Collaborative biochar pilot project completed in Asheville
During the month of May 2025, the City of Asheville conducted a successful biochar pilot project with the help of the US Forest Service (USFS) at the Southern Research Station.
City of Asheville launches Temporary Activation Program (TAP), facilitating temporary initiatives to support Helene Recovery in partnership with the community
Is your organization looking to help out with post Helene recovery? TAP into a new program designed to streamline the authorization of quick-action, community-led recovery initiatives on public properties impacted by Tropical Storm Helene.
Join us for a compost celebration on April 26
Happy Earth Month! Together, we have diverted over ONE MILLION POUNDS of food waste from the landfill! Thank you for your efforts in helping the City of Asheville/Buncombe County reach this important milestone! What a tremendous accomplishment! To celebrate, you are cordially invited to join us on Saturday, April 26th for a FREE, family-friendly event! At this event, [...]
Earth Month is Here!
Our City and region continue to collaborate and make progress on Tropical Storm Helene recovery. The needs in our communities makes our actions to celebrate and support the earth this Spring even more meaningful. The City of Asheville’s Sustainability Department invites you to take extra steps this month to help clean up, beautify and restore [...]
Sustainability Rebate Program to be suspended March 31
Due to impacts from Tropical Storm Helene, which reduced the anticipated revenue, the City is suspending the Sustainability Rebate Program by March 31, 2025, to reallocate the remaining funds to support recovery efforts. Community members who have eligible projects should plan to submit rebate applications as soon as possible. Projects will be considered on [...]
Sustainability Department shares Municipal Climate Action Plan performance measures and department Annual Report
With the recent publication of the Sustainability Department’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Annual Report and the launch of a new Municipal Climate Action Plan (MCAP) webpage, more information about recent successes and challenges is now available. The Annual Report provides an overview of sustainability work conducted [...]
City of Asheville and Buncombe County provide input to NC Utility Commission
Duke Energy’s Carbon Plan Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is a planning document used to communicate strategies for delivering reliable electricity at the lowest cost, typically on a 10 to 20 year horizon. When the CPIRP is presented to the North Carolina Utility Commission (NCUC), stakeholders have the opportunity to intervene, or legally [...]
Electrify Asheville-Buncombe Begins Home Energy Navigator Program to Guide Home Electrification Journeys
Electrify Asheville-Buncombe is now offering a Home Energy Navigator, a new service designed to support local homeowners as they transition to cleaner, more energy-efficient homes. Whether you’re interested in solar energy, heat pumps, induction cooking, or other home electrification options, the Home Energy Navigator program offers free, personalized consultations to help you make informed decisions for [...]
Partnership brings community fridge with free fresh food to Southside neighborhood
The City of Asheville is pleased to announce a growing partnership with Southside Community Farm to provide access to fresh, free food at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center. A new “Free Fridge” was installed inside the community center and will be stocked with fresh food and maintained by Southside Community Farm [...]
It’s pawpaw season – and the Asheville Edibles Map can show you where to find them
Pawpaw season is here! Find, pick, peel and eat this fleeting fruit for a taste of the tropics right here in Appalachia. Did you know the Pawpaw is North America’s largest native fruit? No matter what time of year it is, the Asheville Edibles Map provides great ideas for locating and [...]
September is Emergency Preparedness Month: Blue skies actions help to build resiliency for neighborhoods and families
As changes in climate continue to impact our local weather patterns, the Asheville region expects more frequent and more intense weather events. There are actions we can take individually and as a community that will help build our resilience during emergency events and that will also support in “blue skies” times. Blue-skies actions, meaning the good [...]
Asheville Asks: Who are these people measuring trees? What are they doing?
City of Asheville launches Tree Inventory as part of Urban Forest Master Plan
City of Asheville launches Tree Inventory as part of Urban Forest Master Plan
The City of Asheville is embarking on a comprehensive tree inventory as part of its Urban Forest Master Plan to safeguard and enhance the urban forest. Over the next several weeks, arborists will conduct a thorough assessment of public trees located in the right-of-way, typically the area between the sidewalk and street. This public [...]
Sustainability Department shares results of sustainability rebates survey
Thanks to everyone who took our sustainability building rebates survey! We are writing to give a quick update on the findings of the survey. We received a total of 34 responses and 65% of respondents don’t currently participate in the rebate program, mostly because they didn’t know that the program existed. Regarding potential changes to the rebate [...]
City of Asheville Broadway Public Safety Station awarded LEED Gold
Broadway Public Safety Station awarded LEED certification GOLD!
Asheville Asks: How does Stormwater Services prepare for heavy rain?
How do our Stormwater crews prepare the city for seasonal storms or heavier weather front related rains? Learn more
Single-use plastic reduction initiative comes to a close
It is the City of Asheville’s mission to support a thriving local economy and a clean, healthy environment. Community cleanliness was identified by City Council as an area of concern and in October 2022, Asheville City Council directed the Sustainability Department to take a phased approach to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic. The first phase [...]