Backcountry at a Crossroads: Why Asheville is Gathering for Our Forests on April 15

Asheville -- April 8. 2026: For generations, the jagged ridgelines and deep coves of Western North Carolina have served as a sanctuary for those seeking silence. But a new federal proposal is stirring the quiet of the Blue Ridge, prompting a massive community mobilization this month.On Wednesday, April 15, a coalition of 17 conservation and recreation organizations will host a public roundtable at The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage. The goal? To organize a defense of the 2001 Roadless Rule, a lan