30th Annual Big Sweep

On Saturday, July 7, Mills River Partnership hosted our first annual ‘Litter Cleanup’ along Boylston Highway (Hwy 280). Seven dedicated environmental enthusiasts (aka volunteers) joined us in our efforts to keep Mills River clean. Starting in front of Ingles, our group picked up trash for almost a mile (both ways!) - stretching from Davenport Bridge (over the Mills River) to the intersection of HWY 191 and 280 in two and a half hours. The things we found were interesting - From a dry $5 bill

Another successful Upper French Broad Riverfest is in the books! The annual event hosted by Transylvania French Broad Stewards, Headwaters Outfitters, and the Town of Rosman offered over 40 vendors, talented stage performances, tasty food, and activities for all ages - paired with great weather! This year, in addition to tabling at the event, Mills River Partnership also participated in the event’s Hellbender 20-mile Canoe Relay Race for the first time... and while we didn’t place in the top

Three months after the ‘Backyard Stream Repair Workshop Pt. II’ in Mills River Village, Mills River Partnership returned (upstream) to repair additional parts of Brandy Branch. This tributary feeds directly into Mills River, upstream of Mills River Park, and has been a waterway of concern for years. Increased development along this tributary has led to its degradation, and landowners are desperately searching for answers. On March 16, Mills River Partnership (and various other entities - see

We are pleased to announce Mills River Partnership has received the Regional Conservation Partnership Program grant via Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)! This grant, $730,000 invested by NRCS, will fund projects on the mainstem of the Mills River and Foster Creek, a direct tributary of the Mills. The goal is to help protect the source water for 85,000 people in the cities of Hendersonville and Asheville, who depend on the Mills River for their drinking water. Projects for this

When the live stakes installed during the original ‘Backyard Stream Repair Workshop’ along Brandy Branch (in the housing development, Mills River Village) were washed out by heavy rains, we knew we had to do something better. In partnership with the landowner, Mills River Partnership asked for engineering help and design from Dr. Greg Jennings, President/Owner of Jennings Environmental, contracting work by Darrell Westmoreland, Founder & CEO of North State Environmental, and workshop help from

On a chilly late-October morning, Mills River resident and long-time water quality advocate, Jere Brittain, led a group of 12 along South Mills River Road for a walking tour. Jere calls this event the “Upper South Mills River Heritage Corridor Walking Tour” because not only was it a tour within the watershed, but also story-telling of historical and cultural events that happened in the area. The initial tour took place October 29, 2017, and with all the interest we received, we look forward to

Mills River Partnership participated in the annual Farm City Day event at Jackson Park on October 7, 2017. Farm City Day began in 1955 and has since been an annual gathering where rural and urban traditions meet. Henderson County describes this event as “approximately 80 acres of Jackson Park used for urban, rural, and educational displays, antiques and modern farm equipment, and crafters from many generations. Farm City Day celebrates our rural traditions and introduces the urban population to

Hello, all. As you may know, we do a lot of work in and around the Mills River, where we strive to ensure the safety of our participants and volunteers. However, after a few intense workdays, I realized that Mills River Partnership needs life vests and waders to keep folks safe (and equipped) while they are with us, sometimes in deep, fast moving water. So, rally together - we need your help! I have been told that some organizations replace and/or upgrade equipment every few years, so I

On June 24, Mills River Partnership joined the Transylvania French Broad Stewards, the Town of Rosman, and Headwaters Outfitters (as well as many more great organizations!) to participate in the 2017 Upper French Broad Riverfest in Rosman, NC. This is a free, family fun event with tubing, local bands, food trucks, vendors, and lots of activities for all ages. Did we mention the 20-mile relay race with gear prizes?! At the event, down by the river, we educated kids (and adults) on the importance