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Another successful river cleanup day! Over the weekend, our Rivers Edge Conservation volunteer team headed out to Boylston Creek in Mills River for another waterway cleanup. Our team removed approximately 300 pounds of trash, tires, and debris from the creek and surrounding area, helping improve water quality and protect wildlife habitat.

While working our way along the creek, we also had the opportunity to observe some of the plant and wildlife species found along the waterway. We were excited to find American hazelnut (Corylus americana), a native shrub that we don't often come across during our field work.

We also encountered several Joro spiders (Trichonephila clavata), a nonnative invasive species that has been spreading through the Southeast. Our team has noticed a significant increase in the number of Joro spiders we're encountering in the area compared with previous years, which is starting to become a concern. So it's something we'll continue watching as we spend time working in our local waterways and forests.

Cleanup days give us a chance to do more than remove trash. They also allow us to observe changes in our local ecosystems, document the species we encounter, and get a closer look at the habitats we're working to protect.

A big thank you to our volunteers for another day of getting in the water, getting muddy, and getting the job done!

#riversedgeconservation #rivercleanup #MillsRiverNC 

🐔 A Different Kind of Rescue Along the French Broad River

Rivers Edge recently received a call about a large flock of chickens that had been turned loose along the French Broad River in Mills River.

Domestic chickens are not equipped to simply be released into the wild and fend for themselves. Without food, shelter, and protection, they can quickly fall victim to predators, starvation, exposure, or injury.

Our team headed out after dark, when the chickens had settled in for the night, and was able to safely retrieve the flock. Thankfully, we were also able to find them a home where they can receive the food, shelter, and care they need.

It’s difficult to understand why someone would abandon animals this way, but it’s also important to address a common misconception: releasing a domestic animal into the wild is not giving it freedom. In many cases, it is leaving that animal in an environment it was never prepared to survive in.

If you can no longer care for chickens or other domestic animals, please reach out to local rescues, farms, shelters, or community groups for help rather than leaving them to fend for themselves.

At Rivers Edge, our work often brings us into unexpected situations. Whether we're cleaning up a river, protecting habitat, or helping animals in need, sometimes conservation means taking care of the lives that have been left behind.

Protecting Nature. Saving Wildlife. Helping Animals in Need. 🐔🌿

#RiversEdgeConservation #AnimalRescue #FrenchBroadRiver

Rivers Edge Conservation & Wildlife Rescue conducted another volunteer cleanup on the North & South Mills River.

Together, we removed over 500 pounds of trash and storm debris from the river within a 2 mile stretch. At Rivers Edge Conservation, we don't stop at the visible trash. Whenever it's safe to do so, we take the extra time to recover debris buried in mud, lodged beneath logs, or hidden beneath the water's surface. It's often the hardest material to remove, but leaving it behind means it will continue impacting the river for years to come. Every piece of litter removed helps improve water quality, protects wildlife habitat, and keeps this beautiful river healthier for everyone who enjoys it.

Thank you to all the guys at Woodpecker Sawmill, and S&K Concrete in supporting Rivers Edge in keeping this river clean!

A huge thank you to all our volunteers for donating their time and hard work. Community partnerships like this make a real difference, and we're grateful to everyone who rolled up their sleeves to help protect one of Western North Carolina's treasured waterways.

#northmillsriver #rivercleanup #riversedgeconservation 

 Update on our riverbank restoration at the French Broad River: This has been a great success for combatting riverbank erosion and restoring wildlife habitat!! #frenchbroadriver #wncmountains #riverconservation