Join us for a dynamic gathering to connect, learn, build skills, and take action on climate resilience, recovery, rebuilding, decarbonization, and more. Engage with workshops, demonstrations, art installations, guided walks, music performances, panel discussions, networking events, and inspiring speakers. Meet the organizations and individuals working together on climate solutions — from the river to the microgrid.

 

*Registration is required to attend

Registrants will be invited closer to the event to sign up for individual events and meals.

 

Schedule

Friday, June 20th - 5:00PM to 9:00PM : Find Yourself, Connect Yourself

5:00PM - 5:30PM: Arrival and Networking

5:30PM - 6:00PM: Land Acknowledgement - WWC Indigenous Student Association

6:00PM - 7:30PM: Blueprint of We with the Center for Collaborative Awareness

7:30PM - 8:45PM: Keynote with Crystal Cavalier-Keck and Coda Keck, Seven Directions of Service

8:45PM - 9:15PM: Sunset Leading into Summer Solstice

 

Saturday, June 21st - 9AM to 9:30PM: Apply Yourself

Walks, Panel discussions, Speakers, Demonstrations, Workshops, Performances, and more

Themes: Decarbonization, Climate Justice, Air quality, Resilience, Stormwater, Building, EVs, Land management, River Restoration, Microgrids, Storm-proofing housing, Recovery/Rebuilding, etc.

Keynote speaker: Dr. David Orr

Performance by DeCoda Music

8:30AM - 10:00AM: Bird Walk with John Koon, Blue Ridge Audubon

9:00AM  - 10:00AM: Center for Working Lands Walk with Dave Ellum

10:00AM - 11:00AM: The Cryptomining Invasion with Cyndie Roberson, Yvonne Taylor, and Jackie Sawicky

10:00AM - 11:00AM: A Conversation About Modern Air Pollution, Policies, Practices, Challenges, and Solutions with Keith Bamberger (NCDEQ) and Ulla Reeves (NPCA) 

11:00AM - 12:00PM: Food Waste and Climate - A Chef's Approach with Gavin Baker

11:00AM - 12:00PM: Microgrids with Keith Thompson, Critical Services Microgrid Group

12:00PM - 1:00PM: Lunch

1:00PM - 2:00PM: Energy Conservation and Electrification for You and Your Neighbors with Sophie Mullinax (Electrify Asheville) and Steffi Rausch (Energy Savers Network)

1:00PM - 2:00PM: Adopt a Stream and Restoration Action since Helene with Madeline Walker, Riverlink

2:00PM - 3:00PM: Personal Actions in Our Collective Climate Action with Jim Tolbert and Ed Maggart

2:00PM - 3:00PM: Status of the Swannanoa River Fish Assemblage After Helene with Dr. Pat Ciccotto

3:00PM - 4:00PM: EV's - Overcoming Barriers and Driving Across the Political Divide with Stan Cross and Dave Erb

3:00PM - 4:00PM: Improving Home Preparedness with Kris Stroup and Ridge Graham (Appalachian Voices) and Janice Barnes (Climate Adaptation Partners and Ecoforesters)

4:00PM - 5:00PM: Lessons from the Recovery with Ryan Smolar (THRIVE AVL)

12:00PM - 5:00PM: Bioblitz with Mountain True at Hikory Nut Gap Farm

5:00PM - 5:30PM: Networking Event

5:30PM - 6:30PM: Dinner

6:30PM - 6:50PM: Music in the Woods with DeCoda

7:00PM - 8:30PM: Keynote with Dr. David Orr - The Second Civil War: Climate, Democracy, & the... Truth

8:30PM - 9:00PM: Sunset Music with Zoe and Cloyd

 

Sunday, June 22nd - 9AM-3PM: Express Yourself

Art walks, Art installations, Art projects, Discussions, Climate Journalism Panel, Collaboration, & More

Keynote speaker: Dr. Mallory McDuff

Musical Performance by DeCoda Music

9:00AM - 10:00AM: Art and Climate Exhibit from the Smithsonian with Jessica Allen (NCICS)

9:00AM - 10:30AM: Phenology Walk and Art with Kaye Savage

10:00AM - 10:30AM: Climate Listening Project (Film) with Dayna Reggero

10:00AM - 11:00AM: The Swan and the Loon (Play, Crankie, & Music) with Murmuration Collective

11:00AM - 12:00PM: Eco-Grief Processing and Discussion Following The Swan and the Loon

11:00AM - 12:00PM: "Finding Our Balance" Art and Puppet Show with NC Climate Justice Collective

12:00PM - 1:00PM: Interactive Lunch

1:00PM - 2:00PM: Keynote with Dr. Mallory McDuff - Our Last Best Act

2:00PM - 3:00PM: Climate Themed Chamber Concert with DeCoda

 

All Weekend

Swannatopia Installations with Swannatopia

Climate Grief Threads with Melanie Wilder

Art Walk with Warren Wilson College Art Faculty and Student Projects

 

Collaborating Organizations:

• Blue Ridge Audubon

• MountainTrue

• Appalachian Design Center

• Critical Services Microgrid Group

• Footprint

• RiverLink

• Thrive Asheville

• Ecoforesters

• Appalachian Voices

• Blue Ridge EV Club

• Clean Aire NC

• Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

• Energy Savers Network

• Warren Wilson Art Faculty