject line Roadside Trash Pick-up.

Neighborhood Clean-up Challenge

April 18-24. In recognition of Earth Week, the City Environmental Sustainability Board encourages residents to get out and clean up their neighborhood. Neighborhood cleanups are a great way for neighbors to get out and meet each other while providing a valuable public service. The City will provide free litter pick-up for these events. To coordinate a litter pickup,  contact Huffman at mhuffman@hvlnc.gov with subject line: Neighborhood Clean-up Challenge.

Compost Bin Sale

Ongoing. Henderson County is offering discounted compost bins. For more information and to order your own, visit https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/solid-waste/page/discounted-compost-bins