It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Allison-Deaver House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Pisgah Forest, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here,”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the”
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer my caregivers to and know that they will receive the service they need to assist with the care of their loved ones with dementia,”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial call inquiring about services, to meeting the owner Jim Smeaton to discuss our unique family needs, to the caring compassionate and understanding caregivers we are thoroughly impressed. Its such a relief knowing our loved ones are receiving the care they deserve.”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones that they care for.”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They are reliable, and the caregivers are sweet and attentive.”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are always able to be reached and are willing to work with you.”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in knowing my husband is safe with excellent care. The office listens, really hears and is helpful to support and meet needs. Our caregiver, Chip, has become family. He was very personable, attentive to needs, brings extra in music, stories, making sure to pay attention to the patient and give accordingly. He is always kind and gracious. We are blessed to have them.”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and helpful anytime I call or come in, and my clients are wonderful! It’s more like helping a friend all day instead of working like clockwork!”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy just being in there in their organization .. my google is under Stephanie young but my last name is now Duarte . Young was my married name , I’m divorced now”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice and welcoming. I’m excited to join the team and see the great things they have in store.”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack thereof. It is regarding his cooperation regarding the service. He tends to not wake the caregiver for assistance during the night time. I would give specific names of individuals in this organization that I would request over others.”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the care of ABC Senior Services. I have had the privilege of enjoying the care of Lois C. She is the best advertisement for your agency. When I am asked, which happens frequently, about my experience with ABC, I refer to Lois as being your prime example of the type of care they can expect from you. She goes beyond just basic care and does all she can to help remedy any problem we have. I love that I can trust her and feel safe having her share my home with me. She is very professional yet very "down home", a rare combination. You should be very thankful she is on your "team"! Because of her, I have no problem recommending your company to all who ask.”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I have had a couple of very good people, one of which I have now. When I was getting going with them, I had a couple of people I would never like to have again, but that has all been ironed out.”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great. But they could be more proactive. They need to be better at communicating.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never worked for a company that was so dedicated to clients and caregivers. Everyone is always happy, clients and staff. I am blessed to work here.”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my health, so it's been a blessing to have them taking care of him for me. I appreciate that the caregivers are friendly.”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do. They've helped the most just by being here.”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here, and doing what they're supposed to. They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do.”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the Always Best Care team. I have watched the staff there change lives for the better, not only for clients but each other as well. It is a pleasure to be a part of this team, nothing compares to it!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Davidson River Recreational Area with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Pavilion Restaurant & Corner Bar or visit Forest Heritage Byway, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Pisgah Forest, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Pisgah Forest, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Pisgah Forest, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A decade in the making, the future of the forest plan to manage Western North Carolina’s national forests is now hazy, threatened by a lawsuit, a presidential executive order accelerating timber production, and the scars of Hurricane Helene, which leveled thousands of acres of forest.Finalized in 2023, the forest pla...
A decade in the making, the future of the forest plan to manage Western North Carolina’s national forests is now hazy, threatened by a lawsuit, a presidential executive order accelerating timber production, and the scars of Hurricane Helene, which leveled thousands of acres of forest.
Finalized in 2023, the forest plan sets out a strategy to restore the integrity of forests, ecosystems and watersheds within the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests, however, the agency executes specific actions on the project level. The agency analyzes and carries out each project it proposes, including logging projects, within the framework of the forest plan.
The focus and scale of timber projects, however, are in flux. A new lawsuit filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center challenges the plan at the same time as a federal directive may force the Forest Service to accelerate logging across national forests, deepening concerns over environmental harm.
The lawsuit filed on March 28 by the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of four environmental organizations alleges that Hurricane Helene exposed critical flaws in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan, which underestimates climate-driven storm impacts and promotes high levels of timber harvesting.
“Our national forests are reeling from massive storm destruction, yet they’re still subject to a management plan that includes unrealistic timber targets,” said David Reid, of the Sierra Club’s North Carolina Chapter, one of the litigants.
“Failing to change the Plan would create additional threats to the natural beauty treasured by millions of visitors.”
The suit is the third connected to one of the two Western NC national forests that the Virginia-based nonprofit legal organization has filed since early 2024.
In February 2024, the SELC opposed a 15-acre timber sale in the Nantahala National Forest. The Forest Service announced it would not harvest the trees last June.
And in April 2024, the SELC sued the Forest Service again, arguing that the forest plan aims to significantly increase timber production threatening sensitive areas and endangered bats. The ongoing legal action alleged the forest plan’s analysis was flawed and violated the Endangered Species Act by failing to study the plan’s impact on federally protected bats, endangering their survival and causing broader ecological consequences.
“We’ve given the agency every possible opportunity to do the right thing and fix the plan, but the Forest Service has refused,” said attorney Sam Evans of the SELC. Evans estimated that “somewhere between 10% and 20% of the forest has some meaningful level of damage” due to Helene. That amounts to 100,000 to 200,000 acres of impacted forest.
“We simply can’t stand by and ignore the significant and long-lasting harm this plan will do to these remarkable forests and the communities that rely on them,” he said.
The Forest Service did not comment on litigation regarding the Nantahala and Pisgah Forest Plan. By law, the agency has 60 days to respond to the allegations in the complaint.
Meanwhile, the Trump Administration is pressuring the Forest Service to go in the opposite direction, logging more trees on millions of acres of national forest throughout the Western and Southeastern U.S. On April 3, the US Department of Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins released an emergency order memo to address “declining forest health.”
The directive aims to boost timber production by streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency and consistency, and proposing legislative changes to support sustainable forest management. The memo said the changes will streamline Forest Service project planning, decision making and implementation. The memo also instructs National Forest units to limit the number of project alternatives presented in an environmental assessment, potentially limiting or overlooking more environmentally sound alternatives.
The directive seeks to increase timber production by 25%, which represents a tall order for an agency that recently experienced staffing cuts, Evans said.
“You don’t (increase timber production) by that level by being careful and making sure that you’re not harming rare species, closing important recreational areas or protecting scenery,” Evans said. “You do it by taking procedural shortcuts to put logs on trucks with the bare minimum of resources.”
The SELC is currently examining the presidential directive and considering its response.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. You may republish our stories for free, online or in print. Simply copy and paste the article contents from the box below. Note, some images and interactive features may not be included here.
Jack Igelman is a contributing reporter with Carolina Public Press. Contact him at [email protected].
In Western North Carolina, the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests make up more than 1 million acres of trails, wilderness and trees that shape the culture and economy of the region. N.C. National Forest Supervisor James Melonas has his work cut out for him after Hurricane Helene damaged about 20% of the forests, including 117,000 acres of vegetation loss.According to a ...
In Western North Carolina, the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests make up more than 1 million acres of trails, wilderness and trees that shape the culture and economy of the region. N.C. National Forest Supervisor James Melonas has his work cut out for him after Hurricane Helene damaged about 20% of the forests, including 117,000 acres of vegetation loss.
According to a report from the Forest Service, in addition to the ecological damage to both National Forests, nearly 900 miles of Forest Service-managed roads and about 800 miles of trails were damaged, with several completely washed away.
More than six months after the storm, the Forest Service is focused on community safety near the forests, rebuilding critical infrastructure, and dealing with wildfire risks, Melonas said in an interview with BPR.
“We've been approaching our recovery efforts on the Nantahala and Pisgah really focused on the importance of the Nantahala-Pisgah for the overall recovery for Western North Carolina from the hurricane,” he said.
The Pisgah National Forest took the brunt of the damage particularly in Yancey, Mitchell, McDowell, and Avery counties, according to reports. A report on where Helene damage would increase wildfire risks has been a big part of the recovery work along with assessments from the Southern Research Station and the N.C. Forest Service, Melonas said.
He said priority is to reduce fire risk in sensitive areas near communities and infrastructure with a lot of blowdown and debris.
The recent wildfires were not caused by just Helene debris, Melonas explained, but that the confluence of factors such as the weather and accessibility issues because of debris and landslides made fighting the fires harder. He said he expects this debris to increase risks in the future.
“It's still going to take a while for a lot of those big heavy fuels to dry out. So it's not only an issue right now, it's going to continue to be a bigger issue this fall [and] next year,” Melonas said.
Melonas said that additional resources were in place before the recent fires such as the incident management teams.
“A lot of those resources we had brought in [were] prepositioned and it wasn't, a day or two later that they were sent out to respond to those fires,” Melonas said.
Rain over the weekend helped contain the majority of fires in Western North Carolina.
National Forest management of downed timber
An October report from the Forest Service estimated 822,000 acres of timberland received some level of damage during the storm. Based on timber prices, that would result in an estimated $214,000,000 of timber damage on all North Carolina forest lands, according to the report. Most of this damage, 78% according to the report, took place on private lands with 21% on public land and about 1 % on reserved lands like parks.
Part of the Forest Service’s role in land management is to sell forest products including timber. Goals for timber sales are identified in the strategic plans for each forest as well as national goals set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service.
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed a lawsuit last week alleging that the logging goals in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan, the 2023 strategic planning document for the forests, violates federal law.
In March, the U.S. Forest Service offered salvage timber contracts to remove “downed but still commercially usable trees left in the wake of Hurricane Helene” in about 2,300 acres of the Pisgah National Forest.
“It's really about reducing that immediate fire risk. We're not, you know, we're not really focused at this point on the kind of longer-term forest restoration, which will come,” Melonas said. “Some of these areas like just every tree has been blown over and there's just simply no safe way to access a lot of these areas without doing some of that mechanical work.”
Melonas said this timber salvage is important to clean up forests.
“We're reducing that fire risk to communities and infrastructure, and then giving our firefighters and our forest managers the ability…to have a little bit of breathing room for the next phase of restoration work,” he said.
Timber salvage usually has to go through an extensive National Environmental Policy Act guidelines. Melonas said this salvage is part of an emergency authorization.
“Because of that significant risk to public safety, there's some emergency authorities to expedite that type of recovery work,” Melonas said. He explained that the Forest Service did still consult with the N.C. Fish and Wildlife Service and on cultural sources with the State of Historic Preservation Office.
“Those types of emergency authorities aren't necessarily unique to the Forest Service given the unprecedented impacts from the storm. Those types of emergency authorities have been used because of the state of emergency in Western North Carolina,” he said.
But critics said this relaxing of standards is unacceptable.
Last week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins sent out a memo calling for an increase in timber outputs, simplification of permitting and more to improve wildfire safety.
“Healthy forests require work, and right now, we’re facing a national forest emergency. We have an abundance of timber at high risk of wildfires in our National Forests,” Rollins said in a press release.
Long term recovery
Much of the work for the Forest Service is still focused on recovery.
“We're working on longer term solutions so that folks are able to get to the forest and also get to their homes and businesses and things which is the continuing work that we've been doing since the storm,” Melonas said.
Looking toward long-term recovery, Melonas said the Forest Service is already thinking about the impacts of the storm on watershed restoration, restoring forest conditions for native species and important ecological areas.
“For instance, Roan Mountain is a really important biodiversity hotspot where we have remnant spruce fir forest that were impacted greatly,” Melonas said.
The Forest Service is also working with local partners to open more trails in time for spring.
“We know how important these forests are for kind the fabric of what makes in Western North Carolina special so that continues to be our focus and working with our communities towards that long-term recovery,” Melonas said.
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.LOCALAsheville Citizen TimesASHEVILLE - The U.S. Forest Service will soon have to release plans to increase timber production in national forests, including Western North Carolina's wide and expans...
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.
LOCAL
Asheville Citizen Times
ASHEVILLE - The U.S. Forest Service will soon have to release plans to increase timber production in national forests, including Western North Carolina's wide and expansive Nantahala-Pisgah National Forests and other forests across the south. While a Forest Service administrator described the effort as a "new era" in public land management, legal organizations are already teeing up possible litigation against the plans.
On April 3, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued a memo establishing an "Emergency Situation Determination" for over 112 million acres of U.S. Forest Service land and ordering the agency to expand the forests' timber production by 25%. The memo also directed the Forest Service to "expediate" work necessary to increase timber production and the removal of some National Environmental Policy Act processes.
The determination applies to over 58% of national forest land and includes WNC's Pisgah and Nantahala forests, which had already seen projected increases in timber harvesting in the 2023 Pisgah-Nantahala national forest plan and recent litigation over said plan. Rollins' memo follows a March 1 executive order from President Donald Trump that instructed the Forest Service to increase timber production on national forest land.
After Rollins' memo was released, Acting Associate National Forest Service Chief Christopher French called the directive a "new era" that is "marked by pressing issues like a growing demand for domestic lumber and wildfire resistance" in a letter to all regional foresters and forest service deputy chiefs.
The letter orders regional foresters to develop a plan to increase timber harvesting after the national Trump-administration backed strategy is released. That plan is expected in the next 30 days, French wrote, leaving regional administrators like U.S. Forest Service South Regional Forester Sam Arney, who oversees national forest land across North Carolina and 12 other states, just two months to come up with plans to increase regional timber harvesting.
Several projects and plans from the Forest Service in WNC, including the 2023 Nantahala-Pisgah national forest plan, have been contested by a coalition of southern conservation organizations represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center. Several lawsuits remain pending in federal court, where the conservation nonprofits have sued to preserve the habitats of rare native plant and animal species and maintain old growth forests, among other things.
In a statement April 4, Sam Evans, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, said the nonprofit is planning on pushing back against the memos, which he said could remove "critical guardrails that protect key wildlife habitats, important ecosystems, and popular recreation and backcountry areas."
"This move, which comes under the guise of an emergency declaration, would also undermine key environmental laws and restrict the public’s ability to push back on bad projects in our public lands," Evans said.
"These drastic and senseless changes will have a significant impact on our national forests, including those in the South. SELC is evaluating all our options to fight this harmful move that will do long-lasting damage to these beloved places," Evans continued.
In an emailed statement, a USDA spokesperson said the Forest Service will "fulfill the Secretary’s vision of productive and resilient national forests outlined in the memorandum" and "will streamline forest management efforts, reduce burdensome regulations, and grow partnerships to support economic growth and sustainability." The USDA did not respond to questions regarding possible legal challenges to Rollins' memorandum.
With the Forest Service selling an average of nearly 3 million board feet between 2014-2023, a 25% increase would bring sales to over 3.7 million board feet a year. In 2024, the SELC brought a lawsuit alleging that the Forest Service's "timber targets" — meaning national goals for logging sales — break the National Environmental Policy Act.
The SELC has previously sued or threatened to sue the Forest Service for violating federal law in WNC, including NEPA, the National Forest Management Act and the Endangered Species Act. As recently as July 2024, Forest Service administrators capitulated to demands from a group of conservation organizations represented by the SELC, scrapping plans to log a 15-acres tract of old growth forest in WNC.
Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at [email protected] or message will_hofmann.1 on Signal. Consider supporting this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
The Cradle of Forestry is a hidden gem in Pisgah Forest up near Brevard, NC. It’s a fascinating place and has lots of special events and both indoor and outdoor fun.Sometimes there are cool places hidden in plain sight that you may drive by so many times and just never notice. We try to find these kinds of neat places and tell you about them so you can experience all the coolness we did! One such place is about 90 minutes from Greenville nestled in Pisgah Forest near Brevard, NC called the ...
The Cradle of Forestry is a hidden gem in Pisgah Forest up near Brevard, NC. It’s a fascinating place and has lots of special events and both indoor and outdoor fun.
Sometimes there are cool places hidden in plain sight that you may drive by so many times and just never notice. We try to find these kinds of neat places and tell you about them so you can experience all the coolness we did! One such place is about 90 minutes from Greenville nestled in Pisgah Forest near Brevard, NC called the Cradle of Forestry. It’s amazing and totally worth the trip up there (plus, I’ll tell you some other neat things to do in the area).
I only knew the Cradle of Forestry for its amazing Blue Ghost Firefly tours in late May and early June. You can read all about my incredible experience of the tour, which I highly recommend, in the Blue Ghost Firefly review. Let me say that I took my kids when they were just 4 and 7 years old and today, years later, they still talk about how amazing it was. Tickets go on sale April 8, 2025.
The Cradle sits on land donated by George Vanderbilt, who built the famous Biltmore in Asheville in the late 1880s. He had owned the land and was an avid supporter of forestry and conservation. His chief forester, Dr. Carl Schenck, founded the very first school of forestry in the country, the Biltmore Forest School in 1898. Today, the Cradle of Forestry sits on 6,500 acres and was built to “preserve, develop, and make available to this and future generations the birthplace of forestry and forestry education in America.”
The Cradle is run by FIND Outdoors, a 501c(c) nonprofit that helps to connect people with nature and runs several outdoor recreation sites, campsites, and buildings like the Cradle of Forestry.
Walking through the exhibits at the Cradle of Forestry is a lot of fun, especially if you homeschool your kids (this place is a fantastic field trip) or are just interested in forestry and the microenvironment of Pisgah Forest.
You’ll start in a walkway through some of the history of the area with men working in a forest and cutting down trees. There’s a lot of information to digest so take your time.
Once you get through that area, it opens up into a replica forest with tunnels and trees and animals. Kids will love this part. You’ll learn about the various animals that inhabit the forest, plants, flowers, and trees.
There is a scavenger hunt you can do in this same area as well – look for the booklets past the forest and to the left – that deal with the different aspects of forestry and research.
There is also a replica helicopter that you can sit in and feel like you are flying above a forest fire. You’ll learn about this particular forest fire that happened in the area and about prescribed burns. Next to the helicopter is an exhibit about the climate. Outside of there is a giant spindle (my kids loved this for Disney princess reasons) and information about edible plants, medicinal plants and flowers, and insects.
We didn’t do this during our visit but you can watch a video about the Cradle and Pisgah Forest near the visitor’s desk. There are signs on the door when the showings are.
They also have a cafe that serves up sandwiches and snacks. It is open Friday – Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm.
There are three trails at the Cradle of Forestry. One is a mile-long trail that has seven historical buildings at the time of the Biltmore Forest School (1898-1914). My kids loved the schoolhouse, the closest one to the Cradle building. There are signs talking about the buildings and their history.
The Forest Festival Trail is 1.3 miles and goes in the opposite direction with a 1914 logging train engine. This path is paved and you can climb aboard the train, which most kids will definitely want to do! This trail also has a trout hatchery and sawmill available for guests to see.
The last trail, the Forest Discovery Trail, is also 1.3 miles and winds its way to a creek. You can pick up the Forest Festival trail along this same trail as well if you like.
During the spring and early summer, you can see a lot of wildflowers and some of them have plaques near them for easy identification.
The Cradle has several special events during their regular season, which runs from April – November (they are closed during the winter), including the Blue Ghost Firefly tours, National Public Lands Day, and Forest Festival Day.
The Cradle of Forestry offers guided trips where you can go on a field trip. These are geared for Pre-k through 6th grade. There’s also a self-guided tour for educators. You can find out more information about their field trips here and request a field trip on the Cradle of Forestry’s website. There’s also a Junior Ranger Program available.
Admission to the Cradle of Forestry is $10/ages 13+, $5/ages 4-12, $5/federal passholder. For special events, sometimes there are extra fees and sometimes they are free. In the past, free admission was offered on National Get Outdoors Day in June and National Public Lands Day in September.
The Cradle of Forestry is open April – November. Hours are 10 am – 5 pm, daily. They open for the 2025 season on April 5, 2025.
The Cradle of Forestry is located just four miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway so you can easily jump on there to hike. Nearby trails that I personally love are Graveyard Fields, Black Balsam, and Frying Pan Tower.
You can also check out Moore Cove Falls, Pink Beds, or Looking Glass Falls, right on 276 just south of the Cradle of Forestry. Or you can do our North Carolina Waterfalls Driving Tour and add on the Cradle of Forestry as a stop.
The beautiful town of Brevard, NC is very close to the Cradle of Forestry and has wonderful shopping (don’t miss Next Venture Outdoors), a gem mine, and restaurants.
On your way home to the Upstate, you can stop in Hendersonville, NC to see the goats at the Carl Sandburg Home or play at the fantastic playground at the Park at Flat Rock or see model trains for free at Apple Valley Model RR Club.
Cradle of Forestry11250 Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest, NC
MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. —Evacuations have been issued after a wildfire began in McDowell County, North Carolina, on Tuesday.Interactive map of evacuation orders below:If the interactive map is not loading, click here.UPDATE at 5:30 p.m. Thursday:The fire is ...
MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. —
Evacuations have been issued after a wildfire began in McDowell County, North Carolina, on Tuesday.
Interactive map of evacuation orders below:
If the interactive map is not loading, click here.UPDATE at 5:30 p.m. Thursday:
The fire is 504 acres with 10% containment, 3 helicopters and 180 personnel from USDA Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, McDowell County and Woodlawn Fire Department.
Firefighters saw moderate fire activity with isolated wind and topographic driven runs. Crews are actively engaged in creating containment lines and removing storm debris near the Blue Ridge Parkway to prep the road as a containment line. Helicopters are dropping water to slow fire growth in support of the firefighters working on the ground.
Preparation for structure protection has been completed in Wild Acres. Crews have been cutting brush and blowing leaves away from structures to create defensible space around homes.
The evacuation order issued by McDowell County Emergency Management for Wild Acres Rd remains in effect. There no plans to expand the evacuation order at this time.
UPDATE at 11:30 a.m. Thursday:
The USDA Forest Service along with the North Carolina Forest Service, McDowell County and Woodlawn Fire Department are responding to the Bee Rock Creek Fire.
The fire is estimated at 504 acres with 10% containment as it moves through steep terrain and heavy storm debris in McDowell County near the Armstrong Fish Hatchery. About 180 personnel are assigned to the fire.
Firefighters are using direct and indirect suppression tactics along the fire's edge. Helicopters are dropping water to slow the fire's progress.
Yesterday crews put out a spot fire that crossed Rose's Creek on the east side of the fire.
McDowell County has issued evacuation orders on Wild Acre Road off NC 226A.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Please be aware of smoke and crews in the area. Drive slowly and use caution on any roads where smoke may be settling.
UPDATE at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday:
The Bee Rock Creek Fire is burning in a rugged area north of Armstrong Creek Rd. and south of Wild Acres Rd. in northern McDowell County. The fire is estimated to have burned 300 acres and is currently 0% contained. Firefighters will continue to work through the night to increase containment and provide structure protection.
An evacuation order remains in place for all residences and structures on Wild Acres Rd. off NC 226 A just south of Little Switzerland. No additional evacuation orders are expected at this time. Should conditions change overnight, residents will be alerted by the Emergency Alert System via cellular devices.
UPDATE at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday:
Emergency personnel from local, state and federal agencies continue to respond to the Bee Rock Branch Fire, which remains active north of Armstrong Creek Road and south of Wild Acres Road in McDowell County. The NC Forest Service still estimates the fire has burned 175 acres with 0% containment as of Wednesday morning.
An evacuation order issued on April 15, 2025, for all residents on Wild Acres Road, including the Wild Acres Retreat, remains in effect and will continue until further notice. Residents are urged to stay clear of the area and follow all instructions from emergency personnel.
Firefighting efforts continue with forestry crews and personnel from multiple fire departments working together to strengthen containment lines and monitor fire behavior. At this time, no structures have been lost, and no injuries have been reported.
The incident is being managed under unified command by the U.S. Forest Service, N.C. Forest Service, Woodlawn Fire Department, and McDowell County Emergency Management.
UPDATE at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday:
The Bee Rock Branch Fire is burning in a rugged area north of Armstrong Creek Rd. and south of Wild Acres Rd. in northern McDowell County. The fire is estimated to have burned 175 acres and is currently 0% contained. Firefighters will continue to work through the night along Armstrong Creek Rd., and Wild Acres Rd. to increase containment and provide structure protection.
An evacuation order remains in place for all residences and structures on Wild Acres Rd. off NC 226 A just south of Little Switzerland. No additional evacuation orders are expected overnight. Should conditions change overnight, residents will be alerted by the Emergency Alert System via cellular devices. The evacuation order will be reassessed no later than 09:00 a.m. on Wednesday with an additional update.
The fire is being managed through unified command under the direction of the NC Forest Service, US Forest Service, and Woodlawn Fire Department. McDowell County Emergency Management, McDowell County EMS, Ashford North Cove Fire Dept., Marion Fire Dept., Hankins FD, Parkway Fire & Rescue, Drexel FD, Ledger FD, Green Valley FD, and Triple Community are assisting at the scene tonight.
The command post on Wild Acres Rd. will continue to monitor the fire overnight. The next update will be sent out no later than 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday unless conditions change and warrant an emergency update.
UPDATE at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday:
McDowell County Emergency Management has issued an evacuation order for all homes on Wild Acres Road off of NC 226 A near Little Switzerland due to a wildfire. This evacuation order included Wild Acres Retreat. Anyone on Wild Acres Rd. who needs emergency sheltering is asked to call 828-652-3241 for assistance.
A wildfire is currently burning south of Wild Acres Rd. and north of Armstrong Creek Rd. The fire is estimated at 75 acres with 0% containment. The fire is being managed using unified command between NC Forest Service, US Forest Service, and Woodlawn Fire Department. Multiple agencies from across McDowell County are also on the scene with out of county departments from Mitchell, Yancey, Avery and Burke assisting.
Citizens are asked to avoid the area of Wild Acres Rd. and Armstrong Creek Rd. to ensure the safety of emergency personnel.
Previous Coverage:
On Tuesday, the North Carolina Forest Service responded to a wildfire in the Pisgah National Forest.
Just before 4 p.m., the city of Marion, North Carolina, said a wildfire has been identified on Armstrong Creek Road in the Woodlawn Community.
City of Marion
The NC Forest Service, US Forest Service and Woodlawn Fire Department are on the scene.
As of Friday afternoon, the fire is estimated to be 75 acres in size and 0% containment.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
828-676-2939
