Riverlink Inc

Water Quality: In 2024, we completed a high-profile public service campaign titled Reduce Rain Runoff, aimed at raising awareness about the harmful impacts of stormwater runoff on our regions waterways. The campaign was featured across a wide range of platforms, including regional newspapers and magazines, online news outlets, social media, podcasts, and blogs. In total, it garnered over 61 million views and was highlighted in 53 unique media pieces. Our Reduce Roof Runoff project provided Buncombe County residents with tools to manage stormwater runoff on their properties. The project prioritized low-income residents living near impaired streams. Despite delays caused by Tropical Storm Helene, we successfully distributed 133 rain barrels and installed two rain gardens. These installations help capture roof runoff, allowing water to soak into the ground and be naturally filtered on-site.

Education: In 2024 our education programs continued to provide free and accessible opportunities for students throughout WNC to connect with their environment. Our in-school programming brought aquatic ecology lessons to 33 different schools, engaging a total of 3,455 students. We also ran 5 weeks of summer camp where we explored the watershed with 60 campers, 20% of which were provided with a full scholarship. . After expanding into the afterschool realm in 2023, these programs continued to grow during 2024. In total, we worked with 28 out-of-school organizational partners to provide a mix of long term repeated programs and shorter one-off partnerships for those who couldnt commit to multiple weeks of activities. We connected with 1,233 students through our out-of-school programs during the school year and over the summer.