Join Luke Etchinson, Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator at N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, for a dive into the current status of mussels, fishes, crayfishes, and their habitats in the French Broad River watershed following Helene. Luke will be discussing the impacts of loss of habitat on our rivers and what is being done to protect and restore this habitat.

Luke Etchison is a river conservation biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and Past-President of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. He has been with the NCWRC since 2016 and is responsible for conservation and monitoring of mussels, crayfishes, native fishes, and aquatic snails in the New, Savannah, Little Tennessee, Hiwassee, French Broad, and Watauga watersheds in NC. Luke received a B.S. in Aquatic and Fisheries Biology, M.S. in Aquatic Biology, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Ball State University, where he was involved in research on everything aquatic from insects to fishes. His dissertation focused on large river fish communities and their response to habitat change over time. Luke lives in East Asheville on the Swannanoa River.

5:30 p.m.: Grab and drink and network with like-minded locals.

6:00 p.m.: Enjoy the presentation and learn something new!

Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by Conserving Carolina, MountainTrue and Trailside Brewing Co. Come to Green Drinks to learn more about current environmental issues, have relevant discussions, and meet with like-minded people. This is a monthly event and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to drink at Green Drinks, just come and listen. Trailside Brewing Co. offers beer, wine, cider, prosecco and non-alcoholic beverages. A limited food menu will be available.

Contact Pam Torlina, pam@conservingcarolina.org, with questions or for more information.