Pisgah National Forest is one of the most visited national forests in the United States, with the Pisgah Ranger District welcoming millions of visitors each year.
The Pisgah River Rangers program season coincides with the forest’s busiest recreation season (May through September), and subsequently, the time of year when the greatest pressure is placed on its natural resources – especially its waterways.
Launched in 2019, the program focuses on the Davidson, Mills, and French Broad River watersheds. These biodiverse watersheds supply public water and provide critical habitat for important federally listed species, including:
- Eastern Hellbender
- Southern Appalachian Brook Trout
- Various crayfish species
- Appalachian Elktoe
- Freshwater mussels
- Mountain brook lamprey
The program also plays an important role in developing the next generation of public lands stewards, both in terms of its impact on visitors and community members and the career development opportunities it provides to program staff.
We are incredibly fortunate to have the Pisgah Ranger District in our backyard. Experiencing and enjoying our public lands is what makes us feel connected to them, and those connections are often responsible for sparking a deeper sense of curiosity about – and responsibility for – these incredible places.
The Pisgah River Rangers program aims to facilitate this connection for as many visitors and community members as possible each season. It teaches program participants that we are all stakeholders of the forest and it can inspire a lifelong passion for the natural world.
Follow along with the Pisgah River Rangers on Facebook for program events and updates!
At the time of the 2024 program season’s conclusion, Pisgah River Rangers has resulted in:
- 19,739 visitor and community member interactions
- 5,178 lbs. trash removed from the forest
- 971 rock dams/cairns removed
- 241 streamside fire rings removed
- 206 educational programs delivered
