Description

Join George Ivy, Director of Blue Ridge Rising, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s initiative to unite and serve the gateway communities of the Parkway’s 29 counties in Virginia and North Carolina. While the Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan includes dozens of community-led strategies to enhance tourism and economic development, natural resource protection emerged as a key component of this work. Join us to learn more about Blue Ridge Rising, with a particular emphasis on viewshed protection, dark skies, and related strategies, and how they can benefit our local environment, economy, and communities. George Ivey serves as the Director of Blue Ridge Rising, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s initiative to unite and serve the gateway communities of the Parkway’s 29 counties in Virginia and North Carolina. George’s career includes positions with Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Nature Conservancy, and the North Carolina Arboretum, as well as eight years as a consultant. George earned a political science degree at Duke University and a master’s degree in parks, recreation, and tourism from N.C. State University. George lives in Flat Rock, North Carolina, with his wife and two children. 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.