The federal law regulating tap water is so out of date that the water Americans drink can pose serious health risks.

if you are interested in water follow this series - karen

This is a map of the French Broad Watershed & the impact that RiverLink has had on the area. "We never know the worth of water till the well is dry." -Thomas Fuller

As you know, at RiverLink we care about water! Everyday, our team works hard to make sure your drinking water is safe and your watershed is protected.

Will you join us in this work?  Over the years, it has been gifts from people like you, linked with contributions from hundreds of other individuals and businesses that have provided a strong foundation for RiverLink, allowing it to become exemplary in its effectiveness.  Recently, RiverLink was honored for the second year in a row as the “best local environmental organization” by readers of Mountain Xpress.

RiverLink needs your help this year to raise $175,000 for operations by the end of June.  Please take a moment right now to decide to make a gift to RiverLink.  While it is never easy to ask for money, I feel compelled to ask for your support for this organization, which provides benefits to the whole community.  In my 29 years as director of Land of Sky Regional Council, I became acquainted with many organizations.  I can assure you that RiverLink is the BEST and very worthy of your support.

Your investment in RiverLink operations will be more than matched, as local gifts leverage 5 to 7 times more funding from outside sources. This year RiverLink has secured $1.5 million in outside funding for a variety of important projects, including these:

§         Protecting rivers, stabilizing stream banks and empowering citizens to help in this work through river clean ups and trainings to identify and report water runoff

§         Developing conservation easements that ensure a healthy future for our rivers

§         Continuing development of a 17-mile RiverWay of parks and greenways, including the purchase and clean up of “missing links” of land to be transformed into parks, open space, artist studios, and residential developments

§         Creating a new generation of stewards via watershed education programs that reach more than 4,000 students at 37 schools

RiverLink is working all across our region, with a special focus in Buncombe County. It is impressive to realize that all of this work is managed by a small staff of four, aided by two AmeriCorps members and a dedicated group 300+ volunteers. Your 2009 investment in RiverLink will provide direct benefits to you, your friends and neighbors, and everyone in our community.....

So -- please join me and make a generous gift to RiverLink today.   

http://www.riverlink.org/membership.asp

Thank you,

Bob Shepherd

RiverLink Board Member and Annual Fund Chairman

January 15

February 19

March 19

April 16

May 21

Register online

..Come tour the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers with RiverLink and witness their magic first hand.   This is an opportunity to see the improvements that have occurred and hear what is coming over the next several months and years to make our rivers a better place to work, live and play.   You will also learn some local history and visit some streets and neighborhoods you have never seen before.
If you ever wondered about the river development project – this is your opportunity to see and hear about the plans for the future.   The bus will meet you in front of Asheville City Hall and return to City Hall.
This tour is free for RiverLink members.  Non-members cost $15.00 per person.  Lunch is not provided but you can bring your own.   Reservations are a must – so call us at 828- 252-8474 or click here to make your reservation online.....

RiverLink is an exciting place with an abundant amount of opportunities in which to get involved. If you would like to be involved in the work of restoring our watershed as a place to live, work, and play then come join our team. We rely on the help of volunteers and gratefully appreciate the talent, skills, and interests that our volunteers bring to the table.

Volunteer Information Sessions are held 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10am & 5pm at RiverLink offices.  The information session will detail all of RiverLink's volunteer positions in a 30 minute Powerpoint presentation. Volunteers will have a chance to fill out a volunteer application, and the Volunteer Coordinator will be available to answer questions and help volunteers find their best fit at RiverLink.

2009 dates: Jan 14, Feb 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug 12, Sept 9, Oct 14, Nov 11 and Dec 9.  Please RSVP to Volunteer Coordinator to attend either 10am or 5pm session.

Volunteer Coordinator: (828) 252-8474 ext. 118 volunteer@riverlink.org

EarthFare Events to Benefit RiverLink

RiverLink is the nonprofit friend of EarthFare at Westgate for the month of April 2009 where we will receive 5 cents from every reusable container customers use to carry out their purchases.  Support RiverLink and bring your reusable containers (plastic, paper or cloth bag or box) to EarthFare to carry out your purchases during the month of April!

To help us advertise this event and raise money for RiverLink, we need volunteers to hand out reusable bags to customers and RiverLink information as they enter the EarthFare store during the following dates and times.  Help recruit new RiverLink members where EarthFare will give each new member a free EarthFare cloth bag.

Friday April 3; 2-6pm 

Saturday April 4; 2-6pm

Sunday April 5; 2-6pm

Friday April 10; 2-6pm

Saturday April 11; 2-6pm

Sunday April 12; 2-6pm

We are trying to recruit 2 volunteers to work together during the above dates and times to reach more customers and for volunteers to take turns for water breaks, bathroom breaks, etc. so we encourage you to ask friends and family members to join you.  We appreciate any time you can dedicate whether it's a one hour shift or the entire four hour shift.  If you are not available during the above dates and times but would like to help out on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2-6pm, please let us know and we can set up some times.

We can also use some volunteers to help staff a RiverLink information booth on Saturday April 18 from 1-4pm at EarthFare at Westgate for their Earth Day event including music and food to benefit RiverLink.  Down-home BBQ Pulled Pork Plates with Potato Salad and Carolina Cole Slaw will be available for $5.99 a plate with 20% of the proceeds going to RiverLink.  Sherri Lynn and Mountain Friends will feature Bluegrass from their new music cd.  EarthFare will also be accepting clothing donations of men's and women's lightweight shirts and jackets to be distributed to local shelters.  Green Tree Apparel will provide $5.00 coupons towards eco-friendly t-shirts to everyone who donates items.

To sign up for any of these volunteer opportunities or if you have questions, please contact Rachel Doebber, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator, at volunteer@riverlink.org or 828-252-8474 ext. 118. 

Thank you for your support of RiverLink!