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Thank you for being an ROC supporter!
Check out our website for this month’s events, information on the ROC Race Series, local trails, and more.
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Welcome to all of our new and returning ROC members and sponsors!
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Daniel Du Toit
Allison Sanders
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Deborah Kennedy
Michael Smith
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The support we receive from memberships helps us to continue improving local trails, lead group hikes and river floats, and create new outdoor programs. Membership is only $35 for individuals and families, and $100 for businesses. We also offer multiple sponsorship opportunities for businesses to help expand and enhance outdoor recreation in Rutherford County.
Members get discounts at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, Barley’s Taproom, Copper Penny, Main Street Coffee, The Scoop, and recently added: Grumpy’s Bike Shop! Grumpy’s is located across the street from the ROC Office on W. Main St. in Spindale. Check them out for all your biking needs and great service!
Click the link below for more details about becoming a member.
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| Get outside with ROC! Join us for trail work, an exciting hike in Pisgah National Forest, a volunteer day with a local farm, and more. You can also join our monthly meeting where we will give updates on ROC events and volunteer efforts! |
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“Groundhog-ology” with Doug Elliott!
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| Celebrate the changing season and learn from an expert naturalist! Join ROC and Dreaming Stone for this exciting Groundhog Day event led by Doug Elliott, a renowned naturalist, storyteller, philosopher, and more! Learn more and register on Dreaming Stone’s website, which is linked below.
When: February 2nd, 3-4:30PM
Where: Dreaming Stone Arts and Ecology Center
Register: Click Here! |
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| Looking for ways to help our local trails? Come to Isothermal Community College for a weekend trail workday! We will be hosting these weekend workdays throughout the year in the hopes of accommodating those who want to volunteer but work during the week. We hope to see some familiar and new faces!
When: February 8th at 9AM
Where: Isothermal Community College
Register: Click here! |
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| Join us to hear about all the latest with ROC – including recent updates, upcoming events, how you can get involved with our mission, and more. All are welcome!
When: February 18th at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Barley’s in Spindale |
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ROC Guided Hike: Looking Glass Rock
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| Hike one of the beautiful, open trails in Pisgah National Forest! Come ready for a challenge and an amazing view on this ROC guided hike up Looking Glass Rock! This trail will take us 7 miles and 1700ft up one of the most iconic rock formations in the forest. Be sure to dress with warm layers and bring plenty of water and snacks!
When: February 22nd @10AM
Where: Pisgah National Forest
Register: Click here! |
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Moss and Thistle Farm Volunteer Workdays
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| Volunteer and learn at Moss and Thistle Farm! ROC is joining Sarah Lasswell at her willow farm to learn about her practice and help her prepare her fields for the spring season. Tasks include spreading barrier plastic, planting new shoots, and trimming old. Don’t miss this enriching event that helps a local farm!
When: Feb. 24th & March 3rd, 10AM
Where: Moss and Thistle Farm
Register: Click here! |
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Cherry Mountain Farm Volunteer Workday
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| Volunteer at Cherry Mountain Farm! ROC is coming out to help with the goat yard. This awesome volunteer opportunity will benefit the goats by providing them a clean and healthy environment to live in. Along with doing good work and hanging out with adorable goats, volunteers can learn a little more about this local treasure.
When: Feb. 24th 10AM
Where: Cherry Mountain Farm
Register: Click here! |
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| Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail Park & Lake Lure Green Space: OPEN!
Our local trails near Lake Lure are open for the public! We are excited to start up regular trail maintenance at the Dittmer-Watts trails, so keep an eye out for a workday later this month!
PLEASE REMEMBER: the Green Space across the street near the Fire Department is still closed! Please avoid this area, as it is still being used for lake operations as they continue to recover and clean up from the storm. |
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| Thermal Belt Rail Trail: OPEN!
The Thermal Belt Rail Trail is clear of trees and now fully passable. Please proceed with caution as there are still overhanging and protruding trees remaining. Many thanks to Rutherford County Government, Town of Spindale, Town of Forest City, Town of Rutherfordton, and all who contributed to the re-opening of the trail! |
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| Purple Martin Greenway: OPEN!
The Purple Martin Greenway is clear of trees and open for use. Thank you to Ruff’ton Roots, Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, Town of Rutherfordton Public Works, and all who helped make this happen! |
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| Isothermal Community College: OPEN!
The ICC trails are open to the public! They are also in need of our regular maintenance, so please keep an eye out for volunteer workdays, like our February 8th workday! |
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| Buffalo Creek Park
The trails at Buffalo Creek Park are CLOSED.
There have been multiple landslides and many trees have fallen.
This trail will be closed for the foreseeable future. Stay tuned for updates as we find a path forward. |
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| Weedpatch Mountain Trail
The Weedpatch Mountain Trail is CLOSED.
Due to the high amount of trees and landslides, the trail is impassable. Stay tuned for updates as we find a path forward. |
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Buffalo Creek Park
& Weed Patch Mountain
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| ROC, Town of Lake Lure, Conserving Carolina, the Carolina Climbers Coalition, and Chimney Rock State Park are beginning work on the Buffalo Creek Park Trail System! While this project is going to be a long process, we excited to be making some progress.
While most of this work will likely be contracted out due to the need for larger machinery and the installation of trail infrastructure, there may be opportunities for volunteer trail workdays removing trees along the paths. We will give updates as we learn more.
Want to stay informed on these opportunities? Join our trail volunteer email list here and be redirected to our events calendar where you can check for upcoming workdays. You can also contact Maddie at trails@rutherfordoutdoor.org for more information. |
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| Keep Rutherford County Beautiful and ROC are thrilled to announce the opening of the 2025 Green Scholarship! This year, the scholarship aims to support graduating seniors demonstrating commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. This scholarship awards $1,200 and $500 to two eligible high school seniors in Rutherford County. For more information about the Green Scholarship, application details, and submission guidelines, visit www.keeprcncbeautiful.org/scholarship. |
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| Time for another year of races! The ROC 2025 Race Series is about to begin! Start off your running year with the first race, the Union Mills Wilderness 5K & 10K. These races take place in the Box Creek Wilderness area, giving runners some spectacular views as they race. Click here to learn more about this race and register!
If you’d like to receive the Race Series Newsletter and stay in the loop, click here to automatically join the list. To volunteer with ROC at one of these races, contact Gabe at gabe@rutherfordoutdoor.org. |
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PO Box 1349
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
828-351-3235
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