Who we are...
A Clean Wilson Creek is a growing team of local and regional partners committed to protecting this National Wild and Scenic River in it's natural state for future generations.
Wilson Creek begins as a small stream on the side of Grandfather Mountain and forms into an incredible national treasure over the next twenty-three miles. We conduct River Patrol clean-up events to remove trash left by recreational users, and also address abuse of this wilderness area from vandalism.
A strong, service-oriented conservation education component provides outreach to user groups and opportunities for volunteerism.
We have a core team, regularly active trained volunteers, and a number of associates and consultants who help us with this stream protection, conservation education, and community, state and local government outreach. We also have corporate/small business funding partners and hopefully, we will have YOU on our side as well.
View a Map of Our Target Area
Get Involved - Volunteer
If you are passionate about protecting our remaining wilderness and watersheds, we can use your help! We welcome individual volunteers and groups, Scouting troops, and conservation/science/natural history educators for programming. We use volunteers for River Patrol, Trail Maintenance, and presenters for outreach programs. All volunteers are educated on our purpose and River Patrol protocols, safety, and appropriate interpersonal interactions with River visitors. Want to Volunteer? Click Here to complete a form and we will be in touch!
Your Participation is Crucial and Appreciated!
Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our story through word-of-mouth or social media, know that you are appreciated. This operation is costly and we can't take a day off given the current situation. Your support helps us work toward solutions while continuing the daily River Patrols UNTIL we achieve successful solutions! THANK YOU!
We also encourage thoughtful and respectful letters of support or concern to the following governmental agencies that provide oversight of this area:
District Ranger Nick Larson
Grandfather Ranger District,
Pisgah National Forest
109 Lawing Drive
Nebo, NC 28761
(828) 652-2144
Mr. Donald Duncan
County Manager
Caldwell County
PO Box 2200
905 West Avenue NW
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 757-1300
Brad Howard
Division Chief
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
1701 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, NC 27699-1700
828-803-6046
Please Donate!
Your generous gift will ensure daily River Patrols to keep the Wilson Creek and surrounding wilderness areas clean from trash , support vandalism restorations, and fund our conservation education outreach efforts. Please make any donations by check payable to Wilson Creek Clean Up Fund (EIN # 82-0774988) & mail to ACWC / 436 Grand Blvd. / Boone, NC 28607
Current Team Members and Sponsors
Leadership Team
- Jim Calore / Team Leader, Large debris removal, River Patrol logistics
- Tony Emerson / Team Leader
- Patty Mozzicato / Assistant Director
- Rena Pilkington Team Leader
- Wes Waugh / Executive Director
- Dan Whitney Team Leader
- Sandra Aguirre Team Leader
- Katie Krogmeier Conservation Center Coordinator
Associates and Consultants
- Lisa Jennings, National Forest Service, Grandfather District, NonProfit Liaison for ACWC
- Dr. Shea Tuberty, Conservation Biologist and Freshwater Stream Specialist
Business and Organizational Sponsors
- Alpine Ski Shop, Appalachian Ski Mountain, Boone, N.C.
- Betsey's Old Country Store, Mortimer, N.C.
- BearTrailArt.com, Boone, N.C.
- Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery, Blowing Rock, N.C.
- Brown Mountain Beach Resort, Collettsville, N.C.
- Creekside Electronics, Foscoe, N.C.
- Great Outdoor Provision Company, Raleigh, N.C.
- Defeet International Cycling Socks, Hildebran, N.C.
- ExtremeTerrain.com / Off-Road Outfitters
- Giant University City Cycling, Charlotte, N.C.
- Real Accounting Solutions, Lenoir, N.C.
- The Side Street Pour House and Grill, Lenoir, NC
- The Wheelchair Place, Hickory, N.C.
- RDH Automotive, Lenoir, N.C.
- Sig Holcomb III State Farm Insurance, Conover, N.C.
- The Speckled Trout Restaurant, Blowing Rock, N.C.