Supporting Western North Carolina’s Community Forests
Who We Are
We are a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit supporting Western North Carolina resident-led groups in the stewardship of community greenspaces, street trees, and food forests. We believe we are stronger together. By strengthening the roles, rights, and responsibilities of local resident-led groups in implementing and stewarding projects we can, together, improve ecological health while building resilient, connected communities.
What We Do
From neighborhood street tree plantings and community orchards, to pollinator gardens, streambank restoration, and pocket parks, we support formal and informal neighborhood organizations and schools in bringing shared visions for community greenspaces to life.
WNC Grows provides tailored support based on each group’s goals and capacity. This includes planning assistance, site assessments, co-visioning facilitation, community outreach strategies, and species selection. During community workdays we provide tools, trees, perennials, and other planting materials, along with hands-on guidance. We also offer ongoing stewardship education and long-term support to help projects thrive into the future.
Why We Do It
Many Western North Carolina communities have limited access to a walkable greenspace. For example, according to the Trust for Public Land only 39% of Asheville residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, compared to a national average of 57 percent. At the same time, communities across the country are experiencing a rising sense of isolation and a growing desire for stronger local connections.
WNC Grows believes that supporting resident-led stewardship of shared spaces is a powerful response to both challenges. By supporting community groups in co-creating and stewarding parks, food forests, schoolyards and streetscapes we not only improve ecological health, expand shade, and growing local food, but we also cultivate stronger, more connected communities.
