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WNC Environmental Summit

WNC Environmental Summit logo in circle WNC Environmental Summit, March 23, 2024
9am - 4pm
Haywood Community College

The WNC Environmental Summit will provide educational opportunities for regional groups to come together, share ideas, encourage each other, and take action to make a difference.

Community leaders, Indigenous experts, agencies, and partners will share expertise related to WNC environmental topics. This conference is designed for adults and youth (high/middle schoolers) with opportunities for everyone to share ideas and connect.

This conference will inspire hope, equity, and action through a variety of presentations and workshops. Programs will feature local youth action leaders, community leaders, organizers, and scientists. Special youth-led sessions will allow middle and high school students to collaborate and find ways to step up as leaders. Students are also welcomed to share information with attendees through interactive poster presentations.

About the Summit

Topics to be presented in large groups or as breakout sessions or interactive workshops.

  • Environmental hope, health, and well-being
  • Backyard Forestry/Invasives/Sustainable Gardens
  • Impact of wildfires on WNC
  • Wildlife Corridors and Bearwise
  • Conservation of WNC's natural resources
  • Sustainable development
  • Climate Change, Wildfires and Flooding impacts in WNC
  • Energy Conservation
  • Waste, Recycling and Composting
  • Climate, Habitat, Wildlife - How do you handle tough topics?

Times and Topics subject to change, check back for updates

9:00 - 9:30am: Check-In & Community Partner Poster Sessions

9:30 - 10:00am: Welcome with Dr. Lisa Lefler Welcome, Climate Change, and HOPE.

Dr. Lefler is an Associate Professor Anthropology at WCU, Director, Culturally Based Native Health Program

10:00 - 10:15am: Small Group Discussions & Youth Summit Groups

10:15 - 10:45am: Keynote Speaker Tommy Cabe
How Connecting to Place is vital to conserve biodiverse ecosystems and how equity is critical for working across communities.
Mr. Cabe is an HCC Forestry graduate and currently serves as the First Tribal Forest Resource Specialist for the Cherokee Tribe. 

10:45 - 11:20am: Small Group Discussion

11:30 - Noon: Rachel Hart, Balsam Mountain Trust
Wildlife Conservation Presentation (Live Animal Presentation)

Noon - 1:00pm: Lunch Break (Order ahead, bring your own or visit a food truck) and Blue Ridget Electric Vehicle Presentation

1:00 - 2:00: Concurrent Sessions
Youth Action lab OR
Panel: Change and Sustainable Develoment in WNC

2:00 - 3:00: Concurrent Sessions
Youth Action Lab OR
Panel: Energy Efficiency

3:00 - 4:00: Concurrent Sessions/
Youth Action Lab Wrap-up
Panel: Forestry, Wildlife, and Conservation: The Fundamental Disconnect

4:30pm: (optional) Lake Junaluska Field Trip featuring an educational opportunity while walking the lake area. Sign up at the event.

Detailed Schedule

 

Partners/Panelists:

  • Haywood Waterways
  • HCC Environmental Leadership Club
  • Balsam Mountain Preserve
  • NC Wildlife Commission
  • NC Fish and Wildlife Service
  • The Department of Environmental Quality
  • The NC Science House
  • Haywood Soil and Water
  • Haywood 4H
  • Western Carolina University
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • AB-Tech
  • Haywood Solid Waste & Recycling
  • University of NC - Asheville
  • Haywood County Schools

Sponsors:

  • HCC Foundation
  • Environmental Action Community of WNC
  • STEM Collaborative
  • SandCastle Foundation
  • Barnes-Berry Family Trust

Please RSVP to save your spot! If you have any questions, please email Susan Roberts, HCC Biology Instructor: sroberts@haywood.edu

Full Name
Youth Name
Email address
Lunch Option (youth receive a free lunch)
Pre-register for Youth Action Labs (choose 2)
By Registering for this event, you are agreeing to HCC's terms and conditions related to photo and video at the event and that photos taken at the event may be used for marketing purposes. If you prefer not to have your photo used, email us at sroberts@haywood.edu.