Celebrate Parks & Recreation Month and National Forest Week with this episode of Big Blend Radio that was recorded onsite with Steve & Karen Wilson, owners and innkeepers of the The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in the heart of the Montford Historic District in Asheville, North Carolina.

Hear about author Wilma Dykeman and Jean Webb who worked to protect and preserve the French Broad and Swannenoa Rivers and the Asheville parks connected with the rivers on a 17-mile green path. Learn how Edith Vanderbilt honored her late husband's wishes of selling an 86,000-acre tract of the Biltmore Estate to create Pisgah National Forest, one of the first national forests east of the Mississippi River. And, find out about the Daughters of the American Revolution who planted 50,000 Spruce Trees to create the Jubilee Memorial Forest within the Pisgah National Forest on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

RESOURCE LINKS: * The Lion & The Rose B&B: https://www.lion-rose.com/ * Wilma Dykman Legacy: https://www.wilmadykemanlegacy.org/ * Wilma Dykman Greenway: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/news/park-views-wilma-dykeman-greenway/ * Jean Webb Park: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/news/park-views-ashevilles-riverfront-parks/ * Asheville Greenworks: https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/ * Biltmore - America's Foresty Legacy: https://www.biltmore.com/blog/biltmore-the-birthplace-of-american-forestry/ * Jubilee Memorial Forest: https://www.ourstate.com/north-carolinas-forgotten-forest/

This episode is featured on the following Big Blend Radio channels: Adventures in Asheville; Parks & Travel; Nature Connection; Women Making History; Big Daily Blend. Check out all of Big Blend Radio's Channels here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Tuesday "Adventures in Asheville" Show focuses on the conservation work and visitor experience at the Western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville.

WNC Nature Center connects people with the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region by inspiring appreciation, nurturing understanding, and advancing conservation of the region’s rich biodiversity.

Featured Guests: - Steve & Karen Wilson - Owners and innkeepers of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast, a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District. More: https://www.lion-rose.com/ - Cindy Smith - Director of Development of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center. More: https://wildwnc.org/

Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Show airs every 1st Tuesday. Follow the show on PodBean: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/

Celebrate Great Outdoors Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Tuesday "Adventures in Asheville" Show that focuses on the various Hiking Opportunities you can enjoy in Asheville, North Carolina.

Featured Guests: - Steve & Karen Wilson - Owners and innkeepers of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast, a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District. More: https://www.lion-rose.com/ - Jennifer "Jenny" Gruhn, PhD - Owner and Biologist of Asheville Hiking Tours. More: https://www.ashevillehikingtours.com/

Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Show airs every 1st Tuesday. Follow the show on PodBean: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/