Jeff Hunter is the Southern Appalachian Director with National Parks Conservation Association, which is dedicated to enhancing and protecting public lands for present and future generations.

Twenty-five years ago, a thru hike on the Appalachian Trail set Jeff—then working in telecommunications in New York—down a new career path focused on conservation. Today, he’s based in Burnsville, North Carolina, and his work focuses on Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Later in this episode, Jeff shares details on an avian study and a collaborative project focused on improving wildlife’s ability to safely cross Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge.

But first, we focus on urgent issues: the impact of the Trump Administration’s mass firing of federal workers, including those in the National Park Service, and the status of recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Important Links

National Parks Conservation Association

Congressman Chuck Edwards
Washington, D.C. office: (202) 225-6401

Senator Ted Budd
Washington, D.C. office: 202-224-3154

Senator Thom Tillis
Washington, D.C. office: (202) 224-6342

Anna Alsobrook and Hartwell Carson are the incoming and outgoing French Broad Riverkeepers for MountainTrue, an Asheville, North Carolina-based nonprofit advocating for clean waters, resilient forests, and healthy communities across Western North Carolina.

Hartwell has been the veteran French Broad Riverkeeper, working to protect and clean up the French Broad River through scientific research, education, advocacy, fundraising, public engagement and outdoor recreation. Now, as Clean Water Director, he’s expanding his focus to protect waterways across Western North Carolina. Anna, formerly MountainTrue’s Watershed Science and Policy Manager, is now stepping into the role of French Broad Riverkeeper.

In this episode, Anna and Hartwell share how Hurricane Helene affected the French Broad River and what recovery efforts look like months later. They discuss the ongoing challenges of restoring the river, the vital role of the French Broad Riverkeeper, and how water quality science informs their work. We also explore broader clean water initiatives, the biggest threats facing the river today, and how the community can get involved in protecting this important natural resource.

Mountain True
mountaintrue.org
French Broad Riverkeeper
MountainTrue on Instagram
French Broad Riverkeeper on Instagram

Theme Music
The song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Aaron Stone is a filmmaker and photographer based in Asheville, and one of the many creative forces behind “The Resonance Sessions,” an upcoming album featuring dozens of regional musicians to benefit the music scene in Marshall, North Carolina, a town devastated by catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Helene.

As director and producer for Parkway Studios—a creative team that includes Bridger Dunnagan and Caroline Aylward—Aaron has built a diverse portfolio of multimedia projects featuring local musicians. The latest project, “The Resonance Sessions,” is a deeply collaborative effort set for release in March. Recorded live in the stairwell of the Old Marshall Jail—a historic building turned hotel and bar that weathered Helene—the album captures raw and heartfelt performances, with net proceeds going to the Madison Arts Council and Rare Birds Cultural Arts.

In this episode, Aaron shares how the album took shape; insights into the emotional nature of the songs, including samples of a few tracks; the challenges and rewards of documenting these sessions, his perspective on the current music scene in Asheville; and more.

“The Resonance Sessions”

Preorder the album on Bandcamp

Learn more about the album

Tracks from “The Resonance Sessions” in this Episode

“Hard Times, Sore Eyes” by The Dead Tongues (Watch a video)

“Sailing Away” by River Whyless

“Motherfountain” by Soft Talk

“The Landslide (1916 Flood)” by William Ritter

“Fine Sally” by Donna Ray Norton

More of Aaron’s Work

Parkway Studios

aaronstonephoto.com

@aaronstonephoto on Instagram

Also Mentioned

Josh Copus

Old Marshall Jail Hotel & Bar

Zuma Coffee & Provisions

Donna Ray Norton

Sheila Kay Adams

Jack Sorokin

Clay White

Rising Appalachia

Tyler Ramsey

River Whyless

Bridger Dunnagan

Luke Mitchell

Citizen Vinyl

Soft Talk

William Ritter

N.C. Gov. Josh Stein

Cardinals at the Window

Nicholas Edward Williams

ReString Appalachia

“Our New Orleans”

“The Serviceberry”

BeLoved Asheville