An intentional network for connection and action
Coming Together to Counter Disaster
Currently we are focused on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in our home region of Western North Carolina. We have seen first-hand through the storm the power of community to pull each other through the most challenging of times. We are devoted to preserving that communal spirit as recovery continues, ensuring that all of our neighbors and waterways are restored.
Beacon connects people across communities to bolster and amplify mutual aid and direct action from the ground up. We do this by partnering with local leaders and organizations, coordinating to meet needs and bridge valuable relationships.
We host community workdays and events that bring together local change makers across sectors and draw in community members looking to connect and get involved.
Right now we’re partnering with Blue Ridge RC&D, the South Toe Stewards, Yancey county, and other local groups and experts to clean up and restore our rivers and creeks. Read more about our programs below.
Hurricane Cleanup
In partnership with the South Toe Stewards, Rural Reach WNC, with support from Mountain True and Earth Guardians, we hold weekly volunteer clean-up days, targeting heavily impacted locations across Yancey county and beyond. To date we have moved over 60,000 pounds of trash and debris from our waterways and neighbors’ lands.
Rivercane Restoration
In partnership with Blue Ridge RC&D, the South Toe Stewards, and Yancey county’s Long Term Recovery Group and Cooperative Extension, with support from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Cooperative Extension office and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, we are developing and implementing a volunteer driven rivercane restoration project. This work restores hurricane damaged lands with the once abundant native rivercane, a natural erosion control barrier and crucial habitat for many local insects and birds.
The County Drone Seeder
In collaboration with Blue Ridge RC&D, Beacon is providing funds and personnel to support the purchase and operation of a Drone Seeder owned by the Yancey County Cooperative Extension. This drone will be an ongoing major asset to recovery work, allowing us to cover many acres with native seed that could never all be reached otherwise. With so much ground to cover, and high competitive pressure from invasives looking to fill in new vacancies, being able to reach more land faster is crucial.
Nursing Natives
We’re working with local nurseries to provide impacted households with donated native plants, assisting landowners with planting and care when needed.
Community Debris-to-Mulch Pile
Thanks to space provided by the Celo Community, Beacon is providing single-grind mulch made from hurricane debris to the heavily impacted South Toe River Valley. This program keeps organic materials here in the valley which would otherwise be disposed of elsewhere, making a small contribution towards the replenishment of the topsoil and vegetation that was lost.
Thank You To Our Funders!
This work would not be possible without funding from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, United Way, and Earth Guardians
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Core Values
These principles guide us actively in our work:
Good technology and design fosters meaningful action
Prioritize People and Planet
What matters to you, matters to us
Respect and serve locals and local movements
Be an advocate, not a gate-keeper
Strong communities create empowered individuals
We are fallible and ready to learn; we are comfortable saying “I don’t know”
