In 2002 Jesse Wilder attended a 10-week residential program in Ecoliteracy at Genesis Farm in New Jersey. There she delved into the story of the unfolding Universe, Earth’s story, and wisdom traditions that have shaped how humans have related to Earth. After coming home to Asheville, she wanted to study the bioregion of the Southern Blue Ridge, but could only find bits and pieces of what she wanted to know.
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Carlton S. Burke is a naturalist and educator who resides in Mills River, North Carolina, located in the mountains of the western part of the state. He took an early retirement in 2005 from the Western North Carolina Nature Center where he had been on staff for over 25 years, serving most of that time as the Curator of Exhibits.
Carlton operates Carolina Mountain Naturalists, an educational service which offers live wildlife and nature programs to various organizations such as schools and camps. He also serves as a field instructor with Muddy Sneakers, a non-profit educational organization based in Brevard, NC, which partners with public schools to help teach their fifth-grade science curriculum to students on day-long learning expeditions to nearby natural areas in national forests, state parks, etc. Carlton also teaches various classes for the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate Program based at the NC Arboretum in Bent Creek and is a NC State and Federally Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator.
Carlton is also the co-host of the weekly radio program NATURE NEWS which airs on WTZQ 1600 AM and 95.3 FM out of Hendersonville, NC on Saturday mornings.
BRNN Naturalist of the Year recognizes individuals who have dedicated themselves to the Southern Appalachian naturalist community in exceptional ways.
Dear fellow birders and tree admirers:
I’m asking for your help on behalf of our beloved trees at the Asheville “Muni” Golf Course. The City of Asheville recently released a plan to cut down 157 trees, the majority of which are mature canopy trees (oaks and pines) that have stood tall for decades. I’ve seen countless warblers and other migrants feeding in these trees over many years. These trees are on City property, so all of us in Asheville, and in Buncombe County, have a say in what happens next.
The previous golf course operator, Pope Golf, did a very poor job maintaining the course and its grass. The new company, Commonwealth Golf Partners, wants to look good fast with quick-fix solutions to re-grow grass by cutting many more trees than necessary. The golf course’s grass looked great just a few short years ago — underneath those same large shade trees!
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