• stewardship of our natural resources,
• fostering a prosperous economic climate,
• preservation of our unique heritage and culture,
• enhancement of the quality of life for all   citizens.

• We respect the interdependence of natural resources and systems.
• We are inclusive, open-minded, and willing to adapt.
• We act to balance short-term needs with the greater good of current and future generations.
• We are patient and persevere. We educate and advocate.

MountainKeepers will:

• Acknowledge,
• Champion
• and Support

existing sustainability efforts within the community.

• Identify,
• Encourage,
• Challenge,
• and Foster

new opportunities for initiatives.

The Work of MountainKeepers Will Be to:

• Coordinate across boundaries for the good of the whole
• Collaborate both internally and externally
• Communicate beginning with respectful listening

What We Are Doing

High Country Stimulus Summit

April 24, 2009

The intent of this gathering is to facilitate smart planning at the grassroots level for economic development, particularly as it pertains to energy and the environment, as a way to optimize the opportunities for our region presented by the availability of federal stimulus funds.

Now available

All that was said as local leaders dicussed:

How can we create a more resilient community?

January 24, 2009

Click here to Access Report

Proud Co-sponsors of

THE HAROLD AND MAZIE JONES LEVENSON
PROGRAM ON GROWTH AND CHANGE
IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

Are We Ready for Change?

Proceeds Available on-line:

Water Use and Supply

Western NC Economy

Social & Demographic Change

Mountain Keeping

Starting in December 2006, MountainKeepers began partnering with High Country Press in a weekly column Mountain Keeping. The purpose of the column is to share ideas and thoughts on why and how to practice more sustainable approaches to how we live our lives.

Click Here to see the list of columns or find one to read

The inaugural issue introduced the concept of our ecological footprint. Ecological footprint is a tool to assess our resource use (demand) relative to nature's ability to regenerate those resources (supply). A score of one would mean we are in balance. The US ecological footprint is five.

Want to know what your individual ecological footprint is?

Just fill out the eco-footprint questionnaire, send it to MountainKeepers and read Mountain Keeping to see your anonymous score

Click here to download the Eco-footprint questionnaire

2006 Environment Summit

Sustainability in the High Country

September 23, 2006 Raley Hall, Appalachian State University

A morning spent in learning about and discussing efforts in the High Country related to sustainability. Our goal is to improve and expand activities that promote a positive economic, social and environmental futurefor our mountain home.

Click Here to Download Proceedings

Help us Stop the Litter!

How do you feel about litter?

Why do Some people litter and others do not?

Are some types of litter worse than others?

Give us your thoughts and opinions about litter.

Click here to download our litter survey.

or

Click here to get our "Litter Fact Sheet"

See How We Celebrate Litter Stoppping!

MountainKeepers Honors Litter Heroes

November 2, 2005

2005 Environment Summit

Population Growth, Expansion and the Quality of Life in Watauga County

September 10, 2005 - A day that explored the current scientific data on the status of natural resources in Watauga County with a focus on water - Its quantity, quality and its implications for Quality of Life in the County, Now and in the Future

Click Here to read the Report of an amazing day

MountainKeepers President honored on Earth Day

At the Earth Day festivities on the Appalachian State University campus, Nancy Reigel received a Community Sustainability Award from the Sustainable Development Program. She was acknowledged for her outstanding work to promote clean, healthy, and economically viable communities in North Carolina's High Country. Congrats Nancy!

MountainKeepers help with Kraut Creek cleanup

About a dozen folks showed up on a rainy April Saturday to venture into Boone Creek to pick up litter. Some "interesting" finds included roofing tiles used as bank stabilizer and subsequently disintegrating into the creek; a large "No Parking" sign and its 7-foot post; a really large banner reading "Students Register Here"; along with the usual beer cans, soft drink bottles, and fast food wrappers.

"Stop The Litter" An Ongoing Community Wide Project

Support a bill requiring driver's license applicants to sign a

"I Will Not Litter" pledge

Click here to learn about NC House Bill H1125 and find sample letters of support

Boone Creek Report

"Forces of Change"

Now Available Online

2003 Conservation Expo - Oct. 16, Broyhill Inn

The 2002 Conservation Summit