Healthy Streams, Stronger Communities:
Join the Shade Your Stream Symposium.
Join us for hands-on learning in riparian buffers, native plants, and stream restoration techniques
Saturday May 24th, 2025 | 9am Start
Sliding Scale Pricing $30 -$5
Who should attend? This event is perfect for homeowners, educators, land managers, or anyone curious about protecting water quality and improving stream health.
9:00 am: Welcome to Winding Stair.
Event Schedule
9:15 am: Bill Mclarney of Mainspring discusses the importance of the Mainspring Shade Your Stream program and its impact on watershed protection.
10:00 am: Alex of Mainspring provides an introduction to the native aquatic species and living creatures that thrive in healthy waterways.
11:00 am: Snack and restroom break
11:15 am: Lewis Penland of Penland Contracting Co. gives an overview of modern stream restoration techniques and project examples.
12:15 pm: Greg Mason of Winding Stair presents on native plants ideal for stream banks and riparian buffer zones.
1:00 pm: Snack and restroom break
Panel Q&A: Real-World Stream Restoration
1:15 pm: Join Bill, Alex, Greg, and Lewis — along with Sunny (Forest Stewards, Inc.) and Jennifer (project lead at Mountain View Intermediate School) — for an open Q&A about the grant process and hands-on restoration work.
This event takes place at Winding Stair Farm, Franklin, North Carolina — serving the western NC mountain region.
* OPTIONAL *
2:30 pm: Take a guided tour of the completed stream restoration project at Mountain View Intermediate School with Jennifer.
If you wish to receive reminder information and event details by email, please be sure to check the box to receive our newsletter. If you wish to attend but prefer to pay in person at the class, please email us at [email protected]. You may pay a cash payment directly to Patricia, but we do need to know you will be coming.