Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:

• Go on a hike with a local group and learn about local species, geography, etc. 
• Join a group of birders and look for God’s amazingly diverse birds.
• Snorkel the river and see who lives under the water!
  • MountainTrue leads snorkeling adventures each summer. Get on our email list to find out when the next trip will be! 
• Participate in a river or lake clean-up.
• Take a tour of a garden and admire the intricacy of flowers and other foliage.
• Go on a paddle trip or walk along the river as a group.
  • What do you see? What do you hear? What are you grateful for? 
• Find a local retreat center and participate as a group, spending lots of time outside.
• Try forest bathing. 
  • You don’t have to take your clothes off, we promise! 🙂 

General Information Related to this Strategy:

• REI Classes and Events
• iNaturalist: connecting over nature
• U.S. Wildflowers
• Forest Bathing Central

Available Resources in Western North Carolina:

• MountainTrue Events
• Bigelows Botanical Excursions
• Blue Ridge Audobon 
• Asheville’s Great Outdoors
• Carolina Mountain Club
• French Broad Riverkeepers
• Asheville GreenWorks
• WENOCA Group of the NC Sierra Club
• NC Arboretum
• The Botanical Gardens at Asheville
• Bullington Gardens (Hendersonville)
• River Link
• Southern Dharma Retreat Center
• Valle Crucis Conference Center
• Hinton Center
• OM Sanctuary
• Audubon North Carolina
• 9 Great Hikes in WNC

Local Faith Communities Currently Utilizing this Strategy:

• Jubilee Community, Asheville, NC
  • Contact Maureen Linneman: reenielin@gmail.com
• St. Eugene Catholic Church, Asheville, NC
  • Contact Vickie Ransom: ransom74@gmail.com
  • Contact Cynthia Gibbs: cynthia@gibbsco.com
• High Country United Church of Christ, Vilas, NC
  • Contact Rev. Tamara Franks: pastor@highcountryucc.org