Spring 2026 NCWRA Workshop
April 23, 2026 8:30 AM to April 24, 2026 4:00 PM
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Asheville-Buncombe Tech
340 Victoria Rd
Asheville, NC 28801
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The Spring 20026 NCWRA Workshop will focus on resilience and recovery in Western North Carolina, with an emphasis on lessons learned from recent storm events and ongoing restoration efforts following Hurricane Helene. Communities across the region continue to face challenges related to aging infrastructure, extreme weather, and the need for resilient stormwater and green infrastructure solutions that protect water quality and community assets.
Morning sessions will feature presentations on Western North Carolina resiliency, including an overview of current conditions and plans in progress across the region. The afternoon program will highlight Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, providing updates on project status, implementation challenges, and strategies for rebuilding more resilient water resource systems. Additional presentations will showcase green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) projects at A‑B Tech, illustrating practical, on‑the‑ground applications of sustainable stormwater practices.
The workshop will include a guided field visit to A‑B Tech GSI projects, offering attendees the opportunity to see implemented solutions firsthand, followed by dedicated field trips on Friday to additional project sites. Lunch will be provided on Thursday, and a social gathering at a local brewery will conclude the day. Attendees will be responsible for their own transportation to field sites.
Thursday:
8:30- 9:30 Registration and Breakfast snacks/coffee
9:30-9:45 Welcome & Introductions - NCWRA Board
9:45-10:05 Middle and Upper Swannanoa Watershed Action Plans - Renee Fortner (Riverlink) and Mary Roderick (Land of Sky)
10:05-10:25 Cane Creek Watershed Action Plan development and project identification - Tracy Davids (Defenders of Wildlife) and Cam McNutt (NC DEQ)
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-11:05 Haywood Waterways Restoration Planning and Progress Preston Jacobson - (Haywood Waterways Association)
11:05-12:30 Mud Creek Restoration - Mike Huffman (Hendersonville)
12:30-1:15 Box Lunch
1:15-1:50 Flood Resiliency Blueprint - Melanie Lander (NC DEQ)
1:50-2:30 Helene Recovery Projects - David Brown and Zan Price (Jennings Environmental)
2:30-3:00 The Nature Conservancy Recovery Projects - Andrea Leslie (TNC)
3:00-3:15 Break
3:15-3:30 Field trip logistics for Friday
3:30-5:00 GSI Projects on Asheville Buncombe Tech Campus with field visit - Renee Fortner (Riverlink)
5:00-? Social at local brewery, food provided by NCWRA
Friday:
Field Trips to Hendersonville and Black Mountain Area GSI sites
Continuing Education Credits: This entire workshop will provide 7.25 PDH (professional development hour) credits upon completion of registration and evaluations that will be sent with the final event information. Webinar attendance for the Thursday session alone will provide 5.25 PDH credits. Each professional must determine if the content is relevant to his/her individual practice and suitable for his/her continuing education.
Tickets
$150.00 Non-Member Ticket
$75.00 Non-Member: Online Only for Day 1
